Jamie Lee is really funny for a girl. Which means she's twice as funny as a man. Boom, take that patriarchy! This gal CAN have it all. She's been in a million great internet videos and gone pretty deep in Last Comic Standing. She's played all the great stages of the world, and now she's playing the Warehouse theater TONITE for the Big Beautiful Woman Comedy Hour Show. In a unique twist of sisterhood, we asked 17 year old comic genius (and host of aforementioned show)Brandon Wardell to interview her. After they talked they both burned their bras. GIRL POWER!
BYT: What initially led you to the decision to get involved in stand-up? How would you describe your first time onstage? (probably a cliche question I know)
I got into stand-up after moving to NY from TX in 2005 and taking a job in the publicity department at Comedy Central. Watching stand-up comedy everyday made me realize how much I wanted to be writing and performing it.
My first stand-up performance was at an open mic and it wasn't as brutal as I thought it would be. I took theatre and improv classes as a kid so my stage fright didn't come from actually being on stage in front of people. It came from worrying whether or not my jokes would hit. Most didn't, but there were a few lol moments I clung on to.
BYT: Some comics are very quick writers and can just sit down and hammer out material, while others have to wait for an idea to come to them. Which category would you put yourself in and how would you describe your writing process?
I used to go to Starbucks with a notebook, over-caffeinate myself and wait for ideas to come to me. Now I just try to remain calm, go about my day and trust that if something funny crosses my mind, I'll write it down and try it on stage later that day. I also meet up to write with fellow comedy friends who also don't work during the day. As a comedian, you never stop working. It's not like a 9-5 job where you have set hours and then you can go home and relax. You're always on the clock.
BYT: Something I've always been interested in is what comics do alone and what they do in front of an audience. Do you write more on or offstage?
I write more offstage, but occasionally riff something during a show that I'll use later on in my act.
BYT: Do you have any stories about some of the odd experiences you've had at gigs and/or open mics?
I think it's impossible to avoid being a witness to disastrous experiences as a comedian. I've been at open mics where comic after comic will go up, be blatantly racist, homophobic, sexist etc. and you have to sit through their act because you aren't supposed to go up for another 45 minutes and it's supposed to be a "supportive environment" where everyone watches each other.
BYT: Within the comedy community there's a lot of negativity about Last Comic Standing. Having been on it I'm sure you have a difference of opinion. Do you find it hard to reconcile your perception of the show with your peers in comedy?
I think this season of LCS was different from the past seasons in that it was more about quality comedy and less about casting. Even if it was exactly like the first season, though, I would be sure to see it for what it is: a television show. It's a great opportunity for exposure, which is a tricky thing to come by when you're an emerging comedian. I am beyond grateful that the producers and judges pushed me along to the semi-finals. It was a total thrill.
BYT: Since appearing on television, how many more creepy guys add you on Facebook?
Oh man it's been a total org-fest on Facebook. Just the way I like it, ya'll!! KIDDING! No but seriously, come on my face.
BYT: Yikes! Are you anticipating performing in DC for the first time and do you have any expectations regarding crowds in DC as opposed to say, LA or NY?
I've heard that DC audiences are bullshit. KIDDING! It's going to be great! Let's do this!
BYT: Thanks a lot for taking time out of your day to do this. Finally, will you convince everyone reading this that doing anything on August 27 at 8pm other than attending the show at Warehouse Theater is a poor decision?
If you don't attend this show, I will kill. Not going to say who, but like that crappy movie The Box starring Cameron Diaz, somewhere out there someone is gunna get it if you don't attend. (People like threats, right?)
BYT: Well I do.
Previously in Interview:
- 5/18: Peter Berg does not sink his "Battleship."
- 5/16: Interview: Brian Regan
- 5/2: Interview: Neil LaBute talks "Double or Nothing."
- 4/18: Interview: Portugal. The Man
- 4/17: Becoming Joey Arias
- 4/16: Morgan Spurlock: Not-So-Self-Centered Geekery
- 4/13: Whit Stillman & Greta Gerwig talk "Damsels in Distress."
- 4/11: Tanlines' Moment in the Sun ;(
- 4/11: Rob Delaney: 21st Century Phenomenon
- 4/6: Interview: Nathan Darrow of Long Day's Journey Into Night
God loves a cheerful giver.
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