JRE 2127 · March 28, 2024

Eleanor Kerrigan

comedypsychologyfilmbusiness

Who is Eleanor Kerrigan?

Eleanor J. Kerrigan is a stand-up comic, actor, and co-host of the podcast "The Store Podcast" with Rick Ingraham and "What's Up, Doc?" with Jeff Danis. Watch her new special, "Eleanor Kerrigan: No Country for Old Women," on YouTube.

Topics and Timestamps

01Eleanor discusses her journey from aspiring actress to stand-up comedian and how she found her voice in comedy
02She talks about her podcast work with 'The Store Podcast' and 'What's Up, Doc?' and the comedy community around The Store
03Eleanor shares stories about navigating the comedy scene in Los Angeles and the challenges female comedians face
04She discusses her special 'No Country for Old Women' and the material that resonates with her audience
05Conversation covers aging, relationships, and the realities of being a woman in the entertainment industry
06Eleanor opens up about the difference between performing comedy and acting, and why stand-up became her preferred medium
▶Eleanor discusses her transition from acting to stand-up comedy0:05:00
▶She talks about her experience with The Store and the LA comedy community0:15:30
▶Eleanor explains the concept and inspiration behind her special 'No Country for Old Women'0:35:45
▶Discussion about being a female comedian and navigating the industry0:52:00
▶Eleanor shares insights about her podcasting work and comedic voice1:08:30

The Show

Eleanor Kerrigan sits down with Joe on JRE 2127 to talk comedy, podcasting, and her journey from struggling actress to established stand-up performer. She's got a great perspective on the evolution of her career and why she ultimately found comedy to be more authentic and fulfilling than traditional acting work. The conversation flows naturally from her early days in LA trying to make it as an actress to discovering that stand-up comedy was where she could really express herself without the BS that comes with the entertainment industry.

One of the key themes Eleanor keeps returning to is how the comedy world, particularly around venues like The Store in LA, has become like a family to her. She talks about the community aspect of stand-up and how important it is to have other comedians around who understand the grind. She's honest about the struggles of being a female comedian and how she's had to develop thick skin while still maintaining her authenticity on stage. Eleanor discusses her podcast work and how that's become another outlet for her personality and comedy.

The conversation touches on her special 'No Country for Old Women' and what that title means to her as a woman in the comedy world. Eleanor gets real about aging, what it means to be a woman getting older in an industry obsessed with youth, and how she's turned those observations into material that really connects with audiences. She's got killer jokes about relationships, the absurdities of dating, and the reality of being a woman navigating life and show business simultaneously.

Throughout the interview, Eleanor demonstrates why she's carved out such a respected place in the comedy community. She's thoughtful about her craft, genuinely funny, and willing to be vulnerable about her experiences. The chemistry with Joe is great because she can hang with his conversational style while bringing her own energy and perspective to the table. By the end of the conversation, it's clear why her podcasts and comedy have developed such loyal followings.

Best Quotes

“I realized that acting was about playing characters, but stand-up comedy is about being yourself on stage, and that's way more terrifying and way more rewarding.”

— Eleanor Kerrigan