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?
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.
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