Lexxweb: What year did you begin writing the Bill and Ted show?

Mike Aiello: I was brought into brainstrorm the 2002 show with Michael Roddy and It was an amazing experience to work with him. He gave me a chance to show my writing chops and if not for him I don't think I'd be where I am now. We now get to work together all the time which is fantastic!

Lexxweb: How long on an average does it take to write the Bill and Ted show and when does the writing generally begin?

Mike Aiello: This past year Kenny Babel and I started writing the first draft in June. From there the script goes through many drafts and it isn't final until opening day but even through the run the script goes through some changes. I think this year we wrote an even 20 drafts.

Lexxweb: What is it that appeals to you and Kenny to create the best Bill and Ted show?

Mike Aiello: Well, you always want to strive to put the best out there. The mindset when writing the show for me is to make it fun, stay true to what works, and know your audience.

Lexxweb: Ive heard that this is your first year directing the show. What was that like?

Mike Aiello: My first year directing was awesome, amazing, scary, and fullfilling. My main goal going into this years show was to bring it back to what I remember seeing when I was a kid in high school and in my first few years working for Universal. I wanted it to have a nostalgic feel but be a brand new show. Judging by what people have told me, I think that, that was accomplished.

Lexxweb: In 2005 and 2006 you've done different things to Bill and Ted (IE. Bill becomes evil, they turn into girls) Is this something you guys plan to have become an ongoing thing each year?

Mike Aiello: Striving to reinvent Bill and Ted is a top priority. I remember the films but a lot of people only know these two characters from this show. In order to keep them interesting and fresh they need to be placed into new and fun situations.

Lexxweb: The Bill and Ted show has been hosted out of two different venues, The Toon Lagoon Amphitheatre and the Fear Factor Live Stadium. Which do you think is best and why?

Mike Aiello: Fear Factor venue...no question. Toon was great, because we were able to build a new set every year, but in my opinion, FF is far more intimate. The audience is closer to the action and feels more involved in the show.

Lexxweb: Were there any characters/themes/or events that you wanted to be in the Bill and Ted show but for some reason didn't make the cut? Could you tell us what they were?

Mike Aiello: There are tons of things that never make it to stage. I can't really go into them because there is a chance that those ideas may get placed into a future show. A good example of this is in this years show. CGI Guy, was actually written into the 2004 show. He ended getting cut early on that year, so we decided to try again this year and he proved to be a huge success for show.

Lexxweb: Kenny Babel is a new name Ive heard this year. What was it like to partner up with him and was this his first Bill and Ted show that he has worked on?

Mike Aiello: Kenny has been writing Bill and Ted with me for four years now. He is a brilliant actor and works in the park in various shows. He is a joy to collaborate with.

Lexxweb: This year I noticed some similar actors from last year's show. Do the actors from the previous year get first-hand pick at the new roles in the following year?

Mike Aiello: This my first year casting the show, so really it was a clean slate going in. A majority of this years cast had never done a Bill and Ted show before.

Lexxweb: Was it difficult or easy writing the show to fit with the Fear Factor Live Set rather than a fresh one?

Mike Aiello: Any venue has it's own set of challenges. Fear Factor was no different. As far as writing for that venue, we decided early on the Bill and Ted would know they were at the Fear Factor Live venue. One thing I love about the show is having the ability to break the fourth wall and have the characters talk directly to the audience. The one thing I have always felt strongly about the Bill and Ted show is that as long as you have strong comedic content, the audience will by into whatever the setting is.

Lexxweb: Fear Factor Live is great, and as much as I want to watch people eat bugs for coffee mugs I think a more "excellent" crew should move in. Has Bill and Ted ever at anytime been considered for a year long permanent show at Universal?

Mike Aiello: I feel Bill and Ted's place is at Halloween Horror Nights. It is where they truly reign supreme.

Lexxweb: And finally, I think it would be appropriate to close with a final question that I think everyone wants to know the answer to. Will Bill, Ted, and their "EXCELLENT" phone booth be returning next year and for years to come?

Mike Aiello: I sure do hope so. As long as people want to see them, I think they will be seen.
Party On!!!