The great Maria Bamford has been providing the world with deep guffaws and insights into the human psyche since the beginning of time (the 90’s.) She’s an everything do-er, and a nothing do-er, wrapped into a sweet boisterous tow-headed yet meek package. Her comedy is imaginative, surreal, and brutally fucking honest. It is with giant waves of gratitude that I present to you, my interview with America’s Sweet-Tart: Maria Bamford!
J: Maria, thank you so much for allowing me to interview you! This is a huge honor! I just finished watching your Netflix show Lady Dynamite! It was amazingly absurd! Plus the trailer for the show was phenomenal!
M: I’m so glad! The marketing editorial staff really made it snappy! Shout out to all in television marketing creative arts!
J: Let’s start off with animals. We first met when I snuck my tortoise Cheeseburger into one of your shows and you guys instantly hit it off! You obviously love animals and it’s no secret that you’ve dedicated your life to elderly pugs with “B” names. It often seems that creative folks tend to connect with animals more so than with people.
M: Cheeseburger is a gentlewoman of quiet routines and I was chuffed that she might find time out of her purse to see comedy.
J: She may have had the stoic face of a tortoise but I know deep down she was thrilled to meet you! As for you, why the noble pug as your animal companion of choice?
The pug is affectionate, very sleepy and soft in old age. That is what I hope to become. They will also eat anything. It’s like looking in the mirror.
J: A common theme in your past routines has been the solo navigation of life as a single lady. But just last year, you put on a chic hotdog suit and now you’re a married woman! How has your life, your stand-up, and most importantly your view of the world, changed since finding a co-pilot in your husband Scott? (P.S your couple’s therapist song may be your greatest stand-up bit to date!)
M: I am grateful every day to have a partner in life and my husband, Scott Marvel Cassidy, is really fun and silly and is on board for emoting. I don’t know how to be in a relationship- so there have been a lot of books involved, but I’m really proud of both of us- old dogs doing new tricks.
J: I’m a lady like yourself who has a history of depression, anxiety and OCD. I remember losing my mind (pun) when I first listened to your album Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome. I never knew of another person also plagued by incessant irrational thoughts, let alone one willing to share their experiences with the public. Do you have a specific intent in voicing your struggles?
M: The intent is to feel like I’m not alone and to feel useful- I was so relieved when I read about unwanted thoughts syndrome (online and via books)- that it was something that could be treated and so I’m glad that anyone can feel that same relief.
J: If you’re comfortable sharing, what is the zaniest thought you have overcome thus far?
M: These aren’t so much zany as terrifying- but I did fear that I was going to violently and sexually molest friends, family, etc. The moment (at around 10 years old) that that idea came into my head- that I didn’t want to do it at all- but that I could even have the THOUGHTS of doing it- and that it was so horrible, taboo to talk about- it just made it worse. I didn’t tell a therapist (an OCD specialist) what they were until I was 35 and until then, I just tried to avoid spending time alone with people. Oy.
J: I know what you mean, I was terrified of having plastic bags in my room as a kid because one day I had the thought, “what if I put that over my head or someone else’s?” It was nonsense that most people would brush off but it kept replaying in my mind for years. And you never want to tell anyone because, like you said, it’s taboo.
M: And, in saying that it’s taboo to talk about fear of violence towards others, I don’t want to denigrate people with psychosis- who have experienced violent hallucinations, acted out violently during illness. That is an extremely difficult experience. I know, I had a therapist who misunderstood- she thought I was planning to act out on my fears. She reacted by wanting to call authorities and keeping me extra days in a psych ward -which I guess is understandable if she thought I had some plans- even though I tried to explain that I’d never done anything. Anyways, I’m not sure, I guess what I’m trying to say is that everyone deserves respect and human dignity.
J: Absolutely! It is well-known that artists, writers, and entertainers have always wrestled with their mental health. Is there a correlation between creativity and mental illness?
M: Oof. That’s for science. IF there is a science, and we don’t know!
J: But what we do know, is that Hollywood has finally caught on to your brilliance and you’re starring in the Netflix show: Lady Dynamite! How has the experience been for you?
M: It’s all been awesome and a big stretch for me.
J: And you’ve reunited with Arrested Development creator/comedy deity Mitch Hurwitz!
M: Mitch Hurwitz is a generous individual. It was really neat to work with a group.
J: One of my favorite things about you Maria, is how friendly and approachable you are! You often hire people via Twitter to listen to new material as well as meet up with fans after shows. As a self proclaimed hermit person, how do you deal with the social aspects of being an entertainer?
M: If ever I have someone say hello, it’s always nice; just sharing a story or wanting a selfie and it hasn’t been too much yet. My friend Jackie always helps me hide after shows when I start to get tired.
J: Many of our readers at Ms. In the Biz are trying to make their way in “The Biz.” You’re a successful woman with her own show and (I’m assuming) dental insurance, what advice can you give other ladies as they begin sailing the choppy monster-infested waters of Hollywood?
M: DO whatever you can with whatever you have- don’t wait for better resources, more support, more time, better circumstances. MAKE STUFF NOW!
GET A JOB. If you aren’t supporting yourself now through creative stuff- get a job that provides you enough money to have a personal life, get food and live in a safe place. I did temp administrative office work for 10 years off and on while pursuing creative goals.
YOU DON”T NEED A CREDIT CARD or PARENTS. That is some BS. I’ve been to a 12-step program about money and one thing I’ve heard there is, “I live within my means but my means do not define me.” No cash? Call everyone you know and say, “I’m available to earn!” No food? I’ve gone to a food shelf. No shelter? Call everyone- I rented a room for a year in a woman’s home and a hippie cooperative. YOU CAN DO IT. There are alternatives to being dependent on a loved one, dating for food and having 19% interest.
That 12 step program is called Debtors Anonymous, by the way- if you’re into that sort of thing.
Additional Fun Time Questions:
- Worst job you’ve ever had? Baby-sitting. So scary and uncomfortable!
- Breakfast of choice? Scoop pb and iced coffee and milk chocolate.
- Favorite nickname? Turtle.
- Favorite art piece by your hubby Scott Marvel Cassidy? His current repro of the Broad museum downtown
- Most helpful self help book? Big Magic, The Artist’s Way, Personal Finance for Dummies
- Favorite napping location? Bed
Maria Bamford’s new series Lady Dynamite just premiered May 20th on Netflix! You can stay updated on all things Maria by visiting her website, following her on Twitter, or if you’re lucky, spotting her as she pulls her elderly pugs in a wagon around Los Angeles!