Comedian Laura Kightlinger on Her Stand-Up, Saturday Night Live, and Falling Down at Parties

Laura Kightlinger talks about stand-up comedy, the existence of a ‘funny gene,’ and traces her own upbringing of awkward family connections in this unpredictable + uncensored interview. SNL cast members, SCTV, and how to fall down at a party are explored, as she opens up about her documentary and new project, on Harper Simon’s TALK SHOW.

Guest Bio

Laura Kightlinger, creator and star of IFC’s critically acclaimed The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, for which she garnered a Satellite Best Actress nomination, has run the cable gamut. Along with several stand-up specials, she appeared as a series regular in HBO’s Lucky Louie. In an industry of triple threats, she has established herself as an amber alert with writing credits including: Roseanne, Dennis Miller Live, Will & Grace, where she appeared as recurring character, Nurse Sheila. Her sci-fi series, Exposition 7 is one of the first shows to be acquired by Virgin Airlines and is available for viewing on any Virgin flight.

Kightlinger’s book, ‘Quick Shots of False Hope’ described in the New York Times Book Review as “memorable, disturbing and darkly comic,” is being adapted for film.

As a filmmaker, Laura’s short film, Dependable People won the Black Maria Directors’ Citation and the IFCT Best Director Award in 2002. Her documentary, 60 Spins Around the Sun about political satirist turned activist, Randy Credico and his fight to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws, while struggling with his own personal demons, follows Credico to Tulia, Texas during a racially motivated drug bust. It features stand-up comics: Larry David, Colin Quinn, Vanessa Hollingshead and Nick DiPaolo. 60 Spins Around the Sun won ‘Best Documentary’ at the (2006) Empire State, Beverly Hills and Boston Film Festival and is available on Netflix.

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Episode Breakdown

00:01 Welcoming Laura Kightlinger to Talk Show.

01:15 Is there a funny gene?

03:05 Parent’s, beauty and death.

07:38 Paintings by Peter Doig.

08:10 Working on the short film, “Scrap County Murders.”

09:47 Stand-up, Johnny Carson and comedy influences.

12:10 Harper on musical upbringing.

13:09 Andy Kaufman, Roseanne and working as writer.

16:38 Harper on family and travel.

17:54 Harper on drinking, a life of excess and intervention.

21:50 The Colleen Collection pilot, the Rockefeller drug laws and “60 Spins Around the Sun.”

24:58 Elaine May and Walter Matthau.

26:50 Writing a novel and almost working with HBO.

28:19 Babysitting and stand up.

29:20 Thank you and goodbye.

Guest Bio

Kightlinger’s book, ‘Quick Shots of False Hope’ described in the New York Times Book Review as “memorable, disturbing and darkly comic,” is being adapted for film.