Liz Guterbock on Kindness, Silliness & Being in the Middle
Video killed the article star: My first interview piece with video included, in glorious technicolour, from my sh*t webcam. Thankfully, it has sound, because Liz amused me into a stupor.
I can’t always get a comedian to do a nervous squeak, but I did last week, having asked a question nobody has before. But don’t worry, she rose to the challenge like Genghis Khan, i.e. in a way that historians will eventually re-evaluate, via highly marketable books that you can conspicuously read on the train.
I’m talking tripe. Also, it wasn’t a great question like: “Geopolitics and the Sudanese exchange rate, possibly?” No, it was, well, you’ll have to wait and see. She answered it with her quickness and a highly expressive voice, suggestive of a voice acting career… which she has.
You could say I did loads of wicked-smart, Liz-centric research, like Krishnan Guru-Murthy or something. But having exhausted Google in a sweaty game of ping-pong, many depths were left unplumbed. So, I took her by surprise, and got her views on ghosts, hypnosis, airports and all sorts.
The Interview
I was still getting my brain into gear when the interview started, because I’m not a morning person, but for once, you can watch the video! The word-o-vision version is below, for you Luddites. Which is nicely edited and conscientiously re-ordered, but requires more effort? Take your pick.1
Which posters were on your bedroom wall as a teenager?
*She laughed* This is going to be so random. It wasn’t a photo of a band, or anything like that. I had a poster of a little stuffed pig stuck in a closet, surrounded by crisps, M&M’s and all this junk food. The pig was putting junk food into its mouth, and it had a little speech bubble that said, “Leave me alone, I’m having a crisis.”
*Dan laughed*
I’ve seen a photo of me standing next to it. I was an 8-year-old child, so I don’t know why I had a poster like that in my room!
*We both laughed*
I thought you were going to say a poster of a boy band or something.
Yeah, that would be normal, Dan. That would be cool.
… Not the crisis pig.
*laughter* Yeah! I had the crisis pig! I had the crisis pig up in my room for so long. If there was any indication that I’d get into comedy, on reflection, it was probably that.
If your life were a novel, which aspects would provide the tension, and which would supply the intrigue?
My self-doubt would probably provide the tension, and whether I’d take the risk to push through it. And the intrigue? Ha-ha.
“I have a very romantic brain, and it doesn’t always meet up with reality.”
So, it’d be “Oo, who does Liz have a crush on?” And the big reveal would be that the other person doesn’t feel the same way. *laughter*
Oh no!
But the big payoff would be finally meeting somebody who does, which is what happened with my current partner.
Which themes define your comedy?
Being in the middle.
“I’m a US and UK citizen, bisexual, and sort of at a mid-point age-wise. So, being in the middle defines my comedy, as does kindness, silliness, and having a nice time.”
Are the themes part of what people have latched onto so quickly, given that you did your first solo hour in 2023? 2
I do think it’s the themes. I also don’t get too serious. I have my difficulties, but overall I have a lucky life, and I talk about life’s niggles. I save the deep psychological stuff for my therapist. It appeals to people who want to be silly, those who also feel like they’re in the middle, and not one extreme or another.
Because I’m not an extreme comedian, I’m a bit more of a slow-burn, and I’m okay with that. I take one step forward at a time, and it’s a good pace for me.
When did you first realise your voice is a powerful tool?
*With a sparkle in her eye* When I started making up songs as a little kid, perhaps about a rock I’d found and liked, which would make my brother laugh, and he’d make fun of me. I thought, “That’s not bad, that’s not bad.” I started making funny voices, and it escalated from there.
What was your most exciting gig?
The one that felt the biggest was the Funny Women semi-final in Edinburgh. Partly because of what I was experiencing around that time. See, I was also part of a show in a 50-seater venue, and we were averaging 8 audience members a day. Any audience is a good audience, but it wasn’t ideal. So, I was going through that challenge when I made it to the semi-final, and it was a room of 400 people.
Thanyia Moore was hosting. It felt big and exciting.
“I remember going out there, and the first joke received a wall of laughter. It was the most exhilarating thing.”
It felt like an exchange and a conversation, and the audience was keen to give a warm reception.
How did it go as a whole?
It was just electric. My energy was aligned, and everything I said just worked. I’ll be honest, that doesn’t always happen. *laughter*
What makes you laugh?
People being themselves and not caring. A woman might be wearing a ridiculous hat, and folks might be whispering about it, but she’s just enjoying herself. That and other people’s discomfort with it make me laugh.
Also, silly voices and dumb, dumb comedy. Sam Campbell makes me laugh uncontrollably because he’s just so himself. He finds the silliest things and makes them dumber, and I mean that in a very positive way.
How would you unite a nation with only a sponge and a smile?
*An audible squeak* How would I unite a nation with only a sponge and a smile?.. Oh no. So, no water?
*Dan laughed*
I’d try to make some really cheesy metaphor about how “I’ll only be able to use this sponge if I have water, and you’re all the water.” *laughter* I don’t think it’d work, but I’d try, I’d try. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but a lot is going on right now, and we need a lot of healing.
When is the most inappropriate time for a saxophone solo?
Ooo…. During… A tennis match. *laughter*
I think people would be really upset. The saxophonist would rock up thinking it’s the best idea in the world, and in the middle of Wimbledon, everyone would be very angry. *laughter*
What inspires you creatively?
Enjoying what other people do, to remind me of what can be done, and reflecting on my comedy voice, because I think of comedy as a language. It’s really hard, but learning a bit more always keeps me going. It’s also a case of pure creativity, throwing everything you’ve got and seeing what sticks.
Does improv inspire you?
Absolutely. I try to riff on ideas out loud in the comfort of my own home, which can lead to unexpected jokes with a different angle.
What is your favourite swearword, and can you put it in a sentence about airports?
*The cackle I promised on Instagram* Ha-ha! I really love, I was gonna say the airport. No, I really love the word “fuck”. It’s a great word. Can I put it in a sentence about airports? Um… “I can’t wait to go to the fucking airport.” *much laughter*
I hate airports, so…
So do I, but I thought, “let’s make it positive”. Ha-ha! Who is this crazy person who can’t wait to go to the airport?.. Maybe someone short on personal time, because when you’re at the airport, the outside world seems to disappear.
What would be your natural role in the heists if you were part of a gang of bank robbers?
Oh, I would absolutely be the pre-planner, giving everyone their admin tasks. Delegation, for sure. I’m the organiser, I’m pretty organised. I’m also very detail-oriented, which can become a problem.
What are your plans for the Edinburgh Fringe, and can you tell me about your latest show?
I’m working it up. Some parts are really strong, and others need more work. But it’s all coming together. I’m on at PBH’s Free Fringe, which is exciting. I’m back at The Southsider, which is the venue where I did my first split bill. I’m back with my second full hour of comedy.
I plan to have fun, because I found moments of enjoyment with my debut hour, but I was very stressed about how it would be received. This year, I want to concentrate on the people who have come to see me, and “Can we have the best time possible?” It’s very easy to get distracted by the press and how other people are doing. I really want to have a good time.
I’m going to kind of put on blinders in that regard, and pre-book tickets to shows that I want to see. As well as making plans with people I know will be up there.
What’s the overarching theme of the show?
The show is called “Liz Guterbock: Nice”.
I’d say I’m a nice person, but I’ve felt angry lately about what’s happening in the world. I question how long I can keep a cap on that, and wonder when I’ll get to say what I really feel. It’s about being a nice person in a world that feels like it’s getting meaner. It’s difficult to avoid discussing it with the current leaders, as an American comedian in the UK.
If you were offered a US tour, would you do it?
I mean, yeah, I’d be surprised and flattered.
It’d be a fun challenge to tailor my material to a US audience, given how much I talk about the differences between the US and the UK.
How do you feel about hypnosis?
I love that question! I feel excited about it. I like to think it’s effective.
“I’ve had one hypnosis session. I mean, I’m from California, of course I have.”
It was about sleep, and it was helpful at the time. It seems to be effective for people. I think there’s a difference between hypnosis for entertainment *dramatic pause* …and hypnosis for healing. *laughter*
I’d love to watch some maverick combine the two.
Yeah, well, you’d have to steer them away from making people act like chickens. That’s the main thing. *laughter*
Unless the patient is a chicken and they’ve stopped acting like one.
Dan, you make an excellent point. *Dan laughed.* That would be healing. Here’s a chicken not acting like a chicken… Let’s heal that chicken. *laughter*
What was your best last-minute decision?
I make so many last-minute decisions. Y’know what? I’m going to say to pursue comedy. Because I came to it rather late.
“I never thought I would be a stand-up comedian. It’s opened up so much for me, I’ve met great people who are now true friends.”
Even though it is hard and can feel really insular. And I have been like “Why am I doing this?” at times, but I always find out why. It’s weird and it’s wonderful, and it’s my best last-minute decision.
Has it been transformative for you?
Yeah, I think so. It’s changed my perception of what’s possible. It’s changed my perception of community as well. You have your little group of comedians that you started with, you keep going, and you’re like a little clan.
It’s also increased my appreciation of language, and I’ve got to know the UK better.
“This is an island of funny, funny people. The whole island is funny.”
Can you tell me more about coming to the UK? How has that been?
It will be 15 years ago in September, which I can’t wrap my head around. I moved here to drama school, which I mention in my show. My mom was born here, and I have English family here. I thought, “I should stay for at least 5 years” after my degree, but I never left, so I must like it.
Moving to London meant getting more in touch with “real life.” There’s plenty of real life in LA, but London doesn’t hold back and makes you work really hard. I appreciate that. I had to get to know myself pretty quickly.
Have any of our habits rubbed off on you?
Oh, yeah. I apologise all the time… For stuff I haven’t even done.
Confessing to murders and things?
Definitely, I didn’t even do it, but I wanted to be helpful.
“This will sound basic, but what’s drastically changed is my perception of what a crisp flavour can be.” 3
*laughter*
Which of your jokes can you rely on the most?
Getting pigeon-holed is a worry for comedians, but any of my jokes that posit “The US is like this, and the UK is like this.”
The routine that’s spread the most online is about drying laundry. I talk about the game we play, when we wonder if it’s still wet or “just cold.” Because people relate to it. “Relatable” can be a dirty word, but it means people get it.
How much do you think about what you’re wearing on stage?
A medium amount. Like lots of comedians, I’d feel weird wearing shorts on stage. I don’t know why. Also, like many female comedians, I want to present well, but I also want people to be listening to the jokes. I wouldn’t say I dress conservatively. Comedians should wear what they want and feel comfortable in. I just want to be able to move around without anything flopping out.
How much flim flam could you write on a pot of jam? 4
I think that on the side of the actual jar, not a lot would fit. But, I could eke a lot of material out of jam, because I know we call jam “jelly” in the US, and our jelly wobbles more than yours, because it doesn’t have any fruit in it. *laughter*
Would you stay in a haunted house?
Yes, I would, and I have. *Dan laughed*
Although I suppose I’d want to know what kind of ghosts they are. If they’re just having a nice time wandering around or playing chess, that’s fine. *laugher* A poltergeist house, though? No. I think ghosts are real, and people shouldn’t mess with them. I’ll only stay if they’re cool for me to stay.
So, you’re just visiting?
Yeah. I mean, frankly, I’d say, aren’t we all just visiting? *we laughed*
Rarely have I laughed as much as I did with Liz. It’s the way she says things. I’m laughing just thinking about it, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop. Which is bad, because I’m losing energy, and I’m trapped in a desert without any food. But since you’re not, you ought to follow her on Instagram and get tickets for her work-in-progress shows in London and Edinburgh.
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Don’t infer passive aggression, Mrs Tone Police. I’ve got the ‘tism, and it shan’t be a prison.
In 2023, she was listed in the Guardian’s Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe and placed 2nd in Dave’s Joke of the Fringe. From her website, “She was a finalist in the 2021 British Comedy Guide Pro Performance Awards and a nominee in the 2021 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Awards.” “In 2019, she was a finalist in the Funny Women UK Awards and a BBC Radio 4 New Comedy Award nominee.”
“Chips”, to you Americans.
“Flim flam” means nonsensical or insincere language.
Made me chuckle!
x
Funny 😂😂