Neil has done another pre-Sketchfest interview, this time with San Jose Mercury News. It was most likely conducted a couple of weeks ago as he mentions being in the running for Gay Man of the Decade, rather than winning it. You can check the whole interview out here!

How did you learn about San Francisco Sketchfest and how did you become involved?
Janet Varney is a very close friend of mine. She’s one of the three founders (with Cole Stratton and David Owen) and I’m a wild fan of hers. So I do whatever she tells me to do. I think it’s an amazing feat that these three people take on so much.

How do you know Janet?
Dave (Burtka), my better half, was in “On the Lot,” which was a competition reality show to find the next great director — a thing that Steven Spielberg produced. Janet and David were both actors on the show. They got to hang out and get to know each other, and we obviously all started hanging out. She and (boyfriend) Chris Hardwick — they’re hilarious together. I just like watching them perform around a dinner table.

Are there any performers at Sketchfest you’re especially excited about?
A John Hodgman. I just worked on a movie with him. And I got him to be the voice-over announcer on the Emmys.

When they announce the winner, you have a voice-over person say, “This is Michael’s third nomination.” I thought it would be fun to have John Hodgman do made-up ones like, “This is Khan’s second win; he was raised by packs of wolves.” I kind of wanted it to be one of those TiVo moments, with John in a booth making stuff up.

Joss Whedon, who directed you in “Dr. Horrible,” called you “the Sinatra of TV.” Time magazine called you the “icon of cool masculinity.” You really seem to be having fun with the kind of buzz you’ve generated from how your career has most recently unfolded.
I don’t take any of it to heart. Apparently, I’m in the running for gay man of the decade. Everyone’s looking for something to say about people and I’m flattered that what they say about me is generally positive. It’s been a lovely year. You try to represent yourself as best you can and execute as well as you can.