Terry Gross

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This is Fresh Air.

I'm Terry Gross.

My guest is Will Arnett.

He co-wrote and stars in the new movie, Is This Thing On?

He was one of the stars of this series, Arrested Development, played the title role in the animated satirical series for adults, BoJack Horseman, and was Batman in the animated Lego Batman series.

He also co-hosts the podcast Smartless with his longtime friends Jason Bateman, who also starred in Arrested Development, and Sean Hayes, who has a small part in Arnett's new film.

Another longtime friend of Arnett's, Bradley Cooper, directed the new film and plays Arnett's self-absorbed best friend.

The story is adapted from the true story of the British comic John Bishop.

The film's title, Is This Thing On?, has a double meaning.

It's what a lot of people say when they first get to a microphone.