Birbigs

My first ever blog interview:

SMM: I noticed that you were a founding member of the sketch comedy group "the sickies", whatever happened to the sickies?

Mike Birbiglia: I don’t really know what happened to the group. I hope my high school still supports sketch comedy. I think it’s more important than many subjects, like “math.”

SMM: I'm guessing that Cincinnati is by far your favorite place to perform, but where else do you love getting on stage?

MB: Cincinnati is definitely among my favorites. I also really enjoy performing in Seattle and San Francisco. A lot of stand-up depends on having the right club surroundings, like a good sound system and low ceilings.

SMM: How is your secret public journal different than my not so secret public blog?

MB: You got me! My online blog is the posting of a radio piece that I do. Many people miss the radio segment, so the email and blog are great for that. I really enjoy writing those pieces, sometimes material from them winds up on stage.

SMM: If you opened a pizza restaurant, what would you name it? And will there be coupons?

MB: I would call it Bahooskis, and we would serve Greek-style pizza and Gyros. I won’t have coupons, but I will accept competitors’ coupons.

SMM: In your act you cover gay cats, panda porn, and Busta Rhymes. From where do you draw your inspiration?

MB: I draw inspiration from a lot of places, but in recent years I’ve tried to keep my material more and more personal. By keeping my act grounded in honest stories, it helps to connect with the audience. That being said, I still try to leap to absurd places from these true stories.

SMM: You can guest host on Letterman for a week, or have your own failed sitcom - which do you choose?

MB: I think I would like to star in my own failed sitcom called “Small Wonder Returns.” I would play the boyfriend of a 25-year-old robot woman, except I won’t know she’s a robot. But everyone else would know.