MAS: A big congratulations Katsy on being the November 2010 Stand Up Comic winner! Tell us the story behind the video you submitted.
Katsy: The story behind the "seat belt" joke I submitted went down like this. I was sitting in the exit row on a Southwest Airlines flight. The flight attendant was right in front of me doing her inflight presentation. When she finished a call bell rang and she looked around for a place to put her flight tools. When she looked my way I gave her a look that said I'd hold them for her and just as quickly she handed me the yellow oxygen mask, safety placard and seat belt. She came back to find me playing with the seat belt and as she thanked me for holding her supplies she told me that these seat belts tend to grow legs and walk off the plane. She explained that young tiny waisted girls sneak them around their waists under clothing and steal them. I said really and started trying to get it around my waist which made her laugh. She says to me "if you can get that on your body" you can have it. She giggled and went to help a passenger. She didn't realize what a gauntlet she'd laid with that statement. In a flash it had become a competition. I wanted to win that seat belt fair and square. After some thought, I nixed my calf, thigh and neck....too easy. I wanted to be able to show it off if I got to keep it so a light bulb moment later, I had clasped and adjusted it perfectly around my HEAD! I sat there and waited for her to walk by. She did after a while and we started chatting again. In the midst of that chat she burst out laughing and walked away. She came back and had another flight attendant with her and she started to laugh too. Other flight attendants walked by and laughed at my seat belted head. I was pleased to make them laugh. I wear it as a headband cause I'm the ultimate "green comic" able to recycle, upcycle, renew and re-use just about anything!
MAS: You are one funny lady, Katsy, tell us how you got started as a stand-up comic.
Katsy: I am back to stand up after a 10 year hiatus. I did stand up from 1988 to 1998 and started up again in 2008. Both times I took Judy Carters comedy workshop. Her classes are great and what can I say...She wrote the book on how to be funny. In fact, she was putting finishing touches to her Comedy Bible book back in 1988 when I first took her class. I will forever be grateful for what she taught me about the art of funny.
MAS: That’s a long time, how do you feel when you are on stage as a comedian?
Katsy: As a comedian, when I am onstage making people laugh, I feel like I’m giving them a little downtime away from life's troubles. They get to put aside, the bad day, burned steak, bills, etc., and just enjoy some humor. I like giving my audience a mini-vacation. Laughter is good therapy and I feel high as a kite walking the comedy boards connecting with the audience and feeling their laughter envelope me like grandmas handmade quilt.
MAS: How do you go about gathering the situations or information to write your jokes and put together a routine?
Katsy: How do I write my jokes? Well, my jokes tend to come from slice of life, everyday situations that I stumble upon or get smacked in the face with. When my friends and even strangers laugh at something I've told them, I put it on layaway in my joke cellar till I can work it into the act. As far as putting together a routine, I like to see what kind of audience I'm going in front of. I don't use profanity in my act. Nothing wrong with it, but it's just not for me. But my set will be different if I know there are kids in the audience as opposed to an adults only show. I enjoy bringing my humor to all types of audiences. Comedy clubs to Church's to Corporate to Children....it's all good.
MAS: Have other people compared you to any other comics?
Katsy: Comedically, some people have told me that I remind them of Mom's Mabley and Pearl Bailey.
MAS: Who are your comedy heroes that have influenced your style?
Katsy: My comedy heroes... there are lots of them but off the top of my head and without the benefit of coffee I'd have to say Shelley Berman, Tim Conway, Richard Pryor, LaWanda Page, Phyllis Diller, Flip Wilson. Charlie Hill, Mort Sahl.
MAS: What are you career plans for the year ahead?
Katsy: My career plans are to take my eco-green comedy tour on the road to as many places WORLD WIDE as I possibly can.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about being a stand-up comic?
Katsy: The best part of being a comedian is making someone laugh when you know they are going through a rough spell. Sometimes I feel like the Johnny Appleseed of comedy especially when I've unknowingly paid it forward by just spending a few moments with someone, lightening their spirits with humor and a hug. level. It's annoying in this day to be back to stand up and have far too many doors of opportunity closed to me. The best and worst part of the industry for comics today. In my opinion reality TV played a part in this. All those shows where every joe blow thinks he can, spilled over to comedy stage. Now you can go to a comedy show and might catch someone onstage walking back and forth ranting about something that clearly should be shared while they are laid out on the therapist's sofa in a quiet room. The audience has had to pay admission and a two drink minimum.
MAS: How does MakeaStar compare to other sites?
Katsy: I dunno. This is the first time I've done an online contest like this. Since I won, I guess I'd have to say "IT'S AWESOME"!!! now where's my duckets?
MAS: Tell us something completely random.
Katsy: Randomness: I make soap from scratch. I am a Soaper!
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