Web Exclusive: Interview with Michael Ian Black

NT: Oh my God. That’s the most exciting thing I’ve heard all month.

MIB: I know I’m freaking out about it.

NT: Will it just be a bunch of skits?

MIB: I don’t know. We haven’t written it yet. We’re going to start writing it this Saturday.

NT: That is such good news. I haven’t seen that announced anywhere. I am I going to be the first?

MIB: I’ve talked to a few people about it, so you do not have an exclusive. You’re among the first that I’ve told.

NT: The DVD is coming out, soon, according to David Wain.

MIB: Yeah, he’s wrong. It’s supposed to come out soon. Like next month. But they’re going to hold it now until we do the movie. They’ll release everything together.

NT: I guess that’s a good strategic plan. Is everybody in the movie? All 11?

MIB: It’s everybody…You’re having a little cum over this.

NT: I am. You have no idea. Is it going to be all new stuff? Or references to older skits?

MIB: I know we won’t do any old skits. Whether or not we refer to anything, I don’t know.

NT: Do you have a favorite skit?

MIB: There’s a lot of them I’m partial to. I like Taco Man, of the ones I was involved in. Porcupine Race Track. I like the one, I’m not in it, it’s called Cutlery Barn.

NT: Spaghetti fried bumblebees?

MIB: That’s the one.

NT: I like that one, too. It’s a really bizarre one. Do you have a favorite other cast member?

MIB: Yeah, I like Kevin. Kevin Allison. He’s so totally gayed up.

NT: I haven’t seen much of him lately.

MIB: He kinda dropped out of show biz for a while. He was writing and he was, mostly writing. Now he’s sort of getting back into it.

NT: Do you have a least favorite cast member?

MIB: I’m not partial to Ken Marino. I just don’t like his sensibility, as a person.

NT: So he’s kind of a dickhead?

MIB: Kind of a dickhead. That’s not really true by the way.

NT: Do you have any favorite comedians outside the group?

MIB: I like that fat kid on Two and a Half Men. He’s good.

NT: I haven’t seen that.

MIB: I haven’t either.

NT: What do you think about the comedy scene right now?

MIB: Overall I’d say the comedy scene very good right now. There’s a lot of talented people doing a lot of good work in all different mediums. It’s a great time to be a comedian. People are supporting comedy. They’re coming to see it. They enjoy it.

NT: Do you prefer stand up or sketch comedy or what?

MIB: Well I like all of it, but standup is fun because it’s immediate. You’re out there on a stage. You do a stage for an hour or so and then you’re done for the day. When you don’t have a good work ethic, that’s a very good job.

NT: Now comes the personal part of the interview.

MIB: Are you going to hit on me?

NT: Probably. What’s something about you that nobody knows?

MIB: If I told you than people would know. You’ve really put me in a quandary here.

NT: Okay. And I’m not letting you out.

MIB: Okay. Dollar for dollar, my favorite restaurant is Taco Bell. I get the number 3. Three taco supremes and a soft drink. Sometimes I will get a fourth taco.

NT: What’s so good about it?

MIB: It’s, um, overall deliciousness, I would say.

NT: What are your secret dreams?

MIB: Secret dreams. I’d like to be an ice cream entrepreneur. I’d like to invent new ice creams.

NT: Do you have any ideas?

MIB: Um. Yeah. Like a green tea with uh, with fortune cookies and chocolate chips mixed in.

NT: That sounds delicious.

MIB: Yeah, thanks.

NT: What were you like as a young man?

MIB: How young?

NT: Five to ten.

MIB: Five to ten. Five to ten? I don’t remember.

NT: What about in high school? Were you cool or were you a loser?

MIB: Was I cool? No. I was sort of, you know, middle of the pack. Thinks he’s misunderstood but really isn’t, kind of teenager. I think they all understood perfectly well.

NT: Did you think you were funny back then?

MIB: I thought I was funny. I don’t know that other people agreed.

NT: Were you shy?

MIB: I wasn’t shy, but I definitely was not outgoing.

NT: If you could kill one person, who would it be?

MIB: Kill? (Long pause). I can’t think of anybody I would want to kill. That’s a horrible thing to say.

NT: If you could be a musical instrument, what would you be?