An afternoon with Reggie Watts. AMA.

Reggie, how do you balance work and family?

Very carefully, using a specific set of weights.

How much of your TED Talk was improvised? It's the most fascinating and hilarious 10 minutes a human can experience. Thanks for doing this!

All of it was improvised.

What percentage of your rants on stage are improvised vs pre-thought? And of your music? Thanks, you rock!

100% are improvised.

wait... do you mean to say that all of your non-musical material is generally improvised from scratch?

Yes.

Hey Reggie! How was working with stand-in band member Lady Gaga on the Late Late Show?

She was refreshingly down-to-earth, and very caring of other human beings.

Do you want your pen back? I have it.

No, you can hold onto that.

I finally got around to getting another pen.

I'll keep it safe, bruv.

Thank you.

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Hmmm. I guess I'd lose my ability to taste food. That would help with weight loss.

How did you write such profound lyrics on Fuck Shit Stack?

It was a slow progression. The words just wrote themselves over time.

What's your all-time favorite Scotty Auks moment?

I guess there was one moment where he looked at someone and said "Who dat?"

That was pretty great.

What is your character class/alignment?

(ty for the laughs)

I usually play half-elf half-human rangers as Chaotic Good.

Favorite word?

Do you use beard oil?

Any vocal warm-up/exercise routine?

I guess one of them would be "obsequious."

I try to use beard oil, but I don't get the point.

And just sing all day long, then you'll always be ready.

What are your thoughts about doing an AMA on the same day as Denzel Washington?

I have no comment at this time.

What has been your biggest "I have to get the fuck out of here as soon as possible" life moment?

Probably leaving Great Falls, Montana, at age eighteen. I was having a little bit of trouble with the law... so I had to leave. To Seattle. Immediately.

What's your favorite Radiohead album?

OK Computer.

What's your most startling/jaw dropping experience on psychedelics?

Probably listening to "No Quarter" on really pure LSD in 1991 in my family's basement in Seattle.

In 1806, did you think that people might have been a little bit different than the way they are today?

I think that they were definitely very different. But also, there were many, many similarities.

Your last ama introduced me to Tram and Jellyfish. What artists have you been listening to lately?

Marconi Union. Any album.

Reggie!

What came first, the music or the comedy? when did you decide to blend the two and what's the hardest part of doing so?

curiously, a musician people keep telling to do stand up

I guess I never really saw them as two different things? So one just kind of flowed into the other at different times.

hey thanks Reg-meister!

P.S the new special is great. v inspiring (especially that bit about doing things with love) :)

Thanks! It's really important.

Reggie, have you ever considered for a second, shaving your head just to see what it felt like? I'm asking for a friend

I've done that twice before in my life. And yes, it has been really amazing. I might do it again at some point in the next year or so.

What was your favorite hangout at The Holiday Village Mall?

Sincerely, someone else who escaped Great Falls, Montana at age 18.

The Blademaster. It's a knife store, full of knives and daggers and fantasy weapons. It still exists.

Sure. It was right next to Sherlock's Home. Respect.

Yeah! Sherlock's Home was a knick knack gift shop. It had like, pipes and shit.

How many instruments can you play? (and which)

I guess I can play two instruments. I play piano and violin.

Do you happen to have the intro speech you gave for Devo while you were on tour transcribed? It was the most accurate description of Devo I have ever heard and I only wish I had a recording of it.

No, I don't have a recording of that, or a transcript. I was just riffing. But maybe someone out there did record that show? Just let me know what date it was. And maybe we can find it.

Reggie!!!! Huge fan! I love your style and sound. Who would you say were your biggest musical influences growing up??

Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and Elvis Presley. And James Brown.

Thanks for the reply! And I gotta ask.. How cool was performing with LCD Soundsystem, and how do you feel about their reunion?

It was amazing. And a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with them onstage. They're some of my favorite musicians on the planet. The reunion was a little surprising. I really thought they were going to stick to their guns and never play again. Which I think would have been better in the long run. But I understand why they wanted to do that.

How'd you join the Late Late Show? Did you leave Bang Bang to move to that show?

No, it was a coincidence. I quit Bang Bang and then got the offer for The Late Late Show.

Favorite sandwich?

That's so hard. Probably a sliced turkey vegenaise with a little mustard on gluten-free rice bread.

I'm liking your style Reg. What kind of mustard we talking?

Probably a nice stoneground mustard. Not too much. And evenly spread.

Where did you get that sweet golf sweater you wore on Conan?

I need it.

I'm not sure. It just appeared in my wardrobe somehow.

What are the chances you go to electric forest again sometime in the future?

I don't know. But I had a good time last time. I hope to come back someday.

Yo Reggie!

You are an amazing person. If I were to ask you to do my little bar show in Brooklyn, is that something that would be likely to happen? And how would I make it happen if I couldn't offer money?

I just realized I'm an idiot and this show is not in Brooklyn. Will this make it more or less likely?

Hahaha! If I were in New York, and I had the time, I'd love to stop by.

I will make time any time you have time, my man. First Mondays at Phoenix Bar, 13th and A. "Intimates: a small comedy show"

I will continue to love everything you do!

If you hear that I'm in town, bug me again on Twitter.

Hey Reggie, love your stuff, keep it up, man.

Can you recommend a good entry level looper for live work? What's your favorite one to use?

Check out the Ditto Looper. It's really cool.

Favorite music making gizmos and gadgets of late?

I guess the Eventide H9 Harmonizer.

Hey Reggie! What was your favorite ep of CBB to shoot? Thanks!

I guess the Cop Swap episode.

Can i get your recipe for bahama mamas?

No.

Reggie, you're hilarious. Unlike most comedians, you have a very eccentric style that makes you stand out. Is there a point in your life that you can pinpoint that led you to doing what you do as opposed to just regular stand-up?

Hmm. No, not really. I just listened to my intuition and always had a desire to perform.

Sup

What's the most rare/unique gear you have at home?

Like something you leave at home that you don't want messed up on stage

Nothing.

Reggie, first off you are amazing. I drove to Cincinnati to see you at MPMF & you blew my mind with your talent! What's your best life advice for a girl going through her quarter life crisis? What's your favorite food? Also Why did I see you in a photo on instagram with Travis Stever?

P.S. I love you

Just always remain curious. And self-educating. Don't be afraid to do things you're scared of, but be safe and smart about your decisions.

Quinoa.

And I don't remember why. I love you too.

Yo Reggie! Been a fan since i saw you in the late late show! So how it feels to work with Corden?

And the important question, did you get high everytime you're shooting for the show?

I've only gotten high once...or no, twice, during the show as an experiment. But usually I like to do them straight so I'm aware of things that need to happen.

James is a really nice guy. He's super professional and very funny.

Hey Reggie, How would you describe most of your DnD characters or your overall play style?

My characters are usually rangers, and I like to play with just basic dice and paper. No figurines or graph paper. I like to keep it in my head.

Reggie,

Just recently got introduced to you by @midnight. I would love to see more of your stuff. What should I watch/listen to first?

Check out the new special on Netflix.

What would your story arc be if you were a doctor who character?

I would only survive one episode. But I would do my best to be a person.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

Siouxsie and the Banshees. Depeche Mode. Nitzer Ebb.

When you're in altspace do you have to move the headset to play music, or can you do it without seeing your instruments now?

I've done it without being able to see my instruments, literally, but there is a passthrough camera that gives me a vague outline of my gear.

Hey Reggie, can't wait to see you in Missoula on saturday; You're like the cooler older brother to everyone from Great Falls who went off to do things in the world. If I see ya i'll buy you a drink or something. I've been getting into funk lately, so I'm wondering what's your favorite funk/soul album? Also any current artists you're listening to?

Shuggie Otis, Freedom Flight. And then I ran into a new artist, Gabriel Garzon-Montano, and he has a song called "The Game."

Reggie, what's the best piece of music EVER written?

Love your TED talk (congratulations! ).

Thank you. And there are so many. There are so many factors to consider. But "Lush Life" by Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane.

What are your thoughts on oatmeal cookies?

As long as they're low in sugar and made with all-natural ingredients, they're okay.

How do you keep your hair so primed and ready for the world?

I go see a professional.

Hi Reggie! Favorite country and/or western artist?

Probably Hank Williams.

Reggie, besides Altspace, what are your favorite VR/Vive experiences? You down with the shooting galleries, or are you more of a "Look at this whale float by" man?

I like exploration simulations. Like The Lab.

Do you ever sleep with socks on?

Would you say that you wear matching socks more often than not?

Sometimes. But I've gotten into the habit of not wearing my socks. I think it's better for your sleep (and your feet).

More often.

Hi Reggie! Big fan! Since no one has asked, I will: Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?

Probably the smaller horses.

What's your favorite science fiction film of all time?

The one that had the most impact and stimulated my imagination was The Empire Strikes Back.

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That sounds familiar. I'd have to see a picture. And thanks.

Who's your favorite comedian?

Rory Scovel.

Who is your favorite muppet?

Animal.

If you had to strike a pose, could you describe it to me?

Arms akimbo.

How do you feel your role on the Late Late show compare with Comedy Bang Bang? While I love seeing you on both, sometimes I wish you had more freedom on the Late Late show to get weird. Do you feel like you can't get as weird on CBS?

Well, I'm not the main star of the show, and the show is a talk show. So there isn't a lot of time for too much extra stuff. I never worry about it. I make time for my own projects that allow for bigger ideas.

What is your favorite rendition of a Christmas/Holiday song?

I don't know if I have one! I'm sure Johnny Hartman sang one, and whatever he sang was great.

Hey Reggie,

I'm trying to lose weight. It's been a lifelong problem. Any tips?

If you can afford it, try to find a great trainer to work out with. Work out three to four times a week. And reduce the amount of food you are eating. Try to get rid of things high in fat, salt and sugar. And talk to someone who knows about nutrition, and try your hardest to stick with it. Also, tell your friends and family to help you and encourage you.

Hi Reggie, longtime fan and avid beatboxer. How did you discover beat boxing?

I think I first discovered it through The Fat Boys in a movie. Probably Disorderlies.

Would you describe the best meal of your life for us?

I'd have to say the best meal would be a toss-up between Grace in Chicago and Providence in Los Angeles. They're both Michelin-starred restaurants. One is seafood. Providence has amazing truffle selections, and excellent caviar. Grace is very inventive, incredibly flavorful food. You have to try it.

What's your favorite beer?

I don't drink beer. But if I had to, I'd go with something really dark. Like Murphy's.

Have you ever been in an improv troupe or do you fly solo dolo?

I've done sketch comedies but not improv in a group.

How was your time in Seattle like? Did you like the city overall?

The city used to be really amazing and produced a lot of incredible music. Since leaving, I don't think it's gotten any better, and I think the tech industry is ruining the city's ability to support the arts.

Who would win in a fight Scott Aukerman or James Corden? Also what is the best breakfast cereal?

James would win in a fight. But would probably concede, because he's a gentleman.

Bran flakes. Organic bran flakes.

Why is James such a pussy when it comes to playing Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts?
Don't you think he'll die of heart failure brought on by obesity if he keeps eating everything on the table?

First of all, thank you so much for being concerned about his health. And second of all, I'm not sure. He seems to be a pretty healthy, resilient person, so I think he knows what he's doing. He's a professional after all.

You get to go back in history and re-do the theme song to ANY TV show. Which do you chose?

I guess I would probably redo the theme song for Small Wonder.

Who is a grosser eater? James Corbin or Hot Saucerman Scott Aukerman?

Probably James Corbin.

Hey Brosef! I loved Spatial! Do you ever plan on doing larger tours? Albuquerque......

I hope to one day. But I don't have a ton of time these days.

Hey Reggie, what's your favorite dinosaur?

Pterodactyls.