Hello, People!
I snuck off to Montreal for two days and I didn’t tell you guys. Sorry.
Also, I’ll be in SLC, Utah at Wiseguys Comedy Club this weekend, Aug. 3-4. Go to wtfpod.com/tour for the ticket link!
I haven’t been to the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal for a few years and I generally don’t go. A couple of weeks ago I was asked by the guy in charge if I could help him reach out to the creators of GLOW, Carly Mensch and Liz Flahive, because he wanted to see if they could receive the comedy writing of the year award at the festival. So, I helped him out and they were into it. Then they asked if I could present them with the award. I was honored to. They gave me my big break and I love the show. So, the festival flew me up and put me up for a couple of days and I did the presenting.
It was actually a perfect amount of time and I forget the good parts of the festival because when I was younger I was so full of panic and dread about the sets I was doing because all the audiences were about a third industry and every set counted. That’s exactly the kind of pressure that used to make me choke and be consumed with anxiety. Now, I don’t give as much of a fuck. I’m established enough that the festival doesn’t do anything for me career-wise and most people know me for better or worse.
I did get one set in up there on Andy Kindler’s Alternative show and it was fun. I had a very decadent dinner with Dean Delray and some Cuban cigars. I saw a lot of people I hadn’t seen in years and that was moving and fun. I forget just how much of a community this industry is. I forget that I’ve been in this business in earnest since my early twenties and all the people that surround it - execs and agents and managers and comics and club owners - have known me since I was a kid. It’s nice to check in. Especially since I’m not sweaty and angry and full of panic anymore. At least not about show business.
The truly great moments of the trip happened around the awards show. I was able to introduce Liz and Carly to my world. I introduced them to Chapelle and Tiffany Haddish, Howie Mandell, Maria Bamford and others. We all met Hannah Gadsby for the first time. The show itself turned out to be very moving. I presented them. Deon Cole presented to Lil Rel Howery. Howie presented to Jo Koy. Maria presented to Hannah. Kevin Hart presented to Tiffany and all the winners got a little choked up. It was sweet.
It was great reconnecting with people. I have a community. It’s just one full of outsiders and weird individuals. Unlike me. Totally stable and normal. I’m so glad they all accept me.
This week is good. Today I talk to Mila Kunis about being a religious refugee and Ashton Kutcher and acting and a lot of other stuff. Also, today, I talk to Iliza Schlesinger about her stalker and new special. On Thursday I have a very intense, interesting talk with the actor, Luzer Twersky, about leaving the Hasidic community to live a normal life and pursue his dreams. Great talks!
Enjoy!
Boomer lives!
Love,
Maron