Anthony Anderson talks 'revealing' new FOX special

"Just know that you have to get naked in front of a live audience."

For most people, a phone call with those words would result in an instant, "No way!"

But Anthony Anderson isn’t most people.

"I said, ‘Yes, yes, that's why I'm doing it,’" laughs the Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian.

Anderson is both 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 for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research. 

"You know, cancer affects all of us. I’ve lost several friends and family members to the disease," says Anderson of his decision to be involved in the project. "And I had been familiar with ‘The Full Monty’ in the U.K., right? So, I've seen it."

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

"A lot of people turned me down once they found out what we were really doing," says Anderson. "So, those who are on the show, they said yes before I could get to the naked part. And since we were recording them — recording these telephone calls that I was having with my friends — I already had them on the hook!"

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