What’s So Funny’s Featured Comic:
Jackie Gold, Los Angeles CA
Hometown, New York NY
Stand-Up Comic & Writer
WSF: What has brought you to Los Angeles?
You havent heard about the shortage of actors in LA? Didn’t want it to be a a dying breed. Ok, this is how we’re gonna start this interview off? By answering every question like an 85 year old grandmother?
WSF: How did you become involved in the industry?
I’ve always been a sucker for attention. I was a dancer when i was younger, and used to compete nationally. I actually watched some of the tapes the other day and it’s funny because we were so awful. But, I guess for 9 year olds we were awesome, it would make a kick ass reality show now. I went to one of those “Performing Arts High Schools,” so I was a total musical theater kid, but I cant sing. So because i could dance, i basically played a prostitute in every play. By my second year of college, i was done. I knew I had to move out to LA, and so I packed up and left.
WSF: What is the best and worst part of being a comedian?
The hard thing for me, I cant speak for everyone, is being able to turn “off.” Once people know youre a comic they want everything you do to be entertaining, and I always feel like i gotta give it to them. So there are times I catch myself wondering if I just said what i wanted to, or what i think they wanted me to. Weird, huh?
That, and for me –’cause i’m so new in this game– it’s trying not to compare your successes with those around you. If i see that someone is doing a show i haven’t or something that I think is better than what i’m doing. I’ll start to panic. So, I think it’s important to remember that we all have our own path in this and not to compare journeys. Sounds so “namaste” but it’s SO freakin’ hard!
WSF: What is your favorite place in Los Angeles and why?
Hmm i dont think i really have one, since i’m a New Yorker, I like places that have busy foot traffic. So, I like outdoor swap meets or just cute places where people are walking around and interacting. #e dont do that much here.
WSF: What really excites you?
I LOVE doing things that not everybody does. I think that’s why I like this gig. I could never be happy just being part of a statistic (sorry boring people who are reading this! yawn). If somebody said scuba diving right now, i would never finish this interview. And I like people, being the one who made some smile is SUCH an awesome feeling.
WSF: What unique things do you hope to bring to the industry?
I think i’m pretty freakin unique (oh man, thats what boring people say, so that other people will talk to them).
Back when i was young i used to practice signing my autograph over and over again (this was yesterday) because i was sooooo sure people were gonna want it. This is the most narcissistic interview ever, but if i realize it, then I’m not, right? But honestly, i kind of always felt that me making it in this business (and i didnt even know what “business” I meant when i first thought this) was gonna be based off of me, just being me, because no body is like me. You can wait for the sarcastic tag to follow but there is none, I actually believe what i just wrote about myself, sheesh.
WSF: What is something most people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a pretty bad-ass Jew. I keep kosher and observe most of the holidays. It’s a pretty big deal for me in life. Is there a photo attached? can you see me? How do you not believe G-d is real, with a face like this!
WSF: What are your future plans and what projects do you have in the works?
There’s this documentary idea i’ve been playing around with lately that i’m super excited to get to work with, nothing funny, well nothing inheritability funny, is that right word to use? i didnt finish college. I’ve asked way too many questions of you as a reader. I also always thought that I would be the first female president. I’m not saying that to be funny, I really did, and even had pretend interviews in my head about it. So I better get to work, ’cause at the moment I think I’m lagging.
WSF: What would you do if you had a million dollars to spend?
I probably owe my parents close to that. So the question is… What would I do with $10,00o? and American Express is already expecting that money.
WSF: What was your favorite toy as a kid?
Barbie. I freakin LOVE, not past tense, Barbie. I would play with her now if I had one. I want my own doll one of these days, thats my measure for making it. But Mattel, stop making these real to life Barbie dolls! No girl wants to play with a figure that she may potentially wind up looking like. The whole appeal to Barbie, is that she is what we will never be. I don’t wanna play with a doll with love handles, give me hard plastic and big boobs any day.
WSF: What’s So Funny to you?
Babies, watching babies. That’s not a joke, do you ever just sit and watch kids try and figure things out? It’s like you can actually see their brains growing.
Sarah Longueuiel believes that comedy is a powerful form of expression that has been liberating people’s minds and hearts (and sometimes countries and villages) for centuries. Therefore “What’s So Funny?” showcases the best in the local L.A. comedy scene. They talk to some of the best comedians in town: improv actors, stand-up comedians, writers, performers and even that funny old lady next door that steals your newspaper. They’re all for giving power to the funny people through all forms of art, entertainment, regime change and celebration.
What’s So Funny? will resume it’s online radio show in late June 2010 via www.intraffikradio.com (coming soon!).
