Michael Ian Black Has Issues...Lots of Them
I look at Michael Ian Black, and I don't see a man with issues. I just see a man who is...ummm...ok, yeah, he's got issues.
By Cory Stottlemyer
The always hilarious Michael Ian Black, star of the new Comedy Central show Michael and Michael Have Issues, recently answered some of our questions about his new show, playing gay, and how long he'll be showing up to make commentary on VH1's "I Love [Insert random decade here]" series.
First things first, tell me about you new show. How did it come about?
Well the new show is called Michael and Michael Have Issues. It’s about my real, long time relationship with Michael Showalter. And you know it’s just about two idiots. Two hyper competitive idiots.
What personal "issues" do you deal with on a day-to-day basis?
My personal issues? Self loathing. Paranoia. Debilitating insecurity. Emotional paralysis. Fear of bugs. Gluttony. Sexual deviance. Hay fever.
See clips of the new show and read about Michael kissing Bradley Cooper after the jump!
| Michael & Michael Have Issues | Premieres Wed, July 15, 10:30pm / 9:30c | |||
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Can't say I'm jealous of their dance moves...
Can we expect to see you playing gay again? I saw a clip about a couple making a Virginity Pledge where your character seems a bit fey.
It did seem that way. It seemed that way. But I don’t know that he knows that he might not be of the hetero persuasion. He probably suspects it. Well, I’m inevitably cast as a gay character so I can’t imagine that won’t happen.
Why do you always get cast as the gay character?
Cause I act kind of gay. *laugh* I just come off as gay.
Really?
Oh yeah, People often assume that I’m gay. That dates back to, oh, middle school, when my nickname was faggot.
I’m sorry. How do you deal with people thinking you’re gay?
The only reason that it’s annoying at all, is that as a guy I want to be seen as totally rugged leading man, but that doesn’t jive with reality in any way, shape or form *laughs*. In my head I’m like the Marlboro man (and I realize that one of the Marlboro men was gay, but that’s beside the point). I could not be more the epitome of hertero virility in my mind. But to the world I’m just a queen *laughs*.
| Michael & Michael Have Issues | Premieres Wed, July 15, 10:30pm / 9:30c | |||
| Virginity Pledge | ||||
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Hmmm, I doubt this is the last time we'll see Michael play such a flamboyant character.
You shared a steamy sex scene with Bradley Cooper in Wet Hot American Summer…
To date my only sex scene.
Oh really? Well, was he a good kisser?
Well, he’s the only guy I’ve kissed. We were both stressed out about it, but I would have been stressed about if it were a straight sex scene. I was surprised how normal it was. And how nonchalant I was about the whole thing. I was like “well this is me kissing a dude and pretending to f*ck a dude.”...I don’t know. Like it was a weird experience. I wasn’t turned on but not turned off. It was fine. It made me feel somewhat enlightened and I questioned my sexuality. I thought, “oh I could do this,” but then it was, “Oh wait, I could do this.”
And you’re married with two kids?
Yep, *laugh* happily married with two kids.
Now, if you had to do another sex scene, who would you like to do it with?
I’ve just discovered who Megan Fox is. Now that I’ve seen her picture, I would think that’d be fine with me. If I had to do a sex scene with someone.
If you had to.
Well yes, remember, I’m a married man.
| Michael & Michael Have Issues | Premieres Wed, July 15, 10:30pm / 9:30c | |||
| The Farting Butterfly Sketch | ||||
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Farting butterflies and Michael and Michael being two "hyper competitive idiots." Yep, it's all there.
Back to your comedy work...what other things are you working on?
Well, the TV show has been taking up my full time for the last full year. I am writing a book that’s due at the end of the year. I may tour doing standup between now and the end of the year. I’m just waiting to hear back if my show will be picked up for a second season.
You once said you'll be doing the VH1 "I Love..." series for forever. Still think this is true?
I think as long as time continues, in its traditional form, I’ll be doing it. As long as I’m alive and as long as VH1 is running. Until the 32nd or 33rd century I believe.
How’d you get into comedy? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?
No, I didn’t really think of myself as somebody who would be a comedian. I thought I’d be an actor, a dramatic actor. In college I helped create a sketch comedy group that eventually became The State, and we were eventually given a show on MTV. And I find that I enjoy it. This may be obvious, but it’s a fun way to make a living, to spend your day arguing about fart jokes. I think part of me kept hoping that somebody would call and say “we want you to be the next killer in the next Michael Mann thriller.” But…I’m firmly in the land of stupidville.
You have anything else you'd like to say to your gay fans?
Thanks for the good gay love over the years. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot of support over the years.
Be sure to catch Michael and Michael Have Issues on Comedy Central NEXT Wednesday 10:30PM/9:30C!
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