McKnight steps out

“To do [a show] for a great cause is always something, if my schedule permits, that I love to do.’’

It’s impressive that his schedule permitted it. The Grammy-nominated R&B star has been out of the mainstream musical spotlight for a minute, but he’s been one busy man the past few years, competing on “Celebrity Apprentice,’’ starring in “Chicago’’ on Broadway, scoring a Tyler Perry film, and hosting two radio shows. The man behind hits like “Back at One’’ and “Love Is’’ also recently launched a late-night TV talk show, airing locally Saturdays at 12:05 a.m. on WCVB (Channel 5) in September and his latest album, “Evolution of a Man,’’ late last month.

We spoke with the tireless and tirelessly confident McKnight about all of the balls he’s juggling as he drove from one job to another in Los Angeles.

Q. In addition to being a musician, did you always want to be a talk-show host?

A. It’s been something that I’ve been working on for five years. When I was a kid did I dream of it? No. Has it evolved into this? Absolutely. When I’m doing this show it’s as comfortable as anything I’ve ever done. I worked for [entertainment news show] “Extra’’ for a while. I had a show on BET. I could’ve done a similar version of this before under somebody else’s umbrella, and I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to have creative control over some of those things that are important to an artist, and I got them and finally got the show on the air and it’s doing really well.

Q. What’s surprised you so far about what you’ve enjoyed the most?

A. I thought that because the schedule was going to be so grueling with all of the things I’ve been doing that it would be difficult and it’s been relatively easy. I have a great work ethic anyway, so that’s part of it. Even with music, I’ve never done it for me, I’ve always done it in the hopes that there are people out there that love what I do and have their lives affected by that. And that’s what’s happened over 20 years. And I now see that happening on TV.

Q. Who are your dream guests?

A. I don’t really think of it in those terms. It would be great to get Michelle Obama. But I love the psychology behind what people do, no matter who they are.

Q. How are you doing all of this stuff, and is your assistant getting the best Christmas gift ever this year?

A. Probably [laughs]. In my brain I say to myself, “Let’s do this for the next couple of years and then let’s see.’’ For me, everything I’ve ever done has been mind over matter. There has never been a time that I’ve let me down because I’ve always had that attitude. That’s why I write all the songs and play all the instruments and I do everything, because at the end of the day it is a lot of work, but if it works then who are they going to point to? They’re going to point to me [laughs].