IAmA filmmaker/comedian/etc David Wain, AMA

What was your favorite scene in Rampart?

I'd rather just talk about my latest shit, if you don't mind.

Funk Rock or Funk Rock?

The latter.

Who the fuck is Marcus?

I know!

Hi David, I'm a big fan and have been since Stella, I know you're doing your own thing now. But I was wondering was there a fallout between you, Micheal Ian Black and Michael Showalter? I saw your Wet Hot American Summer reunion show at The Music Hall of Williamsburg and there was definitely some awkward tension between you three, also they went on to do Michael and Michael have Issues without and you went to do Wainy Days without them, why is that? After Stella was canceled on comedy central did you guys all have a falling out or what? What is your actual relationship with them like today? Thank you for answering my questions if this isn't your intern doing this AMA for you.

Edit: Here is an awkward photo of us, you should print it out and put it on your wall to remember us forever.

Edit 2: This is a great AMA, hopefully we can fit it into the next issue of The Redditor Magazine! I WANNA DIP MY BALLS IN IT!

Truth is all of us in The State are constantly doing various projects with different sub-groupings of the original 11 and I think we will always continue to do that. Stella is ongoing and no plans to end it. More shows, perhaps a movie, more shorts - who knows. Tension onstage - that's always been a part of it since day 1!

I too am interested in this. Stella is the funniest thing of all time, and I hope you guys return with some new stuff!

Thanks - all three of us love and will keep doing Stella. Too bad CC didn't give us a 2nd season - would have been awesome.

I don't know about Showalter, but Michael Ian Black appeared on Wainy Days.

So did Showalter!

Hey David, thanks for doing this!

Just wanted to say The Ten was SEVERELY underrated, and I loved it. Thanks for making things that are funny.

Thank you for watching them! Hope you go see Wanderlust!

I'm a huge fan of Stella and Wainy days and everything you've ever touched. I want to dip you in gold and put you on my mantle. Or, throw you up on my shoulders and take you to a carnival and feed you cotton candy. With that being said:

1. ) WHO IS JIM STANSEL??? I've noticed that name used in The Ten, Wet Hot American Summer, and Role Models. Is there a story behind it, and is the name used in Wanderlust at all?

2.)I've heard in interviews and stuff that you and Ken are working on a prequel to Wet Hot American Summer. When would the prequel take place? Would it be all the same actors playing even more impossibly young characters?

3.)Will there be any more Wainy Days to look forward to?

4.) I love you.

Thanks for doing this AMA! Can't wait to see Wanderlust tomorrow!

1 - Jim Stansel was the name of a guy who used to work with my dad when I was like 10 years old. We have a super-8 movie of him up in a hot air balloon for a radio station promotion in Dallas, and my dad's going "that's Jim Stansel! That's Jim Stansel!" and the name has always stuck in my head. I just love the name!

2 - We are working on the sequel (me and Michael Showalter). Original cast will return. Storyline is secret!

3 - Yes! For now please get the new DVD that was just released www.wainydays.com - filled with cool stuff and extras etc.

4 - i love you too

David, I only have one question that has been bothering me for years. What was better, the pizza or the assfucking?

I go back and forth.

David, do beards grow in space?

They do not.

I don't have to remind you that space has an atmosphere of negative 20. This is an atmosphere in which beards cannot grow.

And yet you did.

But I have a beard?

Who wrote the "I don't care if you're bowlegged, and I don't care if you're bilingual" speech from Wet Hot American Summer?

Who drew "Beyonce pouring sugar on my dick" from Role Models?

If you could get pizza and beer with anyone on Earth, what would it be?

W.H.A.S. was written by me and Michael Showalter - we wrote that speech together.

I made that drawing in RM!

At the moment - Penn Jillette

Is Joe Lo Truglio the most grossly underappreciated comedic actor working today?

Met him outside a bar in downtown Manhattan once. I praised his work on The State. Super nice guy. Wish I coulda thrown some Role Models quotes at him. That guy needs to be in everything.

edit: grammar

I would say yes but he's pretty appreciated! He's amazing and increasingly I think the industry and the audience is catching on!

Do you still keep in touch with Gary Meadows? Also, can you tell Michael Ian Black that I will have sex with him? Rough sex.

If you mean Sam Rockwell - yes!

And yes.

I just want to say that I was there! I watched The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special when it broadcast live on CBS, and it was awesome.

You were that guy!

David- I am also a dildo based comedian. What advice do you have for an up and cummer like me? I've been sucking and fucking dildos for years, but for some reason no one laughs, and no one films it. You Stella boys are my biggest inspiration, and any advice would be much appreciated.

Dildo comedy is a delicate art - be careful.

How did you originally start working with everyone from The State?

Also, Wet Hot American Summer 2? Is that happening?

I was a member of a sketch comedy group at NYU called "The Sterile Yak" (founded by now superstar children's book author Mo Willems) and we started a "B-team" of freshman when we were sophomores. A bunch of interested freshman signed up for this "new group" and that became eventually The State.

WHAS2 - see above

Kill, Marry, Fuck:

Alec Baldwin, William Baldwin, Stephen Baldwin

Absolutely.

So many questions, but I've always wondered, how did Paul Rudd come into the mix for your filmography? It seems like WHAS was mostly a reunion of The State, but Rudd didn't appear in The State. Just wondering how he came aboard, and embraced your vision as well as the vision of a guy like Showalter (as he's in The Baxter and other related projects).

Also side question, if you should so choose to answer: what other comedy troupe(s) do you highly respect outside of The State? Upright Citizens Brigade has some terrific alumni, obviously. Wondering where you see the future of comedy. I guess that's a lot more broad/involved than my original leading question there, but whatever, you taste like hamburger anyway.

I normally hate to gush over famous people, because you all have more money and thusly more dinosaur-themed bouncing balls and non-generic brand soda than me, but goddamn, I love your work. I've lost count of how many friends I've introduced to WHAS and Stella (though most seemed to embrace Role Models and, interestingly enough and possibly counter to preconception, The Ten, more readily than those too). You've brought many a laugh into my life, good sir, and many an awkward quote that has at least mildly annoyed or disturbed a stranger not in the know.

how did Paul Rudd come into the mix for your filmography?

I met him when we were doing our play Sex AKA Weiners & Boobs in NYC 1999. He'd done Romeo + Juliet with mutual friend (and Sex cast member) Zak Orth. We got along and had similar comedic tastes/POV & we asked him to do WHAS. That's how it began.

What other comedy troupe(s) do you highly respect outside of The State?

UCB Tim & Eric Kids in the Hall

Wondering where you see the future of comedy.

No idea - hope it includes me.

I normally hate to gush over famous people, because you all have more money

You might be surprised.

The episode of Party Down that you directed was one of the most cracked out and wild in the series. Any stories from the set? Does Ken Marino actually have an eleven inch cock?

It was so so fun. Those actors are totally amazing, all of them. And you go so fast, which I like a lot. Great crew too. Everyone was laughing a lot - can't think of any specific thing other than that.

Re Ken - no.

Hey David, huge fan. I was wondering what it's like going back to film after being in TV recently. Do you like one more than the other, or feel it's easier to be funny in one medium or another?

Also, was it hard to be professional when you got the chance to see Jennifer Anitstons tits?

I love going back and forth - each thing has its own challenges and rewards. I'm so lucky to get to do all different stuff.

2nd question - yes.

Can you just acknowledge that I exist? That would make my entire day. I'm such a huge Stella fan and the day I met Joe Lo Truglio all I did was talk Stella.

What is the all-time most awkward moment in your career? And I suppose also in your personal life?

I see you.

2nd question there have been many - can't think of examples right now. Oh maybe when I met Cameron Crowe - he was/is my all time hero esp for doing Fast Times and Say Anything. I sent him my short film and he wrote me a great note about it. Then when I was working at MTV, maybe 21 years old, he tracked me down to say hi in the office, and I was super stand-off-ish to him - FOR WHAT REASON I HAVE NO IDEA! I will always regret it.

Which lady was most excited to make out with you on Wainy Days? Which lady was least excited?

Most excited - probably none really Least excited - Zandy Hartig

[deleted]

He did have a cameo in Wanderlust - didn't make the cut but will be on the DVD (Blu-ray has the "Bizarro Cut" which is a new cut of the movie made up ALMOST ENTIRELY of material NOT in the theatrical cut)

He also plays Brad's dad in AISLE SIX

ah! Wet Hot American Summer is my favorite movie of all time. I'm also a really big fan of Stella, Childrens Hospital, and Wainy Days. I feel starstruck, so uh... I guess.. my question is: Is it weird to you that Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks are now big stars? Also, what has been your favorite thing to film?

I'm certainly not surprised that they're big stars. It's more weird that they still return my calls.

Favorite thing to film? Hmm. I'd say often the lower budget, the more fun. So funnest shoots tend to be things like Stella Shorts, State skits, Wainy Days etc.

My friend and I tend to get drunk at bars...apparently it's the social convention. Whilst drunk, we play rousing games of zots and crambles...to nearly everyone's confusion. Where did this game come about?

It's not real.

What's something true about yourself that most people don't know?

Also, what's with all the sexual tension between you and Michael Showalter?

True about myself - I'm super shy in many situations.

Sexual tension - maybe gay? Dunno.

Tell me a funny Jewish joke.

A husband goes to a doctor and finds out he only has 8 hours to live. So he goes home to his wife and the wife says, that's terrible, I guess we should live it up these last moments - so they go to bed and have incredible sex. Then they do it again.
Afterward husband says, "I'm loving this - let's go again, honey!" Wife says, "that's easy for you to say - you don't have to get up in the morning!"

Who is the baddest mother fucker of them all / what is your favorite animal?

Pootie Tang; Dog

David, is it fun being the Warden in Superjail! ? Do you just record your voice wherever or are you more involved? Love all your work and will be seeing wonderlust Friday. Also, will you be involved with ken in any way with the party down rumored film?

I'm just an actor for hire on that show - for whatever reason I always seem to be in L.A. when they are producing it so I go into a booth by myself and the guys who do the show are on the phone from NYC. I take no credit for that show's brilliance.

I love the Stella Shorts that are floating around youtube ("Pizza" in particular). Will they ever be on DVD?

No but they're all here.

Just saw Wanderlust last night at an advance screening in Atlanta. The movie was incredible and hilarious from start to finish. Some really smart/subtle jokes in there. Ken Marino (once again) was the standout star to me. Anyways, my question is...what are some of your favorite beers?

I don't really drink beer too often. But I love dogfish!

How did you like the Atlanta-ness of the movie?

Who's Marcus?

No kidding.

Is there any truth to the report that you removed Jennifer Aniston's topless scene from Wanderlust? If so, what was the impetus for your decision? Was it to appease Aniston and her boyfriend Justin Theroux?

If true, I hope you realize that millions of moviegoers are very disappointed with this artistic decision. You've let America down, man.

The scene is there, it probably just not shown at an angle that will fully satisfy horny teenage boys who are looking to jerk off in the theater. Which I think is a good thing!

Hey David,

What has been your best podcasting experience? What is the experience typically like?

I have been lucky enough to do many different types of podcasts - many enjoyable. Loved doing Mac Power Users where I could TOTALLY geek out. Comedy Bang Bang with Rudd & Marino was a good one too.

I have a few ideas of my own podcast to do one day too - no time at the moment.

Hi David!

Just curious what your thoughts are/were of Reno 911, seeing as a big chunk of your The State co-stars were a part of it.

Besides that, Stella was fantastic, everyone I show it too is slightly confused, then completely taken. It needs to return in various forms.

Keep up the good work! Me and the lady are seeing Wanderlust tomorrow actually, I expect good things.

LOVED "Reno" - awesome. Was thrilled to be on a couple episodes and in the movie.

Glad you're seeing Wanderlust - let me know what you think. Also why not invite 30 friends to go with you?

My husband hates Stella, The State, & Wainy Days. He says they're stupid. I should leave him, y/y? (He does claim to like WHAS & The Ten.)

Oh also, a question about MIB: I know his being a total dick is like a character he plays for the public, but sometimes he says stuff where I'm like "holy shit, maybe it's real..." Is he actually a nice guy?

And now let me throw in how much I love you & your work. I love you & your work.

No stay with your man.

Michael Black is actually a nice guy. And has an amazing book coming out in a week.

Love your movies! I read that you came onto Role Models late in the game to rewrite it / direct it. Can you talk about that rewriting process?

They were 8 weeks from shooting when I came on board. The script was not in good shape, so during the time when normally a director would be busy 24/7 doing final casting, location scouting, working with costumes, art, shot listing, hiring crew, rehearsing, etc etc -- during that time I was holed up with Rudd and Marino and we basically started over with the script from page 1. We kept the very broad strokes from Tim Dowling and others, but added many elements to the story (Kiss, Jane Lynch character, Liz Banks character/storyline, many setpiece scenes, etc) and rewrote 99% of the dialogue. And restructured/reshuffled etc etc. This was an incredibly challenging time! But ultimately paid off.

1) Will any of the State reunion shows ever be released on DVD? 2) What was the best part of filming Role Models? Wanderlust? 3) Do you have a book in you? 4) What advice do you have for young writers who want to get into TV? Writers in general?

Thanks for the years of awesomely funny, mang.

1) State reunions never got videotaped well enough to be released - the big show we did in SF somehow we didn't get sound!

2) Best part of RM - Laire battles were pretty fun; WL - guitar scene was a blast - those come to mind but there were so many

3) Yes - a few ideas - no time at the moment

4) Keep writing, don't wait for invitation or venue, quantity as important as quality esp when starting out.

Can you make a stella youtube series? get the micheals together. it'll be cute.

We did! Just before YouTube here it is

Tell us about the difference between filming Wanderlust and some of your older stuff! Was it much more high budget? was more "serious" and less improv/fooling around? or was it the same amount??

Yes highest budget to date; by far the MOST improv of any project so far.

Why are you so incredibly popular with the ladies?

Big juicy lips.

Big fan of stella, so incredibly stupid it was brilliant.

my question:

What's up with the nose job?

Had to get surgery to fix deviated septum age 14 - my mom said "while you're in there, why not fix up your nose!?" I didn't realize there was something wrong with it. But my mom and HER mom had their noses done so I thought it was just something people do. They changed the look of it quite drastically (Here's a photo) but didn't help my breathing which was the point. So I had another surgery at age 24 - but that one was just internal. Fascinating story right?

Not really a question, just wanted to thank you for creating some of the greatest entertainment I've ever seen. Also I wanted to thank you for teaching me about the word "and". I use it on a daily basis AND it has greatly increased my quality of life.

It is so handy, right?

Hi David, Huge fan of Childrens Hospital. It has recently come to my attention that Lake Bell won Mr. Skins "Breast Picture of the Year". What do you think of Lake's marvelous tits?

I wasn't aware of that. I'm thrilled for her and yes her tits are terrific!

David, I miss seeing you in front of the camera. I love the work you have been doing recently but are you going to be one of the leads in something again soon, or are you concentrating on writing/directing? Wainy Days is just not enough! I need to hear someone ask you what you are doing, and have you respond, "I don't know," then have a big sax solo come in.

I have a little part in Wanderlust - go see it tomorrow!

But yes I'd love to do more on-camera. I have a tiny cameo in the New Girl episode I directed too - 18th episode of first season - look out for it called "Secrets"

Oh and I'm in a couple of Childrens Hospital episodes next season - coming in spring to Adult Swim.

But would be happy to play a leading role in a big movie or TV show - let Hollywood know.

I'm from Cleveland and few years back you did a seminar at the cinematheque there. You talked about your career and how to get into the film business, particularly screenwriting. You emphasized how important it was to constantly hone your craft and that in order to give yourself the best chance of success you should really consider moving to LA.

I'd heard people say the same thing before but hearing it from you it clicked. I've been living in LA for a year and a half now and have worked consistently since I arrived. I just want to say thank you. That day was a very important one for me and I don't know if I'd be where I am now without it.

edit: proofreading silly auto complete errors. And a couple of my own too.

Thrilled to hear!

As someone who pictures the Warden everytime your voice is heard, I would like to know...What are your thoughts on Superjail?

I don't think of myself in that way, no. Superjail is a fun job - I basically go into a booth once in a while and read a bunch of lines that I have no idea what they mean!

Hi David! Longtime fan here. What's the greatest piece of advice you have for college filmmakers? In six words or less.

Also, your wife is beautiful. I want to see her in more things!

six words advice: work hard and don't make excuses

My wife, Zandy - yes she IS beautiful thank you for saying so - and she's a great funny actress. You'll see her in Wanderlust - she has a great scene with Jennifer Aniston and Keegan Michael Key (she's pregnant in it, as she was in Role Models!) and you'll see her also upcoming Childrens Hospital season and of course on the new Wainy Days DVD

You said you can type moderately fast - how many words per minute? If you don't know here is a test http://www.typingtest.com/

I'll take the test after this and post results.

Who's your favorite person you've made out with on-screen? Will there be a David Wain Bergman phase?

Zandy Hartig (Wainy episode 10) Bergman Phase - how so?

Huge fan of all your work! I just saw the STELLA nightclub show in SF and it was amazing. I had heard rumors about a Wet Hot sequel... will this dream become a reality?

Yes see above.

Corky & Lenny's, Jack's or Slymans?

Slymans!

Although I have a soft spot for Corky & Lenny's where I've gone my whole life. Until they shut it down for food poisoning or something - remember?

First of all, thank you for making "Wet Hot American Summer" and providing the staff of my sleepaway camp with the annual tradition of watching and providing ourselves with character associations (I was Susie for many years, but eventually turned into Beth).

Anyway...super excited for Wanderlust to open this weekend -- I can't wait to see it! My question is this: What was your inspiration for the film? Like, have you ever seen/randomly stumbled upon/heard tell of/gotten sucked in by propaganda and mind-altering substances to a place like that? (Sorry if this is a repeat...I haven't read all of the comments.) Thank you! JEW POWER!

Never done much drugs at all ever in my life; inspiration for Wanderlust was many-fold - wanted to explore modern-day commune setting (Together is one of my all time favorite movies) and like the theme of a group of people getting together to try to rise above the expected way of doing things. True to my experience in The State, and somewhat reflected in other movies I've done too. Plus just wanted to do something super funny and fun!

What did you think of Madonna's halftime performance?

Do you think that in the future people will make movies about Paul Rudd using your new technology?

Also would just like to say that you have no idea how much me a few close friends worship Stella, I think we all own our own copies of the first season. Superjail is amazing, and I promise to finish watching Wainy Days!

1 - Madonna - great

2 - No - that was a joke

3 - SWEEET

1) How do I convince my wife that she wants to see wanderlust? She wasn't stoked by the preview like I was, perhaps due to my unmatchable fandom.

2) Do you have any advice for your fellow ultra-shy, socially awkward penguins?

How do I convince my wife that she wants to see wanderlust?

It's a funny, charming, warm romantic comedy starring Rudd & Aniston - what more does a woman want? Alan Alda? She's got him!

Do you have any advice for your fellow ultra-shy, socially awkward penguins?

Keep forcing yourself beyond your shyness - fake it till you make it!

Are you actually answering these questions or are you just passing those duties off to Marcus?

Me all alone.

What is your favorite Jean Luc Godard film?

Breathless (don't know if I've seen any other!)

Do you see a future for web based series programming?

yes

any future project plans? what are some cool things coming up with childrens hospital and uh how do you feel about michael showalter's claim in regards to a wet hot american summer sequel? thanks

Many projects in progress at the moment. Right now editing season 4 of [Childrens Hospital](www.childrenshospitaltv.com) which premieres in the spring. Writing several movie scripts, and prepping Childrens spin-off Newsreaders for Adult Swim. New TV projects cooking too. Lots of stuff! Too busy! But this should be my biggest problem right?

Oh also I directed a fun episode of New Girl which will be on in a few weeks I think.

I've been a huge fan of Stella, WHAS, The State... it goes on and on - one of my favorite things was seeing the shenanigans behind the scenes on the WHAS DVDs. Everyone seemed to get along so well and have so much fun with it despite the shitty freezing weather. Seeing as many of you guys work together on different things is it often you all get together outside of projects just for fun? Any particularly funny stories from one of these hangouts? Thanks! (btw - my old co-worker who got me to watch The Ten is Mike Ziegfeld's cousin - love that movie too!)

Glad you like the ten - yes we all hang out as much as possible. Funny stories? One time we ordered too many wings and had to leave some on the table!