C.J.: With "Super Troopers" star Erik Stolhanske there's the occasional Meow without a hint of cattiness

Meow, you knew a certain word wouldn't be avoided when interviewing Erik Stolhanske.

Since the Minneapolis-born actor and member of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe has a near-cult following thanks to movies such as "Super Troopers," I'm not going to explain what's going on here.

Stolhanske was in the metro for a Minnesota Film and TV Board event. When I interviewed him at the offices of Roepke Public Relations, he was surprised and a little delighted that I was aware of one the most beloved verbal gags in the movies he's made. While I may not be the demographic, which is men 18 and older, I assured Stolhanske that I am sometimes quite juvenile.

"You'd be surprised by how many women fans there are as well," said Stolhanske's wife and social media director, Barbara Slade. In addition to photoshopping photos of her husband on Prince's motorcycle, she's extremely proud of her community volunteer work here for the Grotto Foundation and Hill Museum & Manuscript Library at St. John's University in Collegeville. Slade was disappointed, as you will see in my startribune.com/video, that "Super Trooper" lawyers didn't put the kibosh on the perk that comes with the $25 million donation level.

Q: How gratifying was it to get your $2 million from Indiegogo to make "Super Troopers 2" within hours instead of a month?

A: Amazing. I think we got to $2 million [in] under 24 hours. So the first day, we hit our first goal. Humbling. Very humbling.

Q: And now you're close to $4 million?

Q: What's the largest contribution?

A: I think it's $35,000. Somebody bought a patrol car from the movie that they can drive home. First day.

Q: So fans can donate $10 and receive a sweet digital mega manuscript. You can donate $10,000 and get a speaking role in the movie, $25,000 to have the cast appear at your wedding?

A: That's right, we'll be groomsmen or bridesmaids, whatever you want.

Q: At the end of the movie "Beerfest," you said there was the possibility of "Potfest." So are you starting an Indiegogo account for "Potfest?"

Q: You're going to work with Snoop, really?

A: Seriously, two days ago, he said he was dying to meet us. We have to make it now.

Q: Meow, much alcohol and pot go into writing sessions for the movies?

A: I know you didn't write that question. You got that from somebody else, I can tell you that. [He starts laughing.] That's funny.

Q: What's the process?

Q: Is there as much drinking and pot use in your real life as in your movies?

A: [Extended laughter] I don't think I would be alive if there was. That's why we call it acting. And thank God for digital effects.

Q: Do you guys draw straws to see who's going to do the really embarrassing scenes?

A: [Extended laughter] That's the fun part of being a writer is you get to write parts for other people you want to do the stupid stuff.

Q: What do your parents think of your movies?

Q: Did they see anything in your years as a teenager that would have foreshadowed this?

A: Absolutely not. They didn't expect it at all. I went to Colgate University to be pre-med and came out an actor. My dad and I didn't see eye to eye for a couple of years until our movies ["Puddle Cruiser," "Super Troopers"] got into Sundance … started being successful."

A longer version of this edited interview is online. To contact C.J. try cj@startribune.com, and to see her check out the Fox 9 "Buzz."