When I watch Real Time, I wonder how often you are listening to someone on the panel talk and you're thinking to yourself, Shut up, shut up, shut up, you're droning on!
It does happen. Sometimes I interrupt them, but in general, I find it even more annoying that on other discussion shows, you can never get a sentence out. I do a lot of shows, as a guest, and often I can't get a sentence in. If I had to choose, I'd rather be the one place on television that lets someone express a thought that takes more than 10 seconds [to voice]. Because trying to do that with Bill O'Reilly or even Chris Matthews, who I think is a great host — it's very hard to finish a sentence on any of these people's shows.
Who do you like for president?
I never endorse a candidate, but as an analyst, I'd say if the Democrats want to make sure they get one in the ''W'' column, I think a John Edwards/Barack Obama ticket is a winner. Because it's been proven over the last half century that only Southern Democrats are able to gain the White House. Edwards is a good candidate — he's run before, he's got the right ideas, I think he's acceptable to the left wing, and he can still get votes in middle America. And Obama — look, he's 45 years old. He's only been a senator for a couple of years. That's kind of a big leap to president. He's creating excitement like the Democrats haven't seen in a long time, but he can wait. To me, those two are a winning combination.
You think Al Gore will run?
I think Al Gore will only run if everyone else flames out. If there's a desperate need because things go wrong with the primaries, or the party, or if he needs to be a white knight, I think that's the only situation where he would get in.
What about the documentary about religion you've shot with Larry Charles? People are already talking about it.
It's funny that everybody wants to know about this and there isn't even a movie made yet. [Larry's] cutting it right now. The 10-minute reel that we showed at Cannes caused such a stir there, [the movie] immediately sold to 20 different countries. And Lionsgate bought it just on the strength of [the reel]. And I must say, we came back from [shooting it on] the road, and it was a long, grueling trip for me. I'm not used to going overseas, and getting up at the crack of dawn to do a movie , but it was worth it. Although when I got back to America in February, to go back to my day job, I kind of forgot about it. And we shot hundreds and hundreds of hours. I didn't know what the heck to expect when, finally around May, Larry showed me this 10-minute reel. But it was hysterical.
How many countries did you visit?
It seems like we went everywhere there was religion: Jerusalem, Vatican City, Salt Lake City. We went everyplace from the Vatican to a truck-stop church in a trailer in South Carolina. We really covered the gamut.
Because Larry Charles filmed it, I picture you playing Borat — only you're not playing anyone at all.
Yeah. I mean, it's hard not to, I know. But no, I was just my congenial, charming self. [Laughs]
Are people going to be offended?
I certainly hope so.
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