IAmA Scott Aukerman, host of "Comedy Bang! Bang!" and 43rd President of the United States of America. AMA

First off, just want to thank you for all the free comedy over the years. You would be an inspiration to me if I wasn't so lazy.

My question is simple: Would you rather be a professional taint model, and reap all the fame and fortune that comes with such a gig, OR Live a quiet, uneventful life in which nobody ever sees, or wants to see your taint - but your dominant hand has been replaced with a fully functioning stun-baton?

How often do I have to charge the baton?

Every 30 seconds or your heart stops

When you say fame and fortune that comes with such a gig - how MUCH is that?

Hey Scott, I've always wanted to ask you this: how much money do you make?

People don't want to ever answer this question - but I'll give you the straight answer: $67,035 a year (after taxes)

Not a question, I just wanted to thank you for the hours upon hours of entertainment you have given to the world. I've gone through some tough times, and your podcast has really helped put a smile on my face and almost always would result in hysterical laughter after intense sadness. Thank you, really, Thank you.

you're welcome - and thanks so much for that. it means a lot.

Do you use stamps.com

You know I do!

Where is Bob Ducca? We miss him

Seth has been really busy lately! He was on Go On. I've asked him a few times to return, and he really wants to, but has had a packed schedule. I will let him know that the fans are clamoring for him, though!

Why do you refuse to have Paul F. Tompkins on the TV show? IT'S BEEN two seasons now!

IT'S BEEN too long!

What's it like hanging out with Paul F. Tompkins all the time? Can there be a podcast with Gordon Ramsey and the cake boss?

Paul is a dream - super nice and ALWAYS funny. That's a great idea about Ramsey and Cake Boss! I'll run it up the flag pole.

You're in a desert, walking along in the sand, when all of a sudden you look down and see a tortoise, Scott. It's crawling toward you. You reach down and flip the tortoise over on its back, Scott. The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can't. Not without your help. But you're not helping. Why is that, Scott?

because MOMMY NEVER HELPED ME!!!

Rot Flounderman, how fuckable is Brian Posehn's son really?

haha, you're a MONSTER!!!

iPods? iPads?

To give a serious answer: I don't know anymore.

Do you have any input into which characters people play on Comedy Bang Bang?

Every once in a rare while we'll discuss it briefly - for instance, when Taran Killam and Paul Brittain were on the other day, they were trying to figure out what they wanted to do, and we were sort of spitballing - and Paul said "What about a couple of dads who have a band?" And we both said, "yep, that's it" Usually no more than that. They are all really funny people, so I let them do whatever they want to do.

Would you rather live in a universe where the only version of Bat Dance was a 30-minute jam version by Phish or a universe where Prince could only play Phish covers?

Would I have to listen to Bat Dance?

May I ask a question?

Great question. I hope he answers this.

GREAT QUESTION

Hot Saucerman / Scottabot / Choctaw,

So glad you're doing a CBB AMA… IT'S BEEN a long time coming!

MY WIFE and I are big fans of both the podcast and the TV series. Judging by the S2 trailer, the show looks a lot more fantasty-sketch based than S1. After S1, did you make some tweaks to the format to explore the crazy visuals imagined in the podcast? How did you approach transitioning the podcast into a TV show (very well, I might add!)?

plugs theme

subscribe to /r/Earwolf!

yes, we did change the format a bit - plus we were able to stretch the budget out over 20 episodes, which makes everything a little more cheap to produce - so we could do bigger things this year. And when I met with the marketing people, that was one thing I really wanted to convey to them (so they could convey it to the public) - that the show is really a sketch show that LOOKS like a talk show.

The transition for me was very exciting - making the pilot was a big experiment, but when we were done, we felt like we made the right template for the show. I guess some folks were surprised that it wasn't EXACTLY like the podcast, but I didn't want to do a show where we were all sitting around a desk, Real Time style, just having a conversation. This show is kind of like the sketch show I've always wanted to make.

What shampoo does Reggie Watt's hair require?

Reggie has Head and Shoulders, so he uses that brand. If there were a brand called "Entire Human Body," he would probably use that, because it's a little more specific.

Mustard or pants?

mustard-stained pants

Hey Scott, huge fan, I have two quick questions about the podcast

1. When will you and Pete Holmes to the o' podcast switcheroo? I want to see Pete on bang Bang and I would love to see you Make It Weird

2. When will some of your old Mr Show buddies that haven't been on the podcast yet like John Ennis and Jay Johnston be on?

Pete's schedule has never worked out the times I've asked him to do it - but sometimes it's so last minute, I can't expect people to be able to drop everything and do it. I'm supposed to do YMIW soon - we just need to schedule both of our shows. Love Pete! And John Ennis is on the TV show this year - I kind of don't know where Jay is really lately =- I don't have his contact info - but would love to have him.

Have you ever had an awkward encounter with any of the celebrities that your guests impersonate on the podcast?

Thanks for casting all them pods.

Usually the people who are impersonated are pretty far removed from our sphere... I'm not really running into Andrew Lloyd Weber that much. I thought we might have gotten into trouble saying that people are going to be on the show, since we never say they're not actually them, but it's kind of like SNL, I guess, where it's obviously parody or satire.

Who's your favorite PFT character?

I have to admit, I don't really know anything about Werner Herzog, so i was a little nervous to do that first show with him. But now he's more of a German weirdo who has other bizarre interests. I really love Andrew Lloyd Weber, probably. I think we have the most to talk about (I know that sounds strange, but our conversation flows really easily)

Now that folks like Andrew Lloyd Weber and Garry Marshall have burst through the open door policy to become invited guests, will they ever try out their own new characters on the show?

haha, that's a great idea - i think the closest we've ever come is the whole Mike the Janitor/ Lord ALW fiasco - but i will suggest that, and see if anything comes of it!

[deleted]

No, thank goodness! No one cares about me.

Counting down from -1, what are the top 10 reasons to watch CBB Season 2?

I'd rather count down from 1, if you don't mind...

1: We have great guests this season 0: We actually filmed it, so why not watch it? -1: We encode secret messages in every episode which describe where to find treasure (both buried and un-buried) -2: Reggie Watts is actually afraid of cameras, so it's rare to see him in front of one -3: What else are you doing on a Friday night at 10pm? (other than having fun) -4: There are twenty episodes this year, so that means double the chance I will have an ugly sweater on -5: I got to sit next to Jessica Alba, so I don't really care if you watch or not - that was awesome -6: Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen makes a surprise cameo this year as Tim "Tool Time" Taylor -7: It will raise your IQ exactly one point and -8: You don't want to be listed in the Snubs & Flubs edition of Entertainment Weekly!

In interviews I've heard you say that there was a guest who didn't really "get" Comedy Bang Bang/ Comedy Death Ray, would you be willing to finally reveal who it is?

No, cause they're a cool person, and it was just a misunderstanding. once you put something like that out there, you are constantly asked about it (much like how I've been asked about this constantly since I vaugely mentioned it), and I don't want to inflict that upon them.

Hi Scott, huge fan of the show. I was wondering who was your favorite person that you worked with on the show in season 1? What am I chopped liver?

Adam Scott was nice enough to do the pilot episode - a show that didn't exist up until then, and he did it sight unseen and killed it.

Zach is always super generous with his time and comes in with no PR team or handlers - he just hangs out until he's done, then drives away in his shitty Subaru

Amy was a joy, and so up for anything - she told me recently that when people ask her what doing CBB is like, she says "it's the kind of show where, if you ask if you can wear a wig, they say 'okay!'"

Hamm is an old friend, and had better things to do, I'm sure - but he did a million takes of that director bit, then jumped on a bike for us.

Mike Cera is one of the few people who came to the show with a bit he wanted to do - the Angry Birds thing. He's so dry and hilarious.

Seth Rogen I had never met before - and he was telling me about how incredibly busy he was and how he was turning down a bunch of work. I asked him "they why are you doing this show?" He said - "I always have time to do cool shit like this!"

Paul Rudd is also an old friend and a big fan of comedy - I feel like I took advantage of his time, because he was there FOREVER. But the payoff was great, because he was hilarious.

Elizabeth Banks I had also never met before - and I don't think she quite knew what she was getting into - but I've seen her since then and she is so effusive about the show, and says she has friends who are really into it.

Ed Helms was so awesome and gracious - he even came to the wrap party, and told us he wanted to come back as a character in season two (we couldn't work out the timing, since he's so busy, but I hope it'll happen in season three)

And weird Al - how much of a dream get is that for a young kid who grew up wanting to be him? He's the nicest, sweetest, funniest guy.

And big ups to Will Forte - who didn't come as himself, but who has done characters in both seasons, and even mentioned the show on Larry King LIve!

Chalktaw, can we please see a return of Dueling Jimmy Stewarts on the podcast/show?

MAH WYFE

who was the duel with? Besser? I can't remember!

Hey Aquaman. I've been a huge fan of the CBB podcast since the Death Ray days. I've nearly crashed my car on multiple occasions because I was laughing so hard at your p-cast.

My question is, can I ask you a question?

Follow up question, what does Paul F Tompkins smell like?

P.S. Sorry for using the term p-cast.

Hey, let me know when you ACTUALLY crash your car - until then, you're not a real fan!

Hot tub foot?

parallel parkinsons disease

Hot Soccermom,

I assume the floor is open for questions. How did you get into comedy? Did you start by writing, doing stand-up sketch? What inspired you to do whatever you did?

I was an actor and a playwright who was trying to break into the writing business. I wrote a one-hour pilot that was kind of a drama-comedy (like the plays I was writing at the time). But in my personal life, I was always really into comedy - I just never thought I could do it. I thought my sense of humor was too weird or dark.

But then a friend of mine suggested that my dramatic scripts weren't that good, but since I was really funny, I should try performing at the new alternative comedy scene that had sprung up. She introduced me to Mary Lynn Rajskub & CJ Arabia, who ran a show at the tiny room in the Comedy Store. They took a chance on my friend BJ Porter and I, and we went up and did a bizzare sketch.

It went over really really well, and I was surprised - I kind of expected to bomb. But in the alt-comedy scene, I found a bunch of like-minded people who had similar senses of humor. I threw myself into performing, giving it my all, and eventually, Bob Odenkirk liked the writing of our bits so much, he sort of adopted us (the way he would for Tim & Eric and The Birthday Boys over the next few years), and offered us a job on Mr. Show.

But there's no one path to getting into comedy - you just have to love it and constantly do it, and eventually the right people will see you and offer you jobs, hoping to suck your talent dry for their own projects (the way I do with my writers!)

Do you know Reggie Watts on a first name basis?

FIrst, last and middle initial! Reginald Q. Wattersmith

Hi Scott, Maybe it’s just me, but for me, any time you have Paul F Tompkins on (as himself or in any incarnation) an episode it’s an instant classic. I also love hearing everyone improv their way through Would You Rather and hope it makes a return soon. The recent episodes have been fantastic for sure, but they’ve been mostly devoid of the games.

Here’s my questions: 1) is there anywhere we can find audio and/or video of your stand-up? 2) any chance we’ll get another Kroll/Mulaney or Mantzoukas/Andy Daly episode soon-ish? Those are two of the best pairings. Always hilarious.

Love your tv show, podcast, and everything you’ve done for the LA comedy scene. Thanks!

PS Phish sucks!

thank you! i think the only record of my standup is on the old Comedy Death-Ray CD - but it's not that great - I never focused on it that much - I spent about a month getting that material together for the CD and I'm pretty ambivalent about it.

would love kroll/mulaney back -when is john in LA? And i know there is a Zouks / Daly one coming out at some point soonish.

Is the floor open for questions?

not yet

Would you rather be immortal and your fingers always smell like peanut butter OR die young but be remembered as a God?

Chunky peanut butter? and am i a god, or just remembered as one?

Hello Hot Saucerman. Thanks for doing this AMA! Are any more Earwolf podcasts becoming tv shows? How did this Get Made could really use some video. More Mantzoukas!

we hope so! Can't talk about anything yet.

Do you think Trey should jam out tube more?

oh OF COURSE

The Andy Richter/Jessica St. Clair episode was one of the first I listened to and it got me hooked. Did you know Marissa Wompler was going to be so popular right away, or did it take a few episodes?

I saw Jess do that character on stage (in a neck brace, if you can imagine), and knew I had to get her on the show. The weird thing is, her husband is a huge fan of the show, and can't believe Jess has become one of the most beloved characters. It's such an imaginiative characterization, I'm so glad people have taken to it.

What is your home address?

it's...WAIT, THIS IS A TRAP!!

Will we ever hear the return of Jukebox Jury?

Analyze Phish sort of is that

What CBB joke/bit did you think was hilarious but the audience just didn't seem to connect with?

most people don't seem to like Alive or Dead or Hollywood Facts... but i loved them!

on the TV show, we were very surprised (and relieved) that things we thought were hilarious, like "Maybe It's Just Me, But For Me" or "Tsk-Tsk Attaboy" were embraced -they're kind of hard to explain, and there aren't a lot of bits like them on TV, so we were nervous.

How did Reggie become a part of the show?

When we first started talking about the show, EVERYTHING was under discussion - what the set would look like, would I have a desk, what would I wear - and the music on the show was a big part of that discussion. Dan Pasternack, the executive at IFC who championed the show, suggested Reggie, and I knew immediately it would fit right in with what we were trying to do - his presence, instead of a ten piece band, subverts the genre in the way we were trying to do across the board. And he's one of the funniest dudes out there, and makes the show two thousand percent better.

Scott, why does Reggie Watts no longer perform the theme song live in studio every week? Budget issues? Scheduling conflicts? Internal discord? The people want answers!

He got so tired jetsetting around the globe... people don't know this, but that's why we had to take so many plane breaks - he was always in them, traveling to and "fro" (PUN INTENDED). Now that he doesn't do it live, no need for anymore plane breaks, which I'm sure makes the fans happy, since they slow down the show so much!

My girlfriend left me on the same night Season 1 of "Comedy Bang! Bang" premiered. Will season 2 be good enough to make her regret her decision?

SHE ALREADY REGRETS IT

Have you played Words With Friends with Gillian since the.......incident?

What kind of cake does Cake Boss smell like?

We have decided to keep our friendship non-WWF for now. I will let everyone know if this changes.

OPENING THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS:

1. Marry, fuck, kill: Gary Marshall (Please, call him Gary), Lord ALW, and Cake Boss (Cake Boss)

2. What are your thoughts are on women in comedy, given the fact that you are married to a comedienne and are in a position to promote female comics?

3. On a scale of Unicorn mane to Sasquatch thatch, what does Reggie's hair feel like?

(Love yah Scott! You help make the world a fun place to be in.)

CLOSING THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS.

Thank you! Well, first of all, it's Fart, Mary Kiss -- but I'm going to change it to Fart, Garry, Kiss, for this question.

Fart - Cake Boss, definitely - look at him Garry - Garry Marshall Kiss - Lord ALW is a member of KISS

women in comedy - you're slipping a serious question in there in between two joke ones! well, there are super hilarious women out there, and it's our job to make sure that EVERYONE is represented. There maybe is a case to be made in the past for it being harder for women to get into the business, but now, with things like the UCB Theatre, there is NO excuse!

Sqatch thatch

hot tacoman! why don't YOU do some characters on the podcast? Have a guest host for half an episode and just let yourself go. I would love to hear that. Thank you for my all time favorite podcast.

PFT and I want to do one where he plays a charac for a half hour, then we switch and he hosts while I play one - we haven't set it up yet, but some day!

I feel like you do a few slightly different "Scott Auckermans." Scott on the CBB podcast, the TV show, and even on other podcasts are all tonally kind of different. Is this intentional? If so, what kind of thought goes into that? Love the show(s).

yeah it's a little intentional, but it always changes. I have my sort of "role" on various things - when I'm on Doug Loves Movies, I try to be just a sarcastic dick, choosing my moments to make fun of something. In fact, when I was just on with Anthony Jeselnik, he was so good at that, and so funny, I kind of felt like I had nothing to add to it!

the tv show scott is a little goofier, and friendly. sometimes clueless. Podcast scott goes thru phases - conservative pundit, blowhard who asks questions to which he does not care about the answer. I also have to over-annunciate to make sure I don't mumble, like I do in real life, so that affects my character sometimes.

How much of "Comedy Bang! Bang!" is scripted and how much is improvised?.....Also, just would like to say "Comedy Bang! Bang!" has become one of my favorite shows on Netflix!

Thank you so much! About a third or a half is improvised... I've seen other fake talk shows, like Fernwood 2-Night, or Knowing Me, Knowing you with Alan Partridge, and I could tell they were always fully scripted. After doing the Between Two Ferns videos, I liked the feel of totally spontaneous interviews that we would edit together, so I wanted to incorporate that into the show, as well as the gold that comedians come up with when they're on the spot.

Pretty much the rule of thumb is, if I'm talking to a guest, it's usually improvised, and if it's a sketch, it's written.

Hey Scott. First off, thanks so much for everything you do. IT’S BEEN… fantastic listening to Comedy Bang Bang. Few things in the world have entertained me as much as CBB. I kinda want to be you. Basically, do you have any advice for fans of yours who are inspired by you to pursue comedy in some form or another? Or, even more specifically, what would be your advice for aspiring podcasters? Maybe you can hire me as your personal assistant.

Thank you so much... IF you want to get into comedy, or really any kind of artistic endeavor, you have to first DO IT ALL THE TIME, and also move to a city where it's done all the time. There are so many people who never take the scary step of moving to the "big city" - but that sometimes will be 80 percent of it. Once you're there, you will meet a bunch of like-minded people who you will work with and you'll support each other. And most importantly, BE NICE TO PEOPLE! Don't be a dick or talk shit about people.

[deleted]

None and constantly

If you could have dinner with any three of your fictional character guests from CBB, which three would you pick?

definitely not fourvel - that would be too dangerous. Probably Marissa Wompler, but I'd ask Listler to stay at home. Probably Ice-T, because I drink it a lot... and I feel so sorry for Bob Ducca, I'd probably feel like i HAD to invite him!

I love CBB, the Jason Mantzoukas an Andy Daly episodes especially. My question is, how much thought goes into pairing specific people with each other? Do you notice certain characters working best with certain people?

it's a little like alchemy - you never know what you're gonna get. But when you hit upon a great combo, it's so good.

Hey Scott, who has been your favorite non-impersonated guest you've had on the podcast? Or alternatively the celeb who you couldn't believe you actually got to come in and record?

I love having Adam Scott on the show... he's on so much, he could be considered a regular. We have very similar senses of humor (and voices, people tell us). Similarly, Amy Poehler is one of my favorites - I can't bug her that much to do the podcast, but once a year is great for me!

After reading your IMDB I've always been curious, exactly what part did you have in creating Shark Tale?

I was brought in to write the sequel about a year before Shark Tale came out. The weird thing about animated movies is, they take three years, and sometimes don't really have a completed script when they begin. So Shark Tale 1 was in a state of disarray when I got there, which made making the sequel a little difficult, since we didn't know why any of the characters were doing what they were doing yet. So we got asked to contribute to writing the first one for a year, until it was released, and then we would move on to the sequel.

We turned in the sequel, which was REALLY funny, and way better than the first one, in my opinion. But we were told that, even though it was the best script Dreamworks had ever received, the algorithm of how much $ a film needed to make to get a sequel didn't quite work out, and so they were going to pass. I went on to do a draft of Puss in Boots for the company - all cool people. But you'd be surprised how much of a mess most animated movies are until right before they come out.

What's your opinion on my username?

we need harris with him for a proper analysis.

We should set up /r/FoamCorner and perhaps Harris will join in.

Go_dawful

Scott, what are some of your favorite comic series today?

I really like Avengers Arena, Fraction's FF, Fantastic Four and Hawkeye, loved Jonathan Hickman's Fantastic Four, and wonder where he's taking the Avengers - Dan Slott's Superior Spider-Man (his whole run of SM), Invincible... I would have said Morning Glories, but I can't follow it on a monthly basis anymore - i need to re-read the trades and figure out what's going on. Loved Avengers Academy when it was out - such a shame it went away. Oh, and Fables is my all time favorite, and Saga has begun incredibly!

shit - i forgot to mention Gail Simone's "The Movement," which stars a character named after and based on Kulap! KATHARSIS

Hey Scott! How many writers work together on ifc's comedy bang bang? And what advice would you give to someone who would like to work as a comedy writer for television?

Writers: Neil Campbell (former artistic director of UCB LA) 3 people from the sketch show "The Birthday Boys" (Who have a show coming out in October on IFC) - Tim Kalpakis, Dave Ferguson, & Mike Hanford Eva Anderson - who is from a sketch group called "A Kiss From Daddy" at UCB LA Paul Rust - producer/writer from Arrested Development and star of "I Love You Beth Cooper" Seth Reiss - head writer of the Onion

advice - move to LA or NYC, write a whole bunch of scripts, write fast and don't get too precious about your work. The faster you write, the more you'll be able to re-write. Get people to take a look at your work, and don't get mad at the feedback they give! They're usually right.

Scott! Welcome. Thanks a lot for your podcast. I listen to Earwolf all the time. It really helps to pass the time at work.

I'm so glad you're doing this AMA because I have been dying to ask you this for YEARS. How's it going?

whew boy! Pass.

What is Fabrice-Fabrice like in real life?

nothing like how he is on the show... kind of an introverted, butch, square

Did you ever expect Comedy Bang Bang to get this big when it was originally Comedy Death Ray?

Also does Reggie hide anything in his hair? If so, what does he hide?

i never expected to get my own talk show, no

a smaller Reggie!

Hi Hung Stockingman. Thank you for all the free content. What's the hardest you've ever laughed making the podcast? Was it when Bjork said "fart into her pussy" or something else?

i remember laughing super hard at Odenkirk and Andy Dick... that was very early on. I also remember laughing super hard recently, but I can't remember at what. Oh! Neil Campbell's freestyle rap in today's episode was something that made me die laughing.

Do you have any plans for doing another episode of Analyze Phish? One of my favorite podcasts.

just came out yesterday - take a list3en!

How much time do you and Reggie spend cuddling during shooting?

Only the first three hours... we don't like to keep the crew waiting much longer than that.

What celebrity have you been most surprised to find out is a fan of the show/podcast?

it was cool that Anna Kendrick was the first celeb to sign on to do the TV show - she said she was a big fan. Bobby Moynihan listens every week, and that's really cool.

Are you or anyone in your group planning on doing drugs at the Phish show at Hollywood Bowl? I know your stuff was bunk at the last show but you and PFT taking mushrooms and ruining Harris' experience has the makings of comedy gold. I love your work and wish you a long and happy career.

I'll take em if PFT takes em

Why's the show named that?

it was something MY WAIFE was saying in a stereotypical Asian accent (I mean "her accent"), and it was making us laugh. Plus, i think it conveys excitement.

Hi Scott. I spend all day listen to various comedy podcasts while storyboarding and trying to fart as discretely as possible. I love comedy but I have no interest in pursuing writing or stand up. Do you have any advice to a sexy young Lion who wants to avoid comedians and/or performers. PS u look great in that shirt.

If you want people to stay away from you, fart more prominently!

[deleted]

i do... i saw them a bunch back in the nineties. i think i answered the comic book question above!

As far as music goes, what is your opinion on the Beatles?

Maybe it's just me, but for me? They started a certain "mania"

Can I see you dance to the bat dance song?

why haven't you up til now?

besides Phish, what is the greatest concert you have ever seen?

I saw Prince seven or eight times last year, and those were the greatest. Also, I saw a Fishbone show back in 1988 that blew me away. Crowded House in 1987 was so fun and musically great, it led me to a lifetime love of all things Neil Finn.

How hard was it to stop your live show?

after a couple years, I really just wanted to get to five years. then after that, I thought ten would be unimaginable. But at the ten year mark, I knew I was going into eight months of production, and I thought I wasn't doing the comedy community any good, being a person who doesn't see much comedy any more. that's doesn't make for a good show booker. So yeah, it was hard, but I think there are new shows popping up that will take its place, so everyone is in good hands.

What episode of Comedy Bang Bang would you say would be the best to introduce someone to the podcast?

I couldn't possibly choose - but it might help to clue them in to the format of the show, instead of just having them listen cold.

Mr. Saucerman, I always listen to Comedy Bang Bang when I'm cooking. Would you come do an episode from my dining room and I'll cook you and your guests a lovely dinner?

WE'RE ALREADY THERE

Scott,

I'm a huge fan of Comedy Bang Bang. The interview podcasts like Marc Maron's are interesting, but rarely funny. Your podcast and a few others like Jordan Jesse Go introduced me to comedy that I'd never been exposed to and inspired me to try comedy myself.

I'm still an open micer with the very occasional booked show and doing improv class, but some nights it feels really tough. I know you've written for a lot of stuff but not a lot of it has been produced over the years. I was curious about how you feel about your career now that you're in the later years: Do you have regrets about deciding to pursue writing/comedy or feel you made any missteps? Was it worth it? Could you have seen yourself pursuing a different career track? How does it feel that you've finally achieved more success by making your own thing out of the traditional system.

Thanks again for all the awesome podcasts, looking forward to season 2 of CBB!

The regret I probably have is that I wanted to do TOO MANY styles of writing when I started. Coming out of Mr. Show, I probably could have and should have written a bunch of broad comedies. Instead I wrote a few broad comedies, and then branched out into doing a romantic comedy, animated kids films - basically any kind of movie I was interested in, I would get hooked to write it. I probably could have had more of a fast track into getting some movies made if I worked harder on comedies and focuesd on getting better at that. But that's just Could have, would have, should have, at this point - I'm really happy with what I'm doing now, and if I had done anything differently, I probably wouldn't have ended up doing CBB, which is the thing I'm most proud of.

And it's cool to make something outside of the traditional system, since I was never chasing it. I work inside the traditional system enough, and enjoy it, but it's cool to do something where I can do whatever I want!

Scoff Boxerton

I've had a feeling recently that there is comedy for regulars, and then comedy for comedians.

I say this because Comedy Bang Bang is beyond hilarious, but my dumber friends don't like it. Any thoughts on this distinction? I felt similar with the movie Funny People. It got shitty reviews, but I thought all the comedy chat was golden.

Thank you!

I think humor is just so subjective... you have to have the exact life experiences that contribute to what you think is funny. I wouldn't put it like dumber or smarter - it's just, if something strikes you on that day, it does, right? that said, I think people like the TV show the more they watch it - sometimes it takes a while for people to get a certain point of view right away. I know the first time I saw Reggie Watts, I didn't get it - then the second time, I REALLY got it, and knew it was exactly for me.