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Comedian reveals all, releases stand-up CD

'Stand-up provides immediate satisfaction'

By: VALENTINA TAPIA

Posted: 9/25/07

Michael Ian Black thinks Michael Ian Black is beautiful.

The comedian's first stand-up album, "I Am a Wonderful Man," comes out today.

"I just thought it was a funny title because it seemed so patently false to me," Black said. "I definitely have my flaws. Thank God none of them are physical - physically I'm perfect."

MICHAEL IAN BLACK'S
"I AM A WONDERFUL MAN"



What: Michael Ian Black's "I Am a Wonderful Man"
When: CD released today
More info: MySpace.com/michaelianblack2

Black will perform at the Roxy in Atlanta with Michael Showalter Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Black opted to pose nude - in front of a fire on a bearskin rug with glasses of champagne - for a centerfold in the album's artwork.

"Like anyone, I don't necessarily want my [testicles] hanging out in front of a camera," Black said in a conference call.

As such, Black's testicles strategically go unseen.

"It seemed funny to me, and funny trumped modesty," he said.

Looks aside, Black also is well known for his deadpan, sardonic wit, a tone maintained throughout the conference call.

"I'm definitely not trying to be weird or anything. I think it might just be who I am," he said. "Kind of a freak."

Black is a frequent commentator on VH1's "I Love the ..." series, as well as the short-lived Comedy Central show "Stella," based on his comedy troupe with David Wain and Michael Showalter.

Black also appeared in the movies "Wet Hot American Summer" and "The Ten," both directed by Wain.

Although the comedian has ventured into the realms of screen writing, directing and acting, Black said stand-up comedy provides a singular, immediate satisfaction.

"Making television and movies, all of that is fantastic, but it's a tremendous amount of work and it's tremendously difficult and frustrating," Black said. "But when you're on a stage by yourself it's almost nothing but fun."

Along with the instant gratification of live audience interaction, he said stand-up serves as an additional career outlet.

"I look at it as opening another door for myself," Black said. "I do think that stand-up is one of the higher art forms, and I know a lot of people would disagree with that."

"It's a very sort of undervalued craft and to have the opportunity to work on it, and be taken seriously in it, is a gift."

The demographic that especially seems to appreciate Black's craft is the college-age group.

When asked if he felt far removed from this group given his 36 years, Black said, "[My wife and I] were in a playground, and I was looking at these moms and dads with these kids and thinking, 'I don't think these people are my peers. I don't understand them, I don't relate to them the same way I relate to people in their 20s.' And I think it's because I'm immature."

For those curious about Black's future on VH1, he said he will continue to appear as a commentator but do so less frequently.
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