Jen Kirkman: ‘Joan Rivers was my comedy mother’
The US comic on her acid-tongued mentor, her British roots, not dating for a year and being caught up in the Louis CK scandal
Massachusetts-born, Los Angeles-based Jen Kirkman, 43, is a comedian, podcaster and bestselling author. On TV, she’s known for being a panellist on Chelsea Lately and narrator of Drunk History, while her podcast I Seem Fun gets 50,000 downloads per month. Her standup special Just Keep Livin’? recently arrived on Netflix and she brings her current tour to the UK in late January.
You’re coming over here to play a week of gigs…
I’m so excited. I’ve got some British heritage, actually. My uncle looked us up and the Kirkmans originated from Bury, outside of Manchester, before coming to America in the 19th century. I haven’t visited Bury yet but I’ve been to Manchester and loved it. They were a great audience. No offence but they seemed a little more loosened-up than in London. These are my people.
Twelve years ago, Louis CK said something creepy to me which definitely tallies with things he’s since admitted to
Related: Being dumped at Christmas was the best thing to happen to me | Jen Kirkman
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