I need help with thinking up interview questions

[Kay]

I have the wonderful opportunity of interviewing, by email, a top comedian (I'm not saying who!). "All" I need to do is think up five or six questions and email them to him. I definitely want to make the most of this, so my questions should be as good as they possibly can be.

Yes, I've heard of the Google search engine, but searches there are mostly giving results for job interviews and the like. I wondered if any of you had any resources or tips about writing interview questions for a celeb.

I've come up with a couple of things myself:

I can watch as much as I can find of his comedy on YouTube, and think up a question or two about the comedy.

I already know that he supports certain causes, so I can ask him something about that.

Sure, I can write some questions, I just thought that my efforts would be better if I had the collective EP brain giving some input into the process.

Thanks in advance.

[Clinton]

How does one make a German laugh?
Why don't Americans get irony?
What's the deal with Thais and jokes about royalty ... er, no, scratch that one.

Along the lines of what you wanted, Kay?

The usual ones, I suppose are
Where do you get inspiration?
Do you get writers' block?
How do you deal with a tough audience?
Which gig did you enjoy the most?
What made you get into this business?

[grynge]

If you want someone to talk you need to find their "fav" subject. I don't think I have ever met a person that doesn't have one and of course it is completely different for every person. My wife will talk your ears off if you mention the kids and now espeically the g-kids. Also you could try something no-one else would ever ask them, though this can be a dual edge sword, you might get a really good response or the cold shoulder. Every serious interview I have seen from comedians everyone who meets them always wants them to be funny, why not be different, ask about their serious side? Have you ever mistaken this comedian for someone else? I saw an interview once where the interviewer deliberately started on about another comedian this aussie comedian was always being mistaken for that was quite funny to see the aussie comedians initial reaction.

[Kay]

Clinton, I'm not wanting to do the usual stuff. This guy is very off-beat. Seriously off-beat. And he's very, very funny. I don't want to bore him with obvious questions.

Grynge, lots of idea-jerkers in there, thanks. Now there's a thing, I know of another so-called comedian whom this guy despises. Gotta be some mileage in that.

I'll be able to share the interview with you once it's done, if you want to see it. (I can add it to my sig link.)

[TheodoreK]

Well, comedians tend to be funny in their real life too.
Some ideas based on that:

What's the stupidest/funniest thing he has done or witnessed?
Who he things is the worst jerk in history?
What would he do if he was king of the world?

[Kay]

Who he things is the worst jerk in history?

ROFL! He could go to town on that one!

[Clinton]

Kay, pick a good Thunk or two.

I have some books on teaching kids creative thinking and have some great thunks in there. For example, is a broken down car parked? That leads to discussion and speculation on "when" a broken down car is not parked (what happens when it's on a low loader travelling back to the garage at 70 mph?) We've had fun with the following
If a sense of humour can be surgically removed how much would you need to be paid to give yours up?
Is a white sheet of paper more blank than a black sheet? Is a red sheet of paper blank?
etc

Kids stuff, but choose the right thunk and it can make a great talking point for adults as well... and generate some hilarious responses.

[rob]

"if you had to plug something that wasnt yours, what would you plug?"

I did that one a few times on PR nonsense that came in on a music site I ran, as it confused the hell out of those sent to plug their own release

[Kay]

We're getting some great stuff on here, very creative!

If a sense of humour can be surgically removed how much would you need to be paid to give yours up?

That's a great one. I don't think I would agree to lose mine, not even for all the money in the world. Imagine going through life and never having a laugh or seeing the funny side of anything. Life wouldn't be worth living. And yet, some people do seem to manage without one. Oh my goodness, what a question - and especially good for a comedian.

I'd never heard of thunks before, so thanks for the heads-up.

I like Rob's tactic too.

This is shaping up to be a great interview!

[grynge]

Another good question one (which you could change to suit yourself) is "Who would you turn Gay for?" (or straight depending on their position)
You could change it to something kinky "What politician would you let spank you?" or "What reason would you run naked through your grandma's house?"

There is probably plenty you could come up with?