I Am actor Jeffrey Tambor, joined by the co-creators of my new show Onion News Empire. Ask us anything.

How do we know this isn't Oscar?

It's good not to know.

Hi Jeffrey! What is your favorite running theme/joke in Arrested Development? Can't wait for it to start again!

"There's always money in the banana stand."

Did Judy Greer ever flash you in real life?

No. And that's a problem.

Annyong

We just saw each other at the AD premiere last Monday!

Did working on Archer with Jessica Walter and Judy Greer remind you at all of working with them on Arrested Development?

It was really odd to hear Jessica's voice and my character's interact. That's another group of writers that's up there with ONE and AD. I guess I do like edgy.

[deleted]

I think was just hungry. I wouldn't add a lot of symbolism to it.

Can I touch you?

NO touching!

Hi Jeffery, thanks for doing this AMA. Last week in my civics class we watched a program from the 80s about the US Constitution, that you were in, called "Funny, You Don't Look 200." It featured alot of stars, but had the feel of a corny after school special? Did you volunteer for this, or were you sucked into participating in this program.

Edit: Link

Oh my god! I was actually on hand during the signing of the Constitution and one thing led to another.

How much of Arrested development is ad-libbed? Were there any scenes in particular where the cast had real trouble with breaking character?

No, really good shows like The Larry Sanders Show, Arrested, Onion News Empire, people think they are ad-libbed because they're written so well. Very little is ad-libbed. These writers are par excellence.

Did you do this expecting a flood of Arrested Development questions? While I'm so excited for the new season, what can you tell me about Onion News Empire?

I'm very proud of Onion News Empire. I did expect a lot of AD questions, and I definitely think fans of AD are the type that will "get" and enjoy ONE.

Jeff,

How did the Chicken Dance skit come about? Did you all improvise your chickens?

Love your work, thanks!

I never knew about it until I was asked to do it. And when I'm asked to do it, I do it very badly. I'm the worst chicken dancer of the cast.

How easy / hard was it for you and the rest of the cast to slip back I to your arrested development roles after so long away?

It took about maybe five minutes. We're all so used to each other. Our first scenes, we just slipped into it naturally. They're all very fine actors.

Hi Mr. Tambor and onion dudes. I'm really not sure what to ask, but I've never caught one of these things early enough, so as a bowling enthusiast I'll just ask. What's your highest bowling score?

300! (That's a lie).

how do you keep you teeth so perfect?

I have never gotten a comment like that ever. Is this from my dentist?

He does have really incredible teeth. WG

Don't you think they're a little yellow?

Hey! What is your favorite episode of AD?

Gosh, I would have to say that the entire fourth season. I'm just so happy to be back.

Hello Mr. Tambor. What's the most exciting thing about the upcoming season of Arrested Development??

It's new format. The fact that we're doing 15 all at once, and each character gets to tell his story. We're the little engine that could, and we came back.

Good morning!

Which character, George Sr or Oscar, do you enjoy portraying more?

Also, how has it been balancing Onion News Empire with the new season of AD?

1. One side of my brain likes Oscar. One side of my brain likes George.

2. It's easy. One inevitably leads to the other. I'm so comfortable with the Internet approach. Next year I'm going to work with the U.S. Postal Service. Just sending in my performance in envelopes.

HEY NOW Hank Kingsley was my favorite character on the Larry Sanders show. Did you ever have any awkward encounters with, say, any late night talk show sidekicks who may or may not have inspired some aspects of the character?

Whenever I was doing any late Night show, people would inevitably say "This is just like our show." We got that a lot.

One of the great things about The Onion News Empire, like The Larry Sanders Show, is that we share a backstage with a news network. People LOVE to go backstage.

When will the next sequel to Boyfights be released?

TBD.

Was it fun to be the villain in a Muppets movie?

I love the Muppets! They're my heroes. They're my true teachers.

Favorite guest star in AD?

They were all great, but Henry Winkler is a close friend of mine, and I was so glad to have him aboard.

Would you be down for Hellboy 3?

Yes, but they better hurry! We're going to be in walkers!

Jeffrey--who is the most underrated actor/comedian you've ever worked with? Or a deserving project of yours that never got much attention?

I have a passion for Steven Wright. I think he's one of the funniest people I've ever met.

Hi Jeffrey,

What has been your thought process the last few years with rumors of an Arrested Development movie? Besides the writers, were there any actors on the show (Bateman, Arnest, De Rossi, Walters) that were pushing for it most?

Well, that is very, very strong. I think the new season will promote a great amount of popularity, which will help a movie come into existence.

Favorite joke of all time?

Old mister Cohen walks into his house. Ms. Cohen says, "Mr. Cohen, come upstairs and fuck me." Mr. Cohen yells up, "I can't do both."

Do you know yet if the Onion News Empire is going to get picked up for more episodes?

I'm not quite sure. I think so, and people are coming up to me to say they want more and people really like it.

Hi Jeffrey. What's the most unique encounter with a fan you've experienced??

Once in a while, I'm ask to sign parts of bodies, which I refuse to do. One fan asked me to sign her breasts, and I'm not quite sure if I did or not.

What qualities do you think Arrested Development possesses that gives it such unique character?

The same as we're using in Onion News Empire: Funny, edgy, and great respect for the audience.

What were your feelings back when they canceled Arrested Development after only 3 seasons?

Also, how excited (if at all) were you when it was announced that a 4th season was in the making?

Thanks again for doing an AMA!

I was sad. I wasn't surprised, I think we all saw it coming. It's all about timing, and things have turned out well.

I was very excited! This is the perfect time, and the perfect medium for us to come back.

What was it like working with the boys on the Hangover?

All three times, they've been the kindest, nicest, most humble, grateful people I've worked with.

Which of the Bluth kids is your favorite?

I don't pick favorites. We don't get along.

What inspired you most to get into your career?

I lived across the street from a theater in San Francisco at SF State College, and I would go and watch them rehearse. They would take things apart and put them back together, and I thought, "Whatever that is, that's what I want to do."

Compare the onion tv show to other tv shows.

As you've seen with The Larry Sanders Show and AD, I really like working on shows with innovative, edgy humor. If Amazon picks on Onion News Empire for a full season (please watch and vote!), then I think it could be right up there with Arrested Development and The Larry Sanders Show.

HEY NOW, Mr. Tambor! Do you have a favorite dramatic role that folks might not remember?

Yes, Charlie Marno Tales from The Crypt with Demi Moore.

Jeffrey, Is there any thing you can say about the new season of Arrested Development that we don't already know?

I'm sorry. SPOILER ALERT: Sorry.

Describe the new season in 1 word?

We'reback!

Hi Jeffrey, Penn State grad here... I saw recently that you were going to be giving a graduation speech Penn State Lehigh soon and I just wanted to say that my campus may have made a huge mistake by not getting you to speak.

Question is how did that gig line up for you and could you give the people of reddit a small sneak preview of the speech?

Preview: "There's always money in the banana stand."

Thank you for taking part in this. What is one of your favorite unscripted jokes from the show and settle it once and for all, who has the best chicken dance.

The moment in the ONE pilot where Jeffrey's character David slaps the young girl that they've kidnapped was unscripted. He just did it and we loved it. WG

I think the girl got pissed off.

https://twitter.com/TheOnion/status/329980705759186947

According to this thing I am supposed to ask you about Onion News Empire and the future on Reddit now... so here we go?

For Onion News Empire: Watch the pilot, rate it, and let Amazon know you want to see a full season! Only you can help get it picked up.

As for the future of Reddit: What will be over 10 billion Redditors who are Onion News Empire and Arrested Development fans can't be wrong! I love it, and I'm so happy I was able to do this!

Hey now! Favorite episode of Larry Sanders?

Toss-up between the one where I take over the show and the one where Hank refuses to take his yarmulke off.