Hollywood celebrity television reporter Jiminy Glick interviewed Ray Kurzweil at BusinessWeek’s Digital Economy conference during a special evening performance featuring Martin Short and the “Second City” Comedy Improv Group Thursday night.
Glick expressed a strong interest in Kurzweil’s research. “Forget AI, I need a Heimlich!” he said, apparently choking from munching nonstop jujus.

He was also fascinated with virtual reality. “Could a computer bring back Robbie Benson?” he asked, referring to the 70s teen actor.

“We’re going to bring all these people back in virtual reality,” Kurzweil assured him. “We’ll be able to create another I Love Lucy.”

“I love this man!” said Glick. “I don’t believe a word he says but I believe he’s got me.”

Glick also conversed with Ramona, the hostess of KurzweilAI.net and Kurzweil’s female alter ego. “Ask her what’s it’s like knowing you, which is just fine because you are her and it might blow her mind,” said Glick.

“Well, he is my male alter ego,” replied Ramona.

“Oh, my goodness, this is so strange,” said Glick. “I’m frightened, and yet I’m here.”

Short and the Second City group presented several other hilarious skits, including a business executive applying for DSL service and a takeoff on the crew of Star Trek attempting to revive a faltering dot.com Web site.