As a writer you sometimes feel the need to shake things up.

I guess I'm drawn to religion because I can be provocative without harming something people really care about, like their cars.

As a child, I tried to play by the rules. I got very good grades in school; I was an Eagle Scout; and I believed in all of it.

As a John Kerry supporter, I wanted to send him a check. But then it occurred to me that most of that money would end up in the hands of advertising agencies and television networks. And the money would be used to create deceptive commercials that flatter our point of view and shade the facts our way. And I wasn't comfortable with that. But on the other hand, that's how the game is played. You're always grappling.

I was brought up Catholic and, of course, I strayed and repudiated it. That's a painful thing to go through, because you have to look back and realize that you wasted a gigantic chunk of your life.

I have nothing but respect for the purist who won't work for the pharaoh. But I'm not that strong.

Launching a new TV show is probably one of the most difficult things that a writer can do.