Born and raised in a family of comedy lovers, this jokester from Northern California wants to blaze a trail for many women to show them that you can succeed in this profession if you keep pushing forward. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Lizzy Bowen. The Vacaville, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Lizzy Bowen
Hometown: Vacaville/Davis, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @flawlessmasterofhot @badbitchlizzard
Years in Comedy: 2
Comedic Influences: Kyle Kinane, Taylor Tomlinson, & Ali Wong
Favorite Comedy Album: Patton Oswalt “Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time”
Favorite Comedy Special: Ali Wong “Don Wong”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Liar Liar
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Favorite Comedic Character: Kriten Wiig as Shana on “SNL”
Favorite City to Perform In: Sacramento, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Dating
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Bar crowd
Favorite Comedy Club: Punch Line Sacramento
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I grew up watching Belushi-era SNL with my family, and we always watched comedies on movie nights. We often watched Comedy Central specials together. My brothers were always doing bits and pranking everyone.
During the pandemic, I went through a difficult time in my life, as many people did. One day, I was confiding in my friend about my life. I was crying and eventually, I started laughing at the absurdity of how many things I was going through at one time.
I said, “I really have had a sitcom bad day,” because it sure felt like it with everything that was happening at once. At that moment, I began cracking jokes, and then I started writing. I discovered that healing through laughter felt much better than sitting around feeling sorry for myself.
Over this past year, writing jokes and performing have healed me in so many ways. I aim to help others forget or laugh at their worries when I perform.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember that the audience only laughed at one of my jokes, which was enough for me.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Self-deprecating. A lot of sex jokes.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I write about my life experiences, sometimes as they are happening. A premise for a joke usually pops into my head randomly, like when I’m driving after a life event or experience.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It is very supportive, especially between the female comics. We take pictures of each other performing and promote one another’s shows too. We love watching each other grow and succeed as comics. We have what has been described as a “Renaissance” of talented female comics.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
It looks like I’m constantly becoming funnier and improving as a performer, no matter how long I’ve been doing it. Also, if I could feature some very successful comedians, that would be cool too.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Parker Newman, Jeovany Valencia, Thelonious J.A. Yaksich, Lexi Accinelli, Audacious, Marcian Evans, and Lulu Ayon (the list could go on forever)
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
The first time I told a joke about sneezing cum, the majority of the audience was crying and laughing. That’s when I was like, “Oh shit, I am funny.”
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
You can’t bomb at an open mic when you’re testing new material. If a joke you like isn’t working, eliminate it. Don’t beat a dead horse.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
When I meet new people, they aren’t that surprised. I’m always cracking jokes. People get excited and want to come to support me even if they have seen me perform before.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
I’m still pretty new to this, so I just started implementing the advice my peers and mentors gave me. Networking and trying to work with everyone is my main focus at the moment. I’ve learned that it’s a lot more work than people realize. It can be tiring but so rewarding.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
If I could change one thing, it would be how to approach this industry as a woman carefully.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Be delusional. Every comic has to be a little delusional about their passions to do what we do.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Hot Mess Express”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Myself and some other comics were hanging outside of a comedy club the same night Hasan Minhaj just performed. It was late, and most everyone had left the building; finally, Hasan Minhaj walked out, and I was so starstruck that all I said was “Hi, Bye” as he walked away. Then my friend chimed in with, “Drive safe!”
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
I recently performed at the San Francisco County Jail. It was the most uniquely produced show I have ever been a part of, and It was a privilege to be there.
A Lizzy Bowen Fun Fact:
I’m not just a comedian. I also have a background in Theatre Arts and enjoy performing plays and Musicals. I’m also a poet too.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I would like to be able to perform comedy full-time and be able to rely on it as my only source of income. I would love to travel around the world to perform.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Just own your funny. Accept that you are funny. Say your jokes with your chest and Perform with confidence.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
The future of comedy looks pretty bright to me. With how much society has changed over the past decade, with so many different media available for entertainment, I think there’s more space than there ever has been for comedians to express themselves and show their unique talents. It’s so exciting to see!
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
It would definitely be an episode of “Friends” where people make fun of Ross for thinking he’s smarter than everyone else and all the mansplaining he does.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Hollywood Improv with Taylor Tomlinson, Patton Oswalt, and Kathleen Madigan would be pretty dope.
What’s next for you:
Hopefully, starting to produce shows locally to showcase more female comics.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Life can be so absurd and funny. I’d rather laugh at the beauty of it than focus on the negatives.
Follow Lizzy Bowen’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Lizzy Bowen
