This is a collection of responses to questions from formspring. Some frequently asked, and some more serious. Feel free to click on over to formspring.me/halsparks and ask me something. Remember, I will skip over questions that I think are intentionally confrontational or too personal.
What are your pet peeves?
People asking me questions that they know they won't like the answer to and then getting mad, defensive or rude when I'm honest. (this is not one of those. Fear not :])
Most celebs seem to demand their privacy. What drives you to interact w/your fans so much via Twitter, livestream, and here on formspring?
First you assume that by doing these things I do not retain my privacy. I most certainly do. I only discuss things in these forums that I would discuss openly in public. I am actually quite protective of my privacy and have gotten very skilled at dove-tailing conversations and press stories away from areas that I believe are my business and mine alone.
That being said, the reason I do all these things is because I love people. I love them in all their quirky varieties. I love interacting with new people in new situations and I always have. I often joke that I am a xenophiliac. I just keep my interactions measured to what I believe are the limits of common interaction until I know someone better.
What percentage of your cockiness would you say is real and what percentage has just become an inherent part of your humor? In other words do you completely believe your own hype? Not being confrontational-had more 2 the question but ran out of room here.
I am a profoundly confident person. But my cockiness is strictly comedic. As for believing “my own hype”.. I don't know how much hype I actually get. I have very supportive fans and I'm grateful for them but they don't spend a lot of time blowing smoke, nor do my agents or pr folks.
I do notice that people will low self esteem issues tend to overreact to my cockier jokes. They become borderline hostile when all I was being was silly. It's as if they've never seen any of Steve Martins early work or a Roadrunner cartoon where Wiley Coyote refers to himself as a super-genius.
For the record, you'll notice that the only things I ever brag about are things that require skill or practice, not chance or genetics.
Ethically I think it's okay for people to show off when they have accomplished something through work or dedication. If it's about their looks, height, etc.. then it's rude.
If you ever see me brag about my height or looks I am clearly joking.
What's the most important thing you've learned about how to interact with fans from all over the world?
That no two are alike. No matter how many times I get asked a question or for a photograph, for them, it's the first time. This keeps my interactions honest and in the present
Was there something in particular that got you interested in animal rights, or was it more a gradual evolution?
Ever see the look of recognition in an animals eyes?… I always see it
comedian, actor, host, musician – are there no limits to your talent. What are you bad at?
I'm horribly impatient with certain philosophies… especially ones that, I believe, seek to limit what we can do as people
What is the most important thing you feel a fan should know about you?
That I'm Straight Edge, I don't eat meat and even though I interact with fans more than almost anyone if I don't sometimes, I'm not ignoring them I just have a life of my own..
Are you vegan?
No. I'm Pescatarian
Your stand up comedy is amazing and so funny. Who are your inspirations?
George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Jonathan Winters, Godfrey Cambridge, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Bill Hicks, RIchard Jeni and Eddie Izzard… chronologically