When I want to show the kind of meanness people are capable of, to make it believable I find I have to tone it down. It's in real life that people are over the top.

When part of what you're trying to get at is the truth hidden under a taboo, or when you want to nail a hypocrisy, laughter is a very useful tool. I want to show the painful side of existence, but there is no question I also want to make people laugh.

People want real-life stories.

I wouldn't want to be reincarnated as a butler. I couldn't for the life of me do the job in real life.

I'm drawn to people who find themselves on the outside of things. I'm moved by that in real life.

I don't want to dream anymore, I want my life to be real!