Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out: Episode 150 Summary

Title: Michael Ian Black: How to Do Comedy with Your 10 Best Friends
Release Date: November 4, 2024
Guest: Michael Ian Black
Host: Mike Birbiglia

In the 150th episode of Working It Out, comedian and actor Michael Ian Black joins host Mike Birbiglia to delve deep into the dynamics of creating comedy within a tight-knit group of friends. The conversation spans the early days of Black’s career, the challenges and triumphs of collaborative work, personal relationships, and the balance between authenticity and performance in both comedy and personal life.

Early Career and The State

Michael Ian Black begins by reminiscing about his time with the sketch comedy group The State during his college years.

Michael Ian Black [00:00]: "We wrote a sketch for South by Southwest where we all got fully naked on stage... if you're going to say you're going to do it, do it, and then go a little further."

Mike Birbiglia echoes his admiration for Black’s commitment to bold comedic choices, highlighting his long-standing appreciation for Black’s work dating back to the 1990s.

Mike Birbiglia [00:37]: "That is the voice of the great Michael Ian Black. I have been waiting for so long to have Michael Ian Black on this podcast."

Collaboration and Group Dynamics

The discussion shifts to the collaborative nature of The State and later, the comedy trio Stella, consisting of Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, and David Wiley. Black candidly shares the internal struggles and competitive environment that eventually led to the group's dissolution.

Michael Ian Black [11:01]: "When we were doing the State in college, we all felt like, oh man, like we really got something here... but we were really hard on each other and not very kind."

Birbiglia probes into feelings of jealousy within the group, revealing a pervasive sense of competition among all members.

Mike Birbiglia [13:01]: "Were you jealous of anyone in the group?"
Michael Ian Black [13:05]: "Everybody in the group."

Black underscores how this collective desperation fueled both their creative successes and their eventual downfall.

Success, Arrogance, and Setbacks

Reflecting on their rise to fame, Black discusses the unexpected challenges that accompanied their success, including a failed network deal that prevented The State from competing against Saturday Night Live.

Michael Ian Black [15:31]: "Don't fuck up your whole life."

He humorously laments their overconfidence, leading to decisions that ultimately hindered the group's potential.

Michael Ian Black [17:22]: "We were just putting on a show... always putting on a show because it was fun."

Personal Relationships and Enduring Marriage

Transitioning to personal life, Black shares insights into his enduring marriage of 26 years, emphasizing acceptance and the daily choice to love as foundational to a lasting relationship.

Michael Ian Black [22:13]: "Acceptance, like accepting the whole of somebody and forgiveness can be nestled within that."

He contrasts his early struggles with authenticity in public persona versus private self, highlighting the journey toward integrating his true self both on stage and at home.

Michael Ian Black [35:30]: "I just felt like the person I was in public was not the person I am in private. And I was uncomfortable with that."

Balancing Comedy and Personal Life

The conversation explores the intersection of Black’s career in comedy and the impact it has had on his personal relationships. He discusses the necessity of physical and emotional separation to maintain a healthy marriage while pursuing a demanding artistic career.

Michael Ian Black [24:03]: "Being away for a fair amount, particularly when the kids were young, that was really hard for her... Having that separation has been really good for us."

Authenticity in Performance

Black reflects on his past roles, such as his intense love scene with Bradley Cooper in Wet Hot American Summer, illustrating his commitment to authenticity in comedy and performance.

Michael Ian Black [26:00]: "We just played it as straight as we could."

He humorously recounts the challenges of maintaining professionalism without the presence of an intimacy coordinator, emphasizing the raw authenticity they aimed for in their performances.

Shifting to Life in Savannah

Michael Ian Black discusses his move to Savannah, Georgia, highlighting the vibrant artistic community and the benefits of living outside major entertainment hubs like New York City.

Michael Ian Black [44:13]: "Savannah is pretty liberal... It's one of those cities that's still kind of affordable, so people can move there and pursue the thing that they want to pursue."

Advice and Reflections

Towards the end of the episode, Black shares wisdom gleaned from his experiences, focusing on empathy, acceptance, and the conscious choice to love in both personal and professional spheres.

Michael Ian Black [22:36]: "Acceptance, like accepting the whole of somebody and forgiveness can be nestled within that."

He also touches on the pitfalls of public personas and the importance of aligning one's public image with their true self to foster genuine connections and personal satisfaction.

Key Takeaways

• Commitment to Bold Choices: Black’s approach to comedy stresses the importance of going all the way with a premise to achieve authentic humor.

• Complex Group Dynamics: Success within a close-knit comedic group can lead to internal competition and eventual fragmentation.

• Balancing Personal and Professional Life: Maintaining a healthy marriage while pursuing a demanding career requires deliberate choices and boundaries.

• Authenticity Over Persona: Aligning one’s public persona with their true self fosters more meaningful personal and professional relationships.

• Empathy and Acceptance: Central to enduring relationships, both personal and collaborative, is the practice of empathy and acceptance.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Ian Black [00:20]: "No, if you're going to say you're going to do it, do it, and then go a little further."

• Michael Ian Black [22:13]: "Acceptance, like accepting the whole of somebody and forgiveness can be nestled within that."

• Mike Birbiglia [29:35]: "Do the thing. Commit to what it is."

Conclusion

Episode 150 of Working It Out offers an intimate and insightful exploration of Michael Ian Black’s journey through collaborative comedy, personal growth, and the enduring power of genuine relationships. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on the interplay between creative ambition and personal well-being, making it a compelling episode for aspiring comedians and anyone interested in the dynamics of creative collaborations.