MONDO EXTRAS

What was nice in the end, though, was that I got to come back and write on some of the episodes, and that was a different kind of experience for me, and really sweet. And it was really rewarding to see that you've created something that so many people outside you identify with, from the writers to the actors to, ultimately, the fans. Whether they're funny, or sad, or heartfelt, you realize that the stuff you're coming up with at four o'clock in the morning, or on the treadmill, you realize that this storyline, this thing you want to say, you're not alone in it. And a lot of times the show was a lot about loneliness. It was a lot about tragedy, and I think, how it makes us real, and how horrible things can happen to us, but also be the best thing in the world for us. It was a lot about human connection and loneliness. And that's what I think people identified with, and you know, made them cry when they watched it. It's...we kind of are all in this world together, but we're also alone, and there's a real duality to that that's both sad and uplifting, and that's the line we tried to walk on the show.

Well, you did a great job. And we were all so glad that you were coming back -- is that true, the rumor that you were coming back for next season?

I would have run it, yeah. I would have run it next year.

AIGH. That breaks my heart.

That's all right. Hopefully I'll get to run some other things.

I have no doubt. Okay, let's move on to episodes. Do you have a favorite, or a favorite story arc?

Honestly, maybe more talk about it in terms of...there was a run of episodes early on where the show kind of took off. I'll never forget it, because there was always sort of the show in my head, then there was a time where the show was better than I could have even possibly imagined, and I remember the first time it started to happen. And we were watching these things, thinking, "I hope people think this is as cool as we do, that this blend of humor and pathos that we've got works." So it started with "The Kissing Bridge" and went into "Deer God," and then right into "The Doctor Is In" and "We Hold These Truths," and then Episode 7...the hope one, where Andy makes the hope speech or whatever.