For over 25 years the comedian Kate Clinton has been keeping audiences chuckling in their chairs. Her views on politics and Catholic religion have her a classic funny lady. She is raising money for the New Friends of Palm Springs Animal Shelter at Dinah Shore Weekend and had this to say about it.
Windy City Times: Hi, Kate. You have been a comedian for over 25 years?
Kate Clinton: It's true. Almost 30 years! In Roman numerals, that's "xxx" for triple x-rated!
WCT: That's a long time.
Kate Clinton: I know! I just keep coming and going every day. It adds up.
WCT: Did you always want to be a comedian?
Kate Clinton: I did. I loved making people laugh. It was sort of my family job. I was the Catholic schoolgirl class clown. Everyone would be laughing and I was the silent one, which meant that I caused it. I always wanted to do it but it wasn't an option so I was an English teacher. It was great preparation to do stand up comedy.
WCT: I can imagine.
Kate Clinton: If you can keep them amused on a spring day when they are already making more money than you in college then that is an accomplishment. I was just talking about doing standup when a friend of mine booked me in a club. That's how it started.
WCT: Really?
Kate Clinton: Yes, I did it and the next day my girlfriend, who became my manager, told me I had to do it more than once. That had never occurred to me. I just wanted to try it once.
WCT: Like jumping out of an airplane just one time!
Kate Clinton: Yes! But she was way ahead of me. She set it up and I came with the material. That's how it happened.
WCT: I have been watching a lot of stand-up routines recently and think how hard it must be.
Kate Clinton: Well, then I look at friends who are insurance salesmen and I think I couldn't do that! They would just pass out if they were told to do a set of comedy. I am usually pretty confident unless I am starting out a show with a lot of new material. It is a skill set. I probably can't do anything else at this point. I want to be the Betty White of comedy.
WCT: Oh, wouldn't we all?
Kate Clinton: I love her! You watch her and you realize how much she doesn't do. She's brilliant.
WCT: Speaking of comedic legends, you appeared with Lily Tomlin last year.
Kate Clinton: I did. I did a benefit with her in Provincetown for their dog park. That's why I am perfect for this event in Palm Springs. I am all about the dogs. We had so much fun that we did another show together in this fabulous theatre in Staten Island. It was a blast. I did a set, then she did some of her classic characters, then we did a questions and answers section with the audience together.
WCT: So you are an animal lover.
Kate Clinton: I am all about the animals. I support other species. [Both laugh.]
WCT: Do you have any animals?
Kate Clinton: No, I am in apartment in New York that is a no pet building. I travel so much and even plants just seem to be sort of safe with me. I don't think it is fair to do that to a dog. Tons of people come out of their apartments with eight greyhounds.
WCT: Everyone was walking their dogs when I was in New York last time. They have to be overpopulated with them!
Kate Clinton: Yeah, there are dogs everywhere. I think dogs should have a country area to run free. It humanizes people in New York, which is always a good thing.
WCT: You have a third book out called I Told You So.
Kate Clinton: My books are collections of things that I have written where I collect columns. That was over a five-year period, the end of the Bush regime.
WCT: Have you been partnered for a long time?
Kate Clinton: Yes. We are going into our 23rd year. I can't believe it really.
WCT: You have been in a relationship almost the whole time that you have been in stand-up.
Kate Clinton: Yes and for that whole 23 years she has said to me, "That show was too long but you need to do more politics." I think, "When is that going to be?"
WCT: Rightwhen can you squeeze it in? Is it hard being on the road?
Kate Clinton: It is. I am trying to do sensible traveling: not Portland, Ore., then Portland, Maine. Somebody please look at a map! Comedy has been affected like the rest of the world with the economy. I love what I do. I still do.
WCT: It's called the Glee Party Tour, correct?
Kate Clinton: I have been ragging on the Tea Party forever. My girlfriend says I am just jealous. They have all the money in the world behind them. They have insane people that are willing to do anything. They are basically destroying the Republican party.
WCT: Lots of material for you, I am sure...
Kate Clinton: I love it! It just keeps giving. There goes George Bush and along comes Sarah Palin. She could make you lazy.
WCT: What are your plans for this year?
Kate Clinton: My plans are to tour this show, the Glee Party. Hopefully, like the television show, people will start singing randomly.
WCT: I was wondering if you watch it.
Kate Clinton: Oh god, yes. The show is just so hilarious. There is an odd convergence of Sarah Palin and Sue Sylvester. They are really a lot alike. They have no regulator. Whatever is in their head comes out their mouth. They are really in it to win. They don't care. Somewhere in the middle, that's me!
Kate Clinton will bring the laughs at the Dinah Shore Weekend, with two shows Saturday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For tickets and information visit www.theclassicgirls.com or kateclinton.com .