PR.com (Allison Kugel): How did you come up with the name Paul Blart for this character, and why did you make him a mall cop?

Kevin James: Actually Nick Bakay, the writer with me, came up with that name. He just made it up and I cracked up at it, and it stuck. The profession I came up with by thinking, you know, when I knew I was doing a movie by myself without carrying Will Smith or Adam Sandler (laughs), once I was on my own I knew I had to make it as funny as it could be. I wanted people to be invested in the character and really take this journey with this guy, and I definitely wanted it to be a mall cop. Somebody whose authority is questioned all the time and he just tries to do the best he can at his job. When the chips are down… he eats them (laughs). No, he takes over and he does alright.

PR.com: But, you were never a mall security guard in your early days as a comedian…

Kevin James: I was not. But, I always respected them. They have a tough time. A lot of people don’t give them the respect.

PR.com: I was an auxiliary police officer.

Kevin James: Where?

PR.com: Plainview, Long Island.

Kevin James: Did you get a gun?

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