She’s hot, she’s funny … and we like it
Amy Schumer
Does Amy Schumer get stage fright? “Nope. I get more nervous ordering a bottle of water from a flight attendant because I don’t want to bother her,” she said. So it seems Schumer’s bark is much worse than her bite. The comedian, first introduced to a broad audience on Last Comic Standing, is carving a notch for herself in the comedic realm, including regular gigs at Riviera (this week, July 20-22). Kiko Miyasato sat down with Schumer to learn more about her rising star.
Q: What’s on your career list this year?
A: I have a show that’s hopefully going to be picked up by Comedy Central. (I’m in a movie) with Steve Carell (that just came out) called Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. I’m on the Adult Swim show Delocated (and am) filming an hourlong special for Comedy Central at the Fillmore in San Francisco, airing around August.
Q: How’s it been doing stand-up at the Riviera?
A: The Riv is perfect for me. It’s sort of like my act, like me: it looks like something that at one point might have been a shiny package but it’s been burned down. It has so much history. It’s this old Vegas showroom; it’s kind of “divey” but kind of elegant, and that’s how I am onstage.
Q: Do you think you can get away with more since you’re performing in a place like Vegas?
A: I’m not really well-behaved anywhere at this point but I guess I do kind of go on with a little more of an edge … maybe I don’t tread as lightly here. It’s not for shock value though; it’s just my truth. I talk about sex a lot because that’s what I’m always thinking about.
Q: How are you handling fame?
A: There’s really nothing different. I live in the same sh**ty apartment in New York and I ride my bike everywhere. I can upgrade more; I’m making a little more money. I’m getting recognized more, but it’s not been a really big change.
Q: Do you think there should be limits with comedians?
A: If it’s funny, and it’s not coming from a mean-spirited place. … I think if you say something trying to hurt someone, that’s bad. And there are some things that I just haven’t found a way to make funny—I have no aspirations to make cancer funny. I’m not trying to break down any barriers on purpose.
Q: What about your Steve-O joke at Charlie Sheen’s roast?
A: On the roast, I did a joke about Steve-O and people got really mad about that and I was really surprised. They cut to him and he looked sad and it could have been edited to look that way; I don’t know. And everyone was like, “You have to apologize.” And I just don’t feel like I have to apologize—it was a joke, and it was no different than any other joke told that night. There should be no special rules on a roast. But I would never try to hurt anyone’s feelings; my act is very self-deprecating. I don’t attack (people).
