Comedian Jackie Loeb joins Gretel Killeen in their two-woman standup comedy show We Don’t Like Young People. The Mo Award winner for Best Comedian spoke with The Echo.
Tell me what it is about young people that bugs you. Gretel said she’s fine with young people – it’s just you who is bitter?
Mostly that they’re younger than I am, and their obsession with drinking ‘green juice’. I remember when green juice was Cottee’s Lime Cordial, and that was considered to be a health food! Bitterness is a rite of passage; it’s one of the few perks of being middle aged.
If you could do it all over again what would you do?
Yes, but with better hair and not worrying about not having a boyfriend.
What are the major challenges of being a comedian?
Not putting on weight when you are reliant upon the servo stations for your basic nutrition while on tour.
What about the triumphs?
This is terrible. I keep staring at this question not knowing how to respond. I keep thinking ‘what triumphs?’ Who programmed me to be like this? Um… getting an aisle seat on the plane.
Tell me about getting the MO Award. Did you really think they made a mistake?
Yes, in my doubtful insecure mind, it’s absolutely a mistake! I was referred to as Comedian of the Year a few days ago on television, and I felt like I was living this horrible lie. That it’s all trickery and a figment of my imagination. With awards and accolades come expectations. Imagine having to be good! Ahhh, it’s terrifying.
How has it been living in LA? Can an Aussie girl make it happen over there? What has it been like for you?
I seem to spend a vast amount of time at the supermarket for no apparent reason. I just find the shopping aisles very grounding. Anything can happen over there. There are opportunities I would not have had here in Australia. But one has to truly put themselves out there and ‘network’. Networking is not in my DNA. I’m not one for talking about how fabulous I supposedly am to strangers.
What is the culture of comedy like over there? Is it supportive?
I have met wonderful, encouraging comedians in LA. But as there are so many comedians, ie every actor is a comic, every model is a comic and every plumber is a comic… It’s hard to really get to know the other performers, as every time you have a gig you are on with a new batch of comics. I feel like a grandma most of the time. They are all so young. Another reason to not like them, I guess.
Do they get our Aussie sense of humour?
Aussies do self-deprecating humour better than any other culture. When I watch comedians over there, I miss hearing about self-loathing. I think there is a trend over there for more anecdotal routines and storytelling. I often have to sift through my routine and take out the Aussie colloquialisms. Apparently bushpig isn’t a global compliment.
Do they get you?
When I slow down my delivery I think they get the essence and flavour of it.
What project do you have on the boil right now?
I am now a writer. I go through phases. One week I’m a comic, one week I’m a plus-size model. I guess I have been writing all my life, but I have really started to take it more seriously these last few years. I have just completed a comedy pilot that if I can activate the networking in my DNA I will be sending off to whomever wants to read it. I think it’s the best thing I have ever written. It’s my ticket out of having to live with strangers.
What should we expect for your upcoming show with Gretel?
Hair pulling and mudwrestling. We are two lovely middle-aged young ladies who should have towns named after us. We provide an eclectic and fun night of entertainment with a bit of young-people disliking thrown in for good measure.
Jackie and Gretel perform We Don’t Like Young People at the Ocean Shores Country Club on Saturday.
Tickets at the club.
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