Maryellen Hooper has some stories to tell. A Long Island native who grew up mostly in Tampa, Fla., Maryellen had done everything from hairdressing to being a human billboard on Wall Street before breaking into comedy in 1985.
Now she's a newlywed with a house to fix up and a sitcom in the works. And Hooper — through her funny facial expressions and self-deprecating humor — wants to tell you all about it.
SPM: There seems to be significantly fewer working female comedians than male comedians. Why do you think that is? Are women treated differently from men in the comedy industry?
Hooper: The major difference is that when I have to use the restroom, I pick the door with the little skirt on it. When you're a guy comic, no one ever asks you what it's like to be a guy comic, you know? I know there are much less women in the business, and I don't know why, but there are. And because of that, it's always a topic. There are minorities in every field. I'm sure black comics always get asked: 'So what is it like to be a black comic?' And you really don't have an answer because you're just a comic. The only people that treat you different are the media. Sometimes, maybe the audience is a little thrown at first because it's something different, but that's all. As long as you're funny — that's all they care about. Anyway, you get used to it. When you're a minority in anything you do, people focus on it. You try to just get past it, and be funny, and just do your job.
SPM: Who are some of your comedic influences?
Hooper: The people who make me laugh are people who subscribe to 'dignity under duress,' as I call it, which are storytellers who talk about themselves getting into embarrassing situations and getting themselves out again. People like Lucille Ball or Dick Van Dyke, if you can imagine what I'm talking about. On the Dick Van Dyke show, it was always him tripping over the ottoman or getting himself into an awkward situation. I find humor in that. It's just real life. (In my routine), I just talk about myself and what I'm going through. I just got married, so I've been talking a lot about that. We just bought a house, so I've been talking about that, and fixing it up. So, whatever I'm going through in my life is what I seem to find humor in.
SPM: I've read that you do 'relationship comedy.' What is that exactly?
Hooper: When I was dating, I talked about dates that I'd been on. And because I got married, I'm talking about that. It's just whatever's going on in my life. I also went to thrift stores with my mom, so I talk about that. I don't know why people try to generalize you. Guy comics — a lot of them — talk about their relationships. I'm sure when I get pregnant and have a baby, I'll talk about that. I'm sure I'll get labeled as 'the woman talking about having a baby comic.' It's an evolution of life, I guess. And I talk about fixing up my house a lot, but that's not really a relationship.
SPM: Well, it could be interpreted as your relationship to the house.
Hooper: Exactly. And I hate that house. The best way to describe my comedy is storytelling — slice of life kind of stuff.
SPM: How did you first get into comedy?
Hooper: Well, I always did theater in school, and I found that I had a very good sense of humor. I made people laugh with me, instead of at me, which is always a good thing. I guess I got tired of making people laugh for free, so I figured I'd start charging them. I went to a comedy club. I'd never thought about being a comedian — I didn't really know how you went about becoming one. I wanted to be a comedic actress, I thought. So, after the comedy show, the MC said they had open mike night. I thought, 'Oh, so that's how you do it,' and I gave it a try. The rest, I hope, will be history.
SPM: Have you been to Tempe before?
Hooper: Yeah, I thought it was a really cute college town. There was a lot to do, and it seemed really young and hip, which I like. It was a little hot when I was there. I've never actually seen stores spit water at you when you walk by, so that was interesting. It was like, 'Wow! How annoying and refreshing at the same time.' I guess it's that or people dropping dead. It seems like the nicer way to go.
SPM: I read that one of your long-term goals is to have a sitcom. Is that correct?
Hooper: I wouldn't say that it's a goal. My goal was to be a working entertainer, which I have been for a million years. I think — just like any job — you like to change and try new things. I've been on the road for so long, and now that I'm married, I'd like to stay home more. So now I'm trying to explore the acting avenue again, which is what I started out to do. People are very interested in the stories I'm telling now, and think that it would make a very good TV show. So, Hollywood is talking about developing a show for me. So, it wasn't my ultimate goal — I love standup and performing in front of a live audience and I will always do that. But I think it will be nice to act out my stories instead of telling them, if you know what I mean. And people are finding so much humor in the house and the marriage, and so many people can relate to it, that it's been great. I think it lends itself to a sitcom.
SPM: So would your show be based on your experiences?
Hooper: Right. Exactly. The show's about a young married couple who bought a piece of crap, and them trying to make it home. You know — going to Home Depot, and watching Bob Villa, and finding out that you just need to hire somebody.
SPM: OK, last question: What is funny?
Hooper: Well, it's really obvious when you're on stage: If nobody's laughing, it ain't. A technical way that people have tried to define it is that different things make people laugh. Either it's out of recognition — they recognize themselves in what you're saying — or it's out of shock — people laugh when they're surprised, nervous or scared. Another thing that people respond to is misdirection. That would be like a song parody. So, if someone is singing a song that you know, only they've put different words to it, it makes you laugh because it's unexpected. But that's why we go on stage every night — to find out what funny is.
