I'm Comedian Michael Ian Black, and I Have a New Podcast So I'm Doing Just Fine, Thanks

When can we expect more Mike and Tom eat snacks podcasts?

Hard to say. Whenever Tom gets done being The Flash or whatever it is he does.

Hi Magic,

You've been very vocal recently about toxic masculinity and how young boys are socialized in this country. While helping young boys express their feelings positively is an important part of this issue, what about adult men who are past that point of growing up? Is it too late? Or are there ways for grown men to overcome the way our society expects them to think and behave?

I'm glad by the way you're speaking about this issue. It's pretty important

I don't know that it's ever too late for anybody, but I also don't look at the problem in terms of individuals. To me, if you want to make your life better, by all means, improve your life. But I look at this problem with masculinity in more holistic terms: how do begin a conversation about this issue in general? How do we begin to grapple with pervasive problems that exist with men and boys including gun violence, general violence, suicide, hopelessness, falling behind in education, workforce participation problems, etc. etc. etc. These are big problems with no obvious solutions. My thinking is that we're talking about a multi-generational conversation that has to begin at some point. I'm hoping we can begin that conversation now, and I'm trying to play a small part in kicking it off.

Did Tom stop being your friend when he got super more famous and richer than you?

He was always more famous and richer than me. So, yes.

Thanks everybody. I enjoyed answering your questions and now I wish to stop.

How do you handle all the Twitter trolls who tell you to “stick to comedy”?

It's such a dumb thing to say that it doesn't bother me. Also, I block a lot of people. And I refer them to my sterling NFL career.

Alright, this is going to be super easy because not many people are asking questions which means I don't have to do much work. Which is fab-u by me. Maybe I screwed it up or something. Regardless, it is now 3:00 EDT and I am ready to take your questions.

Real question. Any suggestions on getting started making my own podcast? My mom says I'm hilarious.

Yeah. Make a podcast.

Who smells better? Ken Marino or David Wain?

No contest - Marino. Sandalwood.

This starts in 15 minutes and I am already kind of exhausted.

Seeing you as Mr. Peepers exclaim "There is ghost blood in my veins!" made me laugh so hard I farted. What comedic role was the most fun for you to play?

Not sure, but Mr. Peepers is really fun. "Another Period" is a great show. I don't take any credit for it; it's Natasha Legerro and Ricki Lindhome's baby. I just show up and throw on a tuxedo.

Which ring was the most satisfying to win?

Probably the first. Or the second. Maybe the first. But could be the second. I don't know, man. The truth is, both rings are so special. There's a reason they call it the Super Bowl - it's really super to win.

Hey Michael! Huge fan of your work from The State to ordering pepperoni. I know you have a dry subtle sarcastic bitchy style, but any recounts of it going too far and/or just went over someone's head that they just took it too seriously?

Any plans of bringing back the best topical podcast that is "Topics" with Showalter?

And finally, with Wet Hot American Summer being revived on Netflix, do you think there's any possibility of Stella being up on the Netflix sphere to reintroduce it to younger generation or maybe bring it back for a season or 10? Or would y'all reunite The State for a season (akin to 'W/ Bob and David')?

1. Thanks. I would never call my style "bitchy," but I guess it's not for me to say. And yes, I am constantly having to apologize for saying things that go over people's heads. It's not their fault. A lot of times, I'm just not funny.

2. Would love to revive "Topics" at some point.

3. I doubt it.

Hi Michael As an obscure artist who’s comedic sensibilities can be misunderstood, what was your approach to expressing yourself creatively when you were first starting out? Since the creative process requires vulnerability, it’s especially hard to continually put yourself “out there” when your thoughts seem to go under-appreciated by the middle of the bell curve.

So at the risk of asking a question that’s too personal for the internet, I guess I’m wondering where you draw your confidence from? Especially when you were younger and didn’t have much under your belt.

Sincerely, The dude that very clearly didn’t belong at your children’s book reading on Monday at Books of Wonder.

I'm not confident at all. I've never been confident. I think I'm just persistent. The only thing that's changed me for over the years is that I've learned to trust that I have something to say, even if I'm not always sure what that is or how to say it. I just keep putting shit out there. Most of it doesn't stick. That's okay. I like making stuff and I like trying stuff. I would love to hit the middle of that bell curve, but I'm just never going to. I wish it were otherwise, but I've learned that I can't pander and I can't force things that aren't me.

Any hope that there will be more Stella on the horizon?

I would love to do more "Stella" but Michael and David are much busier than me. They make movies and stuff, while I mostly sit in my kitchen and tweet. You tell me who has the better life.

Do you still get an occasional "Rick a dick" and if so, do you respond in kind?

NRA is a terrorist org, thanks!

I do occasionally get that, and I have no idea how to respond because I forgot the song as we shot "Tim and Eric." I know there's something about a "tick tock" or a "ding dong" or a "Gimme whatcha whatcha" or something. I honestly have no idea.

What was it like filming VH1's I Love the ... series? I always enjoyed your commentary.

I basically just sat in a room and talked in front of a green screen. It was okay, I guess.

How did you remember your reddit password after 5 years?

T'was a lucky guess. Only took tries so I felt pretty good about it. If you need to sign in as me, my Reddit password is: Levon69

What advice can you give an aspiring comedy writer who thinks that maybe she started too late and maybe she's not that funny?

1. There's never a too late.

2. There is a not funny enough.

I would say if you're not funny, comedy may not be the best professional choice for you.

thank you. Follow up question, what is the least funniest career? I like to have options.

Whatever I do on Twitter is probably the least funny career.

Fuck it, when was the last time you had an orgasm?

How difficult was the clean up?

Having one now. I've got a team who does the clean up.

What should I do about all these ants in my bathroom?

I guess give them names?

Hello! Congrats on the new podcast. Speaking of podcast... I loved MATES. You always have great chemistry with Tom. Any plan to work with him again?

Tom and I will resume MATES at some point. The problem is, he plays the Flash on The Flash and so he lives in Magic City or wherever it is and I'm stuck in the wilds of Connecticut. So it's hard to get together and eat stuff.

Do you have a favorite line from the Stella shorts or TV show? Every now and then I'll tell someone, "I take my coffee the same way I take my women: Strong, black, and proud," and they never seem to catch the reference...

I don't have favorite lines, no, but I do like that speech Rutger Hauer gives at the end of "Blade Runner." That's really good.

What's the best piece of advice you've gotten that you utterly failed to follow?

I wish more people gave me advice. I could use it. For whatever reason, I think people think that I know what I'm doing. I don't. Do you have advice for me that I can ignore?

Do you have advice for me that I can ignore?

Fake it until you make it.

You snooze, you lose.

This is really great advice. I will definitely ignore the second part because I take a nap every day.

When you think of God, what do you think that could be?

Could be anything. A leaf on a tree, a babbling brook, the laughter of a child. But I don't think God is some old guy with a beard sitting on a throne. Does that make sense?

Hi Michael! What do you think was the funniest bit on The State?

Hm... there were a lot of sketches I liked and a lot I didn't like. My preference were the weirder ones that didn't necessarily even have "jokes." More like little character pieces. I like that stuff.

Seen any good movies lately?

I just watched "Red Sparrow," which I don't think was a very good movie but I've trying to understand why it doesn't work and kind of coming up empty. All the ingredients are there, but something about it doesn't quite congeal and I can't figure out why. It's not the fault of the story or the performances or any one thing that I can put my finger on. And it's bugging the shit out of me. I suppose I could read some film criticism of it, but I'm too susceptible to other people's opinions. I'll end up agreeing with whoever I read just because they sound smart.

Hi Michael! My favorite all time skit is your "$240 dollars worth of pudding". Is there a skit or performance you've done that you still think back and go, YES totally nailed that one?

Have a great day!!

Thanks, and no. I mean I don't really look back and, if I do, I certainly don't think I ever nailed something. In the moment, I'm just doing the best I can and when it's done, I try not to think too much about it. Just move on and try the next thing.

SCTV, SNL, or Monty Python?

Monty Python

Have you ever regretted giving vanilla ice cream a perfect 10 rating? The only time you buy it is to eat with pie or cake.

This could not be more off the mark. Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream cups are a perfectly engineered snack.

I have enjoyed following your career as the inventor of the Hail-Marty in the NFL. My question is, what do you think of the NRA?

Thanks for the great NFL memories. I spent 9 years in the NFL and won 2 rings.

As for the NRA, not a fan.

Odds of a second guest grumps? That was a thing you did with 2 assholes on Youtube a while back where you played a video game for like 45 min. the show that your kid liked. You seemed like you hated it at first but warmed up to it by the end.

I liked those guys but the game we played was awful. Or I was just awful at it. I would go back, sure.

Me

How would you describe Marc Maron's comedy?

Verbose?

Do you have fun playing various "mad" scientists on Bill Nye's show?

Yeah, but it was a lot of yelling. Anything I can do where I just kind of show up and there's cue cards for me to read and I'm wearing silly costumes and then I'm done in like an hour is a really good job.

Will Obscure be more like Mike and Tom Eat Snacks and Topics (goofy/fun) or more like How to Be Amazing (NPRish/serous)?

Obscure is mostly funny but I ain't even trying to pretend that it's going to be all funny. I ain't even going to pretend that.

Hola Senor Underpants! Will you do any work again similar to Viva Variety?

Viva Variety was a fake European variety show I did in the 90's with the Reno 911 crew. It seems unlikely to me that there will ever be a call for another fake European variety show.

Mike, recent favorite snack?

I have a Rold Gold Pretzel Sticks problem. I eat a lot of them. In fact, they're on my tour rider. I have only two things on my rider: pretzels and Diet Dr. Pepper. I don't always drink the D Pep but I almost always eat at least some of the pretzels.

Nice! Do you like the Honey Wheat Pretzel Twists - those are good.

Don't even come at me with that Honey Wheat bullshit.

Sour dough?

I really don't want to fight with you about this. I like Rold Gold Pretzel Sticks. Also Tiny Twists. I don't need anything fancy. I like what I like.

Is Obscure just a way for you to settle an argument with your wife?

The thing is, there is no settling arguments with my wife. We will just simmer until death.

Hey Michael, enjoy your work. Very funny but also like to hear your thoughts on a wide range of topics - you come across as a thinker. Do you like to think about stuff?

Also - looking forward to anything this summer?

I do some thinking, I guess. Mostly about stuff. As far as this summer goes, I'm looking forward to nectarines.

How scripted was Reno: 911 or was it mostly improv?

All improv. They knew where they wanted the stories to go, but in terms of how they got there, we just made it up as we went. Very fun to shoot.

You’ve done a lot of different things in your career (writing, acting, standup) - is there anything you haven’t done yet that you’d like to do?

I'd like to be a fitness model. I obviously have the physique. Not sure I have the swagger.

Have you developed any more thoughts on what your ideal custom van would be like, or has it long reached perfection?

Also, what project/job brought you the most enjoyment to do?

Really you can't go wrong with any airbrushed wizards, naked ladies, or dragons. As far as enjoyment goes, I know it's going to sound like I'm being insincere, but this is literally my favorite thing I've ever done.

Was Letterman much of a presence to the Ed cast and crew?

I think he showed up once. I wasn't there.

Will we see more "Wet Hot" on Netflix??

I have no idea, but probably not. We're too old and the shorts are too tight.

Ever go to see rookie improv or sketch comedy? The line between the very best and everyone else isn't very fine in my experience, it is a gaping divide.

This is a tremendous observation and I thank you for using the word "gaping."

Did Michael Pollan convince you to do LSD?

No, I'd done LSD well before Michael Pollan came into my life.

I loved The State and it was a shame to see it go. My question is, did you lose any money when I pirated it or was it just MTV?

No, I didn't lose any money. I don't think MTV lost much either. I mean, it just wasn't popular enough for anybody to feel like they were getting ripped off from pirates. We were just happy people were watching it.

I also live in the wilds of CT. How annoying do you find the natives?

Do you mean the deer? The only annoying thing about them is their turds.

Are you coming out your cage and thats why you're doing just fine?

Nah - they just told me to type that into the text box when I registered for this and I didn't have the energy to think of anything better.

I feel like I can’t get this question out of my pretty little head: Where did you and Barry get that $240

Also: One of the funnies sketches I’ve ever seen is You playing a news anchor and Michael Showalter playing a very timid weatherman. I can’t, for the life of me find it, or even remember which of your projects it is from. Can you point me in the right direction?

It's from "Michael and Michael Have Issues." The sketch is called "Quiet Bob," and I have no idea where you would find it.

How did you meet Simon Pegg? I really liked the movie y'all wrote "Run Fat Boy Run".

I only met him on set. I had written a draft and then he did a rewrite when he attached himself to it. We met briefly in London when they were shooting. He was nice, I guess, but didn't make any special effort to be awesome. That's okay. I probably wouldn't have made the effort for me, either.

Can you take some of that podcast money you are raking in and use it to sort out the music rights for Ed so it can finally be released streaming or on DVD?

Yes.

How do you propose we stop this culture of toxic masculinity? Should we mandate more social/emotional support and learning in schools? I have two sons and while I don’t worry so much about how they’ll turn out — I just worry a lot about the assholes they’ll have to deal with in school and work, etc. as they get older...

I don't propose we stop it. I don't think it's possible, at least in the short term. But I do think we can work to ameliorate some of its worst effects.

Who is the best Whose Line cast member in your opinion, and why?

I like that white guy. And also the black guy. And if they have women, I like them too.

Hey Sexy Bitch,

My family and I have occasionally seen you in our nearby Target store. How do you feel about public encounters with humans?

On a serious note, can you explain your thought evolution on the problem(s) our society face(s) in raising boys? Was there an evolution at all? Or, have you always noticed these flaws in deterring boys from expressing themselves emotionally? Thanks!

I'm pretty shy so I like it best when Target customers do not say hello, although if they do, I try to be very nice about it. As for boys, it's something I'm thinking about every day, but a topic I only started looking into seriously after the Parkland shootings. I don't know if there's been an evolution so much as a gradual awareness of the ways in which I think we're failing our boys and a vocabulary for talking about them.

Is there any news or anything you can share on Moon Cruise? It sounds like an amazing television show from the press release back in 12/16 but we've heard nothing since then.

Yes. The news is that we wrote it for TBS and they said "No thank you." So I guess it's dead.

If you were starting today - how would you approach youtube etc... to make your mark in sketches? Would you say it is easier than ever to 'get yourself out there,' but harder than ever to get paid for it?

Hard to say - I think the State would definitely have gone the YouTube route. We were doing sketch comedy for NYU audiences and doing little shows in bars. It makes so much more sense to just make stuff and throw it up on YouTube. In terms of getting paid, I think it's probably easier now to make a little money, but harder to make a lot of money. All in all, it's better now.

Do comedians just gravitate towards podcasts because they need to talk, or just want exposure? Or is is some other reason entirely?

It's just seems like everyone professionally-funny has a podcast these days.

All of the above. Yes, every comedian has a podcast because they're a way to do creative stuff in creative ways. We're trying to build audiences, be funny, and maybe - MAYBE - make a tiny bit of dough.

Has Randall Tyree Mandersohn achieved Wholeness?

Not only did he achieve wholeness, he did it while being totally blind.

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