How did you get into comedy? I saw the movie A Chorus Line and decided I had to be an actor. But when I finally tried it professionally, I realized that I was missing a crucial ingredient called “having talent.” I thought about what other ways there were to be on stage and tried open mic comedy. I did it once a week, every week, for a year. I loved it and hated it, and eventually stopped at the parts where I hated it.
Eight years later I met a guy who, on our first date, said, “You’re like a comic or something.” This guy became my boyfriend, then my husband. Through it all, he pushed me back to my feet. And finally I did. Twelve years and six months after my last open mic gig. The second time, it stuck.
Who did you look up to when you started? Truth be told, I obsessively watched everything Louis CK did or did. When that became a problem, I switched to Chris Rock who, it turns out, is also pretty good at his job.
Do you remember a concert so badly, now it’s funny? A couple of months ago, a guy taunted me saying I looked older than me. The audience turned on him and I responded with nasty comments about his mother. She wasn’t there; it was more a situation of me guessing what a horrible person she must be to have raised such a child. I ended up being so aggressive that the audience turned from me to theirs. I made a man who shamed a woman for his look in a victim. So am I a comedian? Or am I just a magician who pulls fear into excitement out of his hat?
‘I’m scared too. All the time’… Sara Barron. Photography: Matt Strong
What is your new show about? Politics. Joke! Little joke to myself there. It is a show about the ties that unite. I think there’s a vibe for everyone on this show, which is a phrase that’s often used about things that are either properly good or extremely mediocre. WE PRAY
What do people not expect from the life of a standup? People say, “You do standup? I can’t think of anything scarier!” And I think, “Well, sure. I’m scared too. All the time.” I never say that, though, as it heightens my sense of specialness to be treated like I’m brave. So I look into the middle distance, shrug, and say, “I guess you get used to it.”
The best talk? There is nothing good. The urge to yell at someone on stage is bad, always. 98% of people don’t, and if you do, it’s because you’re trying to join but don’t know how, or because you’re really drunk, or because you’re just a button. In any case, I’m sorry to see you.
What is your process for writing material? I think something is funny, I scribble a little around it and I’ll memorize it. Then I’ll try it on stage in a wooden way. If it works even a little, I’ll take that as an indication that maybe it could work better, once the writing and performance is less crappy. This process, from start to finish, can take anywhere from a day to a year.
Any comedy bugbears? Every few months, I am asked to audition to play the role of “mother” to several of my colleagues in their twenties. I am 42 years old and the whole situation points to an industry obsession with youth. “You’re 26? Let’s put you on a screen so we can tell your story!” versus “Are you 42? Would you like to be considered for the role of “mother at 26”?” I wouldn’t.
I think what happens is that the people who make these shows are desperate for young people to watch their show and they think that allowing the over 50s on the screen will make the young people’s eyes bleed. But the joke is on them. That youth demographic the showrunners are obsessed with? They don’t even watch TV!
Any pre-show rituals? I pee and then drink a glass of water. One outside, one inside. Rock and roll!
Any post-show rituals? I drink a glass of white wine with an episode of 30 Rock or RuPaul’s Drag Race…or sometimes just an old Super Bowl halftime show. As someone who has no interest in American football but still enjoys a musical spectacular, I give the Super Bowl a big shot and just watch the halftime shows on YouTube. They are an oddly soothing way to relax.