Q&A: Michael Ian Black

As we reported in this week's Agenda section, Michael Ian Black is performing tonight at the Troc at 7 and 10 p.m. But first, we caught up with him to talk about tweeting, podcasts and some of his favorite snacks.

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Q&A: Michael Ian Black

POSTED: Friday, March 11, 2011, 3:30 PM

Filed Under: Comedy Stand-up

Photo courtesy of (Mild Mannered Photographer, Flickr)

As we reported in this week's Agenda section, comedian Michael Ian Black is performing stand-up tonight at the Troc at 7 and 10 p.m. But first, we caught up with him to talk about tweeting, podcasts and some of his favorite snacks.

City Paper: First, I wanted to ask you about the “Very Famous” special you’re shooting for Comedy Central. Can you tell me a little bit about it?

Michael Ian Black: It’s the first stand-up comedy special I’ve ever done. I’m sort of new to stand up comedy even though I’ve been doing it my whole career. If you’re looking for jokes and you’re looking to be on TV, this is a good show. Comedy Central will be shooting me and the audience. So, there might be a wonderful image of you laughing or scowling or throwing up a little. I’m very nervous about it.

CP: Do you have any pre-show rituals to calm your nerves?

MIB: The only ritual I think that helps is to take 6 or 7 Ambien.

CP: How do you get inspiration for your stand-up?

MIB: I think every comic just draws from their own life and their own experiences as much as possible. I try to note things that I have a strong emotional reaction to, positive or negative. That’s the best place to start. I use my own emotional gauge as a barometer if something has potential.

CP: Is there any topic that is off limits?

MIB: If there’s a topic that’s off limits, I haven’t found it yet.

CP: Do you have any professional horror stories?

MIB: I’m pretty fortunate that nothing’s gone terribly wrong to this point. Nobody’s hit me yet.

CP: Not to sound creepy, but I follow you on Twitter, along with more than 1.5 million other people. When did you join the Twitter movement?

MIB: I’ve probably been on Twitter for about 2 years. I was reluctant to do it at first because I didn’t see the need or appeal of it. Then when I realized how much of an attention whore I am, I suddenly understood of the draw of it.

CP: You’ve tweeted to promote your podcasts, “Mike and Tom Eat Snacks,” you do with Tom Cavanagh. Where did the idea come from?

MIB: There’s absolutely nothing ironic about the title. Me and Tom eat snacks. The reason it exists is because my friend Tom and I have been looking for something to do.

It’s very hard in show business to get people to write you a check, especially with my track record. A podcast is the cheapest way for us to do a creative endeavor. And we both like snacks. And snacks are very inexpensive. And people like snacks and have opinions they may not even realize. They may not know they have strong feelings about Combos. I was shocked by my own reaction of Combos.

CP: Do you have a favorite snack?

MIB: There are some good snacks in upcoming episodes that I feel pretty passionately about. If you’re looking for a spicy meat snack, you’re not going to do any better than a Slim Jim. Chicken Tikka Masala is also very good, but that is more of an actual dish than it is a snack.

CP: Do you have any weird pet peeves?

MIB: I think everybody has pet peeves. This isn’t a pet peeve so much as an observation, but I find that whenever I go to McDonald’s by myself, I always bring a book. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another human being reading at McDonald’s. Not even the tray liner they give you, which actually has some good information on it. I’m afraid people are going to hit me and steal my book and say, “Why the fuck are you reading in McDonald’s, you book worm?”

CP: Any last words about your Comedy Central special in Philly?

MIB: There will be a thirty minute dance tribute to Ben Franklin. Beyond that, no.

Podcast Link: http://soundcloud.com/matescast

Michael Ian Black’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/michaelianblack

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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