This interview was… well… it’s what I’d imagine getting from a long-lost twin if 23andMe suddenly put us in touch after we’d been separated at birth by some humorless mad scientist intent on stifling inappropriate laughter (the best kind) and knock-knock jokes that elevate wordplay to high art.
There’s so much here that resonates—really all of it—but the stuff that hits hardest has that throughline of humor as a miracle cure. Keep your vitamin C and your echinacea. Give me someone like Renee who knows that razor-sharp repartee beats the shit out of Percocet when it comes to treating herniated discs or the emotional aftermath of The Exorcist (related: a few weeks after my parents got divorced, my mom took us to a drive-in triple feature of Psycho and its sequels—if you can laugh through that, how hard can a divorce be?).
I also have some follow-ups:
1. Anything off limits for you in terms of comedy and humor?
2. Who are your favorite humorists/comics working right now?
3. You get to write and/or publish your dream book or produce your dream project. What’s it called? What’s it about?
4. If you could define the three greatest moments/works in comedy writing (the way sports fans wax poetic on the greatest goals, dunks, etc.), what would those be?
5. I’d love to know about the studies on adversity. Any you can point me toward?
6. I feel like comedy isn’t taken as seriously as it should be, particularly in publishing. Of course, I could be wrong/ignorant. Just curious what your take is on the intersection of humor and books.
Thanks for this interview, both to Renee and to CK Steefel. These questions are fantastic. And I love that this series highlights women (I’ve heard too many dip shits dismiss the feminine funny bone as if there’s no Erma Bombeck, Lucille Ball, Flannery O’Connor, Shirley Jackson, Dorothy Parker, Moms Mabley, Lynn Nottage, Lisa McGee…).
I absolutely LOVE this! Norman we can absolutely be siblings... really... my father was also a serial cheater and womanizer...
Speaking of herniated discs (4 of them) true story- my back seized this evening as I'm packing for my trip to Seattle to teach my first masterclass at a writing event.
These questions are awesome. Thanks for asking them!
1. Anything off limits for you in terms of comedy and humor?
9/11 is the only thing I can't laugh about. Comedians have tried and even this many years later, it's a no-go for me. Rape... not a funny subject, but I've been caught off guard and laughed at "strangers with benefits".
2. Who are your favorite humorists/comics working right now?
Off the top of my head, my favorite comedians are: Neil Brennan, Iliza Schlesinger, Taylor Tomlinson, Bill Burr, Dave Chappell, Jo Koy. Louie CK. It has been awhile since I read anybody funny --except you, CK and of course Chris Stanton.
3. You get to write and/or publish your dream book or produce your dream project. What’s it called? What’s it about?
It's called Intermitten Bullshit: A Memoir -- It's a humorous look at growing up with an abusive alcoholic father, like when I'm 3 years old, learning to tie my shoes under his iron fist. His tactics would later be adopted by Eastern bloc countries to shame young gymnasts who dared look sideways at a cookie -- and a mom who could show she loved you, but not say it. I remember her fitting me for my first bra with all the tact and sensitivity of Bobby Knight on a rampage.
4. If you could define the three greatest moments/works in comedy writing (the way sports fans wax poetic on the greatest goals, dunks, etc.), what would those be?
I know I'm missing a few greats, but: This Is Spinal Tap; Tina Fey's 30 Rock (the quick jabs are great), and Veep.
5. I’d love to know about the studies on adversity. Any you can point me toward?
Google it. Also, Richard Pryor - the man was born and raised in a whore house... Rodney Dangerfield... Tiffany Haddish.
6. I feel like comedy isn’t taken as seriously as it should be, particularly in publishing. Of course, I could be wrong/ignorant. Just curious what your take is on the intersection of humor and books.
I can't pretend to get in the head of publishing as to why they do what they do. There are some good books out there written by comedians. Dave Barry. Nora Ephron wrote a few funny ones.
Thanks for this interview, both to Renee and to CK Steefel. These questions are fantastic. And I love that this series highlights women (I’ve heard too many dip shits dismiss the feminine funny bone as if there’s no Erma Bombeck, Lucille Ball, Flannery O’Connor, Shirley Jackson, Dorothy Parker, Moms Mabley, Lynn Nottage, Lisa McGee…).
First of all, you named some amazing people, all of whom I also think are funny. And second, thanks so much for the shout-out--I'm in very good company!
Oh, no! I hope your back feels better. After decades of pickup basketball on concrete courts, this is one of the few things that has helped me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWV6keJUDeo
My father was also a serial cheater. Must be an ingredient for comedy. Laugh through the shame and betrayal.
Bobby Knight at a bra fitting--that's an SNL sketch.
My wife and I have watched Veep several times. I would have LOVED to be part of that writer's room. So many comedic geniuses on that show.
I've heard the stories about Pryor's childhood. I'll have to look up Dangerfield and Haddish.
F-king awesome answers. Richard Pryor. Genius. So is your response. BTW the same folks who did Spinal Tap also did Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. Must watch.
Great interview as usual, CK! I was already very fond of Renee, and now I feel like I know her better. I'm also positive we would have been friends as kids.
Thanks CK for introducing us to Renee! Another great interview!
And I didn't know you were in the cohort. I am as well and I've never seen you on the zoom. Of course, I never venture off the page I'm on to see who else is there. I'm so un-tech that I don't push a button on the screen for fear of logging myself off, lol.
Hi Sue, great to meet you. I’ve missed the last few. I’ve been meeting a number of deadlines these past few weeks and I just can’t make it to the live calls. I will absolutely be on at some point in the future.
I haven’t been on the last several zoom calls because of scheduling. I hear you regarding not pressing too many buttons and accidentally turning on the dishwasher. Hehe. I remember Holly once sent me a private Hello and I couldn’t figure out how to return to the group chat.
When Sarah asks us to go to our Substack to check something, I ccouldn't do it because I could never find my way back to the group, lol. I finally asked a friend and can now switch screens, but I still hesitate. I'll be on the look out for you next time!
Really enjoyed this CK. If I were to throw a party, Renee would need to be in the room. I also had to smile with the mentions of Erma Bombeck. I have always thought her humor was timeless and that her writing was hilarious. - Jim
Funny movies in general are my favorite. I like the kind that has really witty and/or stupid quotes that you repeat for the rest of your life. Anchorman had a ton of them. Animal House. Airplane. The Wedding Singer. Leslie Nielsen movies… he was good at the double entendre.
I’ll now have to watch Waiting for Guffman. Never saw it.
OMG! Such a great interview!!! I especially loved her date jokes :) Love another Erma fan!
This is awesome, thank you CK and Renee! I also loved Erma Bombeck and appreciated the pics of your kids and their clothing choices!
Love this. A knack for humor is often treated like the red-headed step child of gifts but the people who make us laugh are priceless!!
This interview was… well… it’s what I’d imagine getting from a long-lost twin if 23andMe suddenly put us in touch after we’d been separated at birth by some humorless mad scientist intent on stifling inappropriate laughter (the best kind) and knock-knock jokes that elevate wordplay to high art.
There’s so much here that resonates—really all of it—but the stuff that hits hardest has that throughline of humor as a miracle cure. Keep your vitamin C and your echinacea. Give me someone like Renee who knows that razor-sharp repartee beats the shit out of Percocet when it comes to treating herniated discs or the emotional aftermath of The Exorcist (related: a few weeks after my parents got divorced, my mom took us to a drive-in triple feature of Psycho and its sequels—if you can laugh through that, how hard can a divorce be?).
I also have some follow-ups:
1. Anything off limits for you in terms of comedy and humor?
2. Who are your favorite humorists/comics working right now?
3. You get to write and/or publish your dream book or produce your dream project. What’s it called? What’s it about?
4. If you could define the three greatest moments/works in comedy writing (the way sports fans wax poetic on the greatest goals, dunks, etc.), what would those be?
5. I’d love to know about the studies on adversity. Any you can point me toward?
6. I feel like comedy isn’t taken as seriously as it should be, particularly in publishing. Of course, I could be wrong/ignorant. Just curious what your take is on the intersection of humor and books.
Thanks for this interview, both to Renee and to CK Steefel. These questions are fantastic. And I love that this series highlights women (I’ve heard too many dip shits dismiss the feminine funny bone as if there’s no Erma Bombeck, Lucille Ball, Flannery O’Connor, Shirley Jackson, Dorothy Parker, Moms Mabley, Lynn Nottage, Lisa McGee…).
I absolutely LOVE this! Norman we can absolutely be siblings... really... my father was also a serial cheater and womanizer...
Speaking of herniated discs (4 of them) true story- my back seized this evening as I'm packing for my trip to Seattle to teach my first masterclass at a writing event.
These questions are awesome. Thanks for asking them!
1. Anything off limits for you in terms of comedy and humor?
9/11 is the only thing I can't laugh about. Comedians have tried and even this many years later, it's a no-go for me. Rape... not a funny subject, but I've been caught off guard and laughed at "strangers with benefits".
2. Who are your favorite humorists/comics working right now?
Off the top of my head, my favorite comedians are: Neil Brennan, Iliza Schlesinger, Taylor Tomlinson, Bill Burr, Dave Chappell, Jo Koy. Louie CK. It has been awhile since I read anybody funny --except you, CK and of course Chris Stanton.
3. You get to write and/or publish your dream book or produce your dream project. What’s it called? What’s it about?
It's called Intermitten Bullshit: A Memoir -- It's a humorous look at growing up with an abusive alcoholic father, like when I'm 3 years old, learning to tie my shoes under his iron fist. His tactics would later be adopted by Eastern bloc countries to shame young gymnasts who dared look sideways at a cookie -- and a mom who could show she loved you, but not say it. I remember her fitting me for my first bra with all the tact and sensitivity of Bobby Knight on a rampage.
4. If you could define the three greatest moments/works in comedy writing (the way sports fans wax poetic on the greatest goals, dunks, etc.), what would those be?
I know I'm missing a few greats, but: This Is Spinal Tap; Tina Fey's 30 Rock (the quick jabs are great), and Veep.
5. I’d love to know about the studies on adversity. Any you can point me toward?
Google it. Also, Richard Pryor - the man was born and raised in a whore house... Rodney Dangerfield... Tiffany Haddish.
6. I feel like comedy isn’t taken as seriously as it should be, particularly in publishing. Of course, I could be wrong/ignorant. Just curious what your take is on the intersection of humor and books.
I can't pretend to get in the head of publishing as to why they do what they do. There are some good books out there written by comedians. Dave Barry. Nora Ephron wrote a few funny ones.
Thanks for this interview, both to Renee and to CK Steefel. These questions are fantastic. And I love that this series highlights women (I’ve heard too many dip shits dismiss the feminine funny bone as if there’s no Erma Bombeck, Lucille Ball, Flannery O’Connor, Shirley Jackson, Dorothy Parker, Moms Mabley, Lynn Nottage, Lisa McGee…).
First of all, you named some amazing people, all of whom I also think are funny. And second, thanks so much for the shout-out--I'm in very good company!
Oh, no! I hope your back feels better. After decades of pickup basketball on concrete courts, this is one of the few things that has helped me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWV6keJUDeo
My father was also a serial cheater. Must be an ingredient for comedy. Laugh through the shame and betrayal.
Bobby Knight at a bra fitting--that's an SNL sketch.
My wife and I have watched Veep several times. I would have LOVED to be part of that writer's room. So many comedic geniuses on that show.
I've heard the stories about Pryor's childhood. I'll have to look up Dangerfield and Haddish.
Thanks for these responses. Great stuff!
I watched the link - I do a lot of stretches, but I'll try this specifically and see if it helps. Thank you :)
F-king awesome answers. Richard Pryor. Genius. So is your response. BTW the same folks who did Spinal Tap also did Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. Must watch.
Yes I watched the trailer for Guffman yesterday and saw it was Spinal Tap guys. I need to be relaxed for Guffman humor - it’s slow and subtle.
Norman!! Thank you so much for this response and fab questions for Renee.
Love this interview so much!
Match.com. Yes.
❤️❤️
Great interview, Carissa and Renee! I’m an Erma Bombeck fan too!
She is definitely missed 😊
Erma touched us all.
“How Many Licks Does It Take To Get To the Center of My Sanity?” What a fun interview!
Thanks for reading, Kimberly 😊
Great interview as usual, CK! I was already very fond of Renee, and now I feel like I know her better. I'm also positive we would have been friends as kids.
Awww thanks, Chris ♥️ We would’ve absolutely been friends as kids
Excellent interview! I also grew up reading Erma Bombeck-loved her!💕
Erma was fantastic.
Thanks CK for introducing us to Renee! Another great interview!
And I didn't know you were in the cohort. I am as well and I've never seen you on the zoom. Of course, I never venture off the page I'm on to see who else is there. I'm so un-tech that I don't push a button on the screen for fear of logging myself off, lol.
Hi Sue, great to meet you. I’ve missed the last few. I’ve been meeting a number of deadlines these past few weeks and I just can’t make it to the live calls. I will absolutely be on at some point in the future.
Thx for reading.
I haven’t been on the last several zoom calls because of scheduling. I hear you regarding not pressing too many buttons and accidentally turning on the dishwasher. Hehe. I remember Holly once sent me a private Hello and I couldn’t figure out how to return to the group chat.
When Sarah asks us to go to our Substack to check something, I ccouldn't do it because I could never find my way back to the group, lol. I finally asked a friend and can now switch screens, but I still hesitate. I'll be on the look out for you next time!
Really enjoyed this CK. If I were to throw a party, Renee would need to be in the room. I also had to smile with the mentions of Erma Bombeck. I have always thought her humor was timeless and that her writing was hilarious. - Jim
Thank you, Jim. I’d be honored to be there.
Thx for joining the party. Virtual baby carrots included.
Great interview CK!
Renee, do you have a favorite funny movie, either one that's intentionally funny or funny because it's so inept?
I'm guessing from your interview you may be a fan of "Waiting For Guffman."
Funny movies in general are my favorite. I like the kind that has really witty and/or stupid quotes that you repeat for the rest of your life. Anchorman had a ton of them. Animal House. Airplane. The Wedding Singer. Leslie Nielsen movies… he was good at the double entendre.
I’ll now have to watch Waiting for Guffman. Never saw it.
Surely, you must see Waiting For Guffman.
Oh yes! Must watch Waiting for Guffman and also Best In Show.
I’ve seen Best in Show. 😁
Great question.
My wife has a funny bone. Which I find unusual because she spent over 20 years working in the local jail for the county sheriff's office.
I think you have to have a good sense of humor to work at the local jail. Especially when you run into the same frequent flyers.
Where’s her memoir? Wow. One would have to develop humor for that job— I would imagine.
Congratulations to the bride and groom, and all the family. I hope it's a wonderful celebration of love and togetherness.
🥰🙏
Thank you CK. I had a lot of fun doing this. ♥️
1. I represent most genres. Humor is always a bonus.
2. Coaching and agenting each have their pros and cons.
3. I was getting my oil changed during COVID. It was cold out. My mother made me that mask. They say Wonder Woman reminds them of me.
4. I write mostly to make my friends laugh. I truly enjoy helping others realize their dreams of writing a book and/or getting published.
My agency partner says I’m going to be the one to write a best-seller. Maybe. Who knows.
Love these answers.
The gal who wrote The Help worked in publishing. Olivia Wilde was a casting director first. Why not?