Gary Rogers, a 20-year-old San Leandro, Calif. resident, has recently found a platform to share his distinctive take on the professional skateboarding world via a satirical online skateboarding news program entitled "Skateline." Whether it's his penchant for odd analogies (Shane 'O Neil's style and Kim Kardashian's... uh... assets) or his endearingly eccentric on-air presence, Rogers is somehow able to break taboos more embittered commentators cannot. Rogers was able to hone his comic craft at Metro Skateboard shop, in nearby Pleasant Hill. It was there that Metro's owner, Joel Jutagir, first discovered Roger's idiosyncratic talents and began their creative collaboration. Soon thereafter the pair released the first episode of Skateline. It wasn't long before Tony Hawk's RIDE Channel came calling. RIDE now provides funding for the show.
"The thing about Gary is there's not many people that could put that out there and not have it come off as mean spirited," says Mr. Jutagir. "Gary's got a lot of love and respect for skateboarding. He's an uber fan that's not afraid to call it as he sees it. I think it's a rare quality these days."
We recently spoke with Mr. Rogers about his comic influences, the brilliance of Bay Area skater Mark Suciu, and the blessings and burdens of hosting Skateline which, thus far, has had four well-received episodes.
ESPN.com: How did you become the host of an online satirical skateboarding news program?
Rogers: I told Metro, let's do something funny. Joel [Jutagir] is secretly hilarious. Everything comes from Metro, fame-wise. Joel named the show Skateline, like Dateline. Basically, there's too much on my mind for me to try and keep it inside.
Sometimes comics are actually very serious people. Are you, in truth, a very serious person?
No, not really. [laughs] I'm actually kind of a wacky dude, man. I like to have fun.
Who are your comic influences?
My comedy comes from my father actually. My dad's hilarious. My mom's kind of funny too. When I wake up in the morning and my face is scrunched up my dad says I look like "The Penguin" from the Batman movie. In school I was always the class clown. I just kind of took it to the next level when I met my friends at the skatepark.
Since Tony Hawk's RIDE channel picked up your show Skateline, have you had a chance to speak to Tony Hawk directly?
No. Joel called me and said, "Check this out. They're going to give you a show on RIDE channel." I am like, "Yeah dude. Thanks for teasing me." Then he said, "No I'm serious." Then I did a backflip. I was completely stoked man. I'm just too hyped off the whole thing.
Do you get nervous when you are recording episodes?
I can't be nervous. It's not that I don't care. It's just that I am doing what I know I have to do. But then I never say what's on the paper. It's pretty much all freestyle.
You don't shy from naming certain professional skateboarders. Are you concerned about aggravating anyone?
I live in Hayward, California. If you want to come find me I'll be at the skate shop. No, I'm just kidding. I'm not calling anybody out. The guys I am talking about are the guys I look up to the most. Like, Torey Pudwill is actually a phenomenal skater. I look up to the guy. I'm just offering a critique of their style.
Have you met a lot of pros?
I met Chris Cole at Wallenberg. I think I was annoying him. I was just following him around. I was so hyped. He kind of looked at me like, "Hey get away from me." And I am like, "No. I can't. Did you see your last video part? I'm not leaving you alone."
I saw Nyjah Huston when he was probably 12. This was at the Zumiez couch tour. This was when Nyjah was the little skater kid. I was all juiced. I was all, "Nyjah!" I scared him so bad. He got back in this car and locked the door. It was crazy. I didn't mean to do that. I was just happy. I thought he was used to it.
I met Rodney Mullen one time at the Zumiez couch tour. That was a milestone for me. It was not even real. It was like a dream come true. I was awake and he was really in front of me. I told myself that, 'You're not going to freak out over Rodney Mullen,' knowing that I was going to freak out. Rodney Mullen and I just chatted it up for like 30 minutes. I was trying to figure out why he wasn't skating but I forgot he was 93, 94 years old. Rodney Mullen. The name speaks for itself. He seemed really cool.
You're with ESPN, right? You can fly me and all my friends out to the X Games, right?
No. I wish I could. Who's your favorite skateboarder?
Mark Suciu. He is a great skateboarder. Mark Suciu is my favorite skater. Everything about him is just on point. I don't even want to start. I am going to start crying.
Who, in your opinion, is the funniest skateboarder?
Definitely Rob Dyrdek. I watch all his stuff. That guy is funny. I don't care. Everbody probably thinks I hate Rob Dyrdek. I want to be Rob Dyrdek. I want to go to Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and break things. He's hilarious in every way.
