Comedian Jamie Lee To Write For New Conan-Produced TBS Show

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Comedian Jamie Lee To Write For New Conan-Produced TBS Show

9:30 am, September 25th | by Laura Donovan

“Girls get the biggest boners for dresses with pockets.”

Comedian Jamie Lee speaks the truth and understands our secret shame, and perhaps that’s part of the reason why the multifaceted scribe/actor will be writing for Pete Holmes’s new Conan-produced TBS series and appearing in one of Diablo Cody’s upcoming movies. The “Last Comic Standing” semi-finalist, who is also going to be on MTV’s new prank show this fall, shares a name with a major Hollywood star but is well on her way to cementing her place in the comedy world, as Nerve recently declared her one of the “Five Young Stand-Up Comedians Who Should Become Movie Stars” and she often performs at the prestigious Upright Citizen’s Brigade theater in NYC. Expect to see a lot more of the tireless funny lady, who agreed to tell us a little bit about her new projects and appearance on “Conan,” which airs tomorrow. Be sure to tune in, this is a young woman who isn’t afraid to laugh at herself.

First off, do people ever mix you up with Jamie Lee Curtis? That’s gotta be annoying.
Haha yeah not sure why my parents didn’t think, “Jamie Lee’s a weird thing to name our daughter considering that VERY FAMOUS actress with the same name.” Didn’t my parents know that Google would be a thing someday!? C’mon, mom and dad! Predict the future!

Do you think any stand-up joke subjects are off-limits?
I think all subjects are fair game because when a joke’s funny, it’s funny. Anthony Jeselnik and Jimmy Carr, for example, are notorious for telling off-colour jokes, but their perspectives are so clear and they showcase such confidence, that it doesn’t matter. I find them hilarious. However, there are people who don’t appreciate that kind of humor and that’s totally fine, too. There are plenty of different senses of humor and plenty of different comedians so it all works out. Everybody finds their match. Like Match.com, but with less STDs!

What separates you from other female comedians (i.e. Chelsea Handler, Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman, etc)?
Point of view separates everybody from everyone, male or female. My jokes are usually: truth up top, absurd twist at the end. I cover being an only child, being half jewish, being from Texas and sprinkle in random observations that have little to do with identity and more to do with pure silliness.

What are some of your upcoming projects?
I’m performing stand-up on “Conan” Wednesday, September 26th! Woop!

What inspired you to become a comedian?
For years, I had no idea what I wanted to be and it made me depressed. I knew I loved writing, I loved watching comedy and I loved performing, but I didn’t realize at the time that stand-up incorporated all three of those interests. In addition, I didn’t believe in myself enough to think I could have an actual career in anything performance-based. It just seemed outlandish. It wasn’t until I was working at Comedy Central after college that I concluded I should just give stand-up a whirl, regardless of the outcome. You kind of have to take a big, stupid, oftentimes illogical, leap of faith and just keeping leaping.

What’s one thing about you that no one knows?
I used to think that if a cat hissed at you, it meant that they liked you. I thought it was like “extreme purring.”

What’s the weirdest thing that has happened to you during a comedy show? How do you respond to booing or jeers from audience members?
About two months into stand up, I did a show with four blind people in the front row. I remember thinking, “Yiiiikes.” I wanted to talk to them, but I was worried I’d say something offensive. They turned out to be so much fun and ended up encouraging me to roast them! I think about that night a lot. Not like, “Now I’m always roasting people with disabilities!” I just mean that that night made me less afraid to call out less-than-typical audience situations.

Which do you prefer: LA or NYC?
I’m trying not to have a preference because both cities offer great things. NY feels like home, but LA is a place in which I feel pretty productive work-wise. Whenever I’m there though, I can’t help but miss the big, stinky, grizzly, rainy, angry apple. New York is like an abusive boyfriend. “I know he don’t always treat me right, but momma always said love ain’t always easy…” – Honey Boo Boo in 15 years.

[Photo: Timeout]
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