On the set of HBO's Silicon Valley, Erlich Bachman — aka TJ Miller — is the former
founder of transportation start-up Aviato, sports a somewhat man-bun, and smokes a prodigious amount of weed. While Miller says the character is just a "hyperbolic" version of himself, it is hard not to spot the similarities between the two — loud, brash, and a bit over the topMiller is most in his element playing these Rabelaisian characters that offer both insight and gut-busting comedic relief.
HBO's smash comedy is currently in the midst of the third season, and the show has been a springboard for Miller, who before joining the comedic ensemble, had enjoyed voiceover work in How To Train Your Dragon and playing Ranger Jones in Yogi Bear (and as a talking ball of mucus in Mucinex commercials). Fresh off a role in Deadpool, Miller is set to star in Office Christmas Party with Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston, and is preparing for a role in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Ready Player One. "I work really, really hard," says Miller, who explains the Popular Science how he separates himself from Erlich once the cameras are off and the dark, unsettling side to our society's dependence on technology.
TJ Miller: Matt, before we start, can I say that I am a huge fan of Popular Mechanics?
Popular Science: Well, since I am with Popular Science, I hope you love our magazine too!
Miller: Oh no, really? Well I don't love Popular Science. So let's keep it square. But really, Popular Science and Popular Mechanics and Wired are the only things I get on my iPad. All three of them. This interview is so far going great. I've messed up the name of the publication, that's how many interviews I've done in the past 20 minutes.
