LAST WOMAN STANDING: AN INTERVIEW WITH STAND-UP COMEDIAN MICHELE BALAN
Although we only met briefly during the cruise, Michele was kind enough to answer a few questions after the trip ended.
Jo: Did you watch any of the first three seasons of Last Comic Standing? If so, did it inspire you to audition?
MB: I watched some of the episodes as I knew a lot of the comics that were on it. I think I watched more of Season 2. That season inspired me more to audition. I certainly would not have waited on a line, but a lot of the more professional comics got audition times, which I did. But that was all they gave me (a time slot), the rest was up to me.
Jo: What was the audition process like for the show?
MB: It was a 3 minute audition in a large comedy club in front of 2 judges and 3 producers (who were hiding in the back). It is like doing comedy in your mirror and waiting for a laugh…or trying jokes out on my Shitzu!
Jo: I went to a high school dance on the Queen Mary as a teenager, and I can’t imagine that the accommodations are anything but dusty and uncomfortable - what was it like briefly living on that ship while filming?
MB: Exactly how you described it.. dusty and uncomfortable! It’s also supposed to be one of the top haunted places in the U.S…but it’s so dusty, the ghosts don’t even want to stay!
Jo: Did you enjoy living among your competition?
MB: No. It was way too competitive and noisy. Comics only want to one-up each other…it got pretty annoying.
Jo: How did the exposure from Last Comic affect your career?
MB: It’s been great. It has been a gift…I am now a 15 year overnight success!
Jo: Have you remained friends with anyone from the show?
MB: Most of us have stayed in touch and we talk from time to time. Some I don’t really speak with at all.
Jo: If they asked, would you be a guest judge on Last Comic in the future?
MB: I would love it. I hope they would ask.
Jo: I read that you are slated to perform on Jay Leno. Will that be your first visit to his show?
MB: I am in the process of preparing to get on the show…not finalized yet…so cross everything. But it’s certainly looking very positive.
Jo: Where is your favorite place to perform?
MB: I like most places. I am not crazy about doing colleges; I do a few, but I always think they are saying, “Who’s mother is that?”
Jo: Obviously you gauge your content based on your audience. But are there any topics that you consider off-limits in your act?
MB: I might make some adjustments to my act based on whether I play a gay cruise, or Jewish Country club! J
Jo: You’ve performed on both Olivia and RSVP vacations. Did they each contact you after watching Last Comic?
MB: I actually performed on both before the show.
Jo: I noticed that you were wearing the seasickness prevention bracelets on the Alaska cruise. Do you prefer performing at land-based destinations?
MB: I love cruises, but yes, I am one that is more prone to sea sickness than most. I very rarely get sea sick on land!
Jo: You were born and raised in New York. Have you lived there ever since? Would you ever move out to Los Angeles or anywhere else?
MB: Yes, I was born and raised in NYC and still live here. I thought about moving to LA but I have been too busy to pack. So I just go there a few times a year.
Jo: Is it true that you used to be an executive at a computer company? How did you contain your sarcasm in that environment…or did you even have to?
MB: My sarcasm and humor is what made me a good sales person. I was an account executive and sold computer packages.
Jo: What made you decide to leave the corporate world behind for the life of stand-up comedy?
MB: Everyone always told me I was funny and I should be a comic. I finally listened and left my corporate job. It was a tough decision, and I had a rocky road emotionally and financially getting here! I stuck with it, and here I am. So I certainly have no regrets!
Jo: Before Last Comic, you were a “female female-impersonator,” and Bette Midler was your specialty. Did she ever catch your act?
MB: No, she never did. At least I don’t think so…well, she never called!
Jo: Who or what has been the biggest influence on your career?
MB: Bette was a big part of it, and a lot of old “Borscht Belt” (a.k.a. Jewish Catskill) comics.
Jo: How often do you personally check your MySpace page and messages?
MB: I check all my emails and answer them all. Of course, sometimes it takes awhile, like this interview did. My apologies!
Jo: On the rare occasion that you do have down time, do you watch television? What are some of your favorite TV shows?
MB: I actually like a lot of the crime dramas…the Law & Order’s and CSI’s. I like Frasier and Golden Girls reruns at night (when I am up till 2:00 am trying to fall asleep).
Jo: Are you auditioning for movies or television, in addition to performing as a headliner at comedy clubs and benefits across the country?
MB: Yes, on all. I’ve been doing so many things, and glad to have all the opportunities. You never know when any of this comes to a screeching halt! I could go from Last Comic Standing to the other reality show, Where Are They Now? J
Jo: What are you currently working on/aiming for?
MB: I have a few tour projects and possible TV projects in the works…so maybe one, or all will come through (then I will need an understudy!)
Many thanks to Michele for taking the time out of her busy schedule for this interview!
You can order her DVD (“Live…Just Barely”) and CD (“Neurotic by Nature”) directly by visiting: http://www.comicbalan.com/content/. Or become one of her MySpace friends: http://www.myspace.com/princessofcomedy.
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