Anthony Anderson talks about the “unveiling” of the new FOX special

“Just know that you’re going to have to get naked in front of a live audience.”

For most people, a call with those words would immediately result in a “No way!”

But Anthony Anderson isn’t like most people.

“I said, ‘Yeah, yeah, that’s why I’m doing it,'” laughs the Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian.

Anderson is both the star and executive producer of The Real Full Monty, a new two-hour special airing tonight on FOX. Inspired by the 1997 film The Full Monty and based on the hit international television project, the special features a group of male celebrities stripping down to raise awareness of testing and research into prostate, testicular and colon cancer.

“You know, cancer affects us all. “I have lost several friends and family members to the disease,” says Anderson about his decision to take part in the project. “And I knew ‘The Full Monty’ in the UK, right? So I saw it.”

Anderson is joined by actors Taye Diggs, Tyler Posey and James Van Der Beek, Super Bowl champion Chris Jones and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Bruno Tonioli in the special, in which the men train for a revealing final dance performed by Emmy winner Mandy Moore was choreographed.

“A lot of people rejected me when they found out what we were really doing,” Anderson says. “So, those who are on the show said yes before I could get to the naked part. And since we recorded them – these phone conversations I had with my friends – I already had them on the hook!”

“The Real Full Monty” airs Monday at 8 p.m. on FOX 5 Atlanta – to hear more of our interview with Anthony Anderson, click on the video player in this article.