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Ingrid Jungermann and Desiree Akhavan on “The Slope” and writing funny lesbian jokes

Last summer, a new web series called The Slope debuted and was instantly my favorite show by and about queer women. NYU grad students Ingrid Jungermann and Desiree Akhavan created and played characters based on themselves (and with the same names) and they say all of the things lesbians and bisexual women have thought, said or wanted to say, but couldn’t because of political correctness. Things like “I’m sure if you went on one of those Rosie O’Donnell cruise ship tours you would be the belle of the ball” or “I am the more ladylike of the two of us so I would be the bottom. You, as the more masculine one, should take up more of a hunter/gatherer type role. … Gertrude Stein topped Alice B. Toklas.” Comparisons have been made to Portlandia, which feels quite accurate, especially considering the web series is named after the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope where a lot of New York lesbians live. The setting is perfect for the everyday conversations and interactions Ingrid and Desiree have with each other as a couple and with the people they come across on trips to the sex toy shop or while sitting on a patio of a local bar. Even Michael Showalter (The State, Wet Hot American Summer) dropped by for a recent episode, playing the parent of an unruly toddler.

Desiree’s frankness and Ingrid’s consciousness create a hilarious dynamic that, coupled with the dialogue queer women have longed to hear spoken on screen by someone who was like them, makes The Slope one of the most watchable pieces of women-created content we could ask for – and it’s delivered to us for free. After working on an entire first season on their own budget and strengths, Desi and Ingrid raised $8,415 for a second season, allowing them to concentrate on the writing and acting and leaving other aspects to producers, directors and sound people who could devote their entire time and energies to it. Because of that, Season 2 has been more slick in production, but just as funny ever, with Ingrid and Desi breaking up momentarily but realizing they’d rather be miserable together then have to date other miserable people.

AfterEllen has championed The Slope since we first watched, and we wanted to know more about the women behind our favorite series. Desi and Ingrid answered some of our questions, including where they might draw the line with possibly offensive jokes (they don’t) and how they find inspiration for their episodes. AfterEllen.com: Is there anything off limits for you guys? Jokes that were maybe a little too crossing the line or that you thought really might offend someone? Ingrid Jungermann: I think with comedy, it’s less about being offensive and more about being honest with yourself. I think offensive jokes/jokes that don’t land are too wrapped up in what an audience might think or they’ve just been told before. If you write from your specific experiences and have a sense of humor about yourself, then the joke will work. And if a joke works, it shouldn’t be offensive.

Desiree Akhavan: We haven’t had an experience where we killed a joke because we feared it was offensive. There isn’t one joke in the show that I think crosses a line because there’s nothing in there that should be taken at face value.

Of course, it’s very personal what people find offensive and acceptable. My brother was absolutely disgusted by the joke in episode 1 where Ingrid mentions oral sex during menstruation. I love that joke. I think it’s hilarious especially because it’s so graphic and shocking. You’re either drinking the (red) kool-aid or you’re not.

AE: How much of the writing is based on real life instances/conversations you’ve had? IJ: I think it’s completely based on real life. We just kick it up a few notches, make it heightened reality and exaggerate our personalities. The character of “Ingrid” is me, but the most intense parts of me – the me I hang out with when no one else is around.

DA: I’m usually inspired by something that comes up in life. About a year ago I was looking through GO magazine with friends and we were mildly horrified by all the matching twin brides. I found the situation absurd: a room full of lesbians grossed out at the unnatural sight of two feminine women getting married to each other. So I stored it away and it became the basis for “Top/Bottom.” AE: What did the Kickstarter money enable you do with Season 2 that you were hoping for? IJ: Kickstarter allowed us to hire people to do the jobs we were doing on our own. It was way too challenging for us to write, produce, direct, act and edit. I think the show is smarter now because we can focus on the creative part. Erin Harper did the impossible last season alongside us. The three of us would hustle around and get what we could. Now we’ve hired Frances Bodomo (producer), Laura Terruso and Ed Barnes (camera), Greg Mailloux (sound) and Sarah-Violet Bliss (editor) and it’s really because of those folks that we’re able to make this season more nuanced.

DA: It’s a completely different filming experience! Season 1 was mostly shot with a crew of three. We did a good deal of “winging it.” Now we can afford to hire a cinematographer, sound mixer and producer. I think it’s improved the quality of the episodes because we have the luxury of being able to focus on the performances. Additionally, because there’s a small crew present, we come into the shoots more prepared.

AE: How has fan response been? Do you get recognized around Park Slope? IJ: Fantastic. People are so supportive – teachers and fellow students at NYU, strangers online, even my mother wanted to give it a thumbs up on the Huffington Post but couldn’t figure out how.

I think it’s assumed that we are only speaking to lesbians, which is really important to me, but it’s also important we don’t preach to the choir. Once people outside of the community watch, they realize it speaks to them and their relationship issues, too. Especially the strap-on episode.

I do live in Park Slope and I do get recognized. I think my most memorable time was when I was biking to Williamsburg and a car full of lesbians waved and shouted “We pledged!” out the window. I was also in line at the coop eating sushi – which is a huge rule violation and I could get fired for even mentioning it – and a girl in front of me recognized me and we chatted. I always get recognized when I look terrible, though, so I’m not sure what that says about me.

DA: I live in Bedstuy, and I never get recognized. I’m going to assume that it’s because my foxy good looks intimidate the masses, while Ingrid represents the more approachable “dyke next door.” Most likely it’s because everyone who watches thinks I’m an asshole.

AE: How did you get Michael Showalter as a guest? Any other guests coming up we should know about? IJ: One of my first classes at grad school was with Michael. He mentored Desiree and me last semester so we could get his feedback on the show and write the feature version. I just asked him to be in an episode and he said yes; he’s always been a supportive teacher and anytime I wanted to talk to him about projects outside of class, he was really helpful and available.

DA: Michael Showalter has been incredibly supportive from the start. He’s a great teacher and I’ve been a huge fan of his since The State.

IJ: I want to find Jane Lynch. I feel like there’s someone we know who knows her, but I haven’t found that person yet. To work with her would be a dream. I want her play my big sister.

DA: No celebrity guests are planned as of yet, but I’m on a desperate campaign to get Tegan and Sara on. If you are reading this are you have access to Tegan and/or Sara, please get them to watch the show. I know they’re recording in LA right now, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. I think they’re so funny and I’m bursting with ideas. AE: It can be hard to make jokes about being a lesbian or bisexual without being cheesy and predictable or offensive but you guys are able to sidestep both of those things. How do you think you’re able to do that so well? DA: Thank you so much! I’m so glad you feel that way. I’d like to think that’s because we’re both funny people with good taste. I see the world through an absurd comic lens, so it’s my nature to poke fun at myself. However, since coming out as bisexual, I’ve been exposed to the pain and complications my sexuality has introduced to my life, so I’m pretty sensitive to the cliche and offensive.

IJ: I think it goes back to question one. People think comedy is about laughs, but it’s not – it’s about honesty and being able to locate and expose your faults.

AE: What do you hope to accomplish with The Slope? IJ: At best, we get a paying job out of it. Right now, The Slope has proved to be an amazing way to learn, shape our skills and gain an audience. So if nothing ever comes of it, I think it’s a testament to what Desiree and I can produce. Plus, online distribution is going to take over the independent scene, and I’m happy we are getting involved in that early on.

DA: My highest aspiration is for the show to call attention to social stereotypes and biases while uniting a diverse audience through the power of a shared sense of humor. I like to think that you don’t have to be gay or even bi-curious to appreciate the jokes. AE: Anything else you would want viewers to know about you guys/the show? IJ: Desiree and I are writing our own scripts and we’re both excited about those projects. I’m writing a satirical sci-fi about a biology professor who forms an underground female fight club so they can overpower the male race. So be on the look-out for us asking for more money. I know people are waiting with bated breath to hand it over.

DA: I’m moving forward with a feature film based on the “Desiree” character that will be going into production during the next year. I have to raise a bit of money for that, so if anyone has ideas or a trust fund you should hit me up.

Also, people should know that publicizing a show about lesbians has been an endless struggle, and it seems like the moment someone hears the show is a comedy about gay women they stop listening. Even one of my all-time favorite publications, Bitch magazine, wouldn’t give us the time of day.

If you like the show, please share it with your friends because that’s the only way content like this is going to get out there, and if it doesn’t we are all going to be stuck with Whitney from The Real L Word as the voice of our people.

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