Bob Odenkirk (2014)

GRANT! U.S. Grant (Hiram Ulysses Grant was his true name). I have been messing with an idea for a screenplay about the man. I quiet, unassuming fellow who was passed over for years by everyone around him (nickname "Useless") but in the end he drove it home and saved our beautiful republic.

Obviously, "Matt Foley, the Motivational Speaker". Farles…forever.

No! Tenacious D writes all of Tenacious D's songs! I helped create the HBO tv episodes, and I oversaw the writing of the story segments, which I hope you liked. All music is from the D itself. Those guys are fucking fantastic. ALSO, if you like the D, there is an amazing bluegrass version of TD songs on Spotify, I believe…It's called "Dust Bowl Cavaliers Tribute: Bluegrass Wrecks the Music of Tenacious D"…I highly recommend!

I wish I could SING. Like, really sing. Like…people (including me) would actually WANT to hear it. But I cannot, so I just sing terribly and kind of revel in how reliably awful it sounds. Also, I have a dream of on day doing all the things you've given me credit for BUT BETTER than I've done them. Not that I'm ashamed, but…I'd just like to be better at stuff.

I cannot remember a bit of it. Glad you liked it though.

Very. Having said that, I hope you'll allow us to have created our own unique show…it's not "more" Breaking Bad…it's a unique thing, and if you'll give us a few episodes, you'll really start to see the qualities that make it something altogether new.

Conan O Brien and I shared an office at SNL for a year, we both came onto the show around the same time (I think I worked on 4 episodes before he joined) and we both left at the same time. Anyhow, I'd say we got along fantastically. I'm going to be on Conan's Show WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29th, reading from my book!! Anyhoo…as to your question. I actually lived in LA while I wrote for Conan, just faxed in my bits. I did get to know Louis (and already knew Dino) during that stint. Great group of comedy writers...

It's drama.

Yes. It's in "A LOAD OF HOOEY", my book. Not kidding here. It's called "Happy Ending", and it was the last thing I wrote for Mr. Show and it never got made.

"The Ben Stiller Show" was a crazy ton of fun. In fact, when it ended I had the very conscious thought that it was the most fun I would or could ever have in showbiz and my goal from that point on would be to try to replicate it. "Mr. Show" could have been more fun if I hadn't been such a tight-ass, but we still had a ton of laughs.

Gin and Tonic, not too strong. I am a lightweight and drink sparingly. My Dad had a little (big) problem with the ol' bottle and it kind of put me off for life.

In my first episode on Breaking Bad we shot near a make shift grave dug in the desert. It was 2 AM, very cold, and we were in the middle of a sandstorm…you can't see it, but every time we talked there was sand going into our mouths. Still, it was a crazy adventure and I loved being in it. I LOVED CALGARY! Beautiful place. And it was a harsh winter, but I'm from Chicago, dammit! I've seen worse! Loved it. Also, eat at MONKI, a great restaurant, when you're in Calgary.

Hey there! It was great to meet you and your wife and chat. Bucket-List? Uhhh…write something of more significance (and less ironic) than "A LOAD OF HOOEY" (which is the book that I am promoting by doing this AMA), maybe something that feels more substantial…uh, go to Scotland and do the Highland Walks with my kids, go to Ireland a couple more times…be a good dad to my kids. That's it. And going to bars and having a talk with come ER nurses who are working on Indian Reservations is a great thing for feeling a sense of normalcy. I don't find it hard to feel like a normal person, just go out in the world and walk around.

Just naturally funny, kind of all-the-time…David Cross, Zach Galifianakis, Tim Heidecker

Yes! In fact DANA CARVEY is guest starring in THE BIRTHDAY BOYS season 2 premiere (I exec produced and helped write this show) and that will be on tv on OCTOBER 17, tomorrow, 11:30 pm, IFC - great stuff.

Jack Nicholson in "THE LAST DETAIL" or Jeff Bridges in "TRUE GRIT"

So very great. You know that I auditioned for the role of "Michael Scott", and I love doing that improvised acting, like on "Curb" as well. It's a joy to do. By the way, my favorite tv show, ever, is "THE ROYLE FAMILY"…check that out if you get a chance!

My shoes hurt. But that's not a problem.

No. I am a sluggish person with a dim mind. I make no wise crackers.

Reading a book. Sorry if that answer isn't "sexy" enough for you. But the book might have some sex in it…or it might not. The book is called "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King".

No more Ebola! That's enough! Come on Obama, quit with the Ebola! What's with "President Barry"? Why's he so in love with "Ebola"?

I'd do it again in a fart-hot second. But I really don't remember too much of it…it was like two hours of my life and about 4 years ago…sorry. Love those guys, though.

It is a primitive "sandwich", unrefined...

Brie! You having a rough time? Those happen! Sometimes you just gotta breathe out and take a long walk (if your legs are still working), then go to sleep and see what tomorrow brings. Things can and do get better. I would like to be in a Wes Anderson movie. Who wouldn't? I would like to drive a monster truck. I wrote a book - A LOAD OF HOOEY, it's filled with short comic pieces that MAY NOT be to your liking! It has nothing to do with the dramatical acting I've done on Breaking Bad or Fargo or anything. See, I used to be a comedy writer. Well, still am…anyhow, sorry I brought it up. Better Call Saul premieres in February!

I think "Better Call Saul" will share a "shit-ton" of audience with "Breaking Bad" for obvious reasons, BUT ALSO, will have it's own audience, and I cannot tell you what would describe them. I think of CHEERS and FRASIER…same writers, totally different shows, somewhat shared audience but not exactly the same...

David and I are working on doing a MR SHOW 20th Anniversary special for next year! We did a tour last year! We love working together, but David doesn't love living in Los Angeles, and I live here and have kids, so I haven't been able to travel for a long time. Anyhow, more Me and David to come!

I never liked anything from California when I was a kid because I am from Chicago and nothing in California ever was or could be "real". I know the Beach Boys did great stuff, but my childhood bias is hard to shake.

Man, I loved making that speech! To have a character reveal that kind of self-reflection is a gift and a rare one! I love that NOAH HAWLEY, the writer of Fargo, allowed these characters to have surprising sides to them, and I do believe that people often have a strong sense of their own blind-spots, they either wrestle with them or just give themselves a pass…but my feeling is that most people do know their own limitations and shortcomings.

I feel like I always played characters with all the commitment I could muster. Doesn't feel like a different job in that way. What I have found is that in Dramatic performing I am rewarded by studying the character more particularly. Often times in Comedy we are taking broad swipes at character and hitting a certain side, enlarging it, being clowns…all well and good. But doing drama (and keep in mind I've been lucky enough to have some of the best writing ever to work with), there is more going on than most comedy characters. Speaking of comedy, I am doing this AMA to help promote my book of short comic pieces entitled "A LOAD OF HOOEY" on Mcsweeney's books. ALSO I am touring to promote the book. in bookstores I will be reading from the book and signing, and at evening "SHOWS" there will be thrilling extras (and you get a book with ticket price)…here's my tour sched...http://bobodenkirk.com

NEBRASKA was a joy to work on. We (Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb and me) got along with great warmth and joy…like a GOOD family. The best. Bruce was so very amazing, June, too…and Forte and I are great friends. What a magic experience. Nothing bad to say about it, honestly. Loved visiting Omaha and NORFOLK where we shot most of it. It's a quiet film, but beautiful in it's simplicity and truth. Check it out.

"Sir Laurence Olivier's Acting Creme!" I apply a thick coat to my giblets.

I have ten toes.

"Louis" of "Girls"…I like them both equally, and a lot. They aren't dramas, but I watch 3 or 4 episodes at a crack when I have the time. Great great stuff.

First of all, I want a fancy cookie. Yes. Bring me a fancy cookie. From Levain or anyone. Even Levar…Burton. Any "L" named person should make me that fancy cookie. Yes, Dave Eggers convinced me to publish my book from the Odenkirk Memorial Library and he wants me to do more. I was thinking about a parody of "Spoon River Anthology" (any of my Illinois peeps should know it), but based on Hollywood types.

None of my personality is reflected in Saul as you know him…but that changes in "Better Call Saul". No one could have touched Bryan Cranston's performance as Walter White, so I won't mess with that, not even in a daydream.

Favorite Ninja Turtle: Turtle from Entourage!

I mix three parts anger, one part resentment, and 5 parts Silliness together and voila: comedy magic.

NOT TRUE! Tenacious D existed before I did a thing with them! In fact, they guested on some fun shows that David and I put on at a club here in Hollywood. I only helped sell and write the HBO show, didn't write any songs with/for them, didn't help in any way with the feature film. I am a fan, like you. I got to help with the HBO stuff, and I worked on the story sides of those episodes. The D rocks.