Weve all been embarrassed.
It would actually be embarrassing if youve never been embarrassed (are you a robot?)
But no ones made embarrassment as poignant and honest as comedianMike Birbiglia.
Credit: Walter McBride/Getty Images
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How have you been holding up during coronavirus?
MIKE BIRBLIGA:You know, Jens a poet and I’m a comedian.
So we’re not exactly the two best people in a crisis.
Grand Central
So then when something happened that resembled the end of days, it’s like pure panic.
How did this book come about?
And she just felt like it was private.
And then Jen said, “You’re jealous of our daughter, you should talk about that.”
What was it like collaborating with your wife?Was it a back-and-forth in regards to planning it out?
It’s like, Your daughter is getting a sunburn.
You’re getting a sunburn.
We’re all getting a sunburn.
Don’t let them cry.
I’m great with kids.
Seems like you’re not great with kids.
Kids will murder each other if you let them.
You have to let kids murder each other.
Murder isn’t always wrong.
The murder burger at this restaurant is phenomenal.
And so I wrote that, which is a long list of crazy things parents basically say to you.
It was almost like fitting together puzzle pieces.
Yeah, that was really important for me and Jen, to have them be two very different things.
Whats been some of the most interesting feedback you’ve gotten on it?
I was right, he’s making my point about how you shouldn’t have kids."
And then people who do have kids are like, “See, he’s right.
So the first comedic author who I ever felt attached to was David Sedaris.
It’s that idea of, how can I be of service?
In terms of reactions, is there anything you want people to get fromThe New One?
And this idea that all we have is each other.
And I think being honest with each other is paramount to that.
Do you have any plans for a new special?
Will the special be an extended version of the YMCA chapter in the book?
Oh, that’s a funny point.
It’s not that.
It has some excerpts pulled from that.
That’s the whole thing.
It’s all full circle.
