A [TEXT MESSAGE] Conversation With Comedian / Filmmaker Melody Kamali
Rating 2023, TikTok Standup Clips, The Chicago Comedy Scene, Coming Out, Therapy, and Hope For The New Year
A [BLANK] Conversation With… is an interview series where guests engage in a three-day conversation via their preferred mode of text-based communication, with no commitments to the length or frequency of their responses.
Every time I run into Melody Kamali, I learn something intense, fascinating and new. We met in the “trenches” of Chicago comedy somewhere around 2012 (why is there so much violent war terminology when it comes to making strangers laugh?).
And while there, we formed a comedy show called Double Feature (along with comedians Ian Abramson and Marlena Rodriguez) that combined stand-up with comedic short films.
Since those “trench” days, we’ve both made the jump to New York. I thought it’d be nice to have Melody here as the final text interview of 2023 to look back at the reasons we chose these strange career paths, ahead at where this bizarre media landscape is heading, and around at the moment to see if it’ll blink first.
We chatted for three days via text message. Note: During this time, a Chicago comedy friend of ours Kenny DeForest was hurt in a tragic accident. Melody and I had a brief exchange about it on day three when things still seemed hopeful. You can donate to Kenny’s GoFundMe to provide funds for his medical expenses and grieving family. You can also read my thoughts on Kenny here at the end of the interview.]
TABLE OF CONVERSATION:
Rating 2023, The TikTok Of It All, & The Chicago Days
Comparing Comedy Scenes, Coming Out, & Secret Talents
30 Rock, Guilt/Shame, & Residencies
LEGEND:
“֍” at the end of a post from one Person A means that the “╰┈➤” at the start of a post from Person B is in direct response
“≫” signifies that someone made a direct response to their own direct response
“⌛” means that you’re seeing something written later in the timeline for a better reading experience.
And a post that begins without one of those icons is new to the main feed.
Note: Since Tim and Melody are based in New York, each text is timestamped in Eastern Standard Time. However, certain reactions like “iPhone haha”s and ❤️s exist out of time. We have no way of retrospectively knowing exactly when those buttons were pressed. There have been minor adjustments of the text for clarity.
DAY 1 (Friday 12-8-2023)
Tim Barnes: (11:11AM) Hey, Melody! Welcome.. FINALLY to the interview! (11:12AM) I think you’ll officially be my final text interview of the year so this is exciting (11:12AM) How was this year for you on a scale of 1 - 10? Melody Kamali: (11:20AM) Tim! I’m truly honored. As for 2023, I can say I’ve never been more thrilled for a Gregorian calendar year to end. One of my worst years on record but I’ll give it a 5 because things could certainly be worse Tim: (11:22AM) Yeah, we live in a time where we’re constantly aware of how much worse things could be. I feel like whenever we bump into each other you have a pretty massive life update. Near the start of the year I remember you saying something like “Yeah, I’m kinda podcast famous now and I don’t know how to deal with all of these new younger fans!” Melody: (11:31AM) Well, speaking of dismal 2023 events, shortly after that conversation the podcast came to an unexpected ending LOL. As well as my day job 💅🏽 (11:33AM) Totally unrelated, if Spock ever needs a sitter please let me know ;) Tim: (11:36AM) Hahaha, good to know! Finding dog sitters has been one of the biggest stressors for me this year. And, damn, I didn’t realize that happened so quickly. What was your day job at the time? Melody: (11:44AM) Truly a year of endings! 6 and a half year relationship, podcast and the Chicago based production company I’ve worked for since 2016 closed up shop! I was a post-producer. Still freelance editing here and there. And, you know what they say: when 10 doors close, maybe look for a window to jump out of! Jk! My (studio) window has bars. (11:44AM) Hahahahaha sorry Tim: (11:47AM) Hahaha, no worries. Wow, I didn’t realize it had been 10 years. I moved to New York from Chicago in 2016, but I remember even before that you were balancing production work with comedy — more functionally than me I think. Melody: (11:48AM) Oh man, it’s an impossible balance where one is always coming out stronger than the other. Something’s gotta give, usually sleep. Tim: (11:51AM) It’s a tough time for standup and working in media because even though nothing has ever been certain in those worlds, it feels like a new level of “no one knows what’s going on” right now. How do you feel about both of those worlds at the moment? (12:01PM) I should mention — I’m feeling a lot of similar employment stress at the moment too! There’s no telling how the TV/film market will bounce back so now I’m sifting through all of my old skills to try and remind myself of how to write resumes and speak fluent “interview” ֍ Melody: ╰┈➤ (⌛ 12:10PM) Same here! I’ve been absolutely bombing interviews for roles like “recruiter” desperately trying to convince interviewers that producing skills are essentially the same thing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ֍ Tim: ╰┈➤ (⌛ 12:14PM) This is definitely a better angle than the time I got an interview to write for one of Katie Nolan’s shows and tried convincing the producer that my knowing nothing about sports was actually a good thing [Melody gives this an iPhone "HaHa"] Melody: (12:07PM) I completely agree! I don’t know what’s happening but I do know both those worlds are becoming increasingly TikTok/reel oriented. Remember when we ran into each other at the dog park a month or two ago and you immediately asked “so how do you feel about standup?” And I laughed and screamed “HOW DARE YOU?” Because I don’t know how I feel! I am bad at putting myself out there digitally but I know I should get over that. I have a premiere project file sitting there with standup reels edited and captioned and ready to go but I still can’t pull the trigger. I love performing standup but I’m not sure how I feel about what it comes with now. Hecklers emboldened by crowd work clips, comics setting up cameras facing them AND the audience for reaction shots/potential confrontations. It feels gross! (12:11PM)I met with a staffing agency recruiter and she told me on top of job opportunities being slim, there’s even more competition now since the strikes. She said she has hundreds of production resumes she’s helping retool.--> edited to: (12:11PM) I met with a staffing agency recruiter and she told me on top of job opportunities being slim post covid, there’s even more competition now since the strikes. She said she has hundreds of production resumes she’s helping retool. Tim: (12:13PM) I’m glad you mentioned the camera setup element because it is definitely wild that comedians are now also cinematographers Melody: (12:14PM) Hahaa maybe we should be going for those roles! [Tim gives this an iPhone "HaHa"] (12:14PM) We’ll start a reel-exclusive production company ֍ Tim: ╰┈➤ (12:15PM) You… might actually be onto something Melody: (12:16PM) I definitely took a pause after sending that like ‘wait a minute’ [Tim gives this an iPhone "HaHa"] (12:16PM) Straight to the copyright office Tim: (12:17PM) When did you make the leap from Chicago to New York? Melody: (12:20PM) I moved Halloween 2017 but if anyone asks I just arrived from my home scene with a lot of heat ;) (12:22PM) For real though I was in a long distance relationship with my ex, a strong comic who’d made the leap a year before. I felt pressured and definitely had some resentment because I didn’t feel “ready” but in hindsight I’m glad I moved and now I feel like I stayed there too long honestly Tim: (12:22PM) Where would you rather be? Melody: (12:27PM)Now that everything’s content oriented anyway, as a comic it’d be nice to get all that stage time in Chicago with much less competition and cost of living. Lifestyle wise though it’s true what they say I ❤️ NY. Also I’m from CT and feel much more at home on the east coast--> edited to: (12:27PM)Now that everything’s content oriented anyway, as a comic it’d be nice to get all that stage time in Chicago with much less competition and cost of living. Lifestyle wise though it’s true what they say: I ❤️ NY. Also I’m from CT and feel much more at home on the east coast--> edited to: (12:27PM) Now that everything’s content oriented anyway, as a comic it’d be nice to get all that stage time in Chicago with much less competition and cost of living. Lifestyle wise though it’s true what they say: I ❤️ NY. Also I’m from Connecticut and feel much more at home on the east coast (12:27PM) What about you? Tim: (12:34PM) Yeah, that’s makes sense. That’s what Ian’s doing right now. And it seems to be working out pretty well. For me, L.A. makes sense for certain reasons because all of my family is out there and I think I could wrangle jobs a little easier, but I certainly wouldn’t mind Chicago. It’s been so long. I’m oddly nervous about the idea. Like I don’t know how I’d fit into the current Chicago matrix Melody: (12:47PM) Yeah good point I don’t even know what it looks like anymore! Feeling very “back in my day” right now haha Tim: (12:53PM) It’s hard not to! Is there anything that’s helped you cope this year? Melody: (1:07PM) I did start therapy again after years off and my girl Annie is pretty good about reminding me that comedy will always be there and it’s ok to take breaks. I’ve also just been putting a lot of stock in 2024 — I don’t know if you heard but it’s going to be MY year!! [Tim gives this an iPhone "❤️"] (11:11PM) But otherwise, brainstorming and kicking off new projects like a new podcast I can’t really discuss yet but am pretty jazzed about :) maybe even finally releasing the vaulted reels (threat) Tim: (1:20PM) Hahaha, that’s great! Yeah, this year was heavy on the brainstorming for me. And doing weird things like emailing jokes instead of relying on Twitter and reels. And it’s true, comedy will always be there. I’m launching a podcast next year about “being the genre” and a swear the idea is so powerful I could start a cult if I really wanted to. I feel like we started where most interviews end, lol. Let’s backtrack a bit. What brought you to Chicago? Was for comedy specifically? [Melody gives this an iPhone "❤️"] Melody: (2:05PM) This is great to hear, I’ll definitely become a listener-worshiper (2:15PM) Well I actually moved to Chicago on a whim. I didn’t know too much about the city, honestly, and had only been there once for a weekend visit. My sister Melissa was at DePaul University and I was fresh off a chaotic year off. In 2008 I’d gone to New York for a summer internship and never returned to school in the fall. I tried living in Brooklyn as a 19 year old and it was wild and difficult. So I moved back home and enrolled at UConn. In winter of 2009 I was driving to Boston to visit a high school friend and got in a horrible car accident that involved 3 cars and two tractor-trailers on the Mass Pike. It was very much a near death experience, I was diagnosed with PTSD and everything. I wanted to go back to New York or any city that decent public transportation because I was horrified at the idea of driving. A few months later I was on the phone with my sister, catching up, and my dad picked up the land line I was on and said he needed to use the phone. I joked that I’d get off if he’d help move me to Chicago to live with Melissa. We were pretty shocked to hear him say “yes, if you find a school to transfer to.” Immigrant parents tend to be laser focused on degrees. (2:17PM) I researched schools and found a media arts school, Columbia College Chicago. I had already dabbled in video production and had secretly always wanted to work in TV. Their TV and Film programs looked exciting and it turns out it’s pretty easy to enroll at a for-profit art school! [Tim gives this an iPhone "HaHa"] Tim: (2:19PM) Wow, that’s incredible. I had an intense interest in film and media. Which reminds me, I don’t really recall all of the nuances that led to us getting together and making ‘Double Feature!’ What was the end goal for you in taking those courses? ֍ Melody: ╰┈➤ (⌛ 2:30PM) I was obsessed with television growing up - it’s how I learned a lot about America/pop culture since I grew up in a very Persian and Farsi speaking household. I was pretty bullied for being brown growing up in an otherwise very white school and so there was this summer video production day camp my town of West Hartford had where 2 incoming 5th graders from each of the 11 elementary school were chosen to by each principal to attend. Mine was aware of the bullying and chose me and it was game over. We learned how to technical direct, edit, be on camera talent for reporting/new style packages. In hindsight, an incredible opportunity. After that I became obsessed with our family camcorder and at the same time, SNL. My sister and I would create characters and perform and produce sketches and it was glorious. The TV program at Columbia had some seasoned teachers including Mike Fry who wrote on The Fresh Prince. He taught a few of my comedy and sketch writing classes and I just wanted to mimic his career honestly. He’d tell some incredible stories from the writers room and set and it seemed not only thrilling but tangible (lol) ≫ (⌛ 2:32PM) I write my first pilot and my teacher Tracy Fetterolf (who’d sold some shows and worked closely with David Kelly) really seemed to believe in me. She also taught the TV business classes and it was then that I realized I wanted to at least sell a show. She even sent one of my pilots to a producer friend of hers who gave great notes and really encouraged me to stay writing. It all just seemed so exciting and like the opportunities were endless? ≫ (⌛ 2:34PM)Even though this was at a very awkward time when the streamers were taking over and models were changing. Columbia has a satellite office in Santa Monica and for our last semester it’s expected everyone go to LA however, I had started standup and completely fell in love with the Chicago comedy scene, so I did not go. Something I’m not sure how I feel about out to this day. Especially looking at my classmates today all with their TV careers.--> edited to: (⌛ 2:36PM)Even though this was at a very awkward time when the streamers were taking over and models were changing. Columbia has a satellite office in Santa Monica and for our last semester it’s expected everyone go to LA however, I had started standup and completely fell in love with the Chicago comedy scene, so I did not go. Something I’m still not sure how I feel about. Especially looking at my classmates today with their TV careers.--> edited to: (⌛ 2:36PM) Even though this was at a very awkward time when the streamers were taking over and models were changing. Columbia has a satellite office in Santa Monica and for our last semester it’s expected everyone go to LA however, I had started standup and completely fell in love with the Chicago comedy scene, so I did not go. Something I’m still not sure how I feel about today. Especially looking at my former classmates and their TV careers. (2:20PM) I moved to Chicago August 2009. I’d been working as a Starbucks barista in Connecticut and it’s easy to transfer stores. When I was looking up locations I saw one in the Second City building and was thrilled because dude I’d also secretly always wanted to do comedy. I started work the day after moving and the first person I met in the city was my shift supervisor comedian Ever Mainard. Ever would eventually encourage me to start standup and we’re still best friends to this day :) [Tim gives this an iPhone "❤️"] Tim: (2:37PM) Oh, yeah. I think that’s a true sign of people who want to get into comedy/TV writing. When all of these “you had to be there” behind the scenes stories seem thrilling. It’s interesting because there was a definite comedy boom while we were in Chicago. Ian and I got there in February 2012 and we were taking Second City classes and Tina Fey’s book had just come out and it felt like there was this direct path from standup to just about anything. I remember seeing Ever in that Starbucks too! There was a lot happening that made staying irresistible. Especially as people like Kumail and Pete Holmes were blowing up Melody: (2:42PM) Yes! All of those Chicago comics were starting to blow up as I was graduating and I thought I needed to stay and cook in that magic comedy sauce. (2:42PM) OH MY GOD TIM (2:43PM) Did you just try to log-in to the Double Feature Facebook account? (2:43PM) As we’re talking I get this notification hahahaah --
Tim: (2:43PM) Hahaha, no! That’s so weird. I really didn’t. Wouldn’t even know how to (2:44PM) Wow (2:44PM) What insane timing Melody: (2:44PM) Incredible! (2:44PM) I didn’t even know I was still attached to it! [Tim gives this an iPhone "HaHa"] Tim: (2:44PM) I also can’t tell if that’s spam Melody: (2:45PM) Oh yeah I just realized it’s from a name and not daddy Zuck (2:45PM) I’m going to try to log in (2:46PM) I’M IN Tim: (2:47PM) Woah! Melody: (2:47PM) it just let me switch from my personal (2:47PM) Wild Tim: (2:47PM) --
[Melody gives this an iPhone "HaHa"]
Melody:
(2:50PM) --(2:50PM) I'm dying (2:53PM) A two and a half minute promo clip Tim: (2:55PM) Absolutely incredible that I’ve considered myself fat all my life and probably did even then. Where did that version of my body go?! Wow. ֍ (2:55PM) And a promo clip for a live show on YouTube says everything about the time (2:56PM) You probably couldn’t even upload video to twitter or even Instagram then ֍֍ Melody: ╰┈➤ (2:56PM) We were so young and smol! ╰┈➤ ╰┈➤(2:57PM) Hahaha no way just “yfrog” images (3:00PM) Speaking of images --
Tim: (3:05PM) Truly a time! I remember that being my first experience booking shows and understanding just how much goes into producing. We really had to do so much! (3:05PM) This is making me so nostalgic Melody: (3:09PM) Yes me tooo. It all felt so important! I think we did a great job. Recently, a New York comic told me he’d heard ‘great things’ at the time and that people in the Brooklyn scene were talking about the show. Wild. Tim: (3:11PM) Wow. The pandemic has really made me feel like I’m waking up with amnesia. Another big reason I should revisit Chicago soon is just for some of those memories to come back. How did your family feel when you started focusing on comedy? Melody: (4:08PM) My parents are actually pretty progressive by Iranian parent standards! At first they were confused and floated the idea of nursing school while perusing comedy but quickly gave up. I was a very depressed teen and I think they’re just relieved I found something that makes me happy. The first time they saw me go up it was the very popular Monday night Star Bar show in Atlanta. Thankfully I crushed for a packed house and here were some comics with tv credits on the lineup and maybe that helped haha. Tim: (4:39PM) That is so important! I’ve really lucked out in terms of being on a good show when family comes around. What do you think the causes of your teenage depression were? Do you think it was the standard stuff or more niche, indie depression with a small but passionate fan base? Melody: (5:06PM) Hahahaha it was a total sellout— accessible bullshit, run of the mill top 40 stuff. Definitely clinical but with amplifying factors like bullying, post 9/11 racism, and undiagnosed ADHD. Once, my guidance counselor staged an intervention with all my teachers + my mom and me, to tell my mom I more likely than not had depression. Middle eastern moms don’t tend to believe that even exists so she stormed out and on the way to the car made a big show of throwing the informational pamphlets about mental health out in the trash. I had to wait for college to seek treatment at the campus health clinic. She has since apologized but still firmly believes deep breaths and walks trump medication 🙃 Tim: (6:05PM) That’s definitely some gritty underground depression. I found out as an adult that my pediatrician thought I had depression. Learning that was a powerful moment. Labels can be negative or positive. “Owning Depression: A Coming Out Story by Tim Barnes, coming to a theatre near you… if it feels like getting out of bed that morning” [Melody gives this an iPhone "❤️"] (6:06PM) Needless to say, we have a lot to talk about tomorrow! (6:13PM) Ohhh why yes we certainly do. We’ll have our scripts written in no time! (Mine’s called Depresh Mode) Melody: (6:13PM) Ohhh why yes we certainly do. We’ll have our scripts written in no time! (Mine’s called Depresh Mode) [Tim gives this an iPhone "HaHa"]
DAY 2 (Saturday 12-9-2023)
Tim: (11:03AM) Day 2! I realized we haven't gotten to the topic of YOUR actual coming out story. What was that journey for you? I feel like this was part of the “new Melody energy” I saw whenever we first caught up in New York Melody: (11:54PM)Oh BOY let’s dig in! Well I’ve always been aware of my queerness since I was a kid (thanks in large part to the Jamie Lee Curtis strip scene in True Lies). I was also just such a queer kid, the signs were there with my interests, the way I carried myself and how absolutely obsessed and in love I’d get with my “best friends.” My dad used to actually straight up ask me if I was gay as a teenager (boundaries don’t exist in Persian culture) which only pushed me further into the closet. I eventually started coming out to friends as gay just before I moved to Chicago. Like, “I’m gay! Okay, bye!” When I started comedy I never really had any material about it since, again, the scene at the time was so ‘old school.’ I remember once at our beloved Lottie’s open mic I hinted at it. Immediately after I got off stage[REDACTED](you can censor his name) cornered me and started interrogating me about my sexuality. It was infuriating. So I just steered clear of that kind of material. Eventually I started to realize I might be bi and I had a year or two of “heterocuriosity.” I ended up dating a guy for a couple years and secretly thought “Oh, great! I never have to come out to my parents! This guy is middle eastern and male and we’ll get married and have kids and no one will be upset!” He ended up being pretty emotionally abusive and we broke up in 2016. I was very heartbroken but got back on the apps to distract myself. I remember this coincided with the Pulse nightclub shootings. I was on the train on my way home from a tinder date as information about the victims was released. I was scrolling through a buzzfeed article with photos and blurbs of the lives lost and started to cry. I felt immense grief but also felt ashamed of my own shame if that makes sense, I noticed the girl sitting next to me, visibly queer and scrolling the same article. She grabbed my available hand, squeezed it and we rode in silence, continuing to scroll. We never said one word to each other. When we got to her stop we just stood up and hugged and that was that. It was a pretty powerful moment and there was a noticeable shift in how open I was about my sexuality from then on. A little while later I was on the phone with my parents, letting them know I’d been dumped by my ex-boyfriend. My dad goes, “It’s ok you’ll find another boy.” And I just went, “Yeah! Or, girl.” Brief pause before he echoed back “Or girl. Whatever makes you happy.” A very corny and cute moment. These days my parents always recount the ways they always knew haha--> edited to: (11:59PM) Oh BOY let’s dig in! Well I’ve always been aware of my queerness since I was a kid (thanks in large part to the Jamie Lee Curtis strip scene in True Lies). I was also just such a queer kid, the signs were there with my interests, the way I carried myself and how absolutely obsessed and in love I’d get with my “best friends.” My dad used to actually straight up ask me if I was gay as a teenager (boundaries don’t exist in Persian culture) which only pushed me further into the closet. I eventually started coming out to friends as gay just before I moved to Chicago. Like, “I’m gay! Okay, bye!” When I started comedy I never really had any material about it since, again, the scene at the time was so ‘old school.’ I remember once at our beloved Lottie’s open mic I hinted at it. Immediately after I got off stage [REDACTED] (you can censor his name) cornered me and started interrogating me about my sexuality. It was infuriating. So I just steered clear of that kind of material. Eventually I started to realize I might be bi and I had a year or two of “heterocuriosity.” I ended up dating a guy for a couple years and secretly thought “Oh, great! I never have to come out to my parents! This guy is middle eastern and male and we’ll get married and have kids and no one will be upset!” He ended up being pretty emotionally abusive and we broke up in 2016. I was very heartbroken but got back on the apps to distract myself. I remember this coincided with the Pulse nightclub shootings. I was on the train on my way home from a tinder date as information about the victims was released. I was scrolling through a buzzfeed article with photos and blurbs of the lives lost and started to cry. I felt immense grief but also felt ashamed of my own shame if that makes sense, I noticed the girl sitting next to me, visibly queer and scrolling the same article. She grabbed my available hand, squeezed it and we rode in silence, continuing to scroll. We never said one word to each other. When we got to her stop we just stood up and hugged and that was that. It was a pretty powerful moment and there was a noticeable shift in how open I was about my sexuality from then on. A little while later I was on the phone with my parents, letting them know I’d been dumped by my ex-boyfriend. My dad goes, “It’s ok you’ll find another boy.” And I just went, “Yeah! Or, girl.” Brief pause before he echoed back “Or girl. Whatever makes you happy.” A very corny and cute moment. These days my parents recount the ways they always knew haha Tim: (1:17PM) Every phone conversation with your dad seems magical! I forgot about the ‘old school’ nature of the Chicago comedy scene. Even though we were in mostly alt spaces there was still that element in the air with its ever-present hierarchy. Was it easy to start talking about your gay experience on stage after that? Melody: (1:37PM) Yeah! Shortly after that I started dating an extremely out and proud comedian (the almost 7 relationship that ended this year) and that definitely helped. She was sort of a senior in the scene whereas I was a sophomore. I was completely in awe of her confidence and the way she commanded the stage, delivering her gay material with her full chest. [Tim gives this an iPhone "❤️"] Tim: (3:57PM) How does the ‘old school’ nature of Chicago compare to New York in that regard? Melody: (5:28PM) I’m sure all comedy scenes are evolving with the times. I did notice though, in Chicago the comedy scene was pretty segregated in the 2010s. There didn’t feel like much interaction between the standup, improv and sketch worlds. There were definitely comedians who played with form but whenever I’d visit New York I’d notice a lot more overlap. I just remember standups would always make fun of improv “back in my day.” I almost felt sneaky going to improv classes a few years into standup because the vibe was generally that standup is where you end up after you come to your senses and realize improv sucks. Maybe New York just had a higher volume of comedians so comedians who blended form were more prevalent but I just remember moving to Brooklyn and being jealous that some comics got to come up in a ‘queer scene.’ There are just so many different sub-scenes here I guess. And when you look at who would get industry showcase opportunities in Chicago at the time it was generally comedians who stuck to the more hyper-masculine old school standup style. Club comedy, pretty much. I don’t want to generalize a comedy scene I’ve spent years away from, though. And when I was on my way out I did notice an alternative scene forming thanks to really strong comics like Meg Stalter and Sarah Sherman who could command an audience regardless of the environment or venue type. Tim: (5:55PM) Oh yeah, there was a such a surge of newness emerging around the time we left. I remember doing a show with Sarah right around the time I left and I was wowed by her command of the stage. Same with Jaboukie. I had this feeling of “wow, if I stay I’ll have to keep re-introducing myself to all the cool new people sprouting up.” Now, I don’t think about “classes” of comedians so much. That feels like such a specifically Chicago thing. (5:55PM) What are some of your Chicago goals now? Melody: (6:10PM) Comedy goals, yeah? Tim: (6:10PM) Oh yes! Meant to type comedy goals Melody: (6:18PM) Aside from selling and developing a show I just want to do more things that scare me. I recently made a goal of writing and performing a show at Edinburgh. I also started acting this year, if you can believe. I was in a couple shorts and it was a lot of fun being on the other side of the camera! Not to brag, but I’m secretly good at impressions and voices in general. I used to work with a lot of voice talent as a producer and have always wanted get on the other side of the booth, as well. (6:20PM) Oh, and of course I want to host a successful podcast. I got a taste with Dyking Out over the last few years but I was at the mercy of my co-host who has created it before bringing me on. Connecting directly with a listenership while having full creative control is what I’m aiming for in 2024.
DAY 3 (Sunday 12-10-2023)
Tim: (10:55AM) Those are great goals! Going toward what scares you creatively often leads to the best rewards. That scared feeling feels similar to that lightening strike sensation when you’re finding a good joke area. How often do you revisit your old scripts? Do the shows you create tend to be about you or do you invent wildly different characters and scenarios? [Melody gives this an iPhone "❤️"] Melody: (1:15PM) I completely agree — it’s a very similar feeling! I think I was scared to write about myself for a while. Like, for example, my first script was about an entertainment lawyer and took place in that environment. I was doing SO much research about a world I realized I didn’t know much about. Instead of writing I was researching law LOL. More and more I’ve been mining my own life. My most recent one is straight up about my family. Coincidentally, the most positive feedback I’ve received. Imagine that! Over the last decade I’ve received a degree in TV writing, have taken multiple pilot courses just to hold myself accountable in completing a script in a certain amount of time, but only within the last year have written something completely about me and my world. I wrote it at the St. Nell’s humor writing residency last April. I went to Pennsylvania and with an idea that was *sort of* about me and my experience, but only vaguely and so I got stuck. I took a break and put on Issa Rae’s TV writing Masterclass, in which she repeatedly stresses writing what you know. I took mushrooms the next day (lol) and sort of had an aha moment that lead to a new idea. It was ultimately pretty basic and what I’d known all along, to mine my own unique perspective. Maybe not more duh than aha? Maybe I just needed to hear it from Issa ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (1:18PM) Or maybe I was finally doing something that scared me? I’m a pretty private person and the pilot is fully and truly about my family. Regardless, that lightning strike sensation was definitely there and it wasn’t just the mushrooms haha Tim: (1:18PM) That was a really solid MasterClass! This has been a big “figuring it out year” for me and a part of that involved impulse buying that subscription at the start of it. Funny how you can tell some of them are just winging it and others really take the time to give valuable information. What are residencies like? (5:32PM) Side note: the recent Chicago nostalgia is making this Kenny DeForest news hit hard Melody: (5:35PM) Omg what happened (5:36PM) So sorry I’ve been at work all day I started giving tours at 30 rock for extra cash on Sundays (5:36PM) I missed the last message too (5:36PM) I’m off in 30 though! Tim: (5:36PM) This is the Kenny DeForest news: --
Melody: (5:37PM) Jesus (5:37PM) That’s terrible! I’m glad he survived I was bracing myself for the worst (5:38PM) Ugh still tragic Tim: (5:44PM) Yeah, glad he survived Melody: (6:19PM) Ugh it’s been a day I’m so sorry, almost done with work! Tim: (6:21PM) No worries! I NEED to know what it’s like to do a 30 Rock tour. And can’t escape wondering if it’d be weird for me to try and do that even though I used to work for a show that’s taped there Melody: (6:22PM) OH ITS WEIRD (6:22PM) seeing comics (6:22PM) I hate it :) Tim: (6:22PM) Hahaha, oh man (6:28PM) I bet that feeling is very motivating though Melody: (6:35PM) It is!! (6:35PM) Ok I’m done (6:36PM) Where do we pick up? So sorry, Michael Jordan’s in the building and everything was locked down and it delayed my tours 🫠 (6:37PM) Finally exiting this damn building Tim: (6:38PM) Hahaha, the building holds so much power. I’ve only been there to watch SNL a few times and it’s still funny to me that even though I worked at The Tonight Show for a year and a half, I never set foot in the building for it. But all jobs make any building get old quick. Does it still have a mystique for you? Melody: (6:49PM) Oh that’s right I completely forgot you were remote! (6:51PM) Admittedly yes, I am after all a dork with a degree in television so I do get geeked out over the stories and history out of this building. I don’t really get star struck but every time I see Hoda Kotb I lose my shit! (6:52PM) I just was desperate for work so I reached out to my friend who runs the tour guide program and the next day I was there. It all happened so fast, I didn’t even consider how humiliating it would be to run into comedy peers in my god damn branded polo shirt. (6:53PM) I’ve seen friends from SNL or late night coming down a hall and hard pivoted to a different route to avoid them. My therapist says shame is a major theme in my life and this job was what really helped me really she might have a point there (6:54PM) It’s just wild being so close yet so far from the goal, ya know? (6:54PM) Also, any time you want to come you can join one of my tours! I’ll take ya to top of the rock and the rainbow room too :) Tim: (6:58PM) Ooh! Awesome. And yeah. I was just talking to someone this morning about how complex that guilt of a “downgrade job” is. You can’t escape the fact that comedy is about ego and projecting a grander idea of who you are on stage, even if your comedy is self deprecating. That’s why I’ve been searching for so many weird remote jobs lately to balance the financial uncertainty of the business right now. The fear of being seen as anything less than your previous better job or whoever your present on stage is major. But you gotta do what you gotta do and you’re doing the right thing now. [Melody gives this an iPhone "❤️"] (6:59PM) But back to the residency question. How was that experience? They seem so magical from afar but I always think “there must be a catch!” [Melody gives this an iPhone "HaHa"] ֍ Melody: (7:00PM) Oh MAN, you really nailed it there! Annie says guilt *and* shame are my two major themes so I love that you brought that up. Also, I forgot you’re a fellow Capricorn and it’s never been more clear to me lol ╰┈➤ (7:02PM) The catch is that you cannot control who else is chosen and the personalities you’ll be stuck with for 2 and a half weeks in the middle of nowhere! ֍ Tim: ╰┈➤ (7:04PM) Sounds like the makings of a great horror movie [Melody gives this an iPhone "!!"] Melody: (7:06PM) I was in love with the experience for the first week. By week two I absolutely despised one of the 2 other girls I was cohabitating with. Everything she did irritated me, she had clearly never had roommates before and selfishly took up so much space, made rude comments and I just got so fixated on the concept of her haha. It had also rained every day for the last week so I was very much stuck in this (stunning) Victorian house with someone I despised. I even started to craft a horror story about a writing residency with a psycho in the cohort…. (7:06PM) Ok whoa (7:06PM) Hell yeah! Tim: (7:07PM) Woah! Yes. Your horror movie must be made Melody: (7:08PM) Thank you for the validation! I was about to SNAP, Tim! (7:09PM)She was a spooky white girl from Iowa who was high 24/7. Everything that came out of her shit was either batshit crazy or a poorly crafted suicide joke. Ugh.--> edited to: (7:09PM) She was a spooky white girl from Iowa who was high 24/7. Everything that came out of her mouth was either batshit crazy or a poorly crafted suicide joke. Ugh. Tim: (7:11PM) Trying to imagine what pop song you’ll remix to sound scary like all the Jordan Peele trailers do [Melody gives this an iPhone "HaHa"] (7:45PM) This has been a great conversation! Thanks again for agreeing to do it. We can still let the conversation fizzle out like helium from a thinly popped balloon. But otherwise, I hope you made it home safe from 30 Rock! In many ways, this has been your Liz Lemon year—minus the cool job Melody: (7:52PM) Perfect timing, Tim! Just walked in my door :) I’m thinking “Eye Know” by De La Soul for the spooky remix. Something about the whistling. (7:53PM) And you’re right! Just call me Lez Lemon 🫡 (7:54PM) Thank so much for this conversation, I really enjoyed it! I was trying to find somewhere to stream “you’ve got mail” this weekend. Couldn’t find it but this sort of scratched that itch!! [Tim gives this an iPhone "❤️"]
END OF INTERVIEW
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REST WELL, KENNY DEFOREST
[Originally posted inn the 12-14-2023 edition of Five Jokes]
I didn’t know him well, but there is a level of closeness that all comics who started out in Chicago feel regardless of industry status, social circles or class. We’ve all been in the same dingy rooms, wax poetic about “the Tamale guy,” and if you were there in a certain era — know what it means wait anxiously outside of Jokes and Notes to get picked for the open mic, or drunkenly sing about “Go-Gals” in Town Hall Pub. When I think of Kenny, I think of a funny guy in the “class” above me, eager to break ground across the divisions of the South and North sides. He did that and so much more, all while maintaining the energy of a sports coach — the type I could imagine saying “you can do it!” despite my being overweight and having zero interest in the game. When you leave the Windy City, meeting people from the Chicago scene elsewhere always feels like a little slice of heaven. The last time I saw Kenny was in June at a party in New York. He seemed contemplative — the way most comics seem these days, trying to suss out what our goals are in the post-pandemic world. But he was still incredibly kind. He made a point of saying hi to me and added something like “You look good!” Though brief, it felt like a level of conversation we’d never had before — and for some odd reason, that small exchange has lingered in my mind ever since. He was eager to connect, learn, and lead with positivity. And the reason you’ll see so many comedians posting about him in the coming weeks is because he was always there to remind us that connection on and off stage is what comedy is all about.
Here’s what was written about Kenny on the GoFundMe page for his medical expenses and memorial:
Kenny DeForest is and was a truly positive influence on all the lives he touched. Kenny died on Wednesday December 13th at Kings County Hospital surrounded by his parents, family, and friends. Kenny's final moments included some of his favorite songs, stories of his childhood, and memories of his extensive positivity and joy for life.
Kenny's impactful life will continue on through the gift of organ donation. Even in death he will continue to make meaningful improvements in the lives of others.
On Friday December 8th, our dear friend Kenny DeForest was in an e-bike accident. Kenny underwent neurological surgery to remove a piece of his skull and relieve pressure from a brain bleed at Kings County Hospital.
All the money here will go directly to help Kenny's family cover his extensive medical bill.
For more on Kenny's comedy check out his latest special right here
Another fantastic interview; looking forward to more of these in 2024, man! Thanks for all the work you put in to share these pieces.