BJ Novak is a writer, actor, and comedian best known for his work on The Office and in Inglourious Basterds. Most important, he is a Grown Man, and he used his grown, male wisdom to answer some of your questions here.
To submit a question for next month’s Grown Man, write to youaskedit@rookiemag.com, and write “Ask a Grown Man” in the subject line.
Hello, you. June’s theme will be LONGING. Unlike more-acute forms of desire like desperation or need, longing is a sweet ache—more pining for something than dying for it. It’s nostalgia, homesickness, boredom, a persistent feeling of lack, dreaming of escape/the future. It’s summer: summer homes & cottages, stuffy summer bedrooms, sun-bleached memories of summers past. The shadow of September that hangs over June. It’s secret hangouts, crushes, unrequited love. Send what you’ve got here, and thanks. ♥
Rookie is a website for teenage girls. With monthly-themed content, we update three times a day, five days a week, and are happy to offer you millions of bad puns. Click here to find out where to send stuff you'd like us to see. Learn about the people who write this thing here.
awesome
Log in to replyOH MY GOD IT’S RYAN!!! ryan started the fire! lol pita pizzas.
Oh my god I love you.
Gwen
Log in to replyhttp://under-a-bridge.blogspot.com/
This is so cute. (which considering he could be my dad is maybe a weird adjective but anyways). That he keeps on saying, “cocky around chicks” is just so cute.
Log in to replyAnd I really like how they actually take this seriously. Not like, oh, texting, pah. But–this means something to you and that gives it importance.
And I want to play the answer to the last question on a loop forever.
“guys are stupid. girls are stupid too, everybody’s stupid!”
I instantly found him so friendly and I loved how nicely and empathetically he answered the questions!
http://fashioninpepperland.blogspot.com
Log in to replyTrue story: Looked up The Office theme song and listened to it in the background of the first portion of this interview. Totally worth it.
http://china-lily.blogspot.com/
Log in to replyhe’s great.
everyone’s stupid!!!!
also love it how he says ‘cocky’ like a million times in the first question!
<3
http://cottonmixblog.blogspot.com
Log in to replyOMG. BJ NOVAK. fangirling so hard right now. I love rookie!!!
http://fauxstyle.blogspot.com
Log in to replyI like this guy- he’s obviously clever, sharp and to the point. Thanks!
Log in to replySage advice BJ! I am always amazed by how I, as a woman, get so confused by things that men just manage to explain with ease. They make it sound so obvious.
Also, BJ is seriously hot. It’s okay, I’m 25, I’m old enough to say that.
Log in to replySogood!!!!
Log in to replyHe is so damn smart.
Log in to replyAsk a Grown Man/Woman is such an awesome feature. All of the guests have been so much fun and so helpful, and Mr. Novak’s no exception.
Log in to replyAhhh BJ Novak. Champion.
Log in to replyDead on answers
Log in to replyclit. boner.
Log in to replylove bj novak! so great on the office. you guys couldnt have picked anyone more perfect!
Log in to replyAw, I love his answer to the last question. I like how he didn’t lie and say looks aren’t important, but is telling you to take control over your image. I think there’s a makeup commercial out right now that says “pretty is what you are, beauty is what you do with it.” It’s pretty dorky to take advice from a makeup commercial, but I think that’s pretty cool.
Log in to replyI completely agree!
Log in to reply…so why does it look like he’s in a poorly-lit boardroom?
Log in to replyin other news, this has been my favorite ask a grown man so far! He is an attractively intelligent grown man.
Log in to replyDUDE, its the gyno from knocked-up! :D
Log in to replyHe was awesome in Inglorious Basterds! And this, too, I guess. I haven’t seen the American Office, only the British one because I’m British.
Log in to replyOh there both so good (Ricki Gervais<3), but quite different, such good cast in the US version : )
Log in to replyGawd he is awesome. “I’m gonna fucking kill you Adobe!” Hahahaha great advice too.
gaudyalternative.blogspot.com
Log in to replyBest ask a grown man yet. love bj novak (happy it’s someone i actually know), and I LOVE how he gave such great answers and took the questions seriously
Log in to replyI love Ask A Grown Man/Woman! You guys always have the best/funniest/most adorable people do it. I think it would be super super amazing if one day you guys got Joseph Gordon-Levitt to do it.
Log in to replyPLEASE!!! JOSEPH…..GORDON…..LEVITT….!!!!
Log in to replyI love Ask a Grown Man/Women! This one was great, specially the last question! <3
Log in to replyhaha the texting question was mine! it makes me feel famous to know someone awesome like anaheed read my email and passed it onto someone gorgeous like bj novak! he really made me realise i just need to chill out, i hope i’m not alone in the whole analysing text thing
Log in to replyyou’re definitely not alone! best thing to do is to try not to think about it, if he likes you and it’s meant to be it will happen and feel natural!
Log in to reply“if you’re honest and kind your friendship will survive” :D wise words. i loved his answers
by the way are you in any way related to kim novak?
helenadormida.tumblr.com
Log in to replyAhhhhhh! BJ!
Log in to replyOkay, I’ll go watch it now.
oh my god today’s my birthday AND ask a grown man is bj novak?? i don’t think this day could get any better.
faux style.
Log in to replyhappy birthday!!!
Log in to replyYeah, happy birthday!!!
Log in to replyHappy Happy Birthday,
Log in to replymay all your dreams come true,
I hope you like this birthday song
cause I sang (typed) it for you!
Why is he so ADORABLE AND SMART???
Also: “If adobe pops up one more time I’m gonna kill it” ……. ahahaha
Log in to reply“act like you have the answers and dress like you have the answers”
YESSSSSSSSS
Log in to reply“Adobe, I’m gonna fucking kill you.” I have no clue why, but I just, like, peed my pants laughing at that haha. I think it’s just him… he’s just somehow a really funny person without actually making any jokes… Nevermind, you guys probably all think I’m crazy now…
Log in to replyNah, I agree, those are my favourite kind of people. Especially when they’re semi-nerdy and don’t realize how amazingly hilarious the world thinks they are….
(I’m totally thinking Robert Sean Leonard right now)
Log in to reply(bring him to Rookie for ask a grown man and I will love you forever to the moon and back)
ahhhh, RSL. Yes.
Log in to replyGAHHHH I LOVE WILSON. I mean Robert Sean Leonard… but mostly WIIIIILLLLSSSOOOONNN……
Log in to replyryan started the fireee!
Log in to replyi love him :)
omfg the kissing question <3 <3 <3
Log in to replyOk, now I’m just leaving too many comments… sorry ha. But I have to say this… I love these columns, because it’s so cool to be getting advice from people that I can google their names and stuff actually comes up that’s actually them because they’re actually famous. It’s just cool. FAMOUS PEOPLE ARE GIVING ME ADVICE… BEAT THAT, MEAN PEOPLE.
Log in to reply“… I’m not updating anything today.”
Log in to replyWhat a well-spoken, brilliant, hilarious person. Much love for BJ and Rookie! xo
aww I love how serious he is about all of this! he is awesome!!
Log in to replySo cute. So honest. So helpful. I heart BJ Novak <3
Log in to replyI saw BJ when he came to Mandel Hall at the University of Chicago!
Log in to replyHe’s so funny and intelligent <33333luv~~~
Bahah his ending is so funny. And, “Adobe, I’m going to fucking kill you.” BEST.
Log in to replyWow I was really impressed with his answer about looks. He was totally honest which is good :)
Log in to replyMe too! I think that’s the first time I’ve heard anyone answer that question in a way that feels satisfying to me.
Log in to replyYes! It would be amazing if you guys could get Joseph Gordon-Levitt to be in “Ask a grown man” :’D. Plus,this edition was really nice, i love the way he answers the questions. He’s cute and intelligent.
Log in to replyThat would be cool! I love him! (Who doesn’t) Haha
Log in to replyYes please.
Log in to replySo pretty…. O_O
Also the answers were really good. This is now one of my favorite things. Thank you.
http://blazoningpens.tumblr.com/
Log in to replyVery good advice. He obviously took the questions very seriously. I love this segment!
Log in to replydid he really just say “dick” when responding to the 11-year-old? come on man, know your audience.
Log in to replyWhat? Are you saying 11 yr old’s don’t say dick? I said dick as an 11 yr old. Sh!t, my friends and I were telling sex jokes by then. Would you prefer that he said “cockface,” maybe “penishead”?
Log in to replyI thought something similar, but I was mostly surprised that an 11 year old was reading Rookie. If they’re mature/exposed enough to be on the website, where there are candid stories about sex, then I assume they can handle that word.
Log in to replyjust wanted to say I LOVE THIS and i havent even listened to like two minutes of it yet :D my fav fav fav quote from this so far (which is going up on my corkboard very soon btw) is “You fake it when you feel like there’s something you need to fake.” god this applies to me so much right now!
THANK YOU ROOKIE! (and ryan :D)
Log in to replyUTIVICH!!!!!
i am flailing and squealing so much (not literally because i am lazy and fangirling takes energy but you know)
Log in to replyI like that he took them seriously, and that he was honest. He wasn’t trying to be silly or sound like he was trying to be nice just to win us over. I love this guy.
Log in to replythis is so sweet.
Log in to replyYay! I love him in The Office. :) Great answers BJ and thank you so much Rookie!
http://theaverageasiangirl.blogspot.com
Log in to replyAh, another great ask a grown man! Eeek, what a sweetie. I love it that he didn’t generalize, like “All guys think this” or “doing this will always work” because, like he send, it depends on the person and on the situation.
Eeeeeeek greatjob greatjob. +100000000points of liking (?)
Log in to reply“If Adobe pops up one more time I am going to kill it. I am not updating anything today.”
my heart expanded 100x its size while watching this
http://interstellarsuburbia.wordpress.com/
Log in to replyOh my God he’s so WISE.
Little&Trivial
Log in to replyYes! I love this! He took these all so seriously, and I really liked the question about looks. He didn’t try to sugar-coat it or anything, I feel like he just said it like it is.
Log in to replythis is SO rad
Log in to replyHe is gorgeous. And clever. And right.
Log in to replyWell thank you BJ Novak, this actually helped a lot, and it is so nice to hear you and watch you.
Log in to replythis was great!
Log in to replyI’ve been watching the Office all day and BJ I LOVE YOU <3
Log in to replyPLEASE STOP SAYING THE THE WORD “CHICKS” – arguishfidhg *pulls hair out*
Log in to replyi thought the way he said it was really cute
Log in to replyIt kinda bothered me at first too, but I think he was just trying to relate to the girl who asked the question since she used the word first.
Log in to replyHe is really intelligent.
Log in to replyHe is completely wonderful. I love that he answered everything so genuinely and honestly, without trying to say what someone wanted him to say. Everything he said was well thought out and wise. I know everyone has already said it, but ESPECIALLY the looks question.
Log in to replyAnd he’s funny too!!! Perfect guy…
So wise and heartbreakingly just…RAD. LOVE him~I love you, BJ!! P.S. RYAN, NOT SO MUCH ;)
Log in to replyALSO I LOVED THE CHARLIZE THERON “MONSTER” REFERENCE…this simply best AKGM everrrrr.
Log in to replyMy favorite ask a grown man yet! I loved what he had to say about appearances. Great advice.
Log in to replyCheers BJ – these are very kind and thoughtful responses.
Log in to reply….but WHY is there a board behind me? Is he at a school or something???
That aside.. I’m in love with him.
Log in to replyI was really impressed how he answered the last question. The truth is, we all want to believe looks don’t mean anything and that what’s inside matters the most. But that’s not the reality.
Log in to replyadobe popped up right as I clicked the play button… it was really creepy…
Log in to replyBJ Novak is so adorable & so wise. His answers were fantastic.
Log in to replyCongrats to the creators, contributors, and readers of Rookie; for your innovation and your creativity and for the positive messages your site promotes.
XXXXXXX
He’s amazing.
Log in to replyBest answers ever !