The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was the present worse than it is and the future less resolved than it will be.

But I think funny and talent will always win out I mean of course there are hurdles but I think if you're funny you will get over all of that.

It's funny because 'The Book of Mormon' is 'The Book of Mormon' now. When I was doing it at the very beginning and I was a part of it for four years and always believed in it I never really knew if it was going to be more than a convention for 'South Park' fans.

And regardless of the fact that in this country certainly in the arts we treat comedy as a second-class citizen I've never thought of it that way. I've always thought it to be important. The last time I looked the Greeks were holding up two masks. I've always thought of it not only as having equal value but as the craft of it being funny.

I'm always in situations where you can't be funny and yet I want to do it anyway.

I think it's always funny when somebody thinks you're going to do something super sexy and then you don't.

With Portlandia I don't think our intention is always to find something funny. Sometimes the humor comes from taking something really seriously. We're okay with making somebody feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

I always approach comedy roles pretending they aren't funny.

I remember listening to the radio as a kid and finding that the songs always made me feel more peaceful. Funny but the more hurtin' the music was the better it made me feel. I think of that now when I write my songs. I may not be feelin' the blues myself but I'm writing them for other people who have a hard life.

One can always come up with funny lists and jokes. You know what? I take it back. Not everyone can always come up with funny lists and some jokes. I'm very lucky to have a gift where I can do that pretty ably.