This week, we’re highlighting 25 talented writers and performers for Vulture’s annual list “The Comedians You Should and Will Know.†Our goal is to introduce a wider audience to the talent that has the comedy community and industry buzzing. (You can read more about our methodology at the link above.) We asked the comedians on the list to answer a series of questions about their work, performing, goals for the future, and more. Next up is Edy Modica.
Tell us a story from your childhood you think explains why you ended up becoming a comedian.
My mom used to put a brush in her ass and dance around to make me laugh, my stepdad would put his false teeth on my dinner plate before I got to the table as a surprise, and my dad would make me leave messages on his best friend’s answering machine saying “Go fuck yourself†as a child … I know this question is looking for, like, an embarrassing moment that changed me, but I think I just grew up around turning darkness into laughter so much that it stuck.
What unscripted or reality series do you think you’d excel at? What archetype do you think you’d be?
I want to start shit on Love Is Blind — fall in love in the pods, have the moment where we see each other for the first time, and as soon as we meet eyes, we’re both like, “… It’s you … It’s always been you.†Then at the first mixer with all of the paired couples, I’ll give over-the-pants HJs to everyone’s fiancés, and when they tell their girls what I did, I’ll deny it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What’s your proudest achievement of your comedy career so far?
Uhhhh, Jury Duty, hello …….
What have you learned about your own joke-writing process that you didn’t know when you started?
Unfortunately, I work best under pressure. I’ll be stressed all day about what I’m going to say at a show that’s new and exciting for me and then five minutes before, I’ll have this moment of clarity like, Oh! Talk about how your pussy looked gray in the sun today! And then, lucky me, I can add that to my list of stuff I say. I still get nervous that that’s going to stop happening, but it hasn’t yet, even if I go through phases where I’m coming up with less.
Tell us everything about your worst show ever. (This can involve venue, audience, other comedians on the lineup — anything!)
I farted next to Eric Rahill and blamed it on a cop that walked by us in a grocery store. He was like, “Really??? The cop farted???†I said, “Yes.†Then an hour later, we were at this show we were on together, and it was all literary folk doing readings of serious prose. I thought my only way to pierce through the room would be with Raw Truth. In my head, I was like, I’ll confess to Eric that it wasn’t the cop — it was me. Everyone will laugh and laugh. It’s genius. After a woman with an Irish accent read a serious story about melancholy dates in candlelit abodes, I said that my fart was “stinky†and that Eric said he “hadn’t smelled something like that in a long time†to near silence. I thought this would bring the house down for some reason, but I was mistaken. I think people don’t love hearing women say fart, but that’s a rant for another time.
Let’s say we live in a “Kings of Catchphrase Comedy†alternate dimension where every single comedian is required to have a hit catchphrase. What’s yours and why?
When someone says a highbrow word, I’ll say, “I made one of those in the toilet this morning.†For example, if you were to say, “The mise-en-scène in that film program was delightful,†I would respond, “I made a mise-en-scène in the toilet this morning.†Yep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nominate one comedian you don’t know personally you think is overdue for wider recognition and why you’re a fan of their work.
Okay, how about instead I nominate many of my favorite comedians that I do know personally — does that work??? Brian Fiddyment, Mera Caulfield, Marley Gotterer, Francesca D’uva, Ruby McCollister, Richard Perez, and Asha Ward! They all fall under the umbrella of being true to yourself, and I think that’s the most inspiring thing you can do as a performer!
When it comes to your comedy opinions — about material, performing, audience, trends you want to kill/revive, the industry, etc. — what hill will you die on?
You don’t have to tell us who you are — just show us! Trust the audience! If you are being true, they will see everything you want to convey …. b*tch …..
If you had to come onstage to just one song for the rest of your life, what song would it be and why?
“Somewhere Only We Know†by Keane because it is awesomeness …
What is the best comedy advice, and then the worst comedy advice, you’ve ever received, either when you were starting out or more recently?
I can’t think of anything for this question … “Be yourself†is the best advice, and anything that isn’t that is the worst …….. Drop the mic …….
More From This Series
- 2023’s Comedians You Should Know Reflect on a Big Year
- Zach Zucker Dares to Say Comedy Is About Being Funny
- Sophie Zucker Is Sick of the Irony
- We Promise Zach Zimmerman Was Invited