Giggle Goddess: Jenn Dodd

Yeah, we’re like Charlie Sheen, we collect goddesses, except we want to have our goddesses’ babies. Welcome to our weekly Giggle Goddess question and answer session with a Comediva out in the world spreading giggles like wildfire. This week, we bring you fabulous funny-girl, Jenn Dodd. This Q&A will take you deep within the depths of her soul … sorta.

What’s your favourite cupcake flavor?

The most delicious cupcakes in the world come from a cute, little bakery in the Lower East Side of Manhattan called Sugar Sweet Sunshine. My favorite flavor is called “sunshine.” It’s yellow cake with vanilla buttercream. Yum!

What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?

Laughing has always been a really big part of my family life. I was also kind of a slacker in school and I found that if I could get my teacher to chuckle, I was less likely to get in trouble for being late or missing an assignment. Making someone laugh has always given me a feeling of accomplishment.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?

It is one of my greatest pleasures in life to laugh at people who take themselves very, very seriously. So, you can imagine, acting school was pretty hilarious for me.

If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?

I would distract him with my (almost embarrassing) knowledge of Side Kicks trivia and fun facts. And if that doesn’t work, there is always my patented foot-to-ball maneuver.

What’s your best impersonation? Worst?

I do a pretty good Victoria Jackson. My worst impression to date is Robert DeNiro — I can only do the face part. So, I do a bit where “DeNiro is totally speechless.”

What are some challenges you’ve faced since going down the comedy track? What are some things that have made all of those obstacles worth overcoming?

I think it’s challenging to look at “you” as a product and to market yourself as such; asking for favors and self-promotion etc. It’s easy to be sensitive or shy when it comes to showing your work because it feels “personal.” When my videos were featured on different venues, and I started getting more work, I knew it was worth it.

Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?

Madeline Khan. Everything she does is so fully committed and specific. She is a very elegant comedienne, and I believe every line she’s ever delivered is elegant, regardless of how ridiculous it is.

In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?

I think giving myself permission to fail has been a huge part of my comedic evolution. Fear has no place in comedy, and failing is inevitable. So, if you give yourself the permission to do so and expect that it will happen occasionally, it takes a lot of the pressure off.

What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?

My short term goal is to finish this sentence. Wow! That felt great! And I’m currently working on writing a one woman show that encompasses most of my characters.

Do you have a specific audience to whom you play/would like to play? Describe that audience, and why/how you’re playing to them.

A supportive audience is always what I hope for; people who like to laugh. I enjoy breaking the 4th wall and engaging with people, in hopes that comedy comes from that spontaneous dialogue.

What’s your weirdest insecurity?

I’m afraid that one day I’ll start wearing old lady perfume without realizing it.

What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men?

I’d like to believe that there’s not too big of a difference these days. I think comedy is evolving nicely, and it won’t have such a severe segregation between men and women for much longer. (Fingers crossed!) A lot of my comedy deals with human behavior, which is pretty universal.

What’s your favorite comedy movie of all time?

Hands down: The Jerk. “You mean I’m gonna STAY this color?!” Steve Martin is a genius.

What is your favorite comedy TV show of all time?

South Park or The Sarah Silverman Program. They are both quite clever at holding a mirror up for society to laugh at its own stupidity, and they both deal with poop in a pretty hilarious manner.