HBO COMEDY

HBO: Welcome to today's chat with the hot host of MTV's "Total Request Live" Carson Daly.
HBO: Forget counting down the videos, today he's counting on you to ask what's on your mind; his recent engagement, favorite artists, passion for golf, or are you just dying to know where he gets his nail polish? So get your chat on and start sending in those questions now.

Carson Daly: Hello kids! Fire away! I'm ready!

Dina: Who is the one person you would love to get on TRL?
Carson Daly: Robert DeNiro, and if he's busy, Trent Reznor.

KOME ROCKS: Carson, I know you started out in radio. Do you ever miss those days, or are you enjoying the glitz of TV too much?
Carson Daly: I am missing my radio days. No makeup, wardrobe, labels, razors, shoes and socks. That's why I'm excited about my new radio syndication show that starts April first, so I can get back to doing what I love.

Hawaii16: What was Carson like in high school?
Carson Daly: One word -- golfer. Dorky, non-cliquey, friends with girls -- never more. Decent student, skateboarding, listening to the Beastie Boys; that pretty much sums it up.

Single: You're engaged to Tara Reid, how did you guys first meet?
Carson Daly: We met in Cancun, Mexico, at MTV's Spring Break last year. I stole her margarita, and the rest is history.

Golfer: Didn't you once play against Tiger Woods?
Carson Daly: Yes I did. Not many kids in Southern California played golf, so the circuit was small. I played against and with Tiger several times. He was always as amazing as he is now. We've recently rekindled our childhood friendship and talk often.

lmb77: Hi, just wanted to know how Carson liked the Grammy performance by Eminem and Elton; I thought it was great.
Carson Daly: I loved it! I was sitting in the second row, and as soon as it was over, I immediately stood up and no one else was standing up except Dre. I think I started the standing ovation. (laughing)

GCanyon: What's your opinion on Napster? Do you see a similar application coming for music videos?
Carson Daly: Napster, huh? I'm still trying to figure out how to use my TiVo. Don't know much about Napster's technology. I don't know if it will happen to music videos. I don't understand the technology.

Linda: So Carson, you're up there in Aspen surrounded by all comedians; are you saying to yourself,"Yeah!"
Carson Daly: The town's never been funnier. Everywhere I go, funny, funny, funny!

Misha88: What is in store for your future? Movies? Music?
Carson Daly: Misha88, you've just touched on two of the many areas of entertainment that I plan on being heavily involved in. Right now, instead of jumping on every script that's being sent to me, I am setting up a production company much like Dick Clark Productions that will enable me to do a lot of things for a long period of time. I live by the motto "slow and steady wins the race."

Susanna: What is the funniest thing you've ever seen take place outside the windows at TRL?
Carson Daly: A naked kid running on top of New York cabs halted at the red light outside our window. He was apprehended properly by NYPD and searched. It was gross. Otherwise, it's pretty tame.

Jaycee: Are you going to the Oscars? And what will you wear?
Carson Daly: Don't have any plans on going to the Oscars, but if I do, Jaycee, what would you suggest I wear?

Jim: If there was anywhere in the world you could host TRL from, where would that be?
Carson Daly: I'd like to take the show wherever I go. It's not so much where it is; it's just that I like to host it. I've been traveling a lot recently. I wish I could take the show with me everywhere I go.

Jenna C: Carson, if your house was burning down, what's the one thing you would have to get out?
Carson Daly: Tara. And then Stoli, our dog. Then my guitars. Sorry I couldn't keep it to one thing, but definitely Tara.

Mad65: Who's your favorite comic?
Carson Daly: I don't know if he's a comic, but I think Jimmy Kimmel is the funniest guy I've ever met or ever seen. He's on Comedy Central.

LuckyKitty: If you were a professional athlete, what sport would you play?
Carson Daly: Any one where eating and drinking doesn't hinder your performance. I'm partial to golf and bowling.

GCanyon: What advice do you have for new bands?
Carson Daly: Get good! Just kidding! Tour and don't rely on anybody to make you famous. Make it happen yourself. Play anywhere, anytime for nothing if you have to, and bug your local radio stations or DJ to death -- and be patient.

Zamboni19: What's your most memorable moment on MTV?
Carson Daly: Oh Zamboni, why do you have to ask that? It's like asking Lagasse his favorite meal. There've been so many. Here are some highlights: Spring Break is always fun. VMAs. U2 playing on TRL was a highlight. Going to Jamaica was a highlight. New Year's Eve was a highlight.

Zamboni19: Do you have any other plans in the future then just doing TRL?
Carson Daly: Yeah. I have lots of plans; too many to mention. Hide and watch! But TRL is priority number one right now.

GCanyon: How has MTV changed in the time you've been there?
Carson Daly: Why do all you kids on computers write such like smart questions? It's like asking how would I change the world? I don't know. How has it changed? I would say better shows. Times Square studio location was brand new when I got there; that was a great acquisition. Higher ratings. And Britney Spears! What more do you want?

GCanyon: Do you still enjoy the music business?
Carson Daly: Yes I do. I enjoy the music, not the business. It's just that the business is very political - a lot of phone calls and rhetoric. The music is always live and great and full of passion. It's what brought me into it, but I don't enjoy them together.

GCanyon: Is there anyone in the music business you haven't met yet but would like to?
Carson Daly: Stevie Wonder, Trent Reznor, and Billy Joel

GCanyon: Will you ever be too old to cover rock and roll?
Carson Daly: No. You know there's Kurt Loder and Dick Clark and Jann Wenner. After that, I think I've got some years. I should be OK.

GCanyon: What's your favorite band?
Carson Daly: I can't answer that question; that's like a Willy Wonka secret. Know what I mean? Like the recipe for Coke. It's under lock and key!

GCanyon: How do you keep it all together?
Carson Daly: A safety pin! And beer. That's how I keep it all together. Priorities are everything. I recommend everybody who is achieving to be "successful"to go broke first. That's a great starting place, so if you ever go back, you won't mind it. I recommend a 40 oz. beer in San Francisco. Just a metaphor from my past.

GCanyon: How many hours a week do you work?
Carson Daly: I don't know. It's not a nine-to-five job. It varies everyday. It's not really work, I don't look at it like that; it's like a lifestyle. You're so engulfed and entrenched, and it's who I am, so it depends. Like this is an extra hour if this is called work. I don't really know how to answer that. When I get a real job, I'll tell ya!

GCanyon: Do you play any musical instruments yourself? Sing?
Carson Daly: I don't sing when anybody's around -- I sing in the shower. I have about 6 guitars and I kind of mess around with them, but I suck. I don't possess any incredible musical talent.

gcanyon: We're in Aspen--do you ski, or snowboard?
Carson Daly: I broke my back in Aspen two years ago when shooting. So needless to say, we'll be indulging in the winter festivities at the lodge. You won't find me skiing or boarding, 'cause I'm lucky to be walking. Plus Aspen's always cold.

TRLlover4ever: Hey Carson! I was just wondering, would you ever consider a career in acting?
Carson Daly: Never a career solely in it, but I just shot my first movie "Josie and the Pussycats," which comes out April 6th, and I enjoyed it. We'll see. You tell me after you watch it. Write me back, TRLlover!

TRLlover4ever: Hey Carson, who is your favorite celebrity that you've met on your show?
Carson Daly: Jim Carrey - he's really nice, really funny, really tall, really rich and humble. He was really down to earth. Chris Rock is a close second; he was really funny.

Basszbabe: Will you be doing anything for spring break this year?
Carson Daly: Yes. We're going back to Cancun. Different and new shows from last year. It will be my one-year anniversary there, so I'll be enjoying it on many levels, and it will be better than last year.

Basszbabe: Do you want to host something besides TRL?
Carson Daly: No not really. TRL is a handful, but I enjoy doing some of the other music specials that pop up every now and again, like Dave Matthews Band's performance last night.

Starry87: Hey Carson! I love to watch TRL and pretty much any other show that you're in! What types of shows do you like to be in?
Carson Daly: Thank you very much! I love TRL. I think it's like a lot of shows in one. There's nothing else there that could come close to being live, which I love, interviewing cool people, playing music videos, and housing live performances. It's the best of all worlds!

Minnie: Since you're up there at the Comedy Festival, who is the funniest guest?
Carson Daly: I don't know how to answer that. Everybody's funny up here, Minnie; it's a Comedy Festival. I'll let you know when it's over, but I'm having a real fun time.

HBO: Thanks for a great chat Carson, any final thoughts?
Carson Daly: Thanks for chatting! You've inspired me to read my laptop manual! Go buy Exhibit's new album "Restless," and look for a record from Project Pat. And look for the Beat Nuts! Thanks for hanging out. It's been fun!

HBO: Thanks for coming out to chat with Carson Daly.

HBO: You can catch Carson Daly weekdays on MTV's "Total Request Live," but if you're still suffering from some post-chat laughter, it's okay, you can keep it going by visiting www.hbo.com/comedy for coverage of the US Comedy Arts Festival and plenty more HBO comedy.