Tragedy Plus Time = Comedy
There’s an old saying that tragedy plus time equals comedy but when you are in the midst of tragedy it is hard to see that there will ever be comedy. I was driving to LA, excited to start my new California life, excited to explore a new comedy scene, and bring my jokes to new venues and new people. Then I get the call. My dad had a cardiac event (that is what they called it) and probably won’t make it. He didn’t. He passed away within the hour. I was devastated. I was driving in the middle of nowhere New Mexico, crying my eyes out. This was not expected. This was not supposed to happen. Not now, not like this.
I decided to stay in a hotel room for a few days in Nevada so I could process this. I didn’t want to enter California until I had a little time to myself. Some time to grieve and reflect (and also tell people, make arrangements, deal with everything that comes with a parent passing). So I took the time. And I am glad I did. I needed it.
I got to California and started my new job and when I thought about doing comedy, something that brings me joy, I just couldn’t. My dad was the reason I got into comedy. As a kid he introduced us to all the greats. He even took me to my first comedy show when I was 12 years old. It was a women of comedy night with Rita Rudner and two other comics I can’t remember and I was enthralled. You may think 12 is young to go to a live comedy show, but my dad knew I would love it. He was right.
How could I get on stage now? I wasn’t feeling funny or happy. So I took some more time to grieve. I basically worked and slept. Then my aunt called and she was going through my dad’s stuff and found letters written to him from Joan Rivers (who I knew he worked for in the 80’s) and Phyllis Diller (who I didn’t know he worked for). She also found a letter from a production team congratulating him on them buying a script he wrote for Murphy Brown (it never aired but still very cool!). Joan and Phyllis paved the way for women in comedy. Murphy Brown was also a trailblazer for women. And my dad was part of it. I knew when I was ready I had to get back on that stage to continue the legacy of these women and of my family. And that is what I intend to do.
