I am comedian Todd Barry and this is my AMA!

Do you think it's tougher for a comedian that's "low energy" to start out? It seems like guys do a lot of yelling and moving around get more attention even if they're not that funny...

It's definitely an advantage to be high energy, but ultimately you want to be yourself. Comedians with forced energy look ridiculous (to me).

You are famous for asking for free stuff, and the #freestufffortodd hashtag. What is the best or weirdest free stuff you have received?

Didn't I already answer this one? Maybe it didn't go through. I did the Edinburgh festival years ago. I did a joke about being a germaphobe. After the show a woman approached me and handed me a stack of high-end moist towelettes, the kind that come in scents like Eucalyptus and spearmint, and sell at Whole Foods for $15. I thanked her and made a "joke" about her sending me a case. She sent me 20 bags!

What's the story behind that picture you tweet all the time of you and the koala bear

I filmed something for Comedy Central at the Sydney Zoo years ago. We got to go to this area of the zoo that wasn't open to the public, where they took care of animals that were rescued, and a little more tame than usual. That picture was taken with one of those cardboard disposable cameras that no one uses or needs anymore.

Hey Todd, you're one of my all-time favorite comedians. Were there any moments during the Crowd Work Tour in which you thought "Maybe this isn't a good idea?"

It's actually been going quite well. There have been definite lulls, but the show usually gets back on track.

Wow!!!!! Todd Barry! Thank you for your comedy. You are (to me at least) one of only a very few comics that make me laugh consistently. Who makes you laugh?

Thanks and here's partial list: Dave Attell, Doug Stanhope, Patrice O'Neal, Maria Bamford, Sarah Silverman, Louis CK (he funded my special), Andy Kindler, many more who I'll think of later.

Has Fugazi's drummer thanked you for the $6 idea?

Yes. I've become friendly with him. He and Ian MacKaye have come to my DC shows.

I've heard mixed things about what the relationship is like among fellow comedians. A lot of people say that because there relatively few of you (compared to other entertainment professions), it's like a family and there's a general air of supportiveness, but then I've heard others say it's very cut throat and back-stabby. What has your experience been?

I think most comedians are nice and supportive, but there are negative people in every profession.

What are your thoughts about Stephen Colbert taking over for David Letterman?

I think he'll be great. He seems he will dive in to the position.

Todd- I bought your special for $5, didn't have the money to cover it in checking apparently, and was charged a $28 NSF fee. Totally worth it.

I want a piece of that $28. Which bank is it?

You alright, Todd?

Yes, broseph. Thanks for checking in.

Todd, I saw you open for Louie in AC a few years ago. I knew your name and had seen you in some stuff, but didn't really know your comedy style. When I saw you, I thought you were pretty funny - but we had bigger fish to fry (Mr CK)

However, later on that evening as I thought more about your set, I realized that you actually killed it. Your jokes about the lemon in the water and the phone in the toilet still stand out to me. Not really a question, but you're the only comedian where it's taken a conscious decision by me to reflect back on your set to realize how good you actually were.

Thanks! This is one of the most eloquent backhanded compliments I've received in a long time. I'm glad you came around! Seriously.

Louis CK, Marc Maron and many other successful comedians love to talk a lot about their masturbation habits. When are you gonna give us the scoop on yours?

Hey! Who told you it involves a scoop?

Todd, do you still get nervous sometimes before a really big show?

Definitely. I kind of hate when I hear a performer who says they "never get nervous." I just don't believe that.

Can you talk about what working on Dr. Katz was like? Jonathan Katz seems like he would be hilarious to work with.

Jonathan is super hilarious and nice, and I got to improvise a lot of the script (mainly as Todd, The Video Store Clerk), and they were nice enough to give me a writing credit.

You're famous for being a huge enthusiast of frequent flier miles. If I only fly once a year, and always economy, should I feel bad about never signing up for an airline loyalty program?

Sign up! Those miles add up!!!

Todd, here's a Sophie's Choice if there ever was one: Blue Bottle, Stumptown, or Intelligentsia?

Oh man, I like all three of those.

could you explain Borrowing Saffron for me? I didn't get it...

I don't get it, either.

Hello Mr. Barry,

I have a couple of questions:

1. Will you ever return to Portland after dealing with the crazy drunk woman in your Crowd Work film?

2. How do you really feel about comedian Brendon Walsh?

That drunk woman was just drunk and enthusiastic. I'd still come back to Portland. Brendon Walsh is a good guy (please don't tell him I said that).

You're never political in your comedy. Do you pay attention/hold strong political views personally?

I have views, but I think if you're going to do political material, you have to know your stuff inside and out, or you look like a dummy.

If you weren't busy being my favorite comedian, what other profession would you choose?

Being your SECOND favorite comedian. Awwwww.

any tips for somone trying to get in? Also do you watch SNL? Big fan btw.

Where are you trying to get in? A hot nightclub? Can't help you. Comedy? Write some jokes, find an open mic night to tell them. Repeat that for many years. I watch SNL sometimes, but usually I'm working (yes, I know I can DVR it.

Will you only be answering questions from verified Reddit users?

You can get a verified reddit account?!!!

How much did it cost to make the special?

Louie paid for it, so it would be up to him to reveal that figure.

What kind of drum set up do you have?

I have a red Pearl wood/fiberglass set sitting in a storage unit it Florida.

What would you say is your most significant achievement?

148 upvotes as we speak!

Do you like Todd Glass? Are you the best Todd comedian?

Everyone likes Todd Glass, but I'm the best Todd comedian.

Do you have a history in improv that you drew on to do this tour or is crowd work on stage, alone, a different entity than group based improvisation?

I believe I've only done improv once. It's not easy!

Hi man! What does it take to get you to do a stand up gig in Finland?

Contact my agent!

Hey Todd, I'm Jeremy. I was in the front row of your crowd work show at Theatre99 in Charleston. You were great. I wanted you to know that my girlfriend is sorry for yelling at you. She thought you were insulting me by telling me "one year of doing comedy is nothing" so she yelled "HE'S ACTUALLY REALLY FUNNY!" Anyway, she's sorry. Also, you made fun of everyone's job but when I told you I worked with the mentally disabled you only said "you do good work" and moved on. Do you usually refuse to make fun of those kinds of jobs when you do crowd work?

First I forgive your girlfriend. I didn't take her reaction as hostile. Yeah, I didn't want to go down a shitty path by making fun of your job. I'm a great guy.

Love you dude! What joke has been the biggest bomb of your career?

I can tell you love me because you're asking for a bomb story. I've had a few! My second appearance on Conan did not go very well.

Love the new special! What kind of preparation did you do for the tour? Were you ever tempted to bust out a bit or two just to keep the show going?

PS come back to Denver!

I never busted out a bit. There wasn't really a lot of preparation, because there's really nothing to prepare. You just have to make sure the sound and lighting are good. I'll come back to Denver!

What's your stand on normcore?

I had to look that up. It seems I'm the king of that movement!

Hey Todd. How much of your material actually makes it into one of your sets? I'd love to know how many potential "white tile bathroom" jokes we've missed out on over the years

If I stop doing a joke, it's probably because it's bad. You probably haven't missed anything.

What was it like working on the Larry Sanders show?

Really fun, and kind of surreal. I remember Garry Shandling coming up to me after we filmed a take. He had a note for me, but made a point of saying "only do this if you think it's funny." I was impressed by that.

What's the most you've ever paid for a pour-over coffee?

Between $4-5?

Do you have a writing routine, and/or a system for capturing ideas when you're on the go?

I try to sit down and write, but I don't do that a lot. I tend to think of an idea, then work it out on stage. But I should do more homework.

How much tougher and how involved were you in editing your Crowd Work special? I'd imagine it was harder to pick the material that would go into the special than a regular special where you have a certain amount of material that you've worked on as opposed to the crowd work format where you probably had seven completely different shows with all different material. I know that was a run-on sentence kind of but you're an incredible genius, so I'm sure you can figure out what I'm asking.

Also thanks for opening for Louis in Pittsburgh last year. That was such an awesome surprise.

I actually spent many hours in the editing room with Gina Sansom (the editor). It was a lot to sift through, especially since there was offstage footage to deal with, too. I remember that Pittsburgh show. That theater was ridiculously great.

How working with Pootie ?

You don't know about the feud between me and Pootie?

Hey Todd, since you like free stuff and I like free stuff what say you flip the script and send me something for free? It can be anything you want. Money, baseball cards, voicemail greeting, what ever. I'm not a too particular.

Watch your mailbox.

Are you a big reader? If so, what do you enjoy to read?

I went to a book store yesterday and bought a copy of Harper's. Does that answer your question? I wish I read more than I do, but I think I have ADD. I read a good book about comedy called "I"m Dying Up Here."

Your 'Receipts bit' on your website was and still is a favorite. Maybe with the mooolah generated by this movie you can buy more stuff and build up a pool of receipts to work from again. Or did you retire Receipt Comedy from your toolbox?
Thanks, Todd!!

I know, I haven't updated that in years. I want to, but I sort of don't want to. I can't do it all, GhostDadTheWhip!!!!

Hey Todd! You are definitely one of my favorite comedians of all time. When can we expect another written album or special?

Also, how do you feel about R.E.M.?

I don't know when I'll have a new written hour. I love REM! I drove 12 hours to see them in 1984. And there's a picture of me Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and my friend Rich on my website!

todd, you're one of the few (relative) comedians in new york with a podcast. why did you decide to do it?

why does every comedian in l.a. have a podcast but fewer do in new york?

I decided to do it because it seemed easy enough to start. But it's kind of a grind booking guests. I do enjoy the conversations, though.

What places did you visit in Raleigh during the tour, if any?

I didn't have a lot of time to visit. I went to a bar/restaurant a few doors down from Kings. I forgot the name. I was sad I didn't get a chance to go to Poole's Diner.

What are some of your favorite cities that you toured and why?

Another partial list: Toronto, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Melbourne, London. I just like these cities!!!!

Was doing crowd work always a part of your act? If not, what made you decide to start incorporating it?

I can't remember when I started doing it, but I've been mixing it in for a while.

What do you say to people who say that crowd work is done just to eat up time and is the easiest thing to do as a comedian?

I didn't realize it was easy.

Hi Todd, Do you ever listen to The Bone Zone, why did you insult Brendon Walsh on twitter.

edit: bitchn'

I've never listened to it. I insult Brendon because it's enjoyable. He likes it, too

One of my favourite pieces of yours is the tutorial on how to fill up your soap dispenser. Absolutely next level. Are you still experimenting with material for youtube?

I'd like to do something more ambitious than the video you mentioned, but haven't gotten around to it!

As a foreigner (Australian) living in Thailand, your joke about being a middle-aged guy going on holiday to Thailand alone always cracks me up. Have you actually been here? Did you like it? Would you ever consider doing a show here?

I've always wanted to go to Thailand! I don't how I'd do a show there, but I'd definitely go there on vacation.

How did you hook up with Mates of State and start playing drums for them?

I think I met them at a wedding? It turned out they were CRAZED FANS of mine. I did a little tour with them, and muscled my way behind the drum kit.

Hey Todd, you were talking on Maron's podcast about not having any shows in St. Louis for the last few years. Any ideas as to why?

There are a lot of cities out there. I've played St. Louis several times. I'm sure I'll be back.

If all you could eat was tacos, how many tacos would you eat at one time?

I had three yesterday. That was the recommended number at the restaurant I was at.

Todd, you are one of my favorite comedians ever! When are you going to get your own show?

Thanks! I don't know when I'll get my own show! Maybe sometime soon?

Why are southern legs of comedy tours usually the last?

The last show in my tour is in Brooklyn.

you recently said some kind words about Detroit on your recent WTF appearance. Thanks for that. What can I do to ensure more great comics come here and go to the appropriate venues?

Maybe reach out the venues and have them reach out to the comedians. Most of us have booking agents, so it's pretty easy of them to make that happen.

Are you planning to release the audio/video from your current crowd work tour?

I haven't been filming them. I think one crowd work special from me is enough.

If an unfunny person wanted to become funnier, what would your advice be for them?

Take my online comedy course.

Who was your role model growing up?

Louis CK.

You were great on Louie. Did Louis CK write that part for you or did you just improvise? I thought it was very typically Todd Barry.

You're asking if Louis wrote the part of "Todd Barry" for me?

Can you BELIEVE Chipotle was started by McDonalds? Outrageous

I watched a documentary on Chipotle on Netflix. Turns out McDonald's didn't start it, but they did give them $350,000,000.

Todd, so great to see you do this, you are my favorite comedian.

Are you close friends with Louie and Hannibal in real life? Do you just shoot the shit or compare material?

How long did it take you in comedy to realize "this life isn't so hard anymore"? In other words, when did you first feel you finally "made it"?

Will you please share your sugar cookie/crystal meth recipe with me?

I fucking love you man, I wish I had more time to think of better questions.

I am friends with Louie and Hannibal! We definitely shoot the shit more than we compare material.

Hi, Todd. I do a lot of those shitty EastVille shows on the weeknights. What are you looking at on your blackberry before you go on? You seem very focused.

I keep my comedy notes on that thing! And I don't use a Blackberry anymore.