It's a film Topher Grace put together, which he describes as "American Graffiti for the '80s." I've just got a small part, but from what I saw it looks really good.

And your show Michael Ian Black Doesn’t Understand. When and where should we expect to see that and what should we expect to see?

You shouldn't expect to see it because the network didn't pick it up for series.

I loved The State from pretty much the onset. By the time it was over, I thought it was easily one of the best and most original sketch comedy shows of all time. What do you think the problem is with American audiences? It’s cliché, but it’s true - most of the really good shows don’t last that long or don’t get the ratings they deserve. I’m still appalled at how many people have never even heard of The State. Are all the smart people just not watching television, or do people just want to escape and not have to think too much when they’re watching TV? Personally I thought The State was a lot more accessible than Stella, but both were great in their own way and I’m surprised that they still seem so misunderstood and even unknown in some circles.

It's not really my place to comment on what people get or don't get. It's obviously disappointing when you put everything you have into a project, only to have it be met with utter indifference or hostility, but in my mind that doesn't affect how I feel about the work. For example, Stella got horrible ratings pretty much from the moment it first aired, but I am as proud or prouder of that show as anything I have ever done. Certain people just have a knack for tapping into the cultural zeitgeist; I am obviously not one of those people, but that doesn't really affect the way I go about doing what I do. I would love it if more people liked what I do, but even if I wanted to, I couldn't really change myself to fit more into the mainstream. I just don't know how to do it. Even so, I can't complain. Even being marginally successful is better than not being successful at all. At least I'm not busing tables at Denny's.

What kind of goals would you like to reach artistically in the coming five years or so? Do you hope to achieve something that transcends the artistic community or do you just want to keep working on the projects that speak to you and see what happens?

I'm just trying to do things that are fun and interesting. That's pretty much it. Obviously there are times when opportunities come along that I might do because, first and foremost, they pay well, but mostly I'm just trying to do what I find interesting - like this book.