‘Mike & Molly’ star Billy Gardell performs in Burnsville after 170-pound weight loss

“Mike & Molly” fans might not recognize that show’s male star when he saunters onto the stage Jan. 31 at Burnsville’s Ames Center.

Since departing the hit CBS sitcom, Billy Gardell has undergone bariatric surgery that helped him shed roughly 170 pounds. Gardell, 56, who also starred in “Bob Hearts Abishola” and made memorable appearances on “Young Sheldon,” spoke earlier this month from his Los Angeles home.

Q: You were open about getting help on your weight before it became fashionable. Why go that route?

A: I was in a place where I needed an extreme kick start. I wasn’t going to pretend that I took some yummy gummy bear or stepped inside some magic machine. If you’re honest about your journey, maybe that’ll give someone else the courage to do it. But that was the right approach for me. Everyone has to decide what’s best for them. I want to make that clear.

Q: Did you face any backlash?

A: There’s always going to be a pocket of people that have to lash out at you. That’s the world we live in. When I was fat, 90 percent of comments said I looked great and 10 percent said I was too heavy. After the surgery, 80 percent were encouraging and the other 20 percent thought I was sick and not telling anybody. It’s our choice to listen to what we want to.

Q: You had a nice career being cast as big guys. Did you worry that roles would dry up if you were skinnier?

Q: That’s the great thing about stand-up. It doesn’t matter what you look like, as long as you’re funny.

A: I just think it’s a great form of expression. I had semi-retired and took three years off. But I missed it. I started doing the open mics and clubs again. It’s the only way to sharpen your blade. It’s like golf. When I first came back, I was rusty and awful. But after about a year and a half, I got my swing back.

Q: Do you still like being on the road?

A: I’m in that Bull Durham phase of my life. I’ve been everywhere so many times, it all kind of blurs together. These days, I tend to do the gig and just fly home. If there’s time, I love to visit points of interests like Charlie Parker’s grave or the biggest ball of rubber bands. The couple times I’ve been to Minnesota was in blizzards. There must have been 14 inches of snow. That’s probably a Wednesday for you guys. I do remember eating chili and riding the roller coaster at the Mall of America.

Q: It’s pretty rare these days to star in a sitcom that lasts awhile. You’ve done it twice. What do you say to those who believe the network sitcom is on its last legs?

Q: What makes a great sitcom?

A: You have to care about the characters and you have to believe the characters like each other. Chuck Lorre (executive producer for “Mike” and “Bob”) lives by the same rule as Norman Lear did. The more the audience cares, the harder they’ll laugh. If you have tender moments and follow up with a funny line, you’ve turned a double play.

Q: Your “Mike & Molly” co-star Melissa McCarthy remained with the series even after she was having so much success in film. Why do you think she stuck around?

A: We were a little family. I like to think we were there for her when that transition happened. We had a lot of joy on that set, especially the last few years. We still get together every couple months, but now we talk about why the kids don’t call.

Q: Any chance of a reboot or reunion special?

Q: Do you see yourself committing to another sitcom?

A: I think if the right one came along, I’d be interested. What I really have my eyes on is a serious turn. I don’t need to be the star. I’d be happy to have third or fourth billing on a drama, maybe be the angry fire captain or the crooked politician.

When: 7 p.m. Jan. 31

Where: Masquerade Dance Theater, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Av., Burnsville