Before diving into the wild jungle of stand-up comedy, you were a big cheese in the TV world. Any skills from your glamorous exec life that packed a suitcase for the comedy tour?
Absolutely! Whether you’re peddling TV formats or cracking jokes, you’re essentially trading in glorified air. In both realms, you’re spun a good yarn and trying not to sound too much like your uncle after three too many sherries at Christmas. Human connection—it’s the secret sauce. Thank goodness it’s my superpower; otherwise, I’d just be really good at talking to my houseplants.
What’s the best pearl of wisdom you’ve ever received?
Oh, there are two gems, actually. One for combating that nagging impostor syndrome: “Everyone shits, showers, and shaves.” And a real showstopper for online dating: “The odds are good, but the goods are odd.” Honestly, it’s enough to make you question every profile you swipe right on!
You completed your first marathon the same year you embarked on your comedy escapade at age 45. What ignited this new zest for life?
Let’s just say that when your life partner decides to peace out on your 44th birthday, the universe throws you a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card. Add in a pep talk from Joan Rivers, who not only believed in me but reminded me that she was 81, and I was simply out of excuses. Coincidentally, after she passed away, I thought, “Well, what’s your excuse now?” Comedy beckoned, and my first gig happened quicker than you could say “life crisis.”
What’s the most cringe-worthy gig you’ve performed that now serves as your personal comedy goldmine?
Picture this: I’m at a Formula One event, trying to joke my way out of a comedy grease fire. It got so bad I thought I’d try to flee through some bushes. Spoiler alert: I got muddy, lost, and re-emerged right beside the jeering crowd that wasn’t exactly my fan club. But let’s put this in perspective. A fellow comic once set off a fire alarm trying to sneak out. Comedy: it’s all about relativity!
What’s the best heckle you’ve ever received?
At the Hastings Fringe, I was graced with the presence of some enthusiastic teens who decided to rain down paper planes like they were at some outdoor Shakespearean play. One lovely note said, “Don’t give up,” which was heartwarming, but the second, “the day job,” hit like a ton of bricks. Well, at least they care!
You recently recorded a Christmas special for Live at the Apollo. How did that day unfold?
Ah, yes, the glamorous life of waiting in a box where I could either emerge as a comedy queen or a deer in headlights. I could only see the stage through a cloud of dry ice that would make even the most enthusiastic 1980s pop star jealous. I had my son and dad in the audience—an unlikely intersection of my life’s Venn diagram. A flawless day, minus my daughter being overseas; a perfect snapshot ready to haunt my digital footprint forever.
You do quite a bit of MCing. Any standout moments from audience interactions that put a smile on your face?
Oh, the Boat Show is a rowdy gem, let me tell you. I walked into the lion’s den with a group of stags heckling before I could even finish saying “Welcome to…” But within a minute, I had the crowd laughing again. The event organizers claimed they’ve never seen heckles extinguished so swiftly. A win for middle-aged women everywhere—I can say something witty and dodge a punch at the same time!
With the rise of social media stars, is the future of TV comedy programming looking a bit bleak?
Not in my crystal ball! As someone who’s architected chaos behind the camera, I’ve seen plenty of gems emerge not from the glittery world of TV but from the internet’s rabbit holes—like “Broad City.” So, dear commissioners, don’t underestimate Gen Z. They’re already five moves ahead; meanwhile, you’re still trying to figure out how to send a Snapchat. Welcome to the future, my friends!
And finally, what sage advice would you impart to aspiring dreamers and hustlers?
Always have a side hustle. If you’re lucky enough for it to bloom into your main gig, then you’ve hit the jackpot! We’re set to have careers spanning decades, so why not make them as colorful as possible? If nothing else, you’ll have plenty to tell your therapist!
