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Michael Ian Black Has Some Gadget Issues

by Tom Samiljan — Jul 29th 2009 at 12:58PM

Comedian Michael Ian Black is perhaps best known for his work on 'The State,' the early '90s MTV sketch comedy show that also launched the careers of director David Wain ('Role Models'), comedian Ken Marino ('Party Down'), and Michael Showalter ('Stella'). Fans of that show are rejoicing, because 'The State' just came out on DVD -- good timing considering Black this month debuted a new comedy show 'Michael and Michael Have Issues' (Comedy Central, Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m.), which also stars Showalter. The new series is a 'show-within-a-show' concept that mixes funny sketches with an ongoing plot starring the two Michaels as competitive comedy writers. When not busy being on TV, Black is an avid twitterer and Facebook member, and also stars in the 'Klondike Man Cave' Web series. Not surprisingly, he's also opinionated on his gadgets, though, thankfully, we can't exactly take all of his answers seriously -- as you'll see in our latest Switched Questionnaire.
1) What gadgets do you always bring with you to the studio for down-time?

Laptop computer, vibrating chair, Japanese robot bear that eats people.

2) What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

When I get a cell phone, I instruct the (hapless) salesperson to give me the cell phone with the least amount of features that does the fewest number of things and is the easiest to use. I am not somebody who spends any amount of time texting or taking pictures or listening to music with my phone. I have servants for that stuff.

3) Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

My assistant Stephie doesn't seem to understand how much I hate text messages so she constantly texts me information, which is sometimes helpful, but when I have to reply, I get totally annoyed. Last one that I replied to was a reminder to do something. I replied, "k."

4) Where do you go every time you get online?

New York Times, Huffington Post, Twitter, and Daily Galaxy, where I get up-to-the-minute news about events in the universe that occurred billions of years ago.

5) What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?

Their ubiquitousness. It's just too much stuff trying too hard to entertain me. It's like the electronic Robin Williams.

6) Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

Dispense cash.

7) What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

I can't think of one; I just bought a Wii two years after they came out. I consciously resist new gadgetry because all the new stuff just makes me feel like a sucker for wanting it. Does a good meal count as a gadget?

8) You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

Laptop, provided I can have solar-powered Wi-Fi.

9) What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

Lately Brian Eno. When I want to take a nap in inconvenient places, I play an old ambient album called "On Land."

10) What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

When I was a kid, I used to play a video game called "Miner 2049er" for ten or twelve hours at a time on my Atari 5600. Pretty awesome.

11) Mac or PC?

How can you even ask that question?

12) What's the most embarrassing or untrue thing anyone has ever said about you online?

I wish people would say more embarrassing, untrue things. Nobody really talks about me that much online. I would like to be rumored to have a drug problem or dead.

13) Do you have an HDTV? If so, what kind and how big is it? What's your favorite show to watch in HD?

I do have an HDTV. A Panasonic 40-something inch. Nothing too huge. And, in fact, my wife bitched me out for getting one as big as I got. It was a big problem in my house for a couple weeks, but I stood my ground and she eventually got used to it. I will watch pretty much anything in HDTV, particularly sports. But it's gotten to the point where I have a hard time watching it if it's not in high-def.

14) iPhone, Palm Pre, or BlackBerry?

None.

15) What's the most embarrassing place your cell phone has gone off?

In my asshole?

Comments

[Lost Artist]

I just heard this crazy new rumor that Micheal Showalter was arrested with something like 140 grams of smack on him and he was so effed up he almost ODed but the cops took him to the hospital and he's going to live. True? If figured you'd be the person to ask.

[Chase Roper]

I'm sorry, but I disagree with this guy. Clearly, you are best known for your work as Johnny Blue Jeans from Viva Variety.

[Camille]

I reject new technology with resentment like a smelly,confused old man.

That last answer made me spew my Cream of Wheat with added fiber.

[Reen]

hate texting as well. Even though this fact was repeated over and over to friends and family, the msgs kept coming. Called Verizon and had the feature blasted off my phone. I believe in living my life like Jim Morrison - textless.

Another great interview/survey. AND you guys did a fantastic job on yesterdays episode. A lot of belly laughter and "What did he say? Rewind that! Oh no he DIDNT!" (You know, the stupid way white girls say it). Entertaining, shocking, crude, - bring it on! (Us repressed WASPS love it).

[Jaime]

"I consciously resist new gadgetry because all the new stuff just makes me feel like a sucker for wanting it."

Feel you! My husband though is hyper-gadget-man which I find adorable, but he likes to use the gadgets no one knows about yet. Sometimes I feel like he's a Jetson and I will be replaced with Rosie. Luckily, Rosie isn't that hot, so...his loss.

Can I just say that I am basking in the greatness that is all these interviews. The question, " iPhone, Palm Pre, or BlackBerry?" has been emblazoned in my frontal lobe, burning to be asked for ages. Thank you Switched.com and Michael Ian Black. I can finally RIP.

[Geoff]

Miner 2049er is a pretty rare game and worth a good deal of money, as far as Atari 5200 games go. But you probably threw it away or sold it in a garage sale 20 years ago. Way to fuck things up, Black.

[Jay]

oh man, my sister and I would play miner 2049er constantly. we even had a chalkboard to keep our high scores on. noone ever knows what i'm talking about whenever i rave about it.