Actor, writer, producer and stand-up comic B.J. Novak has been able to claim quite a few titles in the mere seven years since he graduated college and went on to star in both MTV’s Punk’d and the hit remake of the BBC TV series The Office.

After starting his stand-up comedy career at L.A.’s Hollywood Youth Hostel, Novak quickly went on to perform his routine at clubs around the city and eventually finding himself performing on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend.

In the last several years, Novak transitioned from stand-up to television, first on Punk’d and later as a writer for the now-cancelled WB series Raising Dad. He has also begun a career in film, with parts in Reign Over Me, Knocked Up and Unaccompanied Minors. He can be seen on NBC’s The Office as Ryan Howard, the former temp and corporate manager for Dunder Mifflin.

**Many students here were wondering happened to your University of Washington show and if it will ever be rescheduled in the future.**

B.J. Novak: I’m so heartbroken that I wasn’t able to make the show and I’ve never been to Seattle. The schedule for The Office just changes, especially because of the writer’s strike. However, I will be having a show or two at the campus in the fall.

**How do you decide what crazy things are going to happen in any given episode?**

BJN: Whatever material we can’t forget about that day goes in, but ultimately it’s up to Greg Daniels [the director and screenwriter].

**What is it like writing and starring in the show, and which do you primarily consider yourself as?**

BJN: I definitely consider myself more of a writer. If someone held a gun to my head, hypothetically if that ever happened in a horror movie setting, and [I was] asked which I preferred, I would say being a writer. I love publicly standing with what we do.

**What do you see for the future of Ryan and Kelly?**

BJN: I’m sure that Kelly would have a long answer, and Ryan would have a very short answer for that, but the truth is somewhere in the middle. Their relationship is the kind of weird and awkward one that I’m sure is found all over the University of Washington campus and that many students can relate to. I hope something happens there, though.

**Who is your favorite character in The Office, and who is your favorite character to write for?**

BJN: I think that all of them are funny, but Kelly Kapoor—Mindy Kaling—stands out for her natural comedy. We have a different comedic energy between our two characters. As for favorite character to write for, I would have to say Michael, because he can really say anything. Everything that he says is meant to be innocent, but can be taken in a completely different way. As a writer, I love his logic. Dwight is really fun to do as well.

**After Ryan’s departure in last Thursday’s season finale, for the next season, will your character be returning to the show, or will you be back only as a writer/producer?**

BJN: You will definitely see Ryan next year on The Office. I tried to keep the ending of the episode a surprise from everyone—even my family—and I did the same thing with Ryan’s promotion at the end of the last season. What did you think of the season finale?

**I thought that there were several twists to the episode that I enjoyed, especially the surprise proposal. Did you have any input in the finale?**

BJN: Well, I did not come up with the proposal, but Toby leaving was my idea. So you could say that I did have some input in the season finale.

**I’ve read that you are “best friends” with Bob Saget. How did that come about, and are there any plans to work with the actor/comedian in the future?**

BJN: Well I’ve stopped ranking friends recently, and stopped using “best friends” when I left junior high, but Bob Saget and I are good friends. When I first started stand-up, I opened for him and we’ve been friends since.

**How was writing for Raising Dad compared to writing for The Office?**

BJN: (laughing) I feel like that was a lifetime ago, but it was very different.

**How has your recent transition from television and stand-up to film been, and which do you prefer working on out of the three?**

BJN: I enjoy all of them for different reasons. I haven’t given film that much of a thought. TV lets you be creative for a whole world of characters, but you’re not the only one present in the creative process, while in stand-up you’re able to write about anything.

**Where do you see yourself post-The Office?**

BJN: I can’t say for after The Office, but after this season, meeting whoever shows up to the University of Washington shows next year.