Naomi Cooper

The finalists for the Funny Women Awards 2020 have been announced. This year the competition has been held virtually, and this also goes for the final which will be streamed live from the Comedy Store in London on Tuesday 22nd September at 7.30pm. MoodyComedy is chatting to this year’s finalists. First up: Naomi Cooper.

Hi there! How are you feeling about being nominated as a Funny Women 2020 finalist?

Obviously, I’m aware there has been a terrible mistake, so I’m just kind of keeping my head down.

Tell us a little about who you are as a comedian?

I trained as an actor, became an improviser and then had to go it alone with stand-up comedy when all the men I was working with moved to the suburbs to have babies – this is the danger of working with men you see.

What does the Funny Women competition mean to you, considering the current comedy landscape in 2020?

It’s so great to have an opportunity to be seen and heard as a comedian when there’s been so little live comedy to be enjoyed in 2020. I’m incredibly grateful.

Are you prepared for a final without a live audience?

I shall close my eyes and picture the bored, disapproving faces of the small army of teddy bears I practice my new material on.

What are your hopes for the future of your comedy career?

I created a new character called Philippa during lockdown. She’s sort of a yummy mummy from hell, inspired by the outpouring of tone-deaf middle class moaning I overheard during lockdown. I’m currently developing the character for television with an amazing team so I’m very excited to continue with that. I’m also excited to get back on the road and return to spending my Saturday nights in a budget hotel post-gig, eating cocktail sausages in my pants in front of old Tom Hanks films.

You can get your ticket to the live virtual final here. Follow Naomi Cooper on Twitter here.