So Mike, how’s life? What are you working on right now?
Life is good. I’m working on a couple different things. Mostly I’m writing a pilot for HBO. I don’t think I’m allowed to say much at this point, but it would a half hour comedy series and we’re in the early stages of writing.
Also, I’ve been talking to Terry Crews about doing some stuff with the President Camacho character that he played in my movie Idiocracy. It would be leading up to the election.
I read a quote recently from Indie Newswire that stated, “Everything he does flops, and then 10 years later everyone goes, ‘Wait that is hilarious.” Why do you think this is?
Well I wouldn’t say everything I do flops. The Beavis and Butthead movie opened number one and broke box office records, and the B&B series and King of the Hill series were both hits right out of the gate — just wanna be clear here. However, they are probably referring to the movies I’ve done since then — Office Space and Idiocracy. I’m not sure why that is. I wish I had an answer. It’s not on purpose. I was hoping they would be hits right away. I guess those are both odd movies and they were hard to market, but they both seem to have caught on and actually become hits on video. Some of my favorite movies like The Big Lebowski are like that — they didn’t catch on until later.
How did you fall into the career you have now? Was there a particular ah-ha moment?
I had two careers before this — I was an electronic engineer for a year and a half and I was a musician for about five years. There was a particular ah-ha moment actually. It was when I saw some cells and drawings on display in a movie theater in Dallas from a local guy who had made an animated short film and got it into a touring animation festival that was playing there. I figured if someone in my town had done this then I ought to be able to do it.
Tell us one fact about yourself we’d have a hard time believing?
People usually have a hard time believing I have a physics degree but it’s true. I guess I look stupid or something.
Who would you love to work with before you die?
Hmm… That’s a tough one. I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of great people. Just last year alone I got to work with Snookie, Regis Philbin. Lately I’ve been watching Tyler the Creator’s videos and I think they’re pretty amazing. I’d like to do something with him. Or maybe Skrillex. This is one of those questions where I’m going to remember the perfect answer that I can’t think of two days from now.
What’s your motto?
I’ve never had one. Do most people have one?
BONUS QUESTION: What did you eat for breakfast?
Eggo waffles. Two of them. I’m serious.