As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Amanda Michelle. The Los Angeles, CA native shares some of their favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how they always own the laughs.
Name: Amanda Michelle
Hometown: Cleveland, OH & San Francisco/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @blondebitchLA
Years in Comedy: My entire life (Laughs), more consistently for the last 10 years when I moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco.
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Funny Media Group “The Blonde Bitch Tour, One Night Only”, Trevor Moore Trev a thon on Comedy Central, or playing a dead body, district attorney, murderer on a crime reenactment show.
Comedic Influences: Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Molly Shannon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, & Chelsea Handler.
Favorite Comedy Album: Joan Rivers “What Becomes A Semi-Legend Most?”
Favorite Comedy Special: Hannah Gadsby “Nanette”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Bridesmaids, Mean Girls, & The Devil Wears Prada
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Saturday Night Live
Favorite Comedic Character: Mary Catherine Gallagher (Molly Shannon on SNL)
Favorite City to Perform In: San Francisco, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Coming out of the closet later in life, having two dads, and the rests of my crazy Polish-Italian family.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: LGBTQIA+
Favorite Comedy Club: Flappers Comedy Club Burbank
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I was bullied a lot growing up, I still feel this way to this day. When I figured out I could make people laugh I figured out it was a way to get people to stop picking on me. I would be asked to tell jokes, do impressions, and reenact scenes from popular movies and the rest was history. From class loser to class clown.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It was a sold-out show on the main stage at the Comedy Store in Hollywood. I was given 5 mins and I ended up doing almost 15. Lorenzo Llamas came up to me after my set congratulating me and he couldn’t believe it was my first time on stage… it was.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Gay, storytelling, observational, and also gay.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I like to try things out on stage and see what happens.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Thriving, there are way too many shows, open mics that one can handle.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Not giving up.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Ophira Eisenberg, Jenny Johnson…the list is too long after that.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
My first time doing standup up at the Comedy Store, and filming my first comedy special with Funny Media Group.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Keep going, it’s ok to take breaks and come back, believe in yourself.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They don’t think I’m funny or believe that I do stand-up until they see me on stage. Then they immediately apologize and tell me how funny I am.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Long nights, long hangovers, and a long drive to Burbank….it’s extremely difficult and I wouldn’t wish this career path on my worst enemy.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Let women be funny and give women and LGBTQ and diverse comedians more opportunities.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Brad Loekle told me to perform as much as possible, that’s the only way to get better.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Blonde Bitch: Uncancelled, Cancelled.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
When I met Molly Shannon! She tried to have a conversation with me but I was in such aww and start struck I basically ran away crying.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
It’s a tie between in a parking lot on college orientation day at 9 am or the makeshift stage with no audience that the wind almost blew over at Trevor Moore’s Trev a thon on Comedy Central.
An Amanda Michelle Fun Fact:
I used to be a flight attendant.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
To have multiple specials, sitcoms, movies, production companies, the list goes on.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Don’t let the haters hold you back, I get reminded almost daily how funny I’m NOT, and I’m still here.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Everyone will be canceled by 2022.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
The Golden Girls’ “One Night Out in Miami” the girls head out to the Miami nightclubs for Blanches birthday, they end up at a drag bar and perform giving the drag queens a run for their money.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Castro Theater, Natasha Leggero, Chelsea Handler, & Wanda Sykes.
What’s next for you:
I’m producing and hosting an LGBTQ and Allies show at Flappers Comedy Club and trying to get my proof of concept “Diva Dads” into film festivals and turned into a sitcom.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because it is to f-ed up not to.
Watch Amanda Michelle Yaaas Fest 2021 at the Broadway Comedy Club:
Follow Amanda Michelle’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Amanda Michelle
Youtube: Amanda Michelle
Personal Website: www.amandamichellefoschia.com
