Becky Donohue

Today I am interviewing Becky Donohue, a comedian born in Queens, NY who has been doing comedy for over twelve years. To find out more about Becky, please visit her website.

Why did you start doing stand-up comedy?

I believe I started because I was always the funny kid in school. I think I was a lazy, smart kid. In fact, I know I was. I was one of those kids that could've done well in school, but never really tried. The teachers never really pushed because I was doing just fine and I think a lot of them, like all of us, were just trying to survive. I was bored a lot of the time. So, I often entertained myself and others in school by being a wack-a-loon. That's a made up word, but it fits, nonetheless. I think the humor that you enjoy as a kid may evolve slightly, but much like food, you always love what you love. What I love is smart and ridiculous humor all wrapped into one. I LOVE a good belly laugh.

How do you deal with rejection?

I'm not sure I deal with rejection. It just happens and I move on. You do develop a much thicker skin as a comedian. That doesn't mean things don't get to me, they do, but they definitely get to me less than the guy who's taken that very safe, corporate career path and then loses his job. When you're a comedian you go, "bad economy?! it's always been a bad economy for me." In terms of getting rejected in the comedy business, I always think of the audience as king. If the audience likes you then you are doing the most important thing correctly. If the industry doesn't take to you, but the audience always does, don't worry - the industry comes around. Another really important thing that I do personally to deal with rejection, is that I have a really solid support network of GOOD comedian friends (who I respect) that are always on speed dial. I call them when I feel like I have an awful set or if something ridiculous happens at an audition. They always pick me up and they do it genuinely. They feel that I'm really good and they get equally angry when a moron wrongs me. I also keep a list of people I'd like to kill next to my bed that I look at each night. Right next to the list are bullets. I spend evenings hand-carving their names into each bullet. Okay, I'm kidding about the bullets and the lists. Just keep good, positive people around you and you'll be able to weather any rejection that comedy will bring your way - and it will bring it your way. Also, try to have a life outside of comedy. That always helps.

Do you have a favorite topic in your comedy?

I like anything that's visceral and really visual. I like bits that are detailed. I would say that I tell story-bits. I'm more of a storytelling comic than anything else. So, when I have a 7 min set, it's weird for me now because I can't get into anything and I maybe get 2-3 bits out. I have a bit right now where I talk about "losing my virginity in a landscaping van behind a Duane Reade". My friend, Marc, a very funny comic saw it last night and he was like, "oh, my god, that was so detailed. I loved it." That's what I like. That and bits that really bring out a visceral emotion from me. I have a bit about "rats" that does that. I have a bit about "a one-legged baby" that does that and I used to do this bit about "insurance fraud", oddly enough, that really brought out the crazy in me. I love those. And I think audiences love them too. If something can be ridiculous and a bit smart at the same time, that's what I love.