I am Larry Wilmore, host of The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. Ask Me Anything!

Larry,

I loved your work on the Daily Show, and even enjoyed the first few episodes of your show back when it started.

Since then, however, it appears that the show has done nothing but pander to the lowest common racial tensions denominator. You turn every issue into a social commentary on race, even when it doesn't make sense.

I get that you're black, a lot of your friends are black, and that that's funny, but Trevor does a great job without going overboard. Why can't you?

One of the missions of the show when we started was to be an answer to The Daily Show and focus on race, class and gender. It's really those three things, though it seems like a lot of talk on race. It's one of the ways we were distinguishing ourselves from The Daily Show.

What has been your favorite moment of The Nightly Show so far?

Going down to Baltimore to talk to the gangs. I had no idea what to expect and it really was a great moment for the show.

Have you forgotten about Bill Cosby yet?

No I haven't forgotten about that motherfucker.

Did you have any idea Jon Stewart would announce his retirement so soon after you started your show? Would you have had any interest in hosting the Daily Show? How do you think Trevor Noah is doing as host?

No, I was surprised by that. And I did not have any interest in hosting The Daily Show. I think Trevor's doing a great job.

What is the number one thing on the list of stuff you won't comment on during this AMA? :)

No comment.

What was it like working on The Office?

It was a lot of fun. We thought we were going to be canceled the first and second seasons, so we just went for it with every story.

I remember you from the Mtv half hour comedy hour. You did a joke about calling a sexline and everytime she said your name it sounded like a robot. Oh you make me so hot "Larry Wilmore". My brother and I reference it to this day. Must've been 25 years ago. Remember that joke?

Edit: sp?

I absolutely remember it. It was one of my favorites!

Been watching the Bernie Mac show on netflix the last few weeks and I have been blown away by how great the show is.

It really makes me miss Bernie Mac a whole hell of a lot, what a hilarious human! Any stories that you recall that make you miss Bernie?

Bernie was a very special comedian. He had an amazing ability to emote on screen. The story that sticks out -- Bernie and I were having a discussion and he said, very emphatically, "Man, just be yourself. Just be yourself, Larry. Be yourself." He said it several times and I just thought it was one of the coolest things.

What's your best Jon Stewart story?

On my first show I was very nervous -- my first Daily Show. He said to just look in the camera and fucking give it to America. That was awesome and calmed me down.

What are your religious views/personal beliefs? As an atheist, I really like seeing Neil deGrasse Tyson on your show. The flat earth segment was beautiful!

I'm a recovering Catholic. I also consider myself Cath-nostic.

Couldn't get away from that sweet sweet Jesus blood wine?

That's exactly right. That's very funny

Hey Larry, I love your show and watch it every day that there's a new one on Hulu. I have a couple of questions; do you truly Feel The Bern? And if you had to vote for someone on the right, who would it be and why?

I like Bernie Sanders a lot personally. I haven't made up my mind who I would vote for. There's no one on the right who I could see voting for right now.

I had no idea you were in your mid-50s! How come black doesn't crack?

I know there's a scientific equation for it. I'll be sure to ask Neil deGrasse Tyson the next time he's on.

Why do you feel the younger generation favors a comedic approach towards news? Do you find yourself in a position to report on news, or provide social commentary to other news outlets?

I find many young people are turning more to comedy programs now than actual news. It's a trend that's been going on for the last 10 years. I think a lot of it has to do with authenticity. I think sometimes they feel like they don't know if they can trust the actual news anymore.

When did you decide on the alopecia look?

I believe that alopecia is a very underrated look.

Larry, why do you get so many off days? I was a teacher and I think you get more off days than I did!

Yeah, I'm really sorry. I first demanded 300 off days, but they wouldn't go for it, so this is what I'm left with. A brother's gotta recharge.

How can we get Obama to close Guantanamo?

It's not gonna happen. He would've closed it already. Don't get your hopes up.

Waffles or pancakes?

Waffles.

Who is your favorite to have on the show?

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Are you a Dr Who fan?

No, but my kids are, and they make fun of me everyday.

Hey Larry, who are your top 5 black comedians? (Past and present)

In no order... I'll just say these, no order. Richard Pryor, Cosby, Chris Rock, Chappelle, early Dick Gregory. And yes it pains me to put Cosby on that list

What do you want your lasting legacy to be?

A good dad.

Where are you right now and why isn't the nightly show on this week? I NEED MY FIX LARRY!

I'm in The Nightly Show dungeon right now. That's where we are on off weeks.

Why the fuck are you not on this week? I need my dose man!

Yo man I'm sorry. It's how Comedy Central scheduled it!

Keep it real, larry. Who was your favorite guest and what was your least favorite panel?

The most interesting person we had on was that sniper. It was just a very bizarre moment. Least favorite panel was the Mars panel.

i ask this at every AMA don't deny me /u/thelarrywilmore what is your favorite pizza toppings?

My all-time favorite is sausage. Italian sausage

King Kunta or We gon be alright?

We gon be alright

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Mint chip

Why did you get rid of your 3-bulleted intro? I noticed you stopped doing it last week. It was one of my fav parts!

Just in our efforts to keep tinkering and streamlining the show, we just wanted to get the show started. But you never know it could come back!

What was it like working on In Living Color?

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

What do you think about the lightskin takeover of the NBA?

I think it's fantastic. It's about time and I can't get enough of it! Thank you, Splash Brothers.

How do you like the news of Antonin Scalia's death? What's his legacy? How about the Repugnicans saying they won't even hear of an Obama nomination, despite Mitch McConnell's repeated past demands for "an up-or-down vote"?

I was shocked by Scalia's death. There's nothing shocking about what the Republicans are doing. Republicans are just playing politics, both sides do it. Maybe this will be an opportunity for Clarence Thomas to finally speak.

What do you think about President Obama for a potential Supreme Court Justice?

I don't think Michelle will go for it.

Who would play you in your biopic?

That's hilarious. That's a good one. I have to go for Will Smith.