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Open Mike
Michael Ian Black on the joys of commercial failure
By Travis Hoewischer
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Photo courtesy Schacter Entertainment
Michael Ian Black is funnier in a day of tweeting than most people will be all year:
“Confirmed again today that I like boobs.”
“Finally heard the Mel Gibson tape. I hate to say it, but I don’t think he and his girlfriend are going to make it.”
“If the choice is between seeing morbidly obese people walking around or people with yoga mats, I’ll take the fatties.”
“No matter how many cardigan sweaters I wear, it seems like Prince is still a sexier motherf***er than me.”
“In Canada. Hoping to get diagnosed with a very expensive disease while I’m here.”
Yeah, and that’s just a Wednesday. Then again, it’s the kind of
output knowledgeable fans would expect from Black, the comedy equivalent
of the veteran utility infielder.
You need someone to make up for the numerous unfunny schmucks on I
Love the ’80s? You need someone to play a gay demon? An oversexed
pudding salesman? A dude named Johnny Bluejeans? Bring in Black. The
dude’s funny in any situation.
He and his cohorts from the mid-’90s MTV cult sketch show The State
have since planted themselves, at least temporarily, in several critical
niches, with alums of the show comprising most of the Reno 911! cast,
playing key bit roles in mainstream comedies, as well as their
brilliant summer camp spoof, Wet Hot American Summer.
Black carries himself in that rare Carlin-like manner, where he is
equal parts silly and endearing, biting and smearing. Case in point: on
his blog, he had words for those who had accused him of “selling out”
for accepting advertisement deals on his Twitter feed. His response?
Pure pro.
I’m sorry if it pisses anybody off, but if you are upset, I know
what will make you feel better: a delicious Klondike bar washed down
with an icy cold Sierra Mist.
That’s what the Brits call “taking a piss.”
Black, who will appear at the Columbus Funny Bone August 20th and
21st, took time away from his vacation to wax further on Twitter, his
place in the comedy world, and let (614) pitch him the ultimate project
that will bring him mainstream success.
Are you surprised when people accuse comics of “selling out?”
I find it kind of maddening. I think a lot of artists these days - I
use that word sparingly - have the same frustration, which is that the
arts have become commodified because of the Internet. You can get
anything you want for free, which as a consumer, I’m thrilled about.
But, as someone who is trying to create content for a living and support
themselves, it can be a challenge. Twitter, in particular, is
providing a platform for people to speak - which is great - but they
are the sole benefactor. It’s not like they’re a non-profit group
trying to save the planet - they’re a company trying to make money,
just like everybody else. It’s frustrating for me when people get up in
arms when an artist tries to get compensation for what they do.
I think people feel the same way about the media. Yeah, news
on the Internet is “free,” but someone should be compensated for
generating it.
It’s just a weird time in terms of how we think about the
intersection between art and commerce. Maybe it’s preposterous to be
able to think you can make a living doing this. I mean, ultimately, what
I’m doing is making dick jokes. (laughs)
And some fine dick jokes they are. I enjoy that you bill
them on your blog as a “steady stream” of dick jokes. Packs more of a
punch that way.
(Laughs) A steady stream of, hopefully, medium-quality dick jokes.
It’s interesting, because since I’ve started accepting ads, which I
believe there are three, I feel a bigger obligation to be entertaining. I
actually feel like they’re getting more for their money in a weird
way, because I’m thinking about being funny rather than just posting
what comes to my head. I guess I still do that, I’m just more judicious
about it now.
Well certainly. Somebody backs it now, you kinda have to deliver, give it your all.
I don’t know if I would say I give it my all (laughs) - I certainly give it something.
Back to the dick jokes. Is there a Holy Grail or go-to that you’re most proud of?
Nope. They are all my children - I care not at all about any of them.
How did you decide to go out on your own as Michael Ian Black, rather than working on stage, or on camera with ensembles?
I am doing it because it’s a challenge, and because I have always
admired standup comedians; I’ve always admired the craft of it. But,
I’ve never had the time to devote to it. Now seemed like as good a time
as any to see if I could do it in a way that made me proud.
How have the shows been so far? Any rough nights?
The crowds have been great. I don’t really have any of the comedian
horror stories because I’ve been fortunate, in that I don’t have to show
up at an open mic night at a Mexican place at 2 a.m. and make three
people laugh.
Yeah, but that would be awesome if you did. It would be fun to go down to the Mexican joint and slay those three people.
Oh no. It would be fun in the telling of the story. Not fun to do.
That would be horrible. (laughs) See, that’s the thing, I never wanted
to pay my dues, go through the horrors and rigors - I’ve got horrors and
rigors of my own.
So, your advice to any young comedian would be to make sure to get a popular show on MTV?
That would be my first piece of advice, yes.
Is it weird to look around and see everyone from The State,
essentially your college buddies, on different TV networks and in
movies?
Yeah, but the thing is, when you’re in this industry, you end up
knowing everyone. We are all proud of what we do, but the novelty of
seeing your friends on different shows has worn off - to the extent that
now, my only real thought is: How come that f***ing guy got a job and I
didn’t?
Ha! Now, your first thought is sabotage?
It’s only about sabotage. Sabotage and schadenfreude.
Well, you do know those guys better than any; you should be able to throw some dirt on them.
I know, but the problem is, any dirt on actors or comedians only
helps them. There’s nothing bad you can say about them … except
pedophilia.
Yeah, that’s still pretty taboo.
Yeah, nobody would believe me if I accused 10 other people - who all
happen to be in my old sketch group. Unless I was also implicating
myself.
Were there comedians who influenced you?
The ones I was aware of, and thought were great, were Woody Allen,
George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy … I thought Sam Kinison was
really funny.
Any projects you would still like to do? You’ve done such a variety already.
What I would like … is for something I do to be successful. That
would be terrific. (laughs) If I could do something that was accepted
by the mainstream, that would be fantastic. Barring thaaattt? I’m
content doing what I’m doing. I’ve got a nice job floating around, doing
different things. I’m not locked into anything. There’s a lot of
advantage to being a commercial failure.
Here’s your chance: pitch me the mainstream project that will put you over the top.
I wish I had it. I wish I were capable of coming up with those sorts of ideas.
What if you pitch The Cosby Show back to NBC, with the entire original cast, only with you as Bill Cosby?
I like that! Can we use their scripts? I think that’s a pretty good
idea. But again, that’s a good idea to you and me - I don’t think
America is ready to accept me as Bill Cosby … with Phylicia Rashad as
my wife.
Michael Ian Black Performs @ The Columbus Funny Bone
145 Easton Town Center
August 20th - 21st
8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. nightly
www.michaelianblack.typepad.com
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