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AE: You have always been very up-front about your sexual orientation in your act; have you found this to be a strength or a liability in terms of gaining broader national exposure?
SW: I think my being upfront and open since the beginning has been EXCELLANT for me, and good and bad for my career. I have been told so many times for years: " If you just didn't have to mention it....we could put you on the show...cast you....make a show about you...etc. etc. etc." Whatever. I couldn't care less. I made the decision right from the beginning to be open. I am very frank about the fact that I had an "agenda." I wanted to make things better for gays. Simple. Can't do that in the closet. Simple.

AE: Do you think it’s getting easier for comedians to include explicit references to lesbianism in their performances in front of general audiences? How has that changed from when you first started out?
SW: It is WAY easier to talk about lesbian stuff in front of hetero audiences now--they KNOW stuff. Used to be I had to take 2 minutes to explain butch and femme or top and bottom or a women's festival, or P-town. Now they are savvy, mostly because people are more out and so most heteros KNOW gay people. And TV and movies, etc., more gay images. I mean, come on, we ALWAYS said that's what we need! As usual, we were right.

AE: Only a small percentage of comedians ever get the kind of opportunities you’ve received (the HBO Comedy Special, the appearance on Letterman, your sold-out tours, etc.); to what do you attribute your success?
SW: I can't even begin to tell you why I've had the success I've had....My G/F says it's because I am the funniest (she is very succinct...). I think it's because I love doing it. And because I am funny. I could love doing it I guess, but without the laughs, it would only go so far. But I am very aware of my fortune (and as a long time Buddhist I will also say, it's part of my Karma).

AE: How has your routine changed or evolved over time?
SW: My act has changed in that I can say almost anything now. In the beginning I had to be SO GAY, because you couldn't very well say "I'm a lesbian and don't you hate traffic??" You HAD to talk about it, because no one was. There were so many questions in the audiences' mind. And for all-gay audiences, you HAD to make it a big deal because we had so few voices. I REALLY understood that.

I used to hate it when you would go see a lesbian performer who was closeted and she would toss some little bone of a clue to the audience and all the dykes would yell, and I would be like "Whatever...are you or aren't you? Just shut up if you aren't coming out."

AE: What inspired you to become a comedian? Which comedians do you really admire?
SW: I was not "inspired" to become a comedian--I was forced, by my ex girl and my friends, and the regulars at the bar I tended in New Jersey. Everyone kept saying I should, so I did. Who knew?

I LOVE comics, so I enjoy most of them. Recently watching all of Eddie Izzard (AMAZING), love Chris Rock, Carlin is a god, Wanda Sykes, she kills me. I admire all comics, even if they suck. It's a really odd and hard job, anyone who can make a living at it deserves a hand. (Which they will probably bite...we ARE comics!!)

AE: What’s the best and worst part of doing this for a living?
SW: Best: being on stage. Hands down. Doing the show.....it's the reason for all the rest of it. Worst: the TRAVEL!!!! And that just keeps getting worse with all the security and airlines going bankrupt. I wish I had my own jet....then all would be right with the world.

AE: You have a role in the new movie A Family Affair, in which you play a brunette straight woman. Which was more difficult--pretending to be straight, or to be a brunette?
SW: Pretending to be JEWISH AND a BRUNETTE. I mean at least I have EXPERIENCE pretending to be straight BEFORE....hello, high school anyone?

AE: What made you decide to take this role?
SW: I'm an actor. I audition all the time...I auditioned and they gave me the part. I love doing that work. I've been studying for over 7 years, I was happy for the opportunity as all struggling actors are.

AE: Are you interested in doing more acting, or do you prefer to stick primarily to stand-up?
SW: I don't think I could ever stop stand-up. You will notice that they ALL return: Seinfield, Rosie, Ellen, Leno....the list goes on and on....NO success, NO acting job, NOTHING can take the place of being on stage by yourself and working a room. I work very hard in acting class...and I really hope to get work, but stand up is my love.

AE: What are you currently working on? Any new projects in the pipeline?
SW: The only new projects I have are to continue touring ( I don't ever actually stop). I usually tour Aug-June, take off July, and start all over again. AND I am pitching ideas for television shows--but you can't talk about it or someone will steal your idea....so you know, I am in LA, doing the "lunch meeting " thing. Oh and I have a new CD, "Guaranteed Fresh." I just got the first shipment today so they should be out and about by now.

AE: Any advice for aspiring lesbian comedians?
SW: The advice I give to aspiring lesbo comics: be out...you aren't fooling anyone. We all always knew about Rosie and Ellen. It's SO boring. And make your own work. By that I mean, don't just hang out in a comedy club in your home town hoping to get up--host AIDS fundraisers, and Breast Cancer Auctions, and drag queen contests, and drag KING contests. GET UP AND DO COMEDY WHERE EVER YOU CAN.

Do you know why? Cause you cannot practice at home. You wanna play piano? You can practice all by yourself. Study psychology? Get the books, read them. COMEDY? MUST have an audience...so go find people and work hard.

And be nice. That being an obnoxious brat is SO last decade. We are tired of it.

Find out more about Suzanne at suzannew.com

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