T.J. Miller’s weirdness and why he likes Canadians
Deadpool/Silicon Valley star T.J. Miller is headlining Just For Laughs’ alternative comedy tour of Canada. The funnyman talks to Lynn Saxberg about leaving the hit television show, the importance of his marriage and some of the things he likes about Canad
Q Let’s get this out of the way first: Tell me why you left Silicon Valley.
A Yeah, I have to answer because that’s part of leaving a television show at its height. It was just time. I had done exactly what I needed to do with that show, and they were trying to find reasons for (Miller’s character) Erlich (Bachman) to be in the story because I was bringing a lot of comedy. But I realized that if I was starting to go on autopilot, if I was disrupting production schedule because of stand-up days and travel and promoting films … I thought, you know, it would serve me quite a bit to continue to grow as a stand-up comedian rather than further cement Erlich into the minds (of viewers). I was hanging out with (Silicon Valley co-star) Kumail (Nanjiani), and we started talking about how it’s going to be a completely different show, but most of those guys agreed, probably a better one.
Q What are your plans?
A In the meantime, I have this incredibly talented wife (artist Kate Miller), and we’re f---ing living in New York City. I’m doing standup, she’s being seen in the best galleries in New York and England, and I said to them, it doesn’t work for me as a person who wants to be a great comedian, great husband and hopefully one day a mediocre father, it doesn’t quite work to say, ‘Hey babe, I gotta be in Los Angeles for five-and-a-half months and I’ve got this weird facial hair. You can visit when you like. Or just live there and totally stifle your artwork.’ That’s a big thing. My relationship needs to be as strong as my standup needs to be as strong as my voice-over for children’s features. I didn’t quit working, I’m just trying to change exactly where I’m putting my efforts and continuing to diversify.
Q What do you like about standup comedy?
A One of the great things about standup is it’s for everybody who comes to the show. You can’t get this on Netflix, it’s a wholly unique show in and of that night. I’m interacting with the audience. It’s sort of sh---- entitled white twentysomething girls who are screaming out and I’ll talk to them, and bros who are trying to be funnier than the comedian. You’ll see my reaction to that, but I’m also presenting material that hasn’t been presented before. I’m not doing my act from the latest comedy special. I’m not a guy who goes on stage and recites back. I’m talking about Canada. I’m talking about that day. I have this big joke that I couldn’t have if I hadn’t worked in Canada as long as I have. Which is that everybody in Canada makes fun of Edmonton, and everyone in Edmonton makes fun of Calgary and everybody in Calgary doesn’t give a f---. All of these jokes that are very Canada specific and if I was still doing television, I wouldn’t be able to come to Canada.
Q Why are you doing a tour of Canada at this time?
A Just For Laughs proposed the idea of a tour that was a little bit off kilter and I guess I fit the bill as being quite a lunatic. I’ve performed in Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and nowhere else. Every single show I’ve had there is great. The audiences are so brilliant and, of course, Canada has produced some of the great comedians in the comedic canon of North America. My only regret is that I can’t spend three or four days in each place because a Canadian is always very nice, incredibly helpful with directions and ready to drink beer with you at any hour of the day. So that was the idea. Also just that right now, there’s a lot of Americans that are like, ‘Hey Canada, anything we can do to help? We’re down here and we really love you.’ Remember that this country is a dumpster fire on a train that’s running off the rails. But the majority of the United States is still progressive, we’re like-minded. That’s important, too.
Q What’s the show going to be like?
A It’s an international show. (Opener) Rhys Darby is from New Zealand, Nick Vatterott is there and so we’ll be talking about things, but it’s not like the show is political. It’s nonsense, it’s fun, it’s philosophical, it’s absurdist, it’s all of the things that Canada gets, and so many countries do not get. So we’re taking full advantage of your openness and keen sense of humour by making this an alternative tour. I’m doing mime and clown and juggling. It’s gonna be weird.
Q How scripted are you on stage?
A I don’t know. Maybe 65 per cent scripted. That’s a weird question. It’s like asking about a golf handicap for comedy. If something happens that day that is so funny that it warrants an hour of storytelling, then I’ll do it. Or if somebody interrupts me, then I will forgo my closing 20 minutes to improvise in a very funny way on a moment from the show. That’s the M.O. So people will come out saying, ‘I don’t know if it’s scripted material but Jesus Christ, they’re not getting that show in Edmonton, that’s for damn sure.’ That’s interesting to me. You paid money, we’re spending our time together. We both could be consuming or creating media, but instead we’re like at a live event. That’s very important.