SAMANTHA RUDDY: BEYOND ‘BROAD APPEAL’
Comedy comes in many forms, spoken, physical, visual, and written. Each form is different in what it takes to evoke laughter. I’ve always been fascinated by those who can craft a funny, concise joke that works in written form, and Samantha Ruddy is one of those comics. She’s a standup and a comedy writer, with jokes that are both clever and witty—whether they come in text form, from her mouth, or from the mouth of one of her fellow award-winning sketch group members.
On Friday, October 13 (spooooookeyyyyy), Ruddy’s headlining the female-focused comedy show Broad Appeal, hosted by Christa Weiss, as they celebrate a three-year anniversary. BUST magazine said she’s a comic “you should be obsessed with,” and before you check her in person, here’s a quick intro to your new obsession.
Nickname you hated the most growing up?
Never cool enough to get a nickname.
You’ve been to Boston a few times, what’s the one thing you would tell people, besides your mother, to check out when they come to visit?
I would tell everybody to go to the aquarium because it’s great. My mom would like it too, but I will not tell her about it because that is the rules.
You’ve written articles for Collegehumor, Reductress, The Higgs Weldon, Huffington Post, and more. What was it like seeing your writings published the first time?
It’s very cool to see your work get posted. The first time I ever got published was actually in a poetry book as a 9-year-old because I was a tortured soul as a child. Felt great.
You wrote an article for Reductress (a feminist satire site) called Please Stop Calling The Rabid Coyote In Your Backyard Your Child. If you had to, with only things found in your bedroom, how would you coyote-proof your home?
I would just accept my fate. I am not handy, crafty, or capable of building anything. If I get eaten by coyotes in my New York City apartment, I deserve it.
In 2013 you wrote a sketch for your award-winning college group Humor Whore called RENT A FRAT BOY! What things would you rent a Frat Boy for now versus 2013?
I would love to rent a frat boy to coyote-proof my home.
In 2012, writing about marriage equality for Huffington Post, you noted that [as a gay woman] you felt “… closer to being an ordinary U.S. citizen.” How about now?
I feel closer to being “an ordinary citizen” for sure. There are peaks and valleys, but I would say things are better now than in 2013 pre-marriage equality. It’s awful that you can still be fired just for being gay in a lot of states, but hopefully things will continue to get better.
What’s the most embarrassing song in your current music player of choice?
The entire Moana soundtrack, but if we’re being really really honest, it’s a track I made when I tried to be a DJ in 11th grade.
For more about Samantha, her comedy, and her writing follow her on twitter @Samlymatters. See her with Ellen Sugarman, Erin Judge, Ryan Chani, Jere Pilapil, Srilatha Rajamani, and Nicole Sisk, at Arts at the Armory in Somerville at Broad Appeal Friday, October 13.
DENNIS MALER
Rabble rousing subversive jocular misanthrope that will make you laugh or gasp. Abrasively social. Allergy free since '81! Moderator of /r/BostonComedy
- 10 hours ago
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