Laugh tracks

A.D. Miles has two hands. On one, his college buddy Zach Galifianakis introduces him to alternative stand-ups like Eugene Mirman and Morgan Murphy—all of whom bring him along on tour. On the other, Miles’s roles in Wet Hot American Summer and various Stella shorts forge friendships with the men of The State, including David Wain, Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter (his current roommate). This versatile comic will prove he’s more than just a go-between when he headlines the People Under the Stares Monday 26.

What’s the deal with the A.D.?
My full name is Anthony David Miles. My parents called me David growing up, which, I’m sure you’re aware, is a pretty ubiquitous name. I think I had six friends named David, so we went by our last names. Mine kind of sounds like a last name, so it stuck.

You’re quite a popular MySpace guy. Do you know all those people?
Yeah, everyone on there is genuinely a good ol’ friend that I’ve known for a while. I have to remind a lot of them about this, but I actually did props on The State. It was only after their show got canceled, and I went on to perform and write my own stuff, that I got reacquainted with everyone from The State and became friends with them.

So they didn’t remember you at all?
Nope. It was almost like I was a new person. The first couple of times I told them, they didn’t believe me.

What was it like filming Wet Hot American Summer with everyone?
The movie was my first legitimate job in front of the camera, so I was super thrilled. It was  an incredibly intense process in that we were shooting with no money and living in the bunks as actual campers while making the movie. Our offscreen life was way rowdier than our onscreen life. We knew we were partying, having fun and making something special, but I don’t think any of us thought it would be going strong six years later.

The movie is still very much a part of the comedy vernacular.
Every once in a while, I’ll get stopped on the street by someone who’s, like, sixteen and a big fan. The movie is relevant to teenagers in a way that is totally different from how it was relevant to us making it, or even the world we are portraying. I was hiring some kids off of Craigslist to move all my stuff recently, and when I opened the door, they were like, “Holy shit! A.D. Miles!” They were probably 21 or whatever. It was actually really cool.

That’s the beauty of Craigslist. You could have easily been some 55-year-old pedophile.
[Laughs] And I may become one.

Have you ever used the ’list for its, um, “other” features?
You mean like meeting people in an alleyway for a blow job? I’ve never met anyone online in that way. It’s always been very practical, like I needed a rug or something. A rug for my floor, not the other kind of rug.

Uh...ok. When did comedy come in?
I moved to New York with Zach Galifianakis in 1992, and we basically partied and got drunk for a couple of years. Eventually, Zach had the balls to go to open mikes. Once he blazed the trail, I started going with him.

Is it important for stand-ups to group up, like you guys have done?
Absolutely. I’m able to draw inspiration from everyone involved. I got really excited about doing stand-up again when I saw my friends go out on tour and do shows at rock clubs, with material that would never fly at straight-up comedy clubs.

Can comics pave their way alone?
No way. I don’t see how you can do it. Together, we can develop a style and brand of comedy.

So what’s the worst part about living with Michael Showalter?
He makes bacon and eggs all the time, so the apartment always smells like bacon. The best part is that he’s an extremely intelligent, fun guy. At least three to four days a week, as we’re having coffee, we’ll get into some stimulating, thought-provoking conversation about love or life. Actually, the worst thing—this is what you should put—is listening to him recount, in explicit detail, poker hands from the night before. Good fucking God.

Sounds like you guys are sleeping together or something.
[Laughs] It won’t be long! Especially if I can’t pay the rent.—Steve Heisler