Ben Stiller reveals that he still gets nervous

Former SNL cast member and two-time host Ben Stiller reveals that he still gets nervous when he’s on the show, and explains why returning to play Michael Cohen was particularly nerve-racking.

Dodgeball team made up of tennis players

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor have been asked to pick their dodgeball team made up of professional tennis players. See who Ben chose and who Christine chose, and why. 

 

Ben: "We've been asked to pick our dodgeball team made up of professional tennis players."

Christine: "I am going to go with Ash Barty, so I feel like she's got the smarts to be able to get into a dodgeball game."

Ben: "Rafa Nadal. And I don't think I even have to say why but he is probably the greatest tennis player of all time."

Christine: "I am going to go with Diego Schwartzman. He can duck, dip, dive, and dodge probably better than anyone on the tour."

Ben: "Leylah Fernandez. I think she's all business on the court, which I definitely appreciate, in a dodgeball teammate."

Christine: "I'm going to go with Vika. Victoria Azarenka. I love her game. I think she can out Kate Veatch, Kate Veatch's underhand throw."

Ben: "That's your character?"

Christine: "That's my character. That's a dodgeball reference."

Ben: "And I played White Goodman."

Christine: "Yeah, you did."

Ben: "And I'm going to go Coco Gauff. Focus. Determination. Youth. Very important for this team."

Christine: "I'm going Big John Isner."

Ben: "That's too bad you couldn't have picked him. And Jack Sock and gone Sisner as one player."

Christine: "Too bad. Yes."

Ben: "White Goodman, historically on his team, liked to have a little size behind him."

Christine: "In front of him."

Ben: "Well, behind him or in front of him. Big man. I'm going, Reilly Opelka. I think his monster serve skills would translate well to a killer dodgeball shot. Reilly Opelka would be my Me-Shell!"

Christine: "This is going to be a really tough, tough one. We'll see who wins."

Ben: "Let's get them out there. Let's make it happen."

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor

2022 BNP Paribas Open: Nick Kyrgios dragged the actor Ben Stiller into a row with a spectator

During a tennis match (2022 BNP Paribas Open) on March 17, 2022, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios dragged the actor Ben Stiller into a row with a spectator during his stormy defeat to Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells, California.

 

Nick Kyrgios started with a bang but then exploded in all the wrong ways as he went down to Rafael Nadal in a tense grudge match. Nick Kyrgios’ furious temper tantrums featured heavily in a dramatic loss to Rafael Nadal when they met in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells. Nadal won the wild showdown 7-6 5-7 6-4 but some angry outbursts provided as much entertainment as the actual tennis.

Ben Stiller with his wife Christine Taylor were sitting in the front row behind the baseline when someone in the crowd ticked Kyrgios off, perhaps suggesting where he should serve or what he should try to disrupt Nadal. When Kyrgios asked: "Are you playing? Are you good at tennis?", the heckler replied "no". Then the tennis player drew on a real-life example and used Stiller to make his point: "Exactly, so don’t tell me how to play. Do I tell him how to act?" Kyrgios said as he pointed at Ben Stiller.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells CA. Fot. Wikipedia.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells CA. Fot. Google Map.

Ben Stiller: No more sequels or reboots

On Twitter, John Heilemann wrote: 

"When's the reboot coming of The Ben Stiller Show? And I'd pay a pretty penny for Reality Bites II ... let's get that moving, k? As for #Severance ... 🙏🏅🙌 " 

Ben Stiller wrote back: 

"Thanks man .. I’m in all new stuff mode, no more sequels or reboots… more fun I think. Maybe a spiritual continuation to Reality Bites as a movie with Helen Childress who is an amazing writer and friend." 

Maybe Severance could be 60% better

On Twitter, one of the internet users wrote about the new series Severance: 

"I’m into #Severance. But I can’t help feeling like this could be 60% better." 

Ben Stiller wrote back: 

"I always walk away feeling something I’ve made can be better. I might not go 60, but there’s always something you learn. Thanks for checking us out." 

Ben Stiller: Escape at Dannemora

On March 15, 2022, one of the internet users asked Ben Stiller on Twitter: 

"Ben, May I ask a Escape At Danemora question? How long did it take to film that inmate Sweat sprinting in the dark tunnel scene?" 

Ben Stiller wrote back: 

"Hi. We shot it in about 16 different parts across the entire 6 months of shooting in different locations we were at. And started with final piece on location at the actual manhole in Dannemora."

In the 1980s, Jerry Stiller took Ben to jazz clubs in New York

In the 1980s, Jerry Stiller took Ben to jazz clubs in Greenwich Village, New York: Sweet Basil, The Blue Note, Vanguard or Gate. 

On March 15, 2022, one of the Internet users wrote on Twitter: 

"Went to a jazz club in Greenwich Village in the '80s. It was SRO and we stood directly behind Jerry Stiller. His young son was with him too." 

Ben Stiller wrote back: 

"Possibly Sweet Basil or The Blue Note or Vanguard or Gate… good memories. My mom hated jazz so my dad would take me." 

Ben Stiller: the memoir about William Hurt

 

On March 14, 2022, on Twitter, Ben Stiller wrote a beautiful memoir about the late actor William Hurt:

1/ I’m very sad about the passing of William Hurt. A brilliant actor, who put everything into his work. I had a chance to spend time with when I was younger. My father worked with him in a play called Hurlyburly by David Rabe. They were both amazing in it.

2/ The play was hit and ran for a couple of years on Broadway. Over that time Bill and my Dad became friendly. My sister and I were in our late teens and early twenties, both aspiring actors. He was at the height of his fame as a leading man, making smart, challenging mainstream

3/ movies. He was so kind to my sister and I. He spent time at our apartment, and came to visit my parents up in Nantucket. He would talk to us about acting, and the crest or process. He talked to us as if we were adults, not kids of his friend. He made a huge impact…

4/ on both of us. He inspired us to be who we were and commit to the work. Mostly , he made us feel special and was kind. I never saw him in the years after, except a couple of times. But I always held a place in my heart and have always been so grateful to have known him…

5/ Watch his movies if you can and see a different kind of movie star, for whom the work was more important than status. He did great work. I hope he and Anne and Jerry are having a laugh somewhere now. #RIPWilliamHurt 

 

 

Ben Stiller: I am really into it. Please keep telling your friends to watch, so we can talk to them about it

On March 10, 2022, Ben Stiller tweeted about SEVERANCE:

"I am really into it. Please keep telling your friends to watch, so we can talk to them about it."

 

Do you watch Severance? Share your impressions!

On March 31, 2022: Stay Tuned With Preet LIVE event with Ben Stiller

 

On March 31, 2022 in Town Hall, New York, NY, Ben Stiller will participate in the Stay Tuned With Preet LIVE event.

Stay Tuned is back live for the first time since the pandemic. Join host and former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara for a live audience Q&A and a conversation with special guest Ben Stiller. VIP ticket holders in rows 1-3 will have the opportunity to attend a Meet & Greet with Preet himself after the show.