Erica Watson: The New Face of Funny!

I had the pleasure of meeting Erica Watson a few of years ago when she stopped by the Power 105.1 NYC radio studios. She ripped her set during the interview and had me dying with her whip-like cracks on any and everthing! I’ve been a fan ever since! SistaGirlz.com goes inside the sharp, sarcastic mind of a funny diva:

SG:  You’re so funny…when was the first time you remember hearing that?

EW: Thank you girl! I remember as early as 5th grade that my classmates would laugh and tell me how crazy my sense of humor was.  Although I was the class clown, teachers loved me because I was smart and always made the Honor Roll.  So my humor didn’t get me into too much trouble.

SG: What drew you to comedy? Who are your faves in the biz?

EW: When I was in college, I was always asked to host every fashion show, talent show and step show on campus. But during that time my focus was on directing theater and film projects.  Once I moved to NYC, a friend of mine named La Rivers who is an amazing actress encouraged me to take a stand-up comedy class with The Manhattan School of Comedy at Caroline’s on Broadway. I just figured that I would use comedy as a side hustle to make money for my film projects.  Here it is 4 years later, and I am a professional comic, and I love it!  Some of my faves are Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Pryor, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Bernie Mac, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Sherri Sheppard, Joan Rivers and I love Tina Fey!

SG: Is it tougher for a Black women in the comedy business?

EW: Comedy is tough, no matter who you are.  But I do find that black women have a harder time than others.  Many times we are stereotyped to be “sassy” or to “tell it like it is”, when that is not everyone’s personality. I find that most comedy clubs will only put 1 woman on a show at a time, and it’s really hard for black female comics to be “that one”. That’s why I decided to take my career in my own hands and take my 1 woman show “Fat Bitch!” on tour. You can either sit and wait for someone else to give you an opportunity, or you can take your destiny into your own hands!  All the black women that have been successful from Mo’nique to Somore to Moms Mabley have done it their own way! Now, I’m trying to follow in their footsteps.

SG: Is anything off limits? Is there ONE thing you will not joke about?

EW: Nothing is off limits for me.  Even the most sad, horrible topic can probably be explored to find the humor in a situation.  I have a great joke about my experience with abortion, and although some people have been offended by it, it’s my life, it’s my truth…and it’s funny!

SG: How much flack have you gotten for the use of the word Bitch in your show title?

EW: It’s funny.  I’m called a “Fat Bitch!” quite often in life—many times by strangers.  I hear it all the time and have had to deal with it most of my adult life.  But as soon as I called my show that, some people, especially BLACK MEN were offended. To be honest, I personally feel that more people were offended by the word FAT.  See, “Skinny Bitch!” sounds sexy and glamorous.  You picture some skinny chick, dressed in high fashion, sipping on a cosmo with her skinny friends.  But “Fat Bitch!” sounds mad, angry and bitter.  It sounds raw.  It sounds FAT.  And in American culture, Fat is not socially accepted as sexy.  Well, unless it’s behind closed doors!    The feminist and womanist community has also been very supportive of my show title.  Because they see power in the word Bitch! And I do too.

SG: Has it alienated some would be fans?

EW: Actually, it has not. If anything, the title has made more people come and see the show that did not even know what a 1 woman show was all about.  But, I have noticed that some of the smaller black press has refused to write about the show.  One black owned paper in Chicago said that ” we would never write about such trash”. But, if my show was a gospel stage play called “Hot Grits Burn Your Tongue” or “Chitlings Were Made for Hotsauce” it would be on the front page!  This show is an honest look at how my weight has affected my life from the boardroom to the bedroom.  So if the title makes some people uneasy, think about how I feel when I have been called a “Fat Bitch!” on a busy city street by a homeless man!

SG: Do you write your own jokes, or do you have help with that?

EW: Yes! I write all of my own stuff.  Actually, my life writes it for me. Truth is stranger and funnier than fiction.  All I have to do is walk outside my door, and the comedy comes!

SG: Gimme one Tiger Woods zinger…please. LOL!

EW: I heard he has a new porn series coming out called “Crouching Tiger’s Hidden Dragon!”

SG: What’s on deck for 2010?

EW: I am writing a funny advice book about dating for women, and I will be touring my show all across the country.  I have so many amazing things happening right now, and I am excited to see what 2010 has in store.

Check Erica out:

http://www.twitter.com/EricaWatson

http://www.ericawatson.com

http://www.fatbitchtour.com