As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Anna Mae Gordon. The Los Angeles, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Anna Mae Gordon
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @annamae.g/@annamaegordon
Years in Comedy: 2 1/2
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before:
You may have seen me in a Dave and Buster’s commercial where I face plant from boredom and a Strava commercial where my bestie is taking a sh*t in the woods.
Comedic Influences: Ali Wong, Sarah Silverman, Ellen DeGeneres, George Carlin, & Richard Pryor
Favorite Comedy Album: Richard Pryor “Live in Concert”
Favorite Comedy Special: Ellen DeGeneres “Here and Now”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Liar Liar
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Hacks
Favorite Comedic Character: Mrs. Doubtfire
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Dating
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Any and all!
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I was doing poetry readings during the pandemic and parts of my poems made people laugh. I really liked that feeling. Then I tried one short story reading I thought would be funny, and it was deeply personal and embarrassing.. nobody was paying attention or thought it was funny. I was so mortified. It was awful. And then I realized, wait a minute, that’s probably what bombing feels like doing stand-up. And I thought, okay, if I can survive that, I probably can survive trying to stand up. And then I just started doing it and never stopped.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Talking about eating leaves as a kid because I wanted to be a dinosaur in Land Before Time.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Character comedy
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I keep completely chaotic and unorganized notes in my phone of anything unusual happening or anything at all that I find funny. I collect the premises and past stories and then stream of consciousness about them to find what it is I want to say about it.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
From my experience, comics in LA are incredibly supportive and kind and looking to have a good time. I feel like there’s truly a desire for community.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Being able to pay your bills from your stand-up.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Michael C. Bryan, Nina Dicker, Pej Ahmadi, and Jack Daniel are all up-and-coming comics that are freaking funny, grinding, and writing all the time. And they are just incredible human beings who create opportunities for each other. It’s cool to have this community.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
The first time performing at Grisly Pear in New York City.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Unfortunately, (or fortunately?) I feel like comedy is really all about failure. That’s always what leads to the most learning and transformation.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Really?? YOU’RE a comedian? You’re so serious!
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
My teacher Joe Falzarano once told me, “You can’t have a quick ticket here. You have to fall in love with the process.” Write every day, fall in love with writing. Don’t rush for the end result. Always look outside the obvious. I’m falling in love with whatever this journey looks like.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
They should have crafty tables backstage.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Be undeniable.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Bad Jew”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I asked Sarah Silverman at an Inside the Actors Studio taping if she thinks that men and women have it different in comedy, and she said, just be funny.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A basement in Paris
An Anna Mae Gordon Fun Fact:
I’m addicted to chocolate, and I don’t understand people who don’t have a sweet tooth I think they’re probably sociopaths.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Netflix
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
The audience wants you to own the room, so they love it when you do it, and even more when you do it in your own unique way.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
We have an increasing potential to create our own global platforms through social media and impact the culture doing so.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
Sex and the City. We find out Big is actually gay.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Store. 4 comedians – Michael C. Bryan, Nina Dicker, Pej Ahmadi, & Jack Daniel
What’s next for you:
In November I’m performing in LA, New York, Long Beach, and San Diego. Come check out the New York Comedy Festival on 11/9 at Rodney’s!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
I started comedy during the pandemic when a lot of things in my life were going so horribly it was almost like a part of my identity got destroyed. I realized that that’s one of the most interesting parts of life… it’s always going to have some major lows, so might as well enjoy the story.
Follow Anna Mae Gordon’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Anna Mae Gordon
