Michael Shannon

Well, you know, I didn't get invited. I wasn't nominated. They didn't invite you? I wasn't nominated. Those tickets are expensive. All this stuff's expensive. The Star in the Walk of Fame, the tickets to the Oscars. They're not free. Not unless you're nominated. Not unless you're specifically nominated.

Well, you know, I didn't get invited. I wasn't nominated. They didn't invite you? I wasn't nominated. Those tickets are expensive. All this stuff's expensive. The Star in the Walk of Fame, the tickets to the Oscars. They're not free. Not unless you're nominated. Not unless you're specifically nominated.

No, I was in Chicago because the play I was directing was closing that night. And I hadn't been able to be around much during the run. So I went to the closing to say goodbye to my cast and see the show one last time. And then after the show, we went to the old town house. And if I hadn't have done that, that was the night Brett gave me the screenplay for Eric LeRoux.

No, I was in Chicago because the play I was directing was closing that night. And I hadn't been able to be around much during the run. So I went to the closing to say goodbye to my cast and see the show one last time. And then after the show, we went to the old town house. And if I hadn't have done that, that was the night Brett gave me the screenplay for Eric LeRoux.

And, of course, a lot of the people in the community that these people live in look at these parents like they've, you know, they've obviously created this shooter, so there must be something wrong with them. And I just hate the fact that people are so non-empathetic a lot of times. They seem not curious about other people's problems. what other people are going through.

And, of course, a lot of the people in the community that these people live in look at these parents like they've, you know, they've obviously created this shooter, so there must be something wrong with them. And I just hate the fact that people are so non-empathetic a lot of times. They seem not curious about other people's problems. what other people are going through.

So if I hadn't have been there, I might not have made the damn movie.

So if I hadn't have been there, I might not have made the damn movie.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Right.

Right.

So it all worked out for the best.

So it all worked out for the best.

Well, I think the key is like. For my fake accent, I started out my career in Chicago doing storefront theater for five people a night if I was lucky, for no money, doing plays that nobody cared about or didn't even get nice reviews. But I did it because I loved doing it. And I did that not for like a few months, but for years. So that's how I started out. I never forget that.

Well, I think the key is like. For my fake accent, I started out my career in Chicago doing storefront theater for five people a night if I was lucky, for no money, doing plays that nobody cared about or didn't even get nice reviews. But I did it because I loved doing it. And I did that not for like a few months, but for years. So that's how I started out. I never forget that.

Keep that with you every day. Yeah. Things can flip-flop overnight. You never know. Are you happy? No, I'm miserable. Are you really? Yeah.

Keep that with you every day. Yeah. Things can flip-flop overnight. You never know. Are you happy? No, I'm miserable. Are you really? Yeah.

Well, yeah, get off the BQE.

Well, yeah, get off the BQE.

Although I will say, going back to that, there are too many damn screens on the subway now. I don't like all these. Everywhere you look, there's a screen and ad for something. Like I was saying about the twist pie. I don't want to see the twist pie anymore. What is the twist pie? I don't know. They show you these recipes. They're like 20-second clips. And they don't tell you how to make the pie.

Although I will say, going back to that, there are too many damn screens on the subway now. I don't like all these. Everywhere you look, there's a screen and ad for something. Like I was saying about the twist pie. I don't want to see the twist pie anymore. What is the twist pie? I don't know. They show you these recipes. They're like 20-second clips. And they don't tell you how to make the pie.

The only thing they tell you is take the leftover dough and twist it up and spin it around on top. That's their brilliant idea for, you know, twist pie.

The only thing they tell you is take the leftover dough and twist it up and spin it around on top. That's their brilliant idea for, you know, twist pie.

Skeleton shirt?

Skeleton shirt?

Is that you singing? Yeah You have a sexy voice Thank you Damn Is that you on that guitar going like that? No, no, I don't play the guitar.

Is that you singing? Yeah You have a sexy voice Thank you Damn Is that you on that guitar going like that? No, no, I don't play the guitar.

Green Room? Yeah. Are you on the Minneapolis Walk of Fame? And how much does it cost?

Green Room? Yeah. Are you on the Minneapolis Walk of Fame? And how much does it cost?

Anytime I see somebody on the subway who's struggling with something, I don't get scared necessarily. I just think, geez, that person's going through something. I wonder how they could be helped.

Anytime I see somebody on the subway who's struggling with something, I don't get scared necessarily. I just think, geez, that person's going through something. I wonder how they could be helped.

There are. There are. I was just in Minneapolis not too long ago. What do you think of Minneapolis? I love it. It's a nice place. We were at the first staff club.

There are. There are. I was just in Minneapolis not too long ago. What do you think of Minneapolis? I love it. It's a nice place. We were at the first staff club.

The REM thing.

The REM thing.

Right. I kind of like that. It broadens your horizons. Yeah. What did you watch last time you were on a plane? Well, I always watch what the person next to me is watching. Without the sound. I like watching movies without the sound. Oh, that's cool. Because then you can see all the funny faces the actors make. And you can try and guess what they're trying to say. Do you ever watch your own movies?

Right. I kind of like that. It broadens your horizons. Yeah. What did you watch last time you were on a plane? Well, I always watch what the person next to me is watching. Without the sound. I like watching movies without the sound. Oh, that's cool. Because then you can see all the funny faces the actors make. And you can try and guess what they're trying to say. Do you ever watch your own movies?

No. Are you one of those guys? I mean, either way, I don't care. Don't tell me you're one of those guys, though. I don't care. It doesn't bother me, but I don't sit around watching them. Yeah, that makes sense. I like Bug. I like Bug, too. Deep cut. Yeah. Deep Shannon cut. Well, I did that as a play for a long time before I did the movie.

No. Are you one of those guys? I mean, either way, I don't care. Don't tell me you're one of those guys, though. I don't care. It doesn't bother me, but I don't sit around watching them. Yeah, that makes sense. I like Bug. I like Bug, too. Deep cut. Yeah. Deep Shannon cut. Well, I did that as a play for a long time before I did the movie.

I did 200 performances of Bug before I actually did the movie. I had no idea. In three different cities.

I did 200 performances of Bug before I actually did the movie. I had no idea. In three different cities.

Yeah, the phone didn't stop ringing after Groundhog Day. Like, give me Fred Kleiser.

Yeah, the phone didn't stop ringing after Groundhog Day. Like, give me Fred Kleiser.

No.

No.

You just know. You told me yes or no. No, that's true. And now you're asking me to elaborate.

You just know. You told me yes or no. No, that's true. And now you're asking me to elaborate.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

I'm going to sit here and say Michael Stipe doesn't know what he's doing.

I'm going to sit here and say Michael Stipe doesn't know what he's doing.

Yeah, he's decent.

Yeah, he's decent.

There's lots of rock stars with tattoos that I like. Do you have any tattoos? I do. Where at? They're all on my arms. Are they, like, cool? Yeah, they're super cool. Are they cool? I can't answer that question.

There's lots of rock stars with tattoos that I like. Do you have any tattoos? I do. Where at? They're all on my arms. Are they, like, cool? Yeah, they're super cool. Are they cool? I can't answer that question.

I personally am quite fond of them. So you think they're cool? Why would I get a tattoo that I didn't want? Sometimes you might think it's funny.

I personally am quite fond of them. So you think they're cool? Why would I get a tattoo that I didn't want? Sometimes you might think it's funny.

Yeah, I like the subway.

Yeah, I like the subway.

Yeah, I mean, people have always been asking me about it. There hasn't been a specific thing, but people keep wondering when I'm going to do it or whatever. I don't know. I was reluctant for a long time because it just looked like a lot of work.

Yeah, I mean, people have always been asking me about it. There hasn't been a specific thing, but people keep wondering when I'm going to do it or whatever. I don't know. I was reluctant for a long time because it just looked like a lot of work.

It's a beautiful country.

It's a beautiful country.

I mean, I guess there's stuff to do in Denver, but I'd rather go to Ireland.

I mean, I guess there's stuff to do in Denver, but I'd rather go to Ireland.

Although I have a sister that lives in Denver, so I shouldn't poo-poo it too much.

Although I have a sister that lives in Denver, so I shouldn't poo-poo it too much.

Oh, this is a funny shirt. It's a good shirt. This is a review that a restaurant got that I went to, and they made a t-shirt out of it.

Oh, this is a funny shirt. It's a good shirt. This is a review that a restaurant got that I went to, and they made a t-shirt out of it.

This place is full of satanic activity.

This place is full of satanic activity.

One tough cookie. Yeah, I'm just shooting everything down. Have I said yes to anything? No. Maybe I am a curmudgeon.

One tough cookie. Yeah, I'm just shooting everything down. Have I said yes to anything? No. Maybe I am a curmudgeon.

Oh, gosh. Yeah. I don't. I mean, I think all children are kind of different. So the idea that, like, there's one way to do it. Anytime people used to give me advice, I would just be like, well, I'm just going to see what happens. Like, thank you, but no thanks. That's kind of what I'm doing. Yeah, yeah.

Oh, gosh. Yeah. I don't. I mean, I think all children are kind of different. So the idea that, like, there's one way to do it. Anytime people used to give me advice, I would just be like, well, I'm just going to see what happens. Like, thank you, but no thanks. That's kind of what I'm doing. Yeah, yeah.

You seem like you know what you're doing. I mean, my girls are amazing. I love them. I don't know if I can claim any credit for it or not. They kind of are who they are, you know.

You seem like you know what you're doing. I mean, my girls are amazing. I love them. I don't know if I can claim any credit for it or not. They kind of are who they are, you know.

you don't own them they're not yours they're like their own people just trying to make sure they don't get hurt well it's been a pleasure thank you I really enjoyed it I gotta get off I'm glad you finished that sentence cause for a second I thought you were just saying I gotta get off

you don't own them they're not yours they're like their own people just trying to make sure they don't get hurt well it's been a pleasure thank you I really enjoyed it I gotta get off I'm glad you finished that sentence cause for a second I thought you were just saying I gotta get off

Yeah, yeah. I wondered how I would sleep at night. I just figured I'd be worried all the time about... About the film.

Yeah, yeah. I wondered how I would sleep at night. I just figured I'd be worried all the time about... About the film.

Yeah, when you act, you're just kind of responsible for that one element, you know, but... I was surprised. I actually really enjoyed it.

Yeah, when you act, you're just kind of responsible for that one element, you know, but... I was surprised. I actually really enjoyed it.

Well, I thought since this is Subway Takes, I should talk about the subway. Okay. People are real down on the subway lately. They're saying it's getting more dangerous or something, but I still like taking it. I don't mind.

Well, I thought since this is Subway Takes, I should talk about the subway. Okay. People are real down on the subway lately. They're saying it's getting more dangerous or something, but I still like taking it. I don't mind.

Yeah, yeah. The subway is getting a bad rap nowadays. I guess people, I hear people say, you know, it's changed or they don't feel as safe on it. You know, there's a lot of negative press about, oh, this, that, or the other happened on the platform or people... assaulting people or whatever.

Yeah, yeah. The subway is getting a bad rap nowadays. I guess people, I hear people say, you know, it's changed or they don't feel as safe on it. You know, there's a lot of negative press about, oh, this, that, or the other happened on the platform or people... assaulting people or whatever.

Yeah, but I thought through the microcosm of this particular story and these particular people, I could tell a story that kind of reflects, like I was saying earlier, on a larger scale about our society in general and society. What a confusing country we live in right now. I think America likes to identify itself as a country full of good, honest, decent, hardworking people.

Yeah, but I thought through the microcosm of this particular story and these particular people, I could tell a story that kind of reflects, like I was saying earlier, on a larger scale about our society in general and society. What a confusing country we live in right now. I think America likes to identify itself as a country full of good, honest, decent, hardworking people.

And yet there's all this loneliness and alienation that causes people to do really crazy stuff. And it's like, well, where is that coming from and why is it not going away? Where do you think it's coming from? Well, I think it's about authenticity. I think it's about actually taking a closer, harder look at who we are, which I feel like was happening during COVID, you know.

And yet there's all this loneliness and alienation that causes people to do really crazy stuff. And it's like, well, where is that coming from and why is it not going away? Where do you think it's coming from? Well, I think it's about authenticity. I think it's about actually taking a closer, harder look at who we are, which I feel like was happening during COVID, you know.

A lot of the realizations people are having, particularly when it came to race and things like that, you know, these ideologies that are embedded in our culture that we kind of take for granted and that we, you know, I kind of need to toss a little bit, shake it up and see who we really are and how we really treat each other.

A lot of the realizations people are having, particularly when it came to race and things like that, you know, these ideologies that are embedded in our culture that we kind of take for granted and that we, you know, I kind of need to toss a little bit, shake it up and see who we really are and how we really treat each other.

You know... I tell people, I say, the reason I was so excited to direct is when you direct, you get to have a hand in all of the characters, not just the character you're playing. All the characters, all the relationships, the story as a whole. So it's a way of participating in the entire community of the movie, which I really enjoy.

You know... I tell people, I say, the reason I was so excited to direct is when you direct, you get to have a hand in all of the characters, not just the character you're playing. All the characters, all the relationships, the story as a whole. So it's a way of participating in the entire community of the movie, which I really enjoy.

If I would have just played one part in the movie, I would have missed out on so much, I feel like, of creating the world, as it were.

If I would have just played one part in the movie, I would have missed out on so much, I feel like, of creating the world, as it were.

Uh, I hope so. But I need to find the right material, you know? I need to find material.

Uh, I hope so. But I need to find the right material, you know? I need to find material.

Oh, will you? Yeah. Yeah?

Oh, will you? Yeah. Yeah?

A buddy comedy?

A buddy comedy?

Oh, God. It's like Target or something. It's got everything.

Oh, God. It's like Target or something. It's got everything.

You know, for me, friendship is very serious. How about a buddy drama?

You know, for me, friendship is very serious. How about a buddy drama?

Yeah, I think public transportation is the way to go. I can't believe how many cars there are in this city.

Yeah, I think public transportation is the way to go. I can't believe how many cars there are in this city.

Really?

Really?

Oh, man.

Oh, man.

Do I use voodoo? Do I get like a doll and start sticking pins in it? No, no, no, no. That's torture. Oh, okay.

Do I use voodoo? Do I get like a doll and start sticking pins in it? No, no, no, no. That's torture. Oh, okay.

I think she should move in with us.

I think she should move in with us.

So we're inventing a new genre of film.

So we're inventing a new genre of film.

oh god i don't know maybe if it's like really super late at night and i just want to go to bed you know but pretty much during the day i'm always on the subway and people are like don't people bug you on the subway i'm like no not really you know every once in a while somebody will say hi or you know i like this that this movie you did or whatever but it's pretty simple nobody gives me too much aggravation they're pretty nice to you yeah yeah you know what they do to me

oh god i don't know maybe if it's like really super late at night and i just want to go to bed you know but pretty much during the day i'm always on the subway and people are like don't people bug you on the subway i'm like no not really you know every once in a while somebody will say hi or you know i like this that this movie you did or whatever but it's pretty simple nobody gives me too much aggravation they're pretty nice to you yeah yeah you know what they do to me

I do. I really do. I've loved them for... Yeah, almost 40 years, yeah.

I do. I really do. I've loved them for... Yeah, almost 40 years, yeah.

No, we didn't really set out to start a cover band, honestly. It was just a one-off show that we did in Chicago. Oh, really? Yeah, yeah. We started out with just a one-off show in Chicago, and then after we did the show, promoters around the country were asking if we would bring it. So we did, and it's turned into this thing.

No, we didn't really set out to start a cover band, honestly. It was just a one-off show that we did in Chicago. Oh, really? Yeah, yeah. We started out with just a one-off show in Chicago, and then after we did the show, promoters around the country were asking if we would bring it. So we did, and it's turned into this thing.

But it wasn't our... The band that Jason and I have, Jason Arduci, we've done a bunch of records from a bunch of different... No, it's just called Michael Shannon, Jason Arduci, and Friends Play a Record. But we've played lots of records, and nobody's ever asked us to... play them anywhere else. This was the first time that ever happened.

But it wasn't our... The band that Jason and I have, Jason Arduci, we've done a bunch of records from a bunch of different... No, it's just called Michael Shannon, Jason Arduci, and Friends Play a Record. But we've played lots of records, and nobody's ever asked us to... play them anywhere else. This was the first time that ever happened.

There's plenty of time. A lot of people don't maximize their time. There's a lot of loafers out there. That's the way to be. Never a dull moment.

There's plenty of time. A lot of people don't maximize their time. There's a lot of loafers out there. That's the way to be. Never a dull moment.

No, no, no. But if you've got creative energy, you know, put it to use. And it can be hard sometimes with that energy if you don't get the opportunities. A lot of people are waiting for somebody to say, hey, you want an opportunity? Yeah. I don't know. You got to have some self-determination, I think, to make it.

No, no, no. But if you've got creative energy, you know, put it to use. And it can be hard sometimes with that energy if you don't get the opportunities. A lot of people are waiting for somebody to say, hey, you want an opportunity? Yeah. I don't know. You got to have some self-determination, I think, to make it.

No, but I lived there a long time. I lived there.

No, but I lived there a long time. I lived there.

Everything about me is fake.

Everything about me is fake.

No, I mean, my accent changes around, I guess, depending on my mood. I'm kind of a chameleon. I don't know if you know that.

No, I mean, my accent changes around, I guess, depending on my mood. I'm kind of a chameleon. I don't know if you know that.

You don't find that that's... From being from Minneapolis?

You don't find that that's... From being from Minneapolis?

This is the first time this is ever coming up.

This is the first time this is ever coming up.

Well... I mean, it doesn't do any good to gloat, but, you know, it's just my job, you know?

Well... I mean, it doesn't do any good to gloat, but, you know, it's just my job, you know?

I'm not the guy to help you with that.

I'm not the guy to help you with that.

I should probably try and get my star on the Walk of Fame. You don't have a star? No.

I should probably try and get my star on the Walk of Fame. You don't have a star? No.

It's $75,000 to get your star in a walk of fame. You have to pay? Yeah, you have to pay. Every star you see in a walk of fame, somebody paid, they're like, okay, I'll pay $75,000. Well, then let me ask you a question.

It's $75,000 to get your star in a walk of fame. You have to pay? Yeah, you have to pay. Every star you see in a walk of fame, somebody paid, they're like, okay, I'll pay $75,000. Well, then let me ask you a question.

Yeah, like Joe Schmoe could get their star. No, I thought that they have to invite you to have a star. No, you just have to want it and have a lot of change in your sofa.

Yeah, like Joe Schmoe could get their star. No, I thought that they have to invite you to have a star. No, you just have to want it and have a lot of change in your sofa.

I like the GoFundMe.

I like the GoFundMe.

Yeah, but I feel... I mean, there's other things that money could go to that might be more helpful to humanity.

Yeah, but I feel... I mean, there's other things that money could go to that might be more helpful to humanity.

Sure.

Sure.

Oh, the Old Town Alehouse.

Oh, the Old Town Alehouse.

Well, you know, I didn't get invited. I wasn't nominated. They didn't invite you? I wasn't nominated. Those tickets are expensive. All this stuff's expensive. The Star in the Walk of Fame, the tickets to the Oscars. They're not free. Not unless you're nominated. Not unless you're specifically nominated.

No, I was in Chicago because the play I was directing was closing that night. And I hadn't been able to be around much during the run. So I went to the closing to say goodbye to my cast and see the show one last time. And then after the show, we went to the old town house. And if I hadn't have done that, that was the night Brett gave me the screenplay for Eric LeRoux.

And, of course, a lot of the people in the community that these people live in look at these parents like they've, you know, they've obviously created this shooter, so there must be something wrong with them. And I just hate the fact that people are so non-empathetic a lot of times. They seem not curious about other people's problems. what other people are going through.

So if I hadn't have been there, I might not have made the damn movie.

Yeah.

Right.

So it all worked out for the best.

Well, I think the key is like. For my fake accent, I started out my career in Chicago doing storefront theater for five people a night if I was lucky, for no money, doing plays that nobody cared about or didn't even get nice reviews. But I did it because I loved doing it. And I did that not for like a few months, but for years. So that's how I started out. I never forget that.

Keep that with you every day. Yeah. Things can flip-flop overnight. You never know. Are you happy? No, I'm miserable. Are you really? Yeah.

Well, yeah, get off the BQE.

Although I will say, going back to that, there are too many damn screens on the subway now. I don't like all these. Everywhere you look, there's a screen and ad for something. Like I was saying about the twist pie. I don't want to see the twist pie anymore. What is the twist pie? I don't know. They show you these recipes. They're like 20-second clips. And they don't tell you how to make the pie.

The only thing they tell you is take the leftover dough and twist it up and spin it around on top. That's their brilliant idea for, you know, twist pie.

Skeleton shirt?

Is that you singing? Yeah You have a sexy voice Thank you Damn Is that you on that guitar going like that? No, no, I don't play the guitar.

Green Room? Yeah. Are you on the Minneapolis Walk of Fame? And how much does it cost?

Anytime I see somebody on the subway who's struggling with something, I don't get scared necessarily. I just think, geez, that person's going through something. I wonder how they could be helped.

There are. There are. I was just in Minneapolis not too long ago. What do you think of Minneapolis? I love it. It's a nice place. We were at the first staff club.

The REM thing.

Right. I kind of like that. It broadens your horizons. Yeah. What did you watch last time you were on a plane? Well, I always watch what the person next to me is watching. Without the sound. I like watching movies without the sound. Oh, that's cool. Because then you can see all the funny faces the actors make. And you can try and guess what they're trying to say. Do you ever watch your own movies?

No. Are you one of those guys? I mean, either way, I don't care. Don't tell me you're one of those guys, though. I don't care. It doesn't bother me, but I don't sit around watching them. Yeah, that makes sense. I like Bug. I like Bug, too. Deep cut. Yeah. Deep Shannon cut. Well, I did that as a play for a long time before I did the movie.

I did 200 performances of Bug before I actually did the movie. I had no idea. In three different cities.

Yeah, the phone didn't stop ringing after Groundhog Day. Like, give me Fred Kleiser.

No.

You just know. You told me yes or no. No, that's true. And now you're asking me to elaborate.

Oh, dear.

I'm going to sit here and say Michael Stipe doesn't know what he's doing.

Yeah, he's decent.

There's lots of rock stars with tattoos that I like. Do you have any tattoos? I do. Where at? They're all on my arms. Are they, like, cool? Yeah, they're super cool. Are they cool? I can't answer that question.

I personally am quite fond of them. So you think they're cool? Why would I get a tattoo that I didn't want? Sometimes you might think it's funny.

Yeah, I like the subway.

Yeah, I mean, people have always been asking me about it. There hasn't been a specific thing, but people keep wondering when I'm going to do it or whatever. I don't know. I was reluctant for a long time because it just looked like a lot of work.

It's a beautiful country.

I mean, I guess there's stuff to do in Denver, but I'd rather go to Ireland.

Although I have a sister that lives in Denver, so I shouldn't poo-poo it too much.

Oh, this is a funny shirt. It's a good shirt. This is a review that a restaurant got that I went to, and they made a t-shirt out of it.

This place is full of satanic activity.

One tough cookie. Yeah, I'm just shooting everything down. Have I said yes to anything? No. Maybe I am a curmudgeon.

Oh, gosh. Yeah. I don't. I mean, I think all children are kind of different. So the idea that, like, there's one way to do it. Anytime people used to give me advice, I would just be like, well, I'm just going to see what happens. Like, thank you, but no thanks. That's kind of what I'm doing. Yeah, yeah.

You seem like you know what you're doing. I mean, my girls are amazing. I love them. I don't know if I can claim any credit for it or not. They kind of are who they are, you know.

you don't own them they're not yours they're like their own people just trying to make sure they don't get hurt well it's been a pleasure thank you I really enjoyed it I gotta get off I'm glad you finished that sentence cause for a second I thought you were just saying I gotta get off

Yeah, yeah. I wondered how I would sleep at night. I just figured I'd be worried all the time about... About the film.

Yeah, when you act, you're just kind of responsible for that one element, you know, but... I was surprised. I actually really enjoyed it.

Well, I thought since this is Subway Takes, I should talk about the subway. Okay. People are real down on the subway lately. They're saying it's getting more dangerous or something, but I still like taking it. I don't mind.

Yeah, yeah. The subway is getting a bad rap nowadays. I guess people, I hear people say, you know, it's changed or they don't feel as safe on it. You know, there's a lot of negative press about, oh, this, that, or the other happened on the platform or people... assaulting people or whatever.

Yeah, but I thought through the microcosm of this particular story and these particular people, I could tell a story that kind of reflects, like I was saying earlier, on a larger scale about our society in general and society. What a confusing country we live in right now. I think America likes to identify itself as a country full of good, honest, decent, hardworking people.

And yet there's all this loneliness and alienation that causes people to do really crazy stuff. And it's like, well, where is that coming from and why is it not going away? Where do you think it's coming from? Well, I think it's about authenticity. I think it's about actually taking a closer, harder look at who we are, which I feel like was happening during COVID, you know.

A lot of the realizations people are having, particularly when it came to race and things like that, you know, these ideologies that are embedded in our culture that we kind of take for granted and that we, you know, I kind of need to toss a little bit, shake it up and see who we really are and how we really treat each other.

You know... I tell people, I say, the reason I was so excited to direct is when you direct, you get to have a hand in all of the characters, not just the character you're playing. All the characters, all the relationships, the story as a whole. So it's a way of participating in the entire community of the movie, which I really enjoy.

If I would have just played one part in the movie, I would have missed out on so much, I feel like, of creating the world, as it were.

Uh, I hope so. But I need to find the right material, you know? I need to find material.

Oh, will you? Yeah. Yeah?

A buddy comedy?

Oh, God. It's like Target or something. It's got everything.

You know, for me, friendship is very serious. How about a buddy drama?

Yeah, I think public transportation is the way to go. I can't believe how many cars there are in this city.

Really?

Oh, man.

Do I use voodoo? Do I get like a doll and start sticking pins in it? No, no, no, no. That's torture. Oh, okay.

I think she should move in with us.

So we're inventing a new genre of film.

oh god i don't know maybe if it's like really super late at night and i just want to go to bed you know but pretty much during the day i'm always on the subway and people are like don't people bug you on the subway i'm like no not really you know every once in a while somebody will say hi or you know i like this that this movie you did or whatever but it's pretty simple nobody gives me too much aggravation they're pretty nice to you yeah yeah you know what they do to me

I do. I really do. I've loved them for... Yeah, almost 40 years, yeah.

No, we didn't really set out to start a cover band, honestly. It was just a one-off show that we did in Chicago. Oh, really? Yeah, yeah. We started out with just a one-off show in Chicago, and then after we did the show, promoters around the country were asking if we would bring it. So we did, and it's turned into this thing.

But it wasn't our... The band that Jason and I have, Jason Arduci, we've done a bunch of records from a bunch of different... No, it's just called Michael Shannon, Jason Arduci, and Friends Play a Record. But we've played lots of records, and nobody's ever asked us to... play them anywhere else. This was the first time that ever happened.

There's plenty of time. A lot of people don't maximize their time. There's a lot of loafers out there. That's the way to be. Never a dull moment.

No, no, no. But if you've got creative energy, you know, put it to use. And it can be hard sometimes with that energy if you don't get the opportunities. A lot of people are waiting for somebody to say, hey, you want an opportunity? Yeah. I don't know. You got to have some self-determination, I think, to make it.

No, but I lived there a long time. I lived there.

Everything about me is fake.

No, I mean, my accent changes around, I guess, depending on my mood. I'm kind of a chameleon. I don't know if you know that.

You don't find that that's... From being from Minneapolis?

This is the first time this is ever coming up.

Well... I mean, it doesn't do any good to gloat, but, you know, it's just my job, you know?

I'm not the guy to help you with that.

I should probably try and get my star on the Walk of Fame. You don't have a star? No.

It's $75,000 to get your star in a walk of fame. You have to pay? Yeah, you have to pay. Every star you see in a walk of fame, somebody paid, they're like, okay, I'll pay $75,000. Well, then let me ask you a question.

Yeah, like Joe Schmoe could get their star. No, I thought that they have to invite you to have a star. No, you just have to want it and have a lot of change in your sofa.

I like the GoFundMe.

Yeah, but I feel... I mean, there's other things that money could go to that might be more helpful to humanity.

Sure.

Oh, the Old Town Alehouse.