As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian. The Melbourne, Australia native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Maryellen
Hometown: Melbourne, VIC Australia
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @maryellenmememe @me_maryellen
Years in Comedy: 5
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Beyond The Valley Festival
Comedic Influences: Maria Bamford, James Acaster, Beth Stelling, Ayo Edibiri, Jacqueline Novak, and Sarah Silverman
Favorite Comedy Album: It’s actually an audiobook but I love it, Maria Bamford “You are a Comedy Special”
Favorite Comedy Special: James Acaster “Repertoire”
Favorite Comedy Movie: A New Leaf by Elaine May
Favorite Comedy TV Show: At the moment? DAVE
Favorite Comedic Character: Fleabag
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Weird thoughts in my head
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: An inclusive one 🙂
Favorite Comedy Club: Bits & Pieces Comedy
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Watching Amy Schumer was a big wake up call that maybe this was something I could do. And then listening to Two Dope Queens made me realize it’s not all men in leather jackets moaning about their wives at home.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I felt at home.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Quirky, Smart, and Energetic.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I write things over and over again. If something comes to my head I have to write it down and then it’s about refining the thought and making it understood. My concepts always start off so broad that no one would think they’re funny. I have to buff and polish a lot.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Everyone thinks they’re the one that’s not friends with everyone else. We all just want to be liked. And we all care more than we wish we did.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Being able to sustain a living from it and still being happy.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Sunanda is a local Melbourne local I’m obsessed with, they’re so funny and charismatic, I honestly love my friends, Aurelia St Clair (Melb), Kristel Dela Rose (LA), and of course my podcast partner in crime Bianka Ismailovski.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Edinburgh Fringe Festival was the most brutal and elating experience, I’ll never forget my first show there and hope to do more!
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Nothing is never NOT funny, I’m just not doing a good enough job communicating what is it I find funny about it.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Surprised (Laughs). But delighted I would say.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
I’m ambitious. I don’t wait for opportunities to come to me, I chase them. This might come across to some as being in a rush, but I have ADHD, I’m a woman on the brink of irrelevance (by nature of being a woman), and the biological clock is ticking, I’d say I’m running at the right pace.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
MEN being afraid of ‘cancel culture’ and ‘not being able to say anything anymore’. If you wanna say things you know hurt people, suck up the consequences. You can be funny without punching down. Be better….oops, don’t cancel me.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
WORST advice was ‘sincerity is the death of comedy’… it isn’t… BEST advice? Find your people.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Anecdotal Evidence… that’s the show I’m currently working on so I think it has to be that.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Saroise Ronan and I did a spin class together and I got to give her a hi-5, you bet I have a set about it.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
It’s my favorite place and an Idea I came up with, with my brother. “Open Bike” is the show we produce in a spin studio with both the audience and comedians on bikes.
A Maryellen Fun Fact:
I used to day dream for hours (literal hours), I’d even mime out parts and before I knew it 4 hours would have passed.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Showrunner and performer on my own TV show.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Expect your audience to be as smart as you are.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I’m excited! I think it’s evolving, as it always has done, and I’m excited to see what’s next.
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:
Seinfeld…just more of it.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Ayo Edibiri, Tiffany Haddish, & Margaret Cho. Sunset on a one-off festival stage in Joshua Tree.
What’s next for you:
Festival Circuit! This year is going to be big. I can’t wait
Why should a person always laugh at life:
It’s the only way!
Follow Maryellen’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Maryellen Bits & Pieces Comedy Sad & Sexy Podcast
Youtube: Maryellen
Personal Website: Maryellen
