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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They are probably the two sweetest guys I've ever worked with. Remarkably uninteresting. Boring, even.

Recently you appeared on the Reaper as a gay demon. In real life would you say you are more gay or demonic?

Don't make me choose between gay and demonic. That's like choosing between my children. Demonic.

On the Reaper you are trying to destroy the devil through acts of kindness. I didn’t know the role was autobiographical. Isn’t that exactly what you’re trying to achieve with your writing, acting and comedy?

They clearly wrote that part with me in mind. After all, when you think of "kind," who immediately comes to mind? After Gwyneth. Me.

You played gay Puerto Rican street hustler Joey Diaz on NYPD Blue. Do you have nightmares about Dennis Franz and David Caruso to this day and do you ever wake up and still think you’re Joey Diaz?

No. If I'm out hustling, I definitely don't need to play a character. I'm just me, out on the streets, sucking guys off for a nickel.

You played a sex offender on Reno 911. Were you influenced by any of the performances from NBC’s hit comedy To Catch a Predator?

That's another character who is just a very sweet, kind, loving person who also happens to be a sex offender. I didn't base it on anybody; I just used the "kind sexual offender" part of myself.

I’m really big on music as an inspiration. What artists, bands, songs or albums have inspired you the most in your art, or what gets you moving?

Anything by C&C Music Factory gets me MOVING!!!

Is there a favorite musician, band, movie or television show (or all of the above) that we’d be surprised that Michael Ian Black was a fan of?

I like Neil Diamond a lot. I don't know if that's surprising or not. Nobody rocks like Diamond.

Do you have any favorite quotes that you like to use on a daily basis that help you get through the day?

Not so much quotes as mantras like this one: Try not to kill anybody and try not to get killed. That one has served me very well over the years.

Did you ever consider suing the producers of the Men In Black films for stealing your initials?

Litigation is currently pending.

Your comedy album was called I Am a Wonderful Man. On a serious note, what things in your life are you most proud of artistically or otherwise?

I'm most proud of the fact that I'm a kid who basically came from nothing (no connections, little money), but have somehow been able to figure out a way to carve out a career in this pretty unforgiving business.

You are in a film called Kids in America. Tell us about it and when should we be looking for it?

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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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