A Southern California sports fanatic known for her sharp, understated delivery and smart, tightly written jokes. Blending dry observations with a slightly offbeat perspective, she leans into awkward truths, social contradictions, and the humor found in life’s smaller moments. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Ricky Hollywood. The Hollis, NH native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Ricky Hollywood
Hometown: Hollis, NH/ Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @EricaTamposi
Years in Comedy: Stand-up 3 years, comedy writing and producing for 6 years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: NFL Network, the Los Angeles Rams, Drunk History, The Jeselnik and Rosenthal Vanity Project
Comedic Influences: Iliza Shlesinger, Tig Notaro, Matteo Lane, & Whitney Cummings
Favorite Comedy Album: Anthony Jeselnik “Thoughts & Prayers”
Favorite Comedy Special: Iliza Shlesinger “Elder Millennial”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Bottoms
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Parks & Rec
Favorite Comedic Character: Judy (The Righteous Gemstones)
Favorite City to Perform In: Boston
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Orca Whales (IYKYK)
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: A fun one, ready for anything, down to ride with you.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Have always been a jokester. Was voted class clown and most outgoing in high school superlatives. Making people laugh has always been a part of my life, but I didn’t think I could do it professionally for a while. Watching the greats and their fun with it has always been inspiring.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember vividly nothing. Blacked out. Who didn’t?!?!
How would you describe your comedic style:
Softie lesbian who comes off as a player but really is a simp and sensitive. storytelling.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
You don’t want to hear my voice notes. I tell a story when it happens to me or comes to me, then pull out what I’m trying to say or the premise, and then work backwards at cutting it into a story or joke.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Los Angeles has so many amazing up-and-comers as well as the best of the best at the store, improv, and Laugh Factory. It’s a constant edge to push yourself to be better.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Although specials and sold-out arenas are the goal, just being able to go into any room and win the crowd over is a goal. Can you consistently make jokes better and bring energy up in rooms you enter?
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I am so blessed by having some pretty impressive mentors, but there are so many people in my orbit who have been pushing me. I have amazing coaches in Jenn Sterger and the Witty Titties community who help me punch things up when I’m stuck or just need that extra push to try. I’ve also had the privilege of writing with the incredible Doug Fager, and some of the people I started hitting mics with three years ago are still bouncing jokes off each other now in local coffee shops. If you haven’t seen Paige Gallagher on stage, what are you even doing with your life?
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
I had to work so hard for a crowd in St. Pete, Florida. It was NOT my scene; they were not on board. I was on tour and in this city, someone else I was with had more pull. We had to hustle hard that night, and I had to work hard to win them over. Getting there and having a great show by the end was the most rewarding feeling in the world.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
The people who are afraid to fail have yet to try, and by failing, you’re already miles ahead of so many others. Some of my bigger failures have turned into the most hilarious jokes. Do it for the plot!
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They love it until I flip my iPad around and ask for a tip.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s HARD! It takes a lot of commitment and a lot of sacrifice. My goal is to just resonate with people and have them enjoy mt set enough to follow me along on my journey, and hope that will convert to ticket sales again. I just want to have fun and have the whole room have fun too.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
We’ve come along way. There is obviously still a lot of disparity between male comics and female comics, but it’s getting better. It’s really great to see comics helping out each other out instead of trying to compete all the time.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Jenn Sterger told me, “Be careful how you speak about yourself on stage,” when it comes to self-deprecatory humor. Find the truth and humor, but the way we speak about ourselves negatively can impact us on and off the stage.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Duraflame Logs. That will make sense in the next two years; book it.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Oh, jeeze, one that I can say publicly? I asked Nev from “Catfish” if he knew of any good places in the area that served Catfish… I’ll see myself out.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
You don’t have to worry about me going to hell. As a lesbian performing in a nursing home, I’ve already been there.
A Ricky Hollywood Fun Fact:
I’m allergic to nuts. All of them.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Stadium Tour 2030? Let’s put it out there! Why not!
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Comedy is subjective. There will be something for everyone. You can’t bail on your jokes. Just own them. If you aren’t convinced, there’s no chance the audience will be either. Sit in it!
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
It’s more accessible with specials on all different platforms, but I think with the state of the world, people need phone-free nights out and reasons to laugh more than ever.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
I’m not sure my agent would approve this? Modern Family getting stuck in the wrong part of Colombia would be fun.
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 main room, with Taylor Tomlinson, Robby Hoffman, and Andrew Santino, can come too.
What’s next for you:
Have a bunch of shows lined up for 2026, including some casino tours in the Southwest, starting at the end of Feb. Excited to get back on the road!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Would you rather just be sad? Life’s too short.
Follow Ricky Hollywood’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: Ricky Hollywood
Youtube: Ricky Hollywood
Personal Website: Ricky Hollywood
