20 Questions: Superjail!: Christy Karacas and Steve Warbrick

Superjail! creators Christy Karacas (Cartoon Sushi), and Stephen Warbrick (Beavis and Butthead, Celebrity Deathmatch) were turned loose, briefly, to answer PopMatters 20 Questions. Let’s hope they’re safely behind bars, again.

Built in an active volcano, Superjail! is made up of dangerous criminals, fantastic creatures, and a prison warden who has gone bonkers over the years with his crazy mechanisms and irrational schemes. The infamous complex routinely has riots and murders, and while the criminals of Superjail! may escape time to time, their horrible crimes eventually bring them back. Superjail! season 1 releases on DVD 23 February.

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?

Christy Karacas: Sandy Harbutt’s Australian cult film, Stone. It made me cry tears of awesomeness. Stone is different. Take the trip.

Steve Warbrick: My Dog Skip… damn that movie.

2. The fictional character most like you?

CK: Charlie Brown.

SW: Well… in my head it’s John Rambo, but in reality… it’s probably more like Oscar Madison.

3. The greatest album, ever?

CK: You know that’s a dumb impossible to answer question right? As far as a complete album, the Zombies Odyssey and Oracle is a pretty near perfect record. However, my iPod is on heavy AC/DC, Graham Coxon, and Mamas and the Papas rotation at the moment.

SW: When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.

4. Star Trek or Star Wars?

CK: Used to be Star Wars but after the horrible prequels, Star Trek. With the new J.J. Abrams, it’s Star Trek all the way! Plus Shatner is like fine wine — he keeps getting better with age.

SW: My first reaction is always Star Wars, but at this point, who really cares anymore? I did love that last Star Trek movie, lens flares and all.

5. Your ideal brain food?

CK: Beer.

SW: Nature Valley Fruit and Nut Granola Bars. I ate 30 of them last week. If I were a zombie I guess the answer would simply just be brains.

6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?

CK: I’m proud that I didn’t drink seven days in a row this week.

SW: The non-impressive ways I broke my nose five times.

7. You want to be remembered for…?

CK: I don’t care I’ll be dead.

SW: Being very easy to forget.

8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?

CK: Ub Iwerks. Genius.

SW: Do you mean that have come before me from the same womb? Then there really is only one answer: my sister.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?

CK: Michelangelo’s David. I want my signature right on his…

SW: The Jersey Shore. No wait. I’m gonna say Mount Rushmore. You have to wonder at what point the seed of that idea turn into “I’m gonna do this.”

10. Your hidden talents…?

CK: My ‘balloon trick’. Don’t ask. Unless we’re out and I’ll show you but I need a hole in the crotch of my jeans.

SW: My ability to be late for almost anything. Also fixing things.

11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?

CK: K.I.S.S., as in Keep It Simple Stupid. Also, don’t sweat the small stuff or you’ll go insane.

SW: Don’t get caught with your pants down.

12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?

CK: Borrowed the short story “Guest Law” by John C Wright from Brian Mulroney. Just re-read it last night before bed-why doesn’t James Cameron make a move of that instead of Avatar?!? It’s mind blowingly insane. That or The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester. Another hats off to Mulroney. If you live in New York and want to talk sci-fi, he’s the guy.

SW: Christy lent me season one of Deadwood. That was great. Can anyone lend me season two? The best thing I ever stole (and first) was a Bad Company tape.

13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or…?

CK: I feel best naked.

SW: Is this a trick question? ‘Cause I’ve never been in either of those men. I’ve been wearing the same pair of Carhart pants for two weeks. Does that count for anything?

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?

CK: My girlfriend.

SW: Young Frankenstein and his monster… seems fitting

15. Time travel: where, when and why?

CK: I wanna say the future, but it’ll probably be some Mad Max/roadie bull, but I guess I’ll take the chance and cross my fingers its Dune-craziness.

SW: One minute ago so I could change my answer to the last question. Or maybe to 1993 to the set of Jurassic Park so I could see what it is like to live with dinosaurs.

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?

CK: An ice cold beer.

SW: Hit man for sure. A hit man that will force feed you a fist full of Prozac before locking you in the sauna.

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or…?

CK: See previous answer.

SW: Frito Lay sunflower seeds and all those other things. Except the chocolate. Maybe substitute “beautiful women” for chocolate.

18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?

CK: Beach house on Fire Island off season.

SW: Country, no doubt. It’s far more interesting than the city. I love the Appalachian Trail in any season.

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?

CK: How do you put up with all these a**holes in Washington? I’d also like to have a smoke with him.

SW: I would say that I really need some healthcare and then I would challenge him to a game of hoops just to show him how easily I get hurt.

20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?

CK: The new Cheeseburger record, and a new show for Cartoon Network, as of yet untitled. Sorry. It’s about a planet of insane killer robots, so that’s pretty awesome.

SW: Writing some new Superjail! scripts, writing a horror movie and eating another sleeve of Saltines.