Below are the questions James Lipton used to ask of his guests on Inside the Actors Studio, and below that, the list of questions he adapted from the TV host Bernard Pivot.

James Lipton

• What is your favourite word?
• What is your least favourite word?
• What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
• What turns you off?
• What is your favourite curse word?
• What sound or noise do you love?
• What sound or noise do you hate?
• What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
• What profession would you not like to do?
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Bernard Pivot

• What is your favourite word?
• What is your least favourite word?
• What is your favourite drug?
• What sound or noise do you love?
• What sound or noise do you hate?
• What is your favourite curse word?
• Who would you like to see on a new banknote?
• What profession other than your own would you not like to attempt?
• If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be?
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?