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Hey America and Greenland, I'm H. Jon Benjamin so let's get ready to rumble
I'm H. Jon Benjamin. I play Sterling Archer on ARCHER, Bob from Bob's Burgers, and I just wrote a book called FAILURE IS AN OPTION. Let’s talk about our failures. As the letter says, I'm here for you to ask me anything. AMA! The book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/558430/failure-is-an-option-by-h-jon-benjamin/
Hey everyone, I have to go take the subway, so you can bet I'll be waiting on the platform for a half hour if you want to stop by. BYE!
proof: https://imgur.com/a/Bxbs5F3
katemcblair3144 karma
If ARCHER was made into live-action, would you consider voice over-ing the lead (Jon Hamm)? Kind of like a Milo and Otis situation. I think you may be too handsome to play live-action Sterling...
Jankinator2580 karma
Hey Jon,
How do you approach voice acting differently for Bob vs. Archer?
failurejon5206 karma
Mainly, I just yell louder for Archer, but also, having the cast around me live when we record Bob really helps inform the character, since it's pretty much developed into an ersatz family in real life
vvedge2445 karma
I loved reading, er, listening to your new book in audiobook format. When I was finished, I was saddened to find that this is the only book you've ever narrated. Any plans to narrate more books in your awesome voice? What genre of book besides autobiography would you be interested in doing?
CY-FREAKIN-KELLY2021 karma
Will you be mad at me if I just borrow the book from the library instead of paying real dollars to own it?
failurejon6793 karma
No! I come from a long line of library employees. My mother worked at the New York Public Library and I worked at the Cambridge Public Library when I was in my twenties as a book stacker and masturbator-stopper
fringeHomonid1706 karma
What has been your favorite moment of Bob Belcher having conversations with/giving voices to inanimate objects?
failurejon2586 karma
Loren Bouchard continues to make me do this despite my intense dislike of it, but he enjoys the humilaition
segfaultca1300 karma
Personality wise, are you more like Bob or Archer? You just do Archer so well it seems effortless.
Also, is Woodhouse ever coming back, or did he fetch his last rug?
failurejon2459 karma
certainly more Bob than Archer. I drink and have sex and lope around like a middle-aged man, so definitely Bob
failurejon3105 karma
seriously, buy the Bob's Burgers cookbook. All of the burgers of the day are in there and I've had a few made for me and all pretty great
ocentertainment949 karma
Yes hello Mr. Jon Benjamin. Let's talk. Who do you think was a more successful failure? Archer or Bob? And how can we learn to fail as badly good as these guys do?
failurejon2241 karma
Most certainly Archer. He self medicates and suffers from extreme narcissism and has a trove of unresolved issues from a morbidly bad childhood. Bob suffers from less demons and has a simpler life that doesn't involve incessant murder and self-harm, although Linda is annoying.
failurejon938 karma
Jonathan Katz has been doing them on Audible, and I believe he's into the second season, so it's already out there without the squigglevision
falloutboywonder675 karma
if you could, would you go back and change anything about jon benjamin has a van? that show was one of my first forays into alternative comedy. big fan!
failurejon676 karma
well, I would have done a second season, and we wrote I believe 4 episodes of one, before it got cancelled. I think we (myself and Leo Allen) figured out a more fluid way to do the show when writing the second season, so it was less unstructured, which maybe the first season suffered from.
godyallsomebrokeboys568 karma
Was that episode of Bob’s Burgers where Gene sleeps over at a kids house from school inspired by the sleepover experience you talked about in your book?
failurejon721 karma
I think subconsciously yes. I've pitched many ideas for Bob's scripts and it's not often the writers have not already discussed a scenario so I was happy to get that one on.
failurejon985 karma
In Jon Benjamin Has a Van, we did a terrible bit called 'Reaction Jackson', where I had to simulate sex with an old lady. That was sweaty and nice. Otherwise, there is a story in the book about my minor role in a gonzo porn film shot on Beta in the early 80s in Worcester, Ma- not your typical hub of the porn industry
QuasiWriter374 karma
Why did you not list the doctor from Not Another Teen Movie too??
Who writes Archer's character? Some of the funniest, freshest lines on TV. Huge fan!
failurejon991 karma
I am proud of all my extra work. That and the t-shirt vendor in NY Minute with the Olsen Twins. Adam Reed is the creator and sole writer of Archer and boy is he tired
vondutchtruckerhat298 karma
How do you find motivation to continue with your work ? I did really well in school but post grad is so rough. I’ve tried and failed more than succeeded and I often have doubts about my career choice even though this is my passion. It gets hard when failure can bog you down.
failurejon535 karma
for sure, obviously everyone goes through long stretches where you feel like no progress can be made. If it's your passion, it won't fail you. I believe it will come around.
TeddyJTran272 karma
I saw on your Twitter that you were recently in Ann Arbor, MI! What'd you think of the city? Anything memorable?
failurejon604 karma
It's the only place I've ever performed where many people brought me gifts. I think even chocolates that make you high.
chipsmayai247 karma
Who is the funniest person you have worked with on Archer or Wet Hot American Summer?
failurejon650 karma
Well, for Archer, we work alone and record our parts separately, but on the show, I'm a big Amber Nash fan, and to a lesser degree Chris Parnell. I can't stand his voice. In Wet Hot, I've only worked with Janeane Garofalo and Jason Schwartzman, who are both very funny. FYI, Jason Schwartzman smokes a vintage pipe
starsin188 karma
I really love the title of your book, and the little synopsis really makes me want to read it. Super coincidental too, because I just hosted a banquet where that was the topic by the speakers. I just graduated college, and I was wondering, if you had any advice that you could give to a college student (at any stage of college), what would it be?
failurejon451 karma
well, if anything is to be learned from the book, it's that patience is essential, even if there's no conceivable pay-off. I think many people get caught in falling behind and feel like they have to push too hard. I like the slo-burn approach to life and hopefully something nice happens. That said, I'm not opposed to people working really hard to achieve goals, like curing disease and helping the world.
BonelessPickles141 karma
Are you watching the Stanley Cup playoffs? Cheering for any team in particular?
failurejon303 karma
not bad actually, although I started in sketch so it wasn't the typical standing alone in a pool of flop sweat making no one laugh. that came later when I tried stand-up. The most nervous I've ever been was the first time I did a bit on Conan O'Brien's show in like the mid-90s. When I walked out in front of the live audience, I almost shit myself. I could barely read the cue cards. And then when I watched it that night, I seemed fine.
failurejon176 karma
oh shit, I can't remember all the variations. I believe there was a Smirnoff Ice 'Dirty Jew'. Just can't remember the ingredients
whatdoesntkaleya38 karma
How fun was filming WHAS?! What was your favorite part of the filming? Thank you!
failurejon106 karma
Very fun. My favorite moment was almost drowning in an unsafe hole of green goo
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FrZnaNmLsRghT2 karma
Is the title of your book "Failure is an Option" inspired by the life of your school chum Sam Seder?
luckyyates4852 karma
What's your second favorite thing about me?
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