Collegiate Times

Author Tucker Max makes a stop at the Lyric in Blacksburg Thursday evening as part of a tour to promote his new film, "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell."The movie is based on stories included in a book of the same name.

A graduate of the University of Chicago and Duke Law School, Max has also posted his writings on his Web site, TuckerMax.com. After the premiere of his movie at 7 p.m., Max will answer questions from the audience.

Before his visit, he spoke with the Collegiate Times over the phone.

Collegiate Times: What's the best way to describe your new movie?

Tucker Max: I think a good way to describe the movie is it's a really funny, raunchy, plus heartfelt comedy.

CT: Do you think there are any movies that you would compare it to?

TM: I'm telling you, almost everyone who has seen the movie has said, "I don't know what to compare this to." It's very, very unique in so many ways. I personally would compare it to maybe "Office Space," because that's one of my favorite comedies of all time and definitely an influence to me in my writing style, but it's not like that at all in almost any relevant way. It's very, very different. It's much edgier, much raunchier and much sharper in a lot of ways, not taking anything away from "Office Space." It's a brilliant movie, and (writer and director) Mike Judge is a genius. That's the closest thing I could say, but it's not even fair. You're just going to have to see this movie. Just like my book, what book would you compare mine to? Really, people try to compare it to other books, but none of the comparisons really work, which is why the New York Times said I invented a new genre. I think the movie is kind of the same thing. It's very, very different and new and fresh and raunchy. 

CT: The movie ties a lot of your favorite stories into the plotline. What was one of the stories you wanted to try to incorporate into this film but weren't able to?

TM: There's a bunch that I wanted to make into a movie.

CT: Any one in particular?

TM: I mean, clearly the Vegas story would make an awesome movie, but that's not in this at all. Clearly the butt sex story would be good in this movie, but that's not in this at all. You just can't put everything in one movie. You just kind of have to pick and choose. But, if this movie does as well as I think it will, then we'll do sequels, and those stories will be put in.

CT: But you are thinking sequels then?

TM: Right now I'm thinking about this movie only. I think this is a great movie, and I think it's going to do really well, because people will really like it, and it's really funny. But it has to do well first. If it does well, then absolutely we'll want to do more.

CT: You've been doing this tour to promote your movie, but what kind of reaction have you been receiving?

TM: People love it. It's a really funny movie, and it's a really good movie, and people are really reacting positively to it.

CT: What did you think of seeing an on-screen version of yourself?

TM: It was not quite as weird as you might think. It's sort of like anything, if you do it enough, then you get used to it. I think that was the situation here. Plus, Matt (Czuchry) also did such an amazing job playing the Tucker Max character, that he took the character in new places. He was better at playing me than I am. He created something new, something that when I watch I don't think that's me, I think that's someone that's inspired by me. 

CT: You're currently ranked 43rd on Time Magazine's online list of the 100 most influential people. How does it feel to be ranked ahead of Brad Pitt, Hillary Clinton, the Dalai Lama and the Pope?

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