I first saw a Colleen Landry comedy video on Instagram and became an instant fan. “Inferior Designer” is primarily about her hubby who adds his own design aesthetic around the house. Hilarious video here. Colleen also shares life experiences in the same nonchalant character. Watch for her signature “sniff” at the end.
She was shy about including the number of followers so I asked her for the info. Back in January— 388K followers on Instagram. TikTok 208K. And constantly growing!
Colleen was also interviewed by fellow Substackian,
. Here’s the intimate, zoom interview.And now, Funny AF Woman #19— Colleen Landry!
What were your life events that lead you to realize, “Hey, I’m pretty funny.”
Probably when I was able to make some of my teachers laugh. I was always the one in class trying to make everyone laugh…might be why I didn’t make it on the Honor Roll.
Did your parents encourage your funny side?
Yes, my parents always thought I was funny and when I was a kid and they had friends over they would ask me to do impressions for them from the Carol Burnett Show (I’m aging myself here big time. haha). I remember them laughing pretty hard. It might have been more from the beer but I took it as a compliment and alas, a monster was created.
How did you nurture your funny side?
I watched a lot of comedy shows when I was a kid and still do. Carol Burnett was my inspiration. I watched that show religiously and dreamt of being on TV one day making people laugh like that. As I got older, Saturday Night Live was my comedy bible. Still is. I love that show.
Do you think you may have inherited your funny bone? A funny uncle? Who? Were you close with that person or heard stories about them? Like what? Share.
My father’s side of the family are all funny and they value humor above most things. I get my love of comedy from my dad–he loves to make people laugh and is known for that around the town I grew up in. He was a barber and I think people went to him as much for the laughter as the haircuts.
If you’re in a partnership, is he or she funny? Was/Is humor a requirement?
My husband and I laugh at the same things but I have to say I’m the funny one in the marriage. Having a sense of humor is a requirement for sure. He likes to laugh and he’s very supportive of my comedy and lets me use him as material, thank goodness. ha!
Did being a jokester ever get in the way of school or work? How?
I wouldn’t say it got in the way but when I was in public school, being a jokester definitely took precedence. I loved the social aspect of school more than anything. It was a breeding ground for comedy and I made it my life’s work to make people laugh. (See above comment about not making the Honor Roll. haha) In fact, recently I came across an old report card from Grade 6! My teacher–one of my favorites who I could always make laugh–wrote this comment: I won’t be surprised if Colleen becomes a comedian one day. Boom. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.
Can you tell me about a time when you turned something painful into something humorous?
I think humor and pain are intricately related so it’s a fine line. Sadly, one of my dear friends from my university days died almost a decade ago. Her husband asked me to deliver the eulogy. I was honored and terrified. I lost sleep and hair over writing it but after I delivered it, one of her cousins approached me and said, “We needed that.” Such a relief! I included some funny stories about us back in the day and it lightened the tragedy ever so slightly. My friend was hysterically funny and I think she would have approved.
Can you tell me about a time when you couldn’t muster anything funny and how it affected you?
Hmmm…nothing really comes to mind. I can usually find humor in everyday life.
Can you describe the type of humor you possess? Clever Wit, quick-with-a-joke, physical, goofball, aggressive, self-enhancing, self-deprecating, dark, observational, or one not on this list?
I’d say my humor is self-deprecating but I do love dark humor and sarcasm. I’m good with comebacks and playing off what people say. I’d say I have a fairly quick wit.
If you have kids, when was the first time you made them laugh?
We have two grown sons and making them laugh when they were kids was my finest hour. I’d change the words in children’s books, do silly voices…anything to make them laugh. At the end of the day when they were in bed, they’d both say, “Make me laugh, Mommy.” Swoon.
Did your kid inherit your comedy skill?
They sure did. They are both very funny and can make me laugh out loud. I love laughing with them.
Did your sense of humor change in the last 5 years?
Maybe I’m getting a bit braver in my comedy–I was always scared of offending anyone, especially my family so I’d always run it by my husband. I just turned 60 and I’d say the lead-up to that has been liberating. Now, I trust myself more. Not worrying what people might think has freed me up to say what I’m really thinking, which is funnier than not getting to the heart of the matter. The more people laugh, the more I know it’s close to the truth. That’s what makes it funny. We’re all living a pretty similar experience. I like uncovering that in a way that people say, “I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for saying it!”
Was your humor ever mean?
No, I don’t think so. At least I hope not. I try to point the lens more at myself than others. I’m fine with making fun of myself.
What would be the title of your life right now?
Leaning In, Laughing Lots and Loving It (How’s that for a title? Maybe I should write the book to go with it. haha.)
Colleen Landry is a recently retired high school writing teacher, author and comedian. She is currently basking in the endorphin rush of making total strangers laugh through her social media channels. Follow her on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram (@colleenlandrycomedy)
Find her books on Amazon:
Miss Nackawic Meets Midlife (Humor)
Follow the Goose Butt, Camelia Airheart! (early reader children’s chapter book)
Follow the Goose Butt to Nova Scotia (early reader children’s chapter book)
Follow the Goose Butt to Prince Edward Island (early reader children’s chapter book)
Take Off to Tantramar (picture book)
Click here to buy her merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/official-merch-for-colleenlandrycomedy/
👏🏻 🎈It’s Party Time! 🥳 Questions? Comments? Colleen will stop by throughout the day! Here are my questions for her….
How often do you post a new video?
Do you post different videos on IG, Tiktok and Youtube or are they all the same?
How long did it take to get to 1000 followers? 200k followers?
Thx, Paul. 🥰
Hahaha! Thank you for introducing me to Colleen. The gravity defying placement of the knife is true art!