Andy Borowitz's talent transcends mediums. He's conquered TV with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the Internet with The Borowitz Report, the stage with his stand up and regular host of The Moth, a story telling series, and books with his tomes The Republican Playbook and Who Moved My Soap: The CEO's Guide to Surviving in Prison. What's next for this master of humor: the future!
Tell me about Next Week's News.
Next Week’s News is a monthly show I’m doing at Caroline’s (the first one is Thursday April 26). With the help of some of my favorite comedians, I’m going to be reporting the news of next week. Not just politics, but also entertainment, pop culture and everything else. Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm) is one of the comics who’ll be with me in April.
What should we expect from the future?
This Saturday, for example, Britney Spears will vomit in the bathroom of a club and check into rehab. By Sunday she'll check out.
How can we best prepare for the future?
Come see Next Week's News. That's really all you can do.
How would you describe your outlook of the future?
Wildly inaccurate.
Where can those who fear the future find solace?
At the White House. No matter how crappy things are going for you, they're going worse for the President -- and he's always smirking. If he's not worried, why should you?
You wrote a book called The Republican Playbook, which is said to contain, " All the schemes, scams, and dirty tricks used to attain victory since Richard Nixon commissioned the first edition back in 1972." Does such a book exist for the world of humor writing?
If it did, I certainly wouldn’t tell you about it.
What would victory in the world of humor writing entail?
Much like winning the war on terror, I’m not sure that such a victory is attainable.
What are some of the perks of being a successful Blogger?
It’s one of the few jobs outside of porn where you get to work naked.
Do you have any advice on how to get free stuff using one's blog or perhaps even this interview?
I don’t get a lot of free stuff, but Bloggers are always writing to me and asking for free copies of my book so they can review it. That’s kind of ballsy. I wish I could ring up a pizza place and tell them I’d like a free pizza sent over so I can review it.
Since humor is so subjective, what do you consider some indications of good and bad humor?
Whether it makes you laugh or not is pretty much the only criterion I think is dependable.
Tell me about your experience teaching humor writing.
I’ve guest-taught some humor classes that friends have taught. I don’t do it anymore – it always felt vaguely fraudulent. You can’t teach someone to be funny. I also think you can’t teach someone French. I know that’s a controversial position, but I’m entitled to my opinion.
What are some good prompts to get some of Gothamist's readers writing?
As much as this hurts me (and my website), I’d say turn off your Internet connection. That will improve your productivity astronomically.
Balls and farts: funny or un-funny? Why or why not?
I think it depends on whose.
What sort of role does outsiderdom play in the development of a sense of humor?
It’s crucial, and yet the squiggly red line my computer is making under “outsiderdom” suggests that it’s not a real word.
What's your first conscious memory of being able to make people laugh?
I did a funny dance at a family reunion when I was three. If I have an off night on stage, it’s comforting to know that I can still resort to that.
What are some projects that you are currently involved in or contemplating?
Did I mention Next Week’s News? Oh right, I did at the beginning of this interview. Did I say it’s April 26 at Caroline’s? I guess I did. Oh well, see you there!
