Seven Questions With… Iliza Shlesinger

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© Robyn Van Swank

Iliza Shlesinger is an American stand up comedian who is making her UK debut this month as she brings her show Freezing Hot to the Soho Theatre. Shlesinger is a sharp and powerful force in the world of stand up comedy, particularly as a result of her damning observations regarding gender stereotypes and admirable onstage fearlessness, ensuring that she will make waves on the British comedy scene.
I asked Iliza these seven questions…

1) What inspired Freezing Hot?

I was extremely motivated to put out a sophomore comedy special that blew the first one, War Paint, out of the water. I wanted Freezing Hot to serve as not just a piece where I made observations, but where I took those observations and dove deeper, offering explanations for behaviours, not just making fun of them. I really wanted to offer some insight to the way girls think and feel, I wanted to make some statements and be mindful and, dare I say, even intelligent about what I was saying. So many comics, male and female, go for shock or think just by being crass then that’s enough, but there’s not love behind the jokes, no personalisation. Every scenario I talked about I lived through, physically or in my own head, the thoughts are all uniquely my own- I love Party Goblin and I wanted to share her with the world. My inspiration was just to share in the most authentic way possible and expose my brain, heart and soul to the masses… and also a little bit of side boob.

2) What motivates you to work hard?

The fear of failure. Not by anyone’s measure other than my own. I just want to be heard on the biggest stage possible, whatever that ends up being. The fear of going unheard or unexpressed saddens me. I’m not good at much- math, sports, decorating- but I am good at being funny and I think to waste the talent I have by settling for anything less than I know I’m capable of would be a shame. This rule should apply to anyone; unfortunately, most people are feckless and convince themselves that their goals aren’t worth the effort. Also, somewhere weird in my head, I think if I make enough money I can turn my long haired dachshund into a tiny hair covered person and I can send her to private school.

3) Have you met your comedy idol?

I have a few, some I’ve met, some I haven’t. I was going to do a deal with Will Ferrell’s company, I would have met him, he is amazing. I saw Adam Sandler from across The Comedy Store once, and I teared up. I love Billy Crystal- I’m sure meeting him is in my future, I tweet him enough. I sat at a table next to Tina Fey at an AFI event… So that’s something. I’ll never get to meet Chris Farley, sadly. I’ve met others who I looked up to as a kid but… a lot of comedy stars burn bright and in person aren’t that funny, which is sad. I often wonder if it’s better to never meet your idols. Also my dad is hilarious, I’ve met him a few times.

4) Do you have any nicknames?

In high school we did a play and my character was named Bernice. So like, 3 people in the world call me Bernice. Aside from that, my close friends all call me Mew and I call them Mew, it’s a term of endearment. Oh, sometimes random dudes will call me “super hot” but that’s less of a pet name and more of a superlative… Also ridiculous.

5) Do you enjoy musicals?

Yeah, I guess I do? Always loved Guys and Dolls… Am I missing something with this question?

6) Who is the most inspiring person you know?

I’m supposed to say my mom, right? Isn’t that what everyone says? I don’t get inspired by people, I get inspired by situations and potential outcomes. That being said, my cousin has Cystic Fibrosis and I’ve always enjoyed watching how much she loves life and lives hers, seemingly, unfettered by her illness. Watching someone who has been dealt an unfair hand be happy is always inspiring.

7) What is your biggest complaint about modern life?

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Oh God, where do I start. Too many people have access to broadcasting tools- every idiot who was ever told they did a good job thinks they should be famous and they have a podcast or a web show- it saturates the market, there should be a comedic aptitude test you have to take before you’re allowed to make an account for anything from Twitter to Youtube to Periscope. We should have a boot camp that breaks people down to see how much they really want it, then again, I guess that’s sort of what Hollywood does. I hate passwords. I think it’s insane that I should have to remember so many AND if and when I do forget, I’m never able to simply “find out” your password, no, I have to reset it. I can never use old familiar passwords so all of a sudden I find myself straying into weird parts of my brain in an exasperated effort to create a new password that first the security criteria like PANCETTAcatFART##1492 and that’s insane to remember because those words mean nothing to me, on a personal note. Can we please hurry up and have retinal scans on our phones already?

ILIZA SHLESINGER BRINGS HER SHOW ‘FREEZING HOT’ TO THE SOHO THEATRE FROM 17-29TH AUGUST

Edinburgh Preview: Gavin Webster – The Sexist’s Sexist

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2015GAVINWE-SU-300Gavin Webster is a comedian I have very much looked forward to seeing in the flesh, having made him my Comedian Of The Month last August. I finally managed to catch a preview of this high-energy Geordie comic’s latest show The Sexist’s Sexist at the MAC in Birmingham.

Gavin begins with his tried and tested material; clearly the comic’s safety net of top-quality, trustworthy gags. From the early stages of the show, Webster showed an obvious competency, coming across as a man who gets the job done and gets it done well. He exudes natural charm and a genuine warmth, which came across progressively strongly as the hour passed by and references to friends and family were made, such as his late dad’s blunt life advice, which was a profound moment to say the least.

The Sexist’s Sexist is not what it may first appear from studying the poster or name alone: it is a well-crafted, personal hour which showcases Webster’s story-telling skills and admirable casual confidence. Talking of his delight at being crowned Comedian’s Comedian on Christmas Eve last year, Gavin demonstrated to us all why he received the award in the first place; not only is he a lovely guy but he also clearly understands his creative responsibilities as a stand up. He expertly toes the line between comfort and danger, teasing us with elements of the two.

Gavin Webster’s latest show is a satisfying blend of home comforts and absurdist anecdotes, making him one to watch at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.

Gavin Webster is currently performing his show The Sexist’s Sexist at the Edinburgh Festival.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH… GAVIN WEBSTER

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A Guide To Edinburgh 2015

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That time of year is upon us once more; thousands of performers, reviewers and audience members are preparing to visit the holy grail of comedy that is the Edinburgh Festival. Here is a quick run through of everything MoodyComedy would be attending if only I could get there this year. Do get in touch if you attend any of these shows, or see something else that you think should be featured. You can also catch up with the past week’s exclusive MoodyComedy interviews.

Stuff That’s Gold

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Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan is performing her latest show, Kathbum, currently riding high on her phenomenal rise to fame in recent years and showing no signs of stopping any time soon. With every new show, Katherine only increases in her wisdom, experience and cutting sass, similar to that of Irish charmer Aisling Bea who brings her second show, Plan Bea, to the festival. Another name to watch out for is that of Luisa Omielan, who will perform a very limited run of her second show Am I Right Ladies?!. Omielan is a performer that cares about her audience to an extent I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed before: her show is empowering, lively and not to be missed.

James Acaster presents another whacky hour of surreal yet surprisingly dramatic story-telling stand up in his show Represent and Joe Lycett returns, with possibly the best show title of the year: That’s The Way, A-Ha A-Ha, Joe Lycett. And it would frankly be a mistake to miss out on seeing Bridget Christie‘s latest show, A Book For Her, which sees the launch of her debut novel, and showcases her trademark blend of feminism and spectacular comedy.

Stuff That’s Odd

Tony Law, the king of surreal comedy, is performing his new show Frillemorphesis where he explores ideas such as shouting, moving and talking, absolutely standard. A live show from the Tone Zone is an opportunity not to be missed, or forgotten in a hurry, and his being in this category is by no means a suggestion that this show will not also be Gold.

Shouty extraordinaire Bobby Mair brings another dark and bitterly funny show off the back of his recent television successes, entitled Filthy Immigrant; Tom Allen performs Both Worlds with his signature sinister calm and endearing flamboyance and Harriet Kemsley, who spent the first part of this year supporting Katherine Ryan on tour, also performs her debut hour, Puppy Fat, which has got the critics excited. If you like a bit of audience interaction, Jonny Awsum’s show Everything Is Awsum will be another unforgettable experience, as will Patrick Monahan’s seventies-inspired show The Disco Years.

Stuff That’s Free

Now any Edinburgh Festival-goer will be able to tell you that ticket price does not necessarily dictate quality; free shows are on the rise as they are a great way of ensuring the trip is more affordable for comedians and fans alike. There are some real gems performing shows this year that rely on kind donations alone.

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Lou Sanders

Rob Auton has prepared another delightfully off-kilter, poetical concept show entitled The Water Show where he considers everything surrounding the theme of water, much like his previous shows which have centred around themes such as Yellow, Sky and Face. Elf Lyons‘ Being Barbarella is a high-octane adventure, discussing science fiction, liberation and sharks. This lady is a true one-off, who’s surreal form of comedy is often likened to The Mighty Boosh. And Lou Sanders, being the wonderful shambles of a performer that she is, brings her insane show about her efforts to get accepted into Eton College For Boys, of course entitled: Excuse Me, You’re Sitting On My Penis Again.

Stuart Goldsmith will also be recording episodes of The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast where he interviews everyone that is anyone in the world of comedy, delving deep into the psyche of the performer and having many laughs in the process. The line up for this year is stellar and although the recordings are free to attend and non-ticketed, the venue will undoubtedly fill up quickly on the night so plan ahead.

You can purchase tickets for all shows mentioned on the Edinburgh Festival website.

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Seven Questions With… Ari Shaffir

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Dude! I love it. All I look forward to in the summer is getting mushrooms and going to Joshua Tree. Or getting mushrooms and going to Sequoia National Park. Or getting mushrooms and walking around the city, but I guess that’s not really the great outdoors. The point is, yes, I love being in nature. People and their creations are overwhelming. I like being away from as many of them as possible. When I leave comedy, it’ll either be to commit suicide or to get on a boat and just sail out until I never see anyone again.

2) Which comedians are you influenced by?Screen Shot 2015-08-02 at 20.51.19

Burr, Bobby Lee, Kinison, Brody Stevens, some dead guys, the Simpsons, Joey Diaz. I guess I’m influenced by almost every comedian I’ve seen. I like seeing different techniques, different paths to get at a problem, different styles. I can take from anything. I like arm movements and pauses. If I see somebody nailing it with a technique I’ve never used, of course that’s gonna influence the way I go at ideas.

3) Books or e-books?

Books. But probably neither. I’ve read like, 3 books in the last 15 years. I read a shitload all through university, but then I stopped cold as soon as I got out. E-books seem like a great way to have your book with you, but it seems lame for some reason. It’s probably not justified. I have the same problem with dating websites. I remember the time when online dating was for losers and mutants. But that time is done. And yet, I’m still stuck thinking it’s a problem. I gotta get over my younger self.

4) How would your friends describe you?

They’d describe me as a fun dick maybe. I don’t know. I don’t even want to think about this. I don’t know how they’d describe me. They’re my friends. They’re idiots. They’d probably describe me as tall and bearded. 

5) Is your stage persona the same as your own personality?

My stage persona is almost identical to my personality. The only difference might be that I feel freer sharing embarrassing details in front of a crowd than I do in front of a couple people. But I’m coming to things from the same place on stage or off.

6) Do you ever feel like you’re too honest?

I feel like I’m very honest compared to most people. For sure. But, no. I don’t feel too honest. It’s gotten me in trouble before. Plenty of times. But I still don’t think I’m too honest. I rather think most other people are not honest enough. If everyone was open about who they are, we wouldn’t really be judging each other so harshly. Just be who you are and don’t worry about what people are going to say. They don’t matter. So that’s what I do usually.

7) What are you waiting for?

I’m waiting for this new special to be done so I can stop touring for a while. I’m waiting for the US revolution to start moving a little faster, I’m waiting for South Park to come back on. I’m waiting for a hot girl who’s also genuinely interesting and not self-absorbed. The revolution should be here first.

ARI SHAFFIR BRINGS ‘THIS IS NOT HAPPENING’ TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

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Seven Questions With… Stuart Laws

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stuartlawsStuart Laws is a stand up comedian currently embarking on his third solo hour, entitled Who Said Anything About Stopping It?, at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Having supported James Acaster on his UK tour throughout 2013 and 2014 as well as having directed multiple films and worked with big names such as Julia Davis and Robert Lindsay, Laws really is an interesting artist, who’s name, I’m sure, will soon be hard to ignore.
To learn more about Stuart, I asked him these seven questions…

1) Are you easily pleased?

What a great question! Thank you so much for asking it, incredibly kind of you.

2) Are you any good at doing accents?

Oh aye, absolutely I am (Scottish). To be sure, to be sure (Welsh). What a lovely potato (Cockney). Yum, yum, I love onions and baguettes and garlic (My Mum). Pop a couple of chimps on Bar-B. (Australian animal themed pub owner). Guten tag, wie geht’s dir? Ich habe eine grosse meerschweinchen mit Mayo (Bermudan who learnt German).

3) Do you ever feel like time moves too fast?

Terminator was released in 1984. So was I. There have been four sequels to the Terminator and none to me. So I think what I mean is: yes, but I manage to not fall into molten metal, so perhaps I move slowly through time.

4) Do you envy any other comedians?

I’ve ended up wearing a gilet on stage, as standard now. I’m envious of anyone who gets to wear an item of clothing that isn’t designed to keep them extremely warm. Envious of Sean McLoughlin because he has the courage to say that he hates Studio 60 on The Sunset Strip. Otherwise, no, not really, just really admire a lot of them for being really great at what they do: Acaster, Helm, Kemsley, Sanders, Wang, Pacquola, Long, Hodgson, Kearns, Cahill, Stephenson, Daykins.

5) What is your favourite item of clothing?

Invest in socks. If you have the option of a luxury purchase then prioritise new socks. Makes a huge difference.

6) Who is your favourite serial killer?

David Griffin (Keanu Reeves in The Watcher). Keanu didn’t want to do the film but was forced to after a friend forged his signature on the contract. So that makes David Griffin the most unwilling and weak-willed serial killer in history. To be that unskilled and to still qualify is pretty impressive.

7) Is comedy that offends people important?

Yeah, probably. From the point of view that never will the world achieve harmony of opinion so offence means that someone had the freedom to express a thought deemed repulsive. And really, thinking about it: freedom is more important than harmony of opinion. But it would be nice if less people had really shit opinions, but banning and marginalising those opinions won’t create less shit opinions. For example: people who like Lost In Translation. I won’t ban them, but I won’t trust them. Did I answer the question? I think my position on offensive comedy is most probably summed up in my choice of serial killer.

STUART LAWS WILL BE PERFORMING HIS LATEST SHOW ‘WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT STOPPING IT?’ AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FROM 8TH-15TH AUGUST

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Seven Questions With… Michael J. Dolan

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Seven Questions With… Tony Law

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Tony Law is an absurd comedian to say the least, bettering himself with each passing year and crafting majestical shows which in the past have included musical numbers, finger lasers and puppet displays. The shouty surrealist is bringing his latest hour of nonsense Frillemorphesis to the Edinburgh Festival and it looks set to be another brash, bizarre yet beautiful assault of the senses.
I asked Tony these seven questions to learn more about the man behind the madness…

1) Why is your comedy so strange?

It’s not my comedy. It belongs to the earth. And I’d hesitate to call it comedy. Normal to some?

2) Which instrument do you wish you could play?

The flesh tuba. I’ve never learnt to masturbate. It’s high time. And piano. Be a great help the piano. Could fill my shows up with less words.

3) What bores you most?

Myself. Listening to me droning on about tree houses and cylinders all time. No one wants that.  

4) Where is your safe place?

Culverts. P47 thunderbolts. My family. Training with master Cho.

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5) If you were to write a book, what would the subject be?

Walking through landscapes and whistling new songs that are gone for ever on the wind. Just about that sorta thing.

6) How do you clear your head?

I’m afraid that’s rather easy, I just breath through my mouth and away I go. Really rather ……

7) What do you want your legacy as a comedian to be?

Hardest working man in show business. Loads of money to pay all these bills I forgot about. So then I could concentrate on whatever it is that I do on floors.

TONY LAW IS BRINGING HIS SHOW ‘FRILLEMORPHESIS’ TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

July: Comedian Of The Month #18, Adam Hess

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

Avid Twitter users will no doubt have come across my latest Comedian Of The Month before; Adam Hess has accumulated nearly 50,000 followers on the site as a result of his mastery of 140-character humour. He has a sharp wit, a necessary comic trait, but also an eye for the stranger kind of observation, pairing silliness with darker elements.

Hess’ character on stage whilst performing stand up is wholly separate from that of the level-headed, sarcastic comedian we see online. The intelligent twists of logic are still a core part of the package and he certainly presents ideas that are unusual, observational comedy of that which has perhaps never been observed. However, performance-mode-Hess is a bundle of frantic energy, of faux-nervousness and jittery giggles. It’s hard to not find it endearing upon first watching, but further viewing proves that this comic is, somewhat unbelievably, in full control, and not the foppish student he first appears to be.

A particularly admirable ability of this comedian is that he manages to pack a huge number of one-liner gags into a set, and a remarkable percentage of them actually land. It is a common downfall that I have found with many predominantly one-liner comics that a lot of the jokes are, completely unavoidably, stabs in the dark; things that cause uproar on one night may fall to the sound of silence the next. Adam’s apparent spontaneity brings a wonderful animation to each performance, which carries him through even when the laughter dies out (which, of course, is infrequently).

Having already won the Chortle Student Comedy Award in 2011, Adam Hess is making waves on the comedy scene and brings his debut show to the Edinburgh Festival this month.

For more information, visit Adam Hess’ website and follow him on Twitter.

JUNE COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

Edinburgh Preview: Alfie Moore – A Fair Cop Stands Up

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Alfie Moore-Tony BriggsIf you like your comedy shows to also be an educational experience, then Alfie Moore’s latest stand up hour A Fair Cop Stands Up may just be the show for you. Drawing upon his many years of experience as a policeman in Scunthorpe, Moore embarks on an hour of insightful observations and hilarious hypothetical problem solving. I caught a preview of the show at Birmingham’s MAC.

Alfie Moore arrived onstage armed with an abundance of facts and statistics which he delivered throughout the hour, using them as a springboard for jokes and anecdotes. There were occasional breathtaking moments of bitter sarcasm that gave the whole show a darker edge, such as Moore’s interjection regarding minority groups in the force: “we don’t allow people who are colourblind into the police force as they wouldn’t know who to stop search”. Other elements, however, remained endearing with the comic’s obvious nice character shining through, which served as an intriguing contrast against the shocking ironies of some of his lines.

Here we have a stand up who undeniably cares for his craft a great deal and the hours of work behind the material showed in the pages of notes he flicked through between segments. It felt at times that he was perhaps a little too eager to generalise ‘the public’ and our likes and dislikes, maybe this is a policeman’s trait, with some observational assumptions sneaking in as Alfie tried to tie his material together into a definitive narrative. I’m sure this is something he can work on over the coming weeks as the final parts of the show come together; it’s just a case of fine-tuning now.

Alfie Moore is currently performing preview shows of A Fair Cop Stands Up across the UK and will be taking the completed show to Edinburgh in August.

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Seven Questions With… Adrienne Truscott

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one-trick pony!Adrienne Truscott is bold; her comedy is exciting, fresh and uncompromising. Truscott is a prime example of a comedian who takes the art form by the throat, reshaping it in her own unique way to enable serious topics to become accessible and taboo subjects to become public domain. Her latest show Adrienne Truscott’s A One-Trick Pony! (which she’ll be performing at the Edinburgh Festival) is set to be high-octane, political and absurd, so surely it’s an occasion not to be missed.
To learn more about the woman behind the show, I asked Adrienne these seven questions…

1) What is the most important aspect of comedy?

Brains, timing, vulnerability and an absence of dignity. By all accounts, a fucked up childhood doesn’t hurt. Um, that’s five aspects. Apparently being good at ‘maths’ isn’t a comedic requirement.

2) Do you tend to get upset if you hurt someone’s feelings?

Yes I do. And I can lean towards an acerbic sense of humour, so sometimes I think things come out of my mouth faster than I mean for them to. I think usually however, my sense of humour is, at least, triggered by or at the expense of the powerful – which makes the target somewhat susceptible. as opposed to the powerless, as well as by hypocrisy – including my own. I’ve been the target of my own jokes a few times and really hurt my own feelings.

3) What is your favourite tourist attraction?

Any waterfall or cave anywhere in the world. I love those things and ideally those two things together. That said, as an American, a castle sort of does my head in. The USA post-revolution is so young, our sense of history can be pretty brief and self-serving over there – we don’t have castles, only mansions. The Edinburgh Castle is truly one of the most mind-blowing castles of all time. And I swear on a beheaded queen I’m not just saying that because it’s Ed Fringe. Over in the US, we conveniently exclude ourselves from the notion of more barbaric times, dungeons, plagues, etc. and even though it could be wrongly romanticized, an actual castle inspires a pretty boundless sense of adventure and imagination for this gal. In that way, the midnight tours of the underground city with some bourbon is sort of an amazing combination of castle and cave.

4) What is the worst thing anyone could say to you right now?

‘Did you vote for President Trump?! High Five.’  Both Trump and high fives make me uncomfortable in equal measure.

5) Are you a secretive person?

Oh God no. I spill the beans about myself too easily I think. Too many good stories. But I’m good with other peoples’ secrets. I have one person’s secret that I’ve still never told – even though revealing it would have dug me out of a deep hole and served as my defence in a delicate matter. But it didn’t seem like my secret to tell, even though I took a bit of a hit for something that wasn’t really my fault. Alas, it was worth it. But some secrets are good to tell and it depends on who is the keeper of the secrets. For instance, I think it’s great for artists to talk to one another about their deals, etc. and not keep them secret. I don’t think, in that instance, secrets do the right people the right service.

6) Do you enjoy competition in your profession?

I think I can be pretty competitive. I was a jock for a lot of my life. But I think I’m mostly competitive if there is a ball involved. Not a ball like a fancy dance, and not a testicle – when those are involved I say everyone have at it! I mean just a round ball, that’s in play. I’ll wanna get it.

7) What core message does your latest show convey?

Hmmm, that definitions and categories about comedy and types are irrelevant… which might not be as fun as these other messages: that irony is ironic, that pancakes are delicious, vaginas are hilarious, hookers are nice and I’m the toughest wrestler in town. Or that the late, great, legendary Andy Kaufman was a feminist performance artist. Or, that the best comedians steal. Take your pick.

ADRIENNE TRUSCOTT IS BRINGING HER SHOW ‘ADRIENNE TRUSCOTT’S A ONE-TRICK PONY’ TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH

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