Stephen Merchant, the co-creator of the BBC's "The Office" and the series "Extras," was on the Lopate Show recently to discuss his first stand-up comedy tour. He also told us, among other things, that his favorite comfort food is fish and chips.

What have you read or seen over the past year (book, play film, etc…) that moved or surprised you?

        I was really impressed by THE DESCENDENTS. I think Clooney is a much-underrated movie star. He consistently chooses interesting projects.

What are you listening to right now?

         I'm just checking out albums by Florence & the Machine and Metronomy
 

What’s the last great book you read?

      I found FLAT EARTH NEWS fascinating. It's a book that lifts the lid on the standards of the press and the intrigues and compromises they make.

What’s one thing you’re a fan of that people might not expect?

      The movie CON AIR. There was a moment after Tarantino made a splash when even huge schlock blockbusters had Tarantino-esque asides -- and CON AIR has lots of great eccentric moments, like serial-killer Steve Buscemi having tea with a little girl in a disused swimming pool.

 
What's your favorite comfort food?

      I don't want to seem like an English cliche but Fish 'n' Chips obviously.