Interviews

The interview section is all about getting insight into people Serial Optimist find interesting, and original. From artists to actors to comedians to writers, we try to introduce to you and showcase the most unique, and most entertaining people around. If you’d like, please recommend someone to david@serialoptimist.com.

Abbey Londer & RIOT – LA’s Alternative Comedy Festival

By David Dean on January 25, 2012

Back it. Love it.

We love comedian, producer, and the all around lovely Abbey Londer. She is that rare being that creates for the sake of creating, for pure enjoyment, for everyone to have fun, for a community. Insert RIOT – LA’s Alternative Comedy Festival. You will learn all about it in our interview with Abbey, but she sums it up so perfectly with this: “We love to laugh. And we love comedy. We love performing it. We love watching it. And more than anything we love the community that revolves around it.” What started out as an idea is turning into a reality. With truly the best comedians on board, and a Kickstarter that is SO close to hitting its goal (back it up!), and with a love of laughter being the driving force, RIOT is all things Serial Optimist loves. Read on to learn more about the festival, Abbey, and of course, for plenty of smiles.

‘HEY THERE STRANGER’

By David Dean on January 23, 2012

Hello

In November, filmmaker Julian Klepper and crew, shot 2/3rds of a pilot Klepper wrote and directed called “Hey There Stranger“. It’s about a sweet yet captious dreamer who falls into a dark depression after his girlfriend of six months breaks up with him. Sounds like a bummer right? Wrong. It’s a funny, slightly dark (dim?), honest, serious, but not too serious show about wanting to connect but not quite knowing how. It also comes across as very personal, or more passionate; you can tell this something Klepper has put his whole heart into. Money is being raised to finish the pilot on Kickstarter, and is oh SO close to hitting its goal. Read on for a great interview with Julian, and to learn more about “Hey There Stranger”.

Freddi Scheib Talks ‘Missed Connection’ & Makes Us Laugh Hard

By David Dean on January 17, 2012

"Missed Connection"

SO many great comedy series are hitting the web, as you can see here, and another hilariously amazing gem is “Missed Connection” from writer, comedian, and actor Freddi Scheib. “Missed Connection” comes from a personal place, but you wouldn’t know it because it’s so relatable, in a beautifully absurd way. With a stellar cast that includes New York’s finest (comedians), and witty sharp writing from Scheib, “Missed Connection” is no doubt en route to being an online watch-the-newest-episode-as-soon-as-it-hits favorite. Read on for a truly laugh out loud interview with Freddi and some “Missed Connection” episodes.

An Interview With Someone We Love: Julie Klausner

By David Dean on January 16, 2012

Julie Klausner

Julie Klausner is the kind of person who was born with that special talent of putting words together perfectly. The comedy writer and performer, podcaster, and author is a multi-threat of funny. Her popular podcast “How Was Your Week“, which Rolling Stone and GQ both named as one of the best in existence, has become a can’t miss listen with each new episode. Her book I Don’t Care About Your Band has had an impact like no other since its release in 2010, and continues to grow in popularity daily. I mean really Julie, settle down with all that talent! I could go on and on about all her other accomplishments, how funny she is, and how looking at cute animal pictures together sounds a little too dreamy, but I’ll just let the interview speak for itself. Read on to get to know Julie a little better, and of course, for plenty of smiles.

‘Scary F**ked Up Christmas’ With Garfunkel & Oates

By David Dean on December 22, 2011
YouTube Preview Image

If watching Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci of Garfunkel & Oates sit on a couch holiday decked out in front of a Christmas tree doesn’t instantly up your Christmas spirit to a level 10, then you might be a lost cause at this point. Added bonus: You get Doug Benson playing a stoned Santa Claus, so basically just Doug Benson.

Garfunkel & Oates have consistently been putting out some of the most hilarious songs for some time now; so another one that nails it is no surprise. With “Scary F***ked Up Christmas”, it’s all about Christmas being better when you’re high. Then that high going badly and things getting scary and f**ked up. Basically, regardless of your highness or non-highness, Christmas is going to be scary and f***ked up either way, so what should you do? Watch Garfunkel & Oates sing about it, they will keep you smiling the rest of the year.

We chatted with Riki Lindhome to get her thoughts on the new video, what her and Kate want for Christmas, and the fail safe gift for any guy to get when he’s ran out of ideas.

Jimmy Pardo’s 3rd Annual Pardcast-A-Thon

By David Dean on November 23, 2011

Jimmy Pardo by Robyn Von Swank

Jimmy Pardo has been a stand-up comic for more than 20 years and none of it ever came easy. He isn’t on sitcoms or selling out stadiums, even though, after seeing him perform, you’ll agree he should be. Pardo is energetic, funny as hell and has a quicker wit than anyone else in show business. While he’s not a household name, Pardo hasn’t gone unappreciated. His podcast, “Never Not Funny,” is one of the most popular in the world and he’s the warm-up act for “Conan.” Not bad gigs.