Comedian Maria Bamford will be at the Academy of Music Theatre on Friday, October 6, at 8 p.m. In anticipation of her stand-up show, we checked in with the star of the strange, sweet and semi-autobiographical Netflix comedy series “Lady Dynamite” — she plays a character named Maria Bamford, also a comedian, who is in the midst of recovering from a mental breakdown — about her upcoming trip to Northampton, what makes her laugh, and why old guys who think women aren’t funny don’t faze her.
1. What do you know about Northampton?
“Well, I think in answering this I should try to stop myself from googling ‘Northampton’ — so, this is what comes to mind: ice, lobstahs, woolen fisherman hats and more than your average number of redheads. I could also be thinking of ‘Dublin.’ ”
2. About your Netflix special, “Old Baby,” Jason Zinoman of the New York Times writes, “Ms. Bamford makes the case for stand-up as a personal art form that stays true to itself rather than adjusting to the crowd.” Do you agree with this assessment — or do you feel like you do adjust to the crowd? What are some of the weirdest situations you’ve performed in or crowds you’ve performed for?
“I am all for adjusting to the crowd if I could just remember that much material. It is hard enough to remember the jokes that I really believe in — much less the few that might help me if I were in need of generic crowdpleasers (if such a thing exists). I have performed at a motorcycle rally, a Debtors Anonymous fundraiser, two homeless shelters, my dad’s medical school reunion, a therapists’ convention — and at all of these I can confidently say that I ate it.”
3. You’ve found the humor in anxiety, depression, etc. Is there anything that’s “off limits” for you when it comes to comedy/stand-up?
“I try to stay away from my sister as a comedic topic. She came to me and was honest that my impersonations felt hurtful and so, that material is relegated to my first three albums! She is very funny so it has been difficult for me — but I now have adjusted my focus to my brother-in-law. I’m sure it will be fine.”
4. When’s the last time you bombed onstage?
“Well, it’s arguable, but I would say just tonight! I played the KAABOO music festival [in California], and though I know there were some fans in the audience, I’m afraid they were outnumbered by the hot and tired Toad the Wet Sprocket aficionados who had just come in for some air conditioning and were subjected to my comedic premii [Editor’s note: If you’re new to Bamford-ese, a “premii” is her made-up word for more than one premise.] It was a long and well-paid 44 minutes and 10 seconds.
5. What do you say to all the crusty old guys who say women can’t be funny?
“Old guys have a right to their opinion, I guess. Who cares? I mean, it’s like any -ism — if that’s what you believe, there’s nothing I can do to change your mind. I have a new premise I’m working on, ‘Old guys aren’t funny. I mean, they’re just whiny, old, male men — I’m sorry, it’s just not funny, and it never will be.’ Probably needs tweaking, but I think if I just say it in an exaggerated, uneducated-sounding masculine voice where I’m barely understood for lack of enunciation, I think it will DESTROY. And, you know, only women can destroy things.”
6. Who’s the last person who really made you laugh, and tell us why …
“My husband and my friend [and fellow comedian] Jackie Kashian. I’ve known both of them so long and have spent more time with them than I have my own family. The people you love are the best shows around.”