If you’re known for being angry, then you probably have to live up to your reputation as an angry person whenever anybody talks to you. In the case of comedian Lewis Black, he’s made a career out of being angry — with more than ten stand-up specials and CDs released over the past two decades and countless appearances on “The Daily Show,” all delivered in his trademark scream, railing against the injustices of the world. In reality, however, underneath all the anger and yelling, Black seems like he might actually be a really nice guy. Black, who will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 9 at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono, spoke with the Bangor Daily News about politics and comedy, the new Pixar movie he’s in, and why people in Maine are masochists.

When was the last time you were in Maine? Do you have any particularly strong feelings about Maine or New England in general?

It’s been four years or so. We’ve been trying to get up there. I think the last time we were up near you in the past year or so was in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I don’t know how you people live there, after living through this winter. I don’t understand it. But I guess there’s nothing to understand — you people are crazy. You could go somewhere else that’s nicer. I don’t know why you stay.

You once said the end of the universe was in Houston, Texas, where two Starbucks were located across the street from one another. In Maine, there are only 18 Starbucks in the whole state. What does that make us?

Well, that makes you a very lucky state. You’re not being so undermined by corporations. You can still support people opening an independent coffee shop or a business.

Where is the line between comedian or satirist and political pundit? Does that line even matter? What side of that line do you fall on?

If you watch Larry Wilmore’s show [on Comedy Central], you will see pundits sitting down with comics. Pundits are not funny. Well, a few are, but generally they are not a funny bunch. A comic is looking for a joke, for a laugh. Pundits are looking for thoughts. They don’t really care if it gets a laugh. Comics are looking for thoughts, too, but if it doesn’t get a laugh, who cares? No comic ever said, ‘Boy, that was a great thought. I hope the audience is sitting in profound silence after I finished saying this.’ One of the reasons that when people say to me, ‘Hey, do you want to come on this show with a bunch of experts and pundits?’ I always say no. I have no interest. These people aren’t funny. And there are too many of them. CNN only needs maybe three people to come on and interpret something, but they bring on 12. It’s insane.

With this tour, you spend the final portion of your set answering questions from the audience. What are some of the best or worst or most memorable questions you’ve been asked?

About two thirds of the questions are about things I’ve already talked about, so at least I know people are paying attention. But one thing I’ve noticed is that people, for some reason, are very excited to have that kind of participation. I like performing in that fashion. It’s an improv kind of feeling. It allows people to be a part of it all. I’ve had people write essays and tell stories… It’s been a lot of fun.

What’s next for you? What are your next big projects?

Well, the tour never ends. I’ve literally been on tour for 25 years, only stopping to do a movie or TV thing. I think after all that is done I’ll open a gun shop and make some real money. As long as people aren’t going to care about gun violence, I will build a place for people to purchase their weaponry. People ask me, ‘What’s your advice to college kids?’ I say, ‘Open a gun shop.’ Do you know how many people buy guns after a tragedy? The number is staggering. Also, this summer I’ll be promoting a film I’m in called “Inside Out.” It’s the new Pixar Animation film, and I was really lucky to be cast in that. They needed someone to play the character Anger, and they chose me. It’s terrific. I’m biased, but I saw the film and I thought it was remarkable. The people at Pixar are really intelligent, freakishly smart people. They are a tremendously creative group. The Beatles couldn’t hold it together, but there are hundreds of these people and they do an incredible job.

Last question: Do you ever get a sore throat from yelling so much? Do you have a particular brand of lozenge or something that helps?

I drink a lot of water. I’ve learned how to yell and not hurt my throat. It gets tired, but not hurt. The only time it gets to me, and it doesn’t happen much, is if I go off mic and forget to be careful about it. But doing it is part of the deal. So when I have to do a lot of it, I’ll try to be quiet the rest of time. And then I take a nap.