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 present you with two fabulous ladies bringing funnygirls to a whole new level: Karen Forman and Eileen Fogarty. This Q & A will take you deep within the depths of their souls… sorta.
Follow Karen on Twitter @TheKarenForman.
What’s your favourite cupcake flavor?
Karen: Red velvet. Is there any other?
Eileen: Red Velvet. Done and done!
What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?
Karen: Carol Burnett, Laurel and Hardy, Lucille Ball (I’m old school like that). And the muppets… mostly the muppets. I’ve always loooved making people laugh. When I was little I often belted out “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog” in a husky Elvis voice at family reunions. When people laughed, I took note.
Eileen: Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis Dreyfus. My Vietnamese family is sooo crazy and funny that humor helped me express the shenanigans that went on. In grammar school, my friends and some teachers used to listen to my ridiculous stories after school which made me think, “Hmm…this sh*t is FUN! I could do this all day!”
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?
Karen: I once saw Kareem Abdul Jabar riding a horse.
Eileen: Eddie Murphy’s Delirious Album. Yes, the whole album!
If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?
Karen: Karate, I have a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do so I’m pretty sure I could take him.
Eileen: My inner black woman. She’s fierce and only comes out when she senses stupidity.
What’s your best impersonation? Worst?
Karen: I do a great Beeker from the Muppets. I mean really great.
Eileen: Whitney Houston. Worst? My husband.
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?
Karen: It can be challenging as a woman to go down the comedy track because men are so much more accustomed to taking the bull by the horns and carving out a place for themselves. That is a learned skill for us women, but I think it makes us stronger in the end. I love to laugh and make others laugh so any obstacle is worth overcoming if I can do that.
Eileen: I think one of the challenges was to let go of comedy not rooted in truth. When I realized that the goal for me was not to try to figure out what the funny was for others, but instead look at what I found funny, and commit to that, my comedy became so much more original, fulfilling, and exciting.
Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?
Karen: Lucille Ball, one of my idols. Oh, and I love Carol Burnett, Tina Fey, Amy Poehlor, Kristen Wiig, and Sarah Silverman. There are so many talented ladies!
Eileen: I got my wish to work with Julia Louis Dreyfus but I would love to work with her again. Tina Fey, of course, and I love Goldie Hawn, Monique, Eileen Brennan, Sandra Oh… and the list goes on!
In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?
Karen: Most importantly, I am a lot less fearful. I remember being so scared on stage. Now, I still get nervous but it’s an excited nervous which is so much more fun and productive than “I’m gonna poo my pants” nervous.
Eileen: I have grown a thicker skin.
What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?
Karen: I am about to record a comedy album with a friend of mine. I would love to have my very own sketch show on Comedy Central. I am actually writing the pilot right now. I love collaborating. It was so fun to work with Eileen on The Twins. She is hilarious! I love working with very funny people!
Eileen: Somebody give us our own show!!!
If you were a politician, for what scandal would you most likely be notorious?
Karen: Probably really hard drugs…or prostitutes.
Eileen: Running a prostitution ring with Karen.
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.
Karen: I like to play to/with people who have a good sense of humor themselves or just like to laugh. I guess I’m not really playing to the people who like blue humor, I try to stay away from that myself. I love connecting with people and I find that humor is a fun easy way to do that. I’m open to sharing laughs with all types!
Eileen: I enjoy people who love to laugh and are open hearted. It’s an easy way for me to connect with them.
What’s your weirdest insecurity?
Karen: Well, an improv teacher (you know who you are Todd Stashwick) used to call me Frodo because I was wearing Birkenstocks, which make your feet look really big. Ever since then, I’ve been binding them. I’m definitely seeing improvements.
Little Karen looks like she’s drawing, but really she’s sketching her plans for comedic world domination!!!
Eileen: My nose.
Which character are you most like from “The Divas”?
Karen: Probably that sweet Lucille.
Eileen: Frida
When you’re not writing/performing comedy, you’re…
Karen: Getting my car washed. Oh no, wait, I only do that once a year. The rest of the year I am driving a grey (read:blue) car around. I also teach kids improv classes at Sophie Dance!
Eileen: Traveling and eating.
What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men when it comes to comedy?
Karen: RoCos v. Action flicks? I think the line is being blurred by hilarious films like ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘The Hangover’ being made. Both of which seem to be universally appealing.
Eileen: I haven’t figured that one out yet. I just do my thing and hopefully both genders will enjoy it.
What’s your favorite comedy movie of all time?
Karen: This is a hard one! So I won’t follow the rules and name only one. I laughed til my cheeks hurt at Bridesmaids, I love all of the Muppet Movies, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Airplane!, Foul Play, Tootsie, Princess Bride, Young Frankenstein…and so many more!
Eileen: I have so many. I love Nancy Meyer films because of her clever and truthful writing. But Blades of Glory, Private Benjamin and The Hangover still kill me.
The title of your autobiography?
Karen: I enjoy the expression “Here we go” said sarcastically. I also enjoy abbreviating cuss words. Soooo: Here We F-ing Go! by Karen Forman.
Eileen: It’s Phuc Tap! ( English translation: It’s Complicated. )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HApWmpb8nf4
Bob Newhart said: “Funny is Funny is Funny.”
…and these ladies are funny.