FERN BRADY
AUTISTIC BIKINI QUEEN

Who or what inspired you to be a comedian?
Dylan Moran in Black Books, and later a misogynist alpha male comic who I thought was rubbish.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?|
I say “to be honest with you” a lot which I feel is unnecessary as I’m almost continuously too honest. 

What is your idea of pure bliss? 
Eating brunch alone.

What is the weirdest or most memorable experience you’ve had while on the road?
I had to perform in the room next to a funeral one time and the people at the funeral were laughing more. I don’t know if that’s weird or just depressing.

What is your personal motto? 
I’ll be dead soon.

What is the best part of being a comedian? 
When people are really angry at you after a gig, and they’re chasing you, screaming, and they ask to speak to the manager but there isn’t a manager ’cause I’m self-employed. This only happened one time but still, what a thrill!

BRIAN SIMPSON
LIVE FROM THE MOTHERSHIP

Who or what inspired you to be a comedian?
Dom Irrera was the first comedian I saw that pushed me to decide I was going to do it.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“You know what I mean.”

What is your idea of pure bliss?
Complete solitude, loud music, and a little weed.

What is the weirdest or most memorable experience you’ve had while on the road?
Probably the first time I sold out a weekend, or my last Comedy Works weekend when tickets weren’t moving, and out of nowhere I was able to pull together a sold-out weekend against all odds with Taylor Swift performing in the arena in Denver. Shout-out to the Swifties.

What is your personal motto?
Mind ya business.

What is the best part of being a comedian? 
Working out a new bit onstage and it immediately hitting. That’s the best feeling.

SHENG WANG
SWEET AND JUICY

Who or what inspired you to be a comedian?
Mitch Hedberg showed me that comedy doesn’t have to be shocking, raunchy, or mean to be great. His comedy taught me that I can spread joy by writing and sharing meaningful jokes based on personal experiences, seemingly trivial and random thoughts and observations. 

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Chillin’.

What is your idea of pure bliss?
An edible and a stroll through a botanical garden or a hike in a forest. 

What is the weirdest or most memorable experience you’ve had while on the road?
Meeting fans.

What is your personal motto?
Thank you.

What is the best part of being a comedian?
Creating something new and bringing joy.

DUSTY SLAY
WORKIN’ MAN

Who or what inspired you to be a comedian?
When I was 21, I took an improv class just because I needed some friends, and then a friend of mine talked me into doing stand-up.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I say “jeez” a lot.

What is your idea of pure bliss? 
It’s really fun when my son or daughter laughs. Those are precious things that you can’t buy or manufacture, and it’s really special stuff.

What is the weirdest or most memorable experience you’ve had while on the road?
I have driven through New Mexico when it’s 118 degrees where I’m also the only car for miles, and I’m like, “If this car breaks down out here, I’ll die.”

What is your personal motto? 
I don’t know that I have [one].

What is the best part of being a comedian? 
Laughing is so important. I love making people laugh. There’s nothing like a live comedy experience.

DULCÉ SLOAN
VERIFIED STAND-UP

Who or what inspired you to be a comedian?
I’ve been in the theater acting since I was a kid, so I knew how to tell a story. I knew where a joke was in a story. I became a comic because Big Kenny saw the talent in me and my mother had a dream that the whole world was laughing at me.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Girl.” “What are you, girl?” “Girl.” “Ooh, girl.” “Girl.” Yeah. So probably, “girl.”

What is your idea of pure bliss? 
Being rich and not having to work.

What is the weirdest or most memorable experience you’ve had while on the road?
I’ve almost died multiple times — driving through snowstorms and rainstorms, being on the road at four in the morning. 

What is your personal motto? 
I don’t work here.

What is the best part of being a comedian? 
To be around comics who see the world how you see the world.