I've run into certain geniuses of individualism - they are very few and far between - who live their lives completely on their own terms; they are very powerful and have a great amount of happiness. We all should aspire to that.

The only episode which was completely my idea was for Mitch Pileggi, the actor who portrays Skinner, the Assistant Director of the FBI. He appears often in the series, but only for a few scenes. You know virtually nothing about him. I wanted him to have an episode that was his alone, so I wrote Avatar for him. He even has a scene that's pretty . . . hot [knowing smile]. He was very happy.

I don't need my phone to play me music. I need it to be a phone and an e-mail thing.

Anxiety is part of creativity, the need to get something out, the need to be rid of something or to get in touch with something within.

If somebody says what they want or what they need it gives the person the chance to say yes or no, instead of suffering in silence or depravation or whatever it is.

People always love and respect characters who speak the truth, even if the truth hurts.

When I was a kid I ate sports books up, like "Winners Never Quit" by Phil Pepe. That was like my bible.