Lydia Popovich [Interview]

We have another amazing comedian to showcase here at Trainwreck’d Society! The wonderful Lydia Popovich recently popped up on my radar due to her affiliation and friendship with the great Amy Miller, who I have told you all in the past is the best in comedy right now. And wouldn’t you know it, Lydia is right there with her! Like minded individuals, with totally different acts, yet the same love for Dolly Parton (we will get into that more).

Popovich is a strong voice within the proverbial choir of female comics who are working their asses off to make a living solely from her talent of making people laugh. Talent being the most important aspect of Lydia’s career. She has a brilliant delivery and has a confidence that would be commendable for anyone in any type of field, but especially important in the world of stand up comedy. These are some of qualities that I could only assume drove herself and Amy Miller to create one of the hottest monthly shows in L.A., as well has having a thriving stand up career admits the ridiculous & unnecessary hardships of being a woman in the world of comedy.

So Folks, please enjoy some great words from the brilliant and insanely talented comedian, Lydia Popovich!

What was your first experience like performing comedy on a stage? Where did you kick of your already illustrious career, and how was that experience for you emotionally?

I recently found video of my first set ever. It was in SF at a little theater above the SF Comedy College I did a three minute bit at their open mic. I was absolutely terrified. I remember feeling sweaty all over. Feeling like I might shit my pants. I was the most nervous I’d been in a very long while. Mind you this room was small…like 12 chairs small. It was on the 6th floor of an old theater building the Tenderloin district in SF. The room was filled with other students and maybe 2-3 wayward tourists who had stumbled into someone on the street that sent them up to see “live comedy”.  What I am saying is this was the most safe place to perform for the first time and I was still TERRIFIED. I got on stage and made it through my bit. With each second that passed, so did a little bit of the fear. Each word was easier to say than the one before it. By the time I saw the light I was feeling a level of happiness I had never experienced before. I wrapped up, walked off stage and almost cried. I was so proud of myself. People laughed. I saw them smile. I knew stand-up was something I could be really, really great at.

As a hilarious human being who has performed all across the country, what would you consider to be some of the “hidden gems” across this land? What are some cities that you have enjoyed to work that may not be as obvious as a New York or L.A. scene?

Tennessee is absolutely beautiful. Most folks visit Nashville and Memphis but not nearly enough folks are visiting the gorgeous Smokey Mountains and all of the wonderful cities in Eastern Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee is a wonderful city and one of my favorite places to perform. People leave their houses with the intent to have fun and as a result the crowds are warm and appreciative.

With the events that have unfolded recently in the world of comedy and entertainment, it seems almost okay to feel hopeful about how women are being treated in these worlds. Almost, but I would never pretend to know. So, in your professional opinion, do you believe that things have gotten any better in the world of comedy? Have you noticed any sort of shift in attitudes towards women in comedy, for the better?

Women face discrimination, sexual/verbal abuse, equality in pay and opportunity in both personal and professional aspects of life. While increased transparency in the wrong doings of high profile industries like comedy/entertainment will help assign accountability it does not solve all problems. We need to unify as a society to say “THESE BEHAVIORS ARE NOT OKAY”. We need to define and defend equality. We need to stop questioning women and their value.

How did your monthly show at Hollywood Improv with fellow hilarious comedian Amy Miller come about? And what do you believe it is about your chemistry with Amy that makes it work so well?

A year ago me and Amy were drunk at Dollywood. We talked about how cool it would be to have a show called Two Doors Down (it’s a Dolly Parton song we are fond of). Amy moved to LA, we talked to the Improv about the show, they said yes. Amy and I started comedy together, we both love Dolly Parton, we’re both driven & bossy. We share a mutual respect for each other as women, as comics and as friends. That’s why the show works. Also we’re super funny, pretty and charming hosts so like….duh.

I have found two things to be extremely clear after watching your amazing stage act: a couple of things you are very passionate about are brunch and the great Dolly Parton. So, I am very curious to know what would happen if you were to combine the two? So, what do you believe a brunch with Dolly Parton and yourself would be like? Would you want anyone there with you, or would you want Dolly all to yourself? 

Funny you should ask. I actively update this list. I’ve always kept a “dream” guest list. It’s lost a few good folks but they’ll be there in spirit.

Dolly Parton
Oprah Winfrey
Carol Burnett
RuPaul Charles
Dave Grohl
Alejandro Jodorowsky
2Chainz
Teresa Caputo
Rihanna
Laurie
Coach

Prince (RIP)
Joan Rivers (RIP)
Don Rickles (RIP)

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

If you are in LOS ANGELES you should come to TWO DOORS DOWN. Our next show is March 26, 9:30pm at The Hollywood Improv. Me and Amy are super funny and charming. You’ll have a super time.

My dear friend and brilliant comic Marcella Arguello is producing a really special show called, Women Crush Wednesdays. Every Wednesday 8pm, she hosts all female line ups at The Nerdist Showroom at Meltdown Comics. The line ups have been bonkers.

I’ll be featuring at Rooster T Feathers March 8 – 11 with Chris Porter. Tickets can be found HERE.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

A picture of a fat baby foot stuffed into a tiny Havaiana flip-flop on Instagram