Q&A: Adam DeVine on ‘Pitch Perfect 2,’ Justin Bieber’s love of ‘Workaholics’

TORONTO – A varied resume has given Adam DeVine a varied fanbase.

A certain segment of TV viewers recognize the Iowa actor for his wholesome work on “Modern Family.”

Plenty of others associate DeVine with his entirely un-wholesome contributions to “Workaholics.”

And others know him for his antagonistic turns in the “Pitch Perfect” series.

But when it comes to fans of the chaotic cartoon “Uncle Grandpa,” DeVine can spot them just as fast as they recognize him.

“You meet the little kids and they love it because it’s a crazy cartoon where anything could happen … but then it’s also really fun for stoner kids who love to smoke weed, eat pizza and watch the weirdest cartoons they’ve ever seen,” DeVine said during a recent interview.

“I notice when I do standup I hear a lot of people going: ‘Workaholics!’ or ‘Pitch Perfect!’ or ‘Modern Family!’ And then there’s always the most stoner-y kid in the whole crowd like: ‘Uncle Grandpaaa!’

“If you’re doing a cool little weird cartoon, that’s one of the biggest compliments.”

Though “Uncle Grandpa” has accumulated a fanbase south of the border, the manic program debuts Monday on Teletoon.

DeVine talked to The Canadian Press about the show, having Justin Bieber as a fan, and the blockbuster “Pitch Perfect 2.”

CP: It’s hard to summarize “Uncle Grandpa,” how do you describe it?

DeVine: I love doing this cartoon, man. It’s sort of like a new-age “Ren and Stimpy.”

It’s almost like a little edgy for little kids. I remember watching “Ren and Stimpy” when I was a child and I was scared sometimes. Because you’re like: “Oh gosh, this is insane, why did his teeth chatter and now the veins in his roots are moving around?”

There’s similar things in “Uncle Grandpa” that you’re like, “Wow, that’s gnarly” — which is why I think it connects with both eight-year-olds and 28-year-old stoners.

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CP: How was returning for “Pitch Perfect 2”?

DeVine: I was there a lot less time. It was like returning back to summer camp for two weeks, then going “see ya!” while everyone else stayed there all summer.

I had so much fun doing those movies. It’s just so silly. You get to sing, you get to dance and my character’s so insane.

And the movie turned out great. I like it much better than the first one. It’s definitely funnier.

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CP: I hear Justin Bieber’s a big “Workaholics” fan and there was talk of him appearing?

DeVine: Yeah, we still are open to that.

It’s just so surreal and so crazy, just the amount of power that kid wields. It’s almost scary.

I don’t even want to get too close to him because I don’t want him to turn on me and ruin me, you know? (laughs)

Like I love that he’s a fan and stuff but I’m kind of keeping him at bay so he doesn’t go: “You know what, I DON’T like ‘Workaholics!'”

And all of a sudden Comedy Central just turns off.

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CP: Your “Modern Family” character Andy has had a will-they-won’t-they situation with Haley.

DeVine: I hope they do. They’re so cute together. He’s so good for her.

I’m glad I was able to work into the show and be part of the machine and not just be the cog that (messes) everything up and derails the entire show.

They had come off winning five Emmys in a row when I started. I’m like: “Welp, here’s the derailment.”

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Answers have been edited and condensed.

— Follow @CP_Patch on Twitter.