Ahead of his Dublin gigs, JOE caught up with one of the hottest properties in American standup comedy, the brilliant John Mulaney.
JOE: Thanks for chatting to us today John…
John Mulaney: You’re welcome.
JOE: You are coming to the Vodafone Comedy Festival in the Iveagh Gardens here in Dublin. Are you excited about coming here to perform standup?
JM: Yeah, very much so. I’ve done the Cat Laughs in Kilkenny before and I’ve lived in Dublin, but I’ve never performed standup in Dublin.
JOE: You lived in Dublin? When was that?
JM: In 2002 I went to UCD for a semester and I lived over on Lower Mount Street. I loved it there, but at the time I was doing sketches, not standup.
JOE: You do seem have an Irish connection anyway though, as both of your parents are of Irish descent?
JM: Yeah, my dad’s side goes way back, they came over in the 18th century. On my mother’s side, my great grandmother Norma, she came over in the 1920s I believe. She was from Ballyhaunis in Mayo.
She actually came home to Mayo on holiday during the ’50s or ’60s and the people of Ballyhaunis threw a big party for her. And when my mam visited back in the 1990s, everyone told her of the party.
JOE: Have you been to Ballyhaunis yourself?
JM: Eh… I didn’t go, but don’t tell my mom!
JOE: Looking back at your story and career, it strikes us that you’ve had a love and interest in comedy from a very young age. How did it become such a passion for you?
JM: I watched everything that was on TV during the ’80s growing up in Chicago. I also used to listen to a lot of old comedy albums. My dad got me into old American radio shows, not just the new stuff.
Embarrassingly enough, I have had no other interests from the age of three until the present day. It’s kinda cool, but sometimes when I think about it, I cringe a little.
JOE: You’ve been a writer for the cult TV show, Saturday Night Live. For someone who is a self-confessed comedy nerd, it must have been a huge thrill for you when you successfully applied and landed a job on the show. How did it all come about?
JM: I was doing standup comedy and auditioned to be a cast member because they have these big auditions in the summer. I knew going in that I wouldn’t get it so I just thought at least it would be a good experience and to try and enjoy it.
It’ll make for an interesting story if nothing else. So I audtioned and they said no, but you can be a writer if you want. Obviously, I said that’s great.
JOE: How did you feel? Did you go for an interview or anything?
JM: No, that’s the cool thing about that place. If they think you are funny, they’ll bring you on board.
JOE: How long did you work there?
JM: I was there for five years.
JOE: Is it an intense environment?
JM: Yes, but not as much as some people paint it to be. We were never competitive with each other, there was just the pressure of doing the show every week.
JOE: Would you be aware of the Irish comedy scene? Are there any Irish comedians who have caught your eye?
JM: I really, really like Dylan Moran. To the point of I think I kinda steal from him a little! I just really like his style and his show Monster is one of my favourite standup shows ever.
He’s just effortless. I hope he makes a bunch of money from DVD sales, but I’m so glad his routines are on Youtube for free.
JOE: When we were at the launch of the Vodafone Comedy Festival, we asked other comedians who they were looking forward to seeing and it was your name that kept coming up.
JM: That’s very flattering and I myself am looking forward to seeing another Irish comedian, David O’Doherty. I know him well, he’s superb.
JOE: Well thanks for your time John and we look forward to seeing you very soon when you come to Dublin.
JM: No problem at all, I cannot wait for it.
https://youtu.be/UscnnVwgqU0
Clip via Shaki Boy
John Mulaney is performing at the Vodafone Comedy Festival from July 23rd to 26th.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
