INTERVIEW

Interview with Michael Ian Black - Comedian, Actor and Author of My Custom Van...

Written by Jonathan Medina
Published June 22, 2008
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I’ve been a huge fan of yours since your work on the groundbreaking sketch comedy show The State. There's a rumor about a new installment being in the works. Is there any truth to this?

Yes, we are going to shoot a special for Comedy Central this fall. This is the first time all of us will be working together in any meaningful way in over ten years. I'm pretty excited about it.

I saw an ad the other day for VH1’s next I Love… series. I believe it’s called I Love the New Millennium, or something ridiculous like that. Will you be involved with this latest installment, and if so, in what new ways will you change the world once more with your mind blowing comedy genius?

Yes, I'm involved. I pretty much do the same deadpan jokes about Kathy Lee Gifford that I always do, only with a slightly more millienial bent.

I know part of your shtick is to be the nonchalant, cool comedian, because, well, you are pretty incredible, but is there someone out there you’d be star struck by, or have you already met that person and were you able to get any words out?

I get starstruck around weird people: professional poker players, bodybuilders, tall people, or people who are the best at doing incredibly obscure activities. For example, I met the North American Scrabble champion and I was pretty blown away.

I loved you on Ed. Are you surprised that your co-star from the show, Justin Long has achieved so much recent success or did you see it coming?

I think everybody except Justin is surprised.

You worked at a bowling alley on Ed. Do you bowl in real life? What other sports do you enjoy playing or watching?

I do bowl in real life, but my abilities are somewhere around Barack Obama's. I'm terrible. My kids like to bowl, so I sometimes take them. When I go, I ask the guys to put up the "bumpers" so the kids can't bowl a gutter ball. But the truth is, It's as much for me as it is for the kids. Maybe more so. I participate in no other sports except water polo, triathlons, giant slalom skiing, motocross, and competitive bass fishing.

I find that when I’m in a stable relationship and happier overall, it’s hard to maintain an edge in my writing. How have you been able to stay edgy while being married for so long and in what ways has marriage helped your career?

It's easy when your marriage is in shambles. I would say marriage is helpful in the sense that I know at the end of the day I have someplace to go where they have to let me in the front door.

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Jonathan Medina is a screenwriter, songwriter and journalist specializing in sports and music. He is currently writing Rock N' Roll Grad School - a book about how music changed his life. He is also an aspiring actor and stand-up comedian and shares his life with Stephanie in Tucson, Arizona. His hope is that his words could be music to your eyes, and the partial soundtrack to your online life.
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Interview with Michael Ian Black - Comedian, Actor and Author of My Custom Van...
Published: June 22, 2008
Type: Interview
Section: Books
Filed Under: Books: Entertainment, Books: Humor, Books: Interview, Culture: Celebrity, Culture: Humor and Satire, Culture: Media
Writer: Jonathan Medina
Jonathan Medina's BC Writer page
Jonathan Medina's personal site
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