What do your parents think of your job?

They were very confused. Neither understood the vagaries of the industry nor appreciated its rewards or difficulty. 

What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?

Everything except being onstage. The politics. Getting the gig as opposed to performing the gig. The business, not the show. 

I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?

Yeah. I’m okay, I guess. Mostly a writer who is still learning how to perform. 

How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?

My earnings swing with an incredible arc. There are money gigs and fun gigs and exposure gigs. But getting way too old for exposure gigs. Back where I grew up, they taught us you can die from exposure. 

How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?

Nobody thinks they’re lucky. Everybody assumes their success was an inevitability that was forestalled by a series of pernicious outside forces. 

Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self- harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into a third category?

Definitely a golfer. I’ve known artists. Comics who were so committed they didn’t care whether the audience bought their material or not. They either killed or died. No middle ground. Me, I’m a craftsman. Always worried about the audience enjoying the show. Too much of a chameleon to be a trust artist. 

Who is your favourite person ever and why - not including family or friends or other comedians?

Favorite person ever? Has to be Chuck Jones, the cartoonist who created Bugs Bunny. Because Bugs was a wise ass who never instigated an altercation, but always responded in kind. And won every one.