I stopped by Michael Ian Black’s book reading at Bryant Park today. I think this fulfills my reading quota of the day. (Hey it counts when someone does the reading for you.)

Michael Ian Black has a new book out called My Custom Van and 50 Other Mind Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face. You may know him from Stella, The State, and those VH1 I love the 80s shows. Did you also know that he wrote Run, Fat Boy, Run? Did you know that there was a movie out called Run, Fat Boy, Run?

I was fifteen minutes late and may have missed the actual reading part because when I got there he was fielding questions from the audience.

Some highlights:

The moderator asked Michael Ian Black if on a scale of one to ten, one being the guy who co-starred with Paul Reiser in My Two Dads and 10 being George Clooney, how famous is he?

Michael Ian Black: I would be a 1.5. I’m definitely more famous than the guy who co-starred with Paul Reiser in My Two Dads but not more famous than lets say Joe Millionaire.

They talked about his literary feud with David Sedaris and literal feud with Tucker Max. Basically, he wants to knock David Sedaris and Tucker Max out of the top spots on Amazon.com’s humor best sellers list.

Interrupting thought: Did you know that Tucker Max’s book is the number one spot on Amazon’s humor list? I didn’t know that Tucker’s targeted audience could actually read. (I’m kidding! Please don’t hurt me! I’m poor!)

Michael Ian Black (I can’t stop writing out his whole name) also talked about writing Run, Fat Boy, Run and how he wanted to see if he could write a mainstream romantic comedy. He did. But no one saw it.

Another audience member asked Michael Ian Black if being Jewish has affected his humor. He said that if you’re a minority you’re probably just funnier: “Blacks are funny. Jews are funny. Wasps? Not so much.”

He was asked who makes him laugh the most and he answered “Tom Brokaw.” He also mentioned Chris Rock.

Then he mentioned that Stella would probably go on the road next year and that he intends to do a puppet show for his next project. I may or may not be right on the second part.

And then I had to leave because I have a job dontchaknow.

Check out his blog. His post on prison rape is both enlightening and thoughtful.