The following is a transcript of an interview with Max Pescatori - Original air date: 6/15/07 on "The Donald Key Experience" Hosted by Donald Key - Reprinted with the permission of the show and Mr. Key.
Donald Key: We've got a very special treat tonight for everyone out there. Tonight's guest is one of the stars of one of the highest grossing films of all time. Star of the summer blockbuster, in theaters now, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Actor Max Pescatori. Max thanks for being here.
Max Pescatori: <nervous laughter> It is good to be here. Am I in the right place?
DK: Ha. Ha. These superstars. Always joking. Of course you are... So tell us, Max, what was it like to play opposite the main man himself, Johnny Depp?
MP: I think you must have me confused with someone else. I'm a professional poker player. Max Pescatori. They call me “The Italian Pirate.” I think that’s why you're--
DK: Okay, folks, I apologize. Not a star, but a supporting actor in the film. Pescatori here plays the pesky "Italian" pirate.
MP: No. Donald. I wasn't in any film. I play cards... For money.
DK: What would you say was the more difficult aspect of the role to master, being Italian, or being a pirate?
MP: Well, I’m already Italian, so I didn't need to master that. So I guess...being a pirate? But-
DK: I had a feeling. That was at least 30 years ago that we had pirates like that in the Caribbean. Did you have to do a lot of research? I see you have a bandana on. Is that part of the method? Are you a method actor?
MP: Listen to me – I, am, not, an, actor. I, am, a, poker, player.
DK: Sorry, Max. I don’t speak Italian.
MP: That was English.
DK: Moving along. Something I've wanted to know for a while: is Keira Knightly hot, or is she built like a washboard with two tic tacs super-glued to it? Be honest.
MP: I don't know who Keira Knightly is, but Monica Belucci, now there's a real women.
DK: Ah yes, for those of my listeners who don't know. Mr. Pescatori is referring to the famous Vietnamese poker player, Monica Belucci.
MP: No. She’s an actress. And She's Italian. Like me.
DK: You mean like your CHARACTER in the movie.
MP: Who is this idiot?
DK: Poker Shock Jock, Donald Key - 1-888-7-Suited - Chime in whenever you're ready folks! We're here chatting with “The Italian Pirate” from Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
DK: Talk a little bit about the relationship between you and Johnny Depp. Be honest, he's all Ego right.
MP: Um...
DK: I knew it. Say no more, Max. SAY - NO - MORE. It's just between you, me, and our thousands of listeners worldwide 1-888-7-Suited if you want to talk to Max Pescatori. So, if my research is correct, it says here that you have also been tapped to do the voice over for the Italian version of POTC: At World's End. What's that gonna net you? Like a mil, mil-five?
MP: Well, Don, it’s interesting you should bring up that figure. I actually do have over 1.5 million dollars in lifetime poker tournament earnings. And I won a gold bracelet at last year's World Series of Poker.
DK: Won. Ha! Right. You pirates are all the same. It's called stealing. Own up to your actions.
MP: Where can I put these headphones?
DK: One final question. Orlando Bloom, on a scale of hot to fire-sauce-at-taco-bell hot, where do you put him?
MP: Someone needs to have Jeffrey Pollack take this guys press creds away.
DK: That's it for tonight's episode of the Donald Key Experience. Slam dunk interview as usual. For “The Italian Pirate” Max Pescatori this is Donald Key saying, "If you don't have the nuts. Don't bet."
