Welcome to our weekly Giggle Goddess question and answer session with a comediva out in the world spreading giggles like wildfire. In honor of Summer Crush Week, we bring you a Comediva funnygirl favorite and the star of the hilarious relationship comedy one-woman show “F*ck! Marry! Kill!” — Molly Prather. This Q & A will take you deep within the depths of her soul … sorta.
Follow Molly on Twitter and on Tumblr!
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What’s your favorite cupcake flavor?
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Jack Daniels.
What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?
My mom. She told me to become an accountant and I’ve always done the opposite of what she says.
If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?
A gun, right? Like, a really fast gun. (Am I supposed to say something funny like, “I’d disarm him with one of my finely crafted stories about an ex-boyfriend?” ‘Cause that would be crazy. I’d shoot that motherf*cker.)
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?
For me, the biggest obstacle has always been balancing my survival job and comedy. I WISH I was one of those people who either A.) Had a trust fund, B.) Married rich when I was young, or C.) Won a gameshow/the lottery and invested the money and just lived off of the interest. Instead, I’ve been one of those people pouring drinks until far too late in the evening, for far too long.
BUT, I do think having a job that makes me want to kill myself (or the customers that won’t shut up about pretty much anything I’m not interested in) has always kept me super focused. For two reasons, I don’t have a ton of free time because I work almost 40 hours a week, which forces me to really value and use the time I do have to write/rehearse/etc., and, because the idea of being 40 and still trying to rock mini-skirts, feigning enthusiasm at the opening chords of “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and pouring Scooby Snacks for kids 19 years younger than me is THE MOST DEPRESSING THING IN THE WORLD.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?
Jesus. This is the hardest question in life. I don’t mean to be Carrie Bradshaw Annoying, but the times I just sit around with my girls and talk shit is when I laugh the hardest.
Oh, and still when Sarah Palin says ANYTHING. That shit is hilarious.
Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?
Betty Boop. I’d want to work with her on some stories for The Moth or maybe direct her one-woman show. She’s like the Joan Holloway of cartoons. You know that b*tch has got stories that would make your head spin.
In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?
For starters, I don’t do short form improv anymore, which is awesome for audiences everywhere.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is you have to be willing to say, “I’ve made terrible, terrible decisions.” And, go into painful details about how exactly those decisions came to be and how they played out. That’s key. At least for me. It’s all about making the audience glad they’re not you. If you just tell stories about how awesome you are, all the killer sex you’ve had, how great everything has worked out, that just makes the audience hate you. And, they won’t laugh. Which sucks.
What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?
To make more money than I would’ve stripping.
Which character are you most like from “The Divas”?
I’m definitely a Shirley.
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.
Sold out Madison Square Garden. Actually, that might be a bit much. The Apollo Theater. I would KILL there.
When you’re not out writing/performing comedy, you are… ?
…making questionable decisions so I have something to write about.
What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men?
I’m not sure. I don’t really write to a specific audience. But, something to do with boobs, probably.
What’s your favorite comedy movie or TV show of all time?
Like every other girl on the planet, Annie Hall. (I recently dated a 25-year-old, who, when I told him this, replied, “Oh yeah, the one with the singing orphans. That’s a good one.” Note to self: Quit dating 25-year-olds.) I’m obsessed with “Louie” right now. It’s perfect.
The title of your autobiography?
“Something Wicked This Way Comes. And Asks Me Out. And, I Say Yes, Because I Have a Show Coming Up.”
To get more giggles from Molly, check out her show “F*ck! Marry! Kill!” at IO West on Thursday, September 22, and at Bar Lubitsch in L.A. for “Sunday Night Sex Talks.”
