Laughter is the best form of medicine…I mean…not for COVID-19 but you see what I’m saying. Making this week’s feature part of the cure for something? I took social distancing seriously and virtually interviewed Debra DiGionvanni to chat about women in comedy (which she loved), music, and romance…sort of…
1. If you could choose one song to be your ‘theme song’ what would it be and why?
Whenever I can, I walk out to Crazy in Love because it’s an excellent walking song and I was always a bit crazy when in love- or The Seed- another good walking song.
2. What do you think is the hardest thing for women in comedy today?
Being asked this question 50,000 times. 🙂 It’s the same things as when I started 20 years ago. I mean, a BIT better- there are more female/female identifying comics now than ever- and that’s amazing. And our community is more supportive now, but it’s still the same things. Men being scary, men being sexist, men trying to keep us down. And now, women have to be sexy AND funny. If you’re not 20 and showing your ass on IG, you’re irrelevant. Yes, that IS a blanket statement, but kinda!
3. You were on the Much Music hit series ‘Video On Trial’ do you think there is room for a reboot of this series? And if so, which comics would you draft for the cast, and which music videos would you put on trial?
Absolutely. I don’t know why they ever took it off the air, it was easy and cheap to do and so fun! I’d definitely cast myself- yes, I’m old AF- but I’m funnier than ever and it’s a format that I’m good at. I’d also cast my pals Matt O’Brien and Sabrina Jalees from the original and I’d add my friends Zach Noe Towers, Jared Goldstein and Blair Socci.
4. Who is your celebrity crush and why?
I HAVE SO MANY!! Right now, as of this moment, it’s Josh O’Connor a British actor I fell madly in love with in a movie called ONLY YOU-he’s also in the newest reboot of Emma, but Only You? Holy f*ck. He makes me sick with love! And of course, Ryan Reynolds is my forever.
5. Do you have any advice for young comics?
The only thing I tell comics is to get on stage as much as humanly possible for 7 years. It’s the only way to get good at comedy and you’ll find out who you are. After 7 years, you can take one night off a week. 🙂
6. Since today is #TMITuesday can you tell the readers something about you that they may not already know?
Oh! good one. Ok, um…I never sneeze once. It’s always 8 or 9 times in a row and once I made it to 20. I almost passed out. AND- I have a severe vomit phobia. Like, if a stranger barfed on me- I MIGHT kill them.
7. What is your guilty pleasure reality show? I talk A LOT about reality TV on this site.
Ha! I still watch Survivor! Tell no one. And I LOVE dancing shows. SYTYCD and World of Dance are my shit. but that’s about it. Nothing too trashy.
8. Vine seemed to be THE new comedy platform, and now it’s TikTok, how do you feel about social media for comedic posts/skits?
I like it. It’s relatively free for comics and performers and it’s the best way to get yourself out there. That being said- we still want people to come see us. Live comedy is the real way to see comedy. It’s just better in real life.
9. What is an average day like for you?
Um? I usually go to a 12 Step meeting, get some exercise (this is new), have coffee with a friend, maybe a movie with Zach- maybe put an VO audition on tape and a show at night. I write, but not enough!! (it’s never enough) There are always busy days- and I travel a lot, so when there are days with this casual schedule, I take advantage!
10. What’s next for you Debra?
The goal is a Netflix special. A part on a show. More international comedy. a boyfriend??? (probably not) 🙂
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