Hi I'm Al Madrigal, The Daily Show's Latino Correspondent and a Stand-up Comedian

What was the hiring process for your gig on The Daily Show?

Was the decision mostly in the hands of Jon Stewart, The Daily Show producers, or were Comedy Central execs involved in the process?

I submitted my own piece based on a Congresswoman in Texas named Debbie Riddel who wanted to make an exemption for illegal immigrants who had domestic help jobs. Sent it in, they flew me out, read with Jon and he shook my hand and said welcome to the daily show. That plus a good 13 years of doing standup and various TV gigs. While very inclusive and open to suggestions, Jon is really the sole decision maker at the show. As he should be, his name is on it,

Daily Show office gets flooded with thousands of submissions

I'm sure.

That piece sounds familiar. Did it end up airing on the show? Do you have a link to it for us to watch?!

She changed the bill that day, otherwise I guess I would have been on the show that night.

Do people ever get pissed off during the correspondant interviews, or do they basically know what they are and go with it

Not much pisses me off...I'm easily annoyed. People try to be funny because they think that's what we're looking for. If you watch the show, that stuff never makes it on.

I think he meant to ask if the interviees ever get pissed off, like when you make them look like a fool.

Ahhh! NO they don't - they love it. I did a gun silencers piece with the nicest man, David Saylors. I was hoping he wouldn't be pissed...because it could have gone either way. Him and his wife loved it.

I think what he's asking is do your interviewees ever get pissed off? "Mo' bridges, mo' problems."

that dude was 6'6, 375 easy.

I remember reading that the Daily Show used to try to avoid identifying themselves as such. Now people are more familiar with you and the show. Do you think that has hindered your ability to conduct interviews?

Everyone knows the show and what we're doing. Very careful not to misrepresent ourselves. It's my understanding that scheduling has always been tough.

Hey Al. Do you think some of the pieces you guys do should be considered journalism? One thing that comes to mind is that piece on the small town that was run / owned by a corporation.

For sure. Mandvi almost got arrested on that one. That's a sign that you're pushing the boundries...when homeland security shows up.

can you link to that?

I can't find it. I forget the name of the segment and google isnt helping.

EDIT:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-14-2012/a-simple-plot

Simplot?

How does the daily show always find clips from years ago that make news pundits look hypocritical and stupid so quickly. Is there some sort of database?

the staff here is incredible.

What do you think it will be like when Jon takes his vacation?

It'll most likely be the same as when the responsible kid's parents trust them with the house while they go on vacation. We might break into the liquor cabinet but we'll keep it small.

What's your favorite piece you've ever done on The Daily Show?

Mexican American Studies Ban.

What's it like working with Jon Stewart? Is he as awesome of a person off the camera as he is in front of it?

Jon's a cool dude, great comic and really good at what he does.

Do you guys ever get recognized as Daily Show correspondents when out in the field? If so, do certain people refuse to talk to you because of it?

absolutely @ the DNC & RNC this past year. people ran to and away from us.

Who is your favorite Daily Show correspondent, past or present?

Or future, if you know something we don't...

They're all pretty cool. Friends w/ Riggle, Wyatt, Schaal & Hodgman. Oliver might be one the hardest working funniest guys I've ever met. Colbert is a total bad ass.

I don't have a question, I just want to say you are perhaps my favorite correspondent on the Daily Show and I'm excited for your stand up special this Friday. I've watched some of your stand up in the past and they always make me cry tears of joy. A cholo soccer coach comes to mind... classic.

thanks Bsquad!

Hi Al! Thanks for doing an AMA. Which of your fellow Daily Show correspondents is the funniest off camera? Why?

everyone here is hilarious. Johnny Hodgman is one of the funniest people I've ever met.

What has been your favorite interview you have done.

this one. seriously, really liking this.

Sometimes you intentionally do interviews where you take a particular viewpoint, which may be wrong, intentionally for humour. Have you ever broken out of character off-screen to disagree or agree with who you are interviewing? Have you ever wanted to?

YES!! But I've learned to just go with it. I was lucky enough to get the notes that Colbert gave to Rob Riggle - Staying in character might have been rule number one.

That actually made me think of another question: how close are you guys and Colbert?

By the way, I used to think your surname was "magical".

Jon produces that show...we do stuff together quite a bit.

How fun is it to interview people who don't get the fact that it's a joke.

EDIT: Also, are you recognized often when you go out in public?

All the interviews are fun. You're basically fishing for comedy - I really enjoy the field work portion of my job the most for that reason.

If you could have lunch with any comedian, alive or dead - who would it be?

George Carlin.

How do you manage to keep a straight face during your interactions with some of America's strangest citizens? The "out in the field" interviews are my favorite part of the show, because of how you guys are able to catch people in their own hypocrisy.

It's hard not to light up when someone gives you gold.

Hey man! I love the show!

What's your favorite "behind the scenes" story about working at the Daily Show? Who's been your favorite guest on the show?

I got to meet Tom Cruise last week. Say whatever you want about Tom Cruise. Home slice was cool as shit.

Stupid question but are you a Trekkie, Whovian, Brony, Tolkien, etc. or have joined any other pop culture community?

Big Regular Show, Game of Thrones and Adventure Time fan. My schedule is crazy so I can't commit to chatting about them too much.

You just got even more awesome!

By the way, you can come here at a later time and continue answering questions when you're free!

Cool I'll definitely do that.

What is your favourite method to eat peanut butter?

Large table spoon. Half Skippy Creamy or Simply Jif. Half Red Rasberry Jam with seeds.

Has anyone ever had a really bad reaction off-camera after the interview was over?

The worst thing I've had happen was a Senator just straight up no-showed. That sucked.

Can you please provide some proof that this is actually you, like a photo of you with a sign that says "Reddit" or something like that?

Is that really necessary? I mean I guess I could, but do I have to? It's me. In my office at the daily show.

How did you decide on Austin as your shooting location for your special? We all love you here, by the way.

Comedy Central decided, but that honestly was my first choice. Love it there as well.

Not during SXSW, that's a total shit show.

How precisely does your milkshake bring all the boys - or girls, perhaps - to your yard? Is it quality of ingredients?

I'm lactose intolerant.

How did you start working in stand-up comedy?

I started really late. 28 years old. Open mic'd it. Put my head down and went for it.

Hi Al,

Love your stuff! What is the writing process like on the Daily Show?

What is the collaboration like?

How long does it take to write an episode.

Given it is a news show, when does this take place? Who is involved

Sorry for the 5 questions!

Yeesh.

Okay - 1. we all pitch and write all day

1. Everyone can contribute. Everyone - interns can pitch.

What's hanging with Wyatt and Jon Oliver like?

Expensive.

Who are some of your favorite comics?

Patton, Chappelle, Bill Burr, Peretti, Brendon Walsh...there's a lot. Big Fan of Standup.

As a Hispanic, do you/or young relatives often sell "Chiclets" as well. I'm a Hispanic, and I often get approached with inquiries for lawn work.

we still have a shitload of Madrigals in Mexico, my understanding is that the chiclet days are long behind them.

Does a small part of you wish you were still firing people for a living?

Never - but it's a skill that has certainly come in handy.

What is your favorite color?

the deep sea blue that I use as the backdrop in my special.

Your standup is too hilarious! I'd love for you to be a guest on my podcast to nerd out about entertainment and comedy. Would you be interested?

Sure.

Favorite superhero?

Blue Beetle!!!

What's it like working with JK Simmons in the Farmers commercials?

he's great. everyone working at that level, should be great.

Do you identify your crew as being with the Daily Show during interviews?

Yep

What is your favorite setting to perform comedy in? Television, stand-up, podcasts, etc.? What do you have to change about your approach to being funny in these different settings if anything?

I prefer to perform comedy in a city that can command at least two major league sports teams in a club that seats bet. 200-250. Underground.

Wanna go see Iron Man 3 on Thursday night?

I'm seeing it this weekend for sure. In LA, with my 10 year-old son.

Who finds the stories for those amazing field reports? And how much of the stuff that you correspondents say - that's almost always insightful, hilarious, and makes a huge ass out of the person you're talking to - is invented on the spot, and how much of it are bits you edit together later?

We all pitch, we have producers that work tirelessly to find us the best stories and interviews.

Why did you choose the title, why is the rabbit crying?

line from a bit - felt a little more unique than all the other one word titles people have used over the years.

First of all, you are my favorite correspondent on the show and i watch it every day. I loved the whoop de doo segment last week. My question is what is your favorite segment ever on the daily show?

I loved the His Panic Room chat...really partial to the field pieces though.

What's a cooler job, astronaut or pilot?

Pilot. easy.

If you could change one thing about the the show (in any aspect) what would it be?

It seems to be working.

Your parts on the show have been some of my favorites since I was lucky enough to be a guest when you reported on the MLB All Star game back in 2011.

Having said that, what were your favorite bits to do? And how long do you get to prepare for them?

I loved that one, it's always fun when it goes wrong.

How much does a State Farm commercial pay?

Farmers. And it doesn't pay anything anymore because they're not using the Jr. agents in the latest run.

Are you jealous that John Oliver is taking over as host instead of you?

nope

How do you feel about always doing the Latino pieces? Do you feel that the Daily Show typecasting correspondents is a satire on network TV, or does it get tiring having to do the same pieces and ultimately perpetuating the issue?

I don't always just do Latino pieces.

Why were you such a dick to my 16-yo son at TriBeCa 92 Y show last year? Totally OK: Singling him out to talk about blowjobs multiple times. That's comedy. Totally dick-ish: Telling the audience repeatedly that he was only 10 yrs. old. That's lame and just plain mean.

I love making fun of people that bring their kids to comedy shows. He looked ten and you seemed cool with it after. Why the change of tune dad?

Has SI put you on the cover of Genesis yet?

No - article coming out soon though. Paul Totah special.

Where do babies come from?

your mom's vagina