The artist never really has any control over the impact of his work. If he starts thinking about the impact of his work, then he becomes a lesser artist.

One thing I always did in my career was writing. I always was writing. I was trying to create things. For myself, for other people.

They wanted to audition people for the Middle East correspondent on 'The Daily Show.' They wanted to hire somebody ethnic for that slot. Helms had left, Cordry had left, and they felt that they needed an ethnic face. So, I went in and auditioned, and I got the job.

An artist's job is simply to take the mirror in front of your face and hold it there. It's not to give you any answers. It is simply to take that mirror and point it at you.

I come from a religious family - my father is a pastor, my uncle, my sister and her husband are a pastor team.

When a father puts in long hours at work, he's praised for being dedicated and ambitious. But when a mother stays late at the office, she's sometimes accused of being selfish, neglecting her kids.

For all Italian people, family is very important. We don't fight with our families.

My mother emigrated from Russia as a young child. She couldn't speak English and had no education. Her father died at age 32, leaving the family destitute. An uncle, who worked as a carpenter, supported the family.