Local Culture

Comedy’s Queen

Janeane Garofalo celebrates 25 years on the scene

by Helen Cooper   |   May 10, 2010

Comedy’s Queen

 

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Janeane Garofalo is one of the godmothers of modern American comedy, a woman who many working comedians point to as inspirational. Encore spoke with the funny lady about her upcoming set at Comix, the comedy game and future projects.

Can you tell us anything about the upcoming
shows at Comix?

Well, I’ll be doing sets with Marc Maron, who
I’ve performed with lots of times. He’s great. We
tend to think and talk along the same lines but he
tends to be a lot more eloquent than I. (laughs)

You’ve been in the comedy game for a while
now; what changes have you seen in that
time?

I started in 1985, so it’s been a long time. Now,
there’s much more diversity of venues and people
doing it—different genders, different races. I think
that it’s created a whole scene where comedy
happens in all kinds of places. There’s also the
difference of the internet, which has blown
up a new avenue of creativity. They’re positive
changes.

What’s up next for you?

I just did six episodes of a BBC series called Ideal, which is just really funny. I also just got back from filming a pilot for John Wells who worked on E.R. and who I worked with on the last season of The West Wing, so I’m really hopeful and excited about that.

Are you interested in pursuing more serious
work then?

Yeah, I mean I really enjoyed working on The West Wing and 24, and I just think that often the one-hour drama is handled better than the halfhour sitcom on television. I’m excited about the projects I have coming up.

See Janeane’s set at Comix (353 W. 14th Street, New York, NY 10014) May 1 at 8:00 and 10:30 pm; visit www.comixny.com.