Speaking French with Michael

An Interview by Ivy Dillinger
Author of Fulmination



"Sublime" is one of those words whose meaning always slips my mind. In beginning to describe Michael Showalter, writer (and director and star) of The Baxter and co-star (and co-creator) of Comedy Central’s Stella, it was the first word that popped into my head, so I looked it up to make sure it applies.

It does.

Sublime’s verb version - "to pass or cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state" – reads, in a way, as a scientific definition of laughter. Its adjective version has synonyms like "noble," "superb" and "spendid" – all applicable.

He has terrific hair, roguish allure, otherworldly timing, and the picturesque charm of a napping golden retriever. And, of course, he’s extremely generous: in taking some time to speak a little French…



IVY
Michael, when it comes to reading, are you more of a fiction guy or a nonfiction guy? Any recent books you'd recommend?

MICHAEL
I pretty much read only nonfiction. Occasionally, I'll read a Harry Potter book. I like facts. I like to feel like I'm learning something that I can repeat out loud at a party and make interesting conversation with. Right now, I'm finishing a book called The Devil's Candy, which is about the making of the movie Bonfire of the Vanities. Next I'm going to read that book Stiff about dead bodies.

IVY
What do you say when someone sneezes?

MICHAEL
"God bless you."

IVY
May I trouble you for two random sentences off the top of your head, followed by a haiku?

MICHAEL
Sadly, I don't know how to make a haiku.
I suppose I could google it and find out.

I just googled it.
So now, I am writing one.
I hope it's good.



IVY
If you could take credit for writing a famous opera, or a famous play or film or novel, or a famous math theorem or political speech or advertising slogan, which would it be and why?

MICHAEL
Well, I don't think that I'd really like to take credit for someone else's work. I wish I could play the piano. How great must it have felt for Billy Joel to sit down at a piano and play Scenes From An Italian Restaurant? I'd love to have that skill.



IVY
You see a guy selling Italian ices. Which flavor do you choose?
a) chocolate
b) lemon
c) grape
d) cherry

MICHAEL
b) lemon
d) cherry
c) grape
a) chocolate

IVY
What would you estimate - in percentages - to be the ratio in Brooklyn of shy, thoughtful, interesting people to sexually attractive dullards to elderly Dodger fans to the criminally insane?

MICHAEL
That's a tough one. Brooklyn's a very large borough.

IVY
Do you cook?

MICHAEL
I cook spaghetti.

IVY
Please conclude this interview with advice for babies.

MICHAEL
Don't blame your parents. They love you very much.



Michael’s additional film credits include Kissing Jessica Stein and M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs.

Visit Michael Showalter on the World Wide Web.