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#69 Leah Lamarr is Hot on the Mic

Discover the inspiring journey of Leah Lamarr, the Clubhouse superstar who became the face of the app and draws thousands of listeners weekly to her comedy space, as she shares her secrets and tips for aspiring actors and comedians.

My guest, Leah Lamarr, and I discuss:
  • Leah Lamarr, a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and Clubhouse superstar, joins the show to discuss her journey to comedic superstardom.
  • Leah Lamarr shares how she discovered Clubhouse and created a space for comedy that draws thousands of listeners weekly.
  • Leah Lamarr has been featured in articles in Rolling Stone, Forbes, and The Verge for bringing comedy to Clubhouse and helping it become the success it has had over the past year.
  • After our interview, Clubhouse made Leah Lamarr the face of their app by updating their icon with her face.
  • Leah talks about leaving NY for LA and her roots as an actor that ultimately led her to stand-up comedy.
  • Leah is a headlining comedian who has worked with Erik Griffin and Dane Cook.
  • Leah shares tons of great stories and tips for aspiring actors and comedians.

You’re going to love my conversation with Leah Lamarr

 
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Call-in Ricky Glore

Hashtag Fun: Jeff dives into recent trends and reads some of his favorite tweets from trending hashtags. The hashtag featured in this episode is #MyDreamEscapeIs

Social Media: It’s all about Clubhouse this episode! 

Featured on the show:

Hashtag Game:
#MyDreamEscapeIs

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Tweets featured on the show:

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0:00

Looking to sound like you know what's going on in the world, pop culture, social strategy, comedy and other funny stuff. Well join the club and settle in for the Jeff Dwoskin show. It's not the podcast we deserve. But the podcast we all need with your host, Jeff Dwoskin.

0:15

All right, Zach, thank you so much for that amazing introduction. You get the show going each and every week, and this week was no exception. Welcome, everybody, to Episode 69 of live from Detroit, the Jeff Dwoskin show. As always, I am your host, Jeff Dwoskin. Great to have you back for another incredible episode. It's beshert that we're all together today. And we are going to have a great time. It's the last episode of our podcast in the 60s we turned 70 next week and you believe it or turn it 70 but let's not focus on that right now. Right now we're here to celebrate this episode.

This episode with stand up comedian, actress, writer, director, producer, club house superstar Ladies and gentlemen, Leah Lamarr is here. And we're gonna chat in just a few minutes. You're gonna love it. You know what else you're gonna love? You're gonna love heading over to Jeff is funny.com the official website of live from Detroit the Jeff Dwoskin show there you can do so many things you can spend like an entire afternoon just hanging out there. One you can click on buy me a coffee. Why would I buy you a coffee? I don't know. Somebody just had a birthday. Me. You could buy me a coffee. That'd be super cool. I'd appreciate it. I'll drink it. Say your name on a future episode. Oh, cool. Would that be I know. You're thinking yourself. Wow, that would be so cool. Yes. Agreed. You can also sign up for my mailing list. I send out cool emails. You don't want to be the one like sitting there. And everyone's like, oh, you're like what's going on? And they're all like, Oh, you must not be on this mailing list. And then you'll feel left out and you'll feel horrible. So just sign up. Avoid all and avoid all the foma that comes with not being on my mailing list.

Also, there's a button on my website called follow the Jeff Dwoskin show. If you click on it, you can follow this podcast on any podcast app. Wait a minute, Jeff. There's a lot of podcast apps you're saying to yourself? I say I know but we're on all of them what I know put your socks back on and get ready to like follow subscribe whatever words those podcasts apps use to my podcast you'll get notified every time a new episode goes live. It's awesome. We're on every single one in the world what you're saying to yourself that's impossible Apple check us out Spotify, iTunes I Heart Radio. No way. Yes, we are on IR radio pod chaser good bods? cashbox, we're everywhere. And here's a fun fact for you only one in 100 podcasts are everywhere. And statistically, while that is not at all true, every podcast is everywhere. It makes me feel special to make up statistics to make me feel special. So let's just keep this between us and like just brag to everyone that you listen to this podcast on your favorite podcast app and just get them to listen to that's the best thing you can do. For me, if this whole world was just using the same shampoo and listening to my podcast, that would be the greatest thing in the world.

The second greatest thing in the world following my YouTube channel, the Jeff Dwoskin. Show, watch my live show every Wednesday at 9:30pm. Eastern Time, me and a bunch of friends, we talk about amazing shows and movies, you should be benching, you're always saying yourself, what should I watch? I can't think of a show to watch. Well, I created a show and that show answers that universal question. So head on over to YouTube and enjoy all the past episodes and get notified when we go live every week.

I do want to take a quick minute and just talk about something really personal and important to me. All right. Someone's calling during my serious monologue.

3:59

Hey Jeff, this is Ricky Glore. Your friend, comedian filmmaker man who wears many hats in the entertainment industry.

4:07

Hey Ricky, great to hear from you and everyone listening just so you know me my friends. We always do a full resume whenever we call each other just to say hello. So Ricky, what's going on? What's up with you?

4:17

Yeah, I just wanted to come on and talk about my upcoming horror film currently in production called all your friends are dead.

4:29

Nice and you brought your own fee music. Ricky what makes this movie different than other horror films?

4:36

Yeah, you're asking what makes this slasher movie different than the countless other 1000 slasher movies that take place in the woods that have come out since the 80s?

4:46

Yes, that is what I'm asking.

4:48

Well, this one's very special. This is what the teen slasher movie grew up without slashers Yes. What if it is not just a bunch of teenage dum dums in the woods getting killed off one by one What if they are people in their mid 30s, what if they're middle aged people blowing my

5:03

mind here, Ricky?

5:05

What does that look like getting chased around by a masked, deranged psycho killer?

5:09

What can myself and my listeners do to help you, Ricky, we need your help

5:13

to help finish the movie. And so we really are hoping that people will contribute and see this indie horror movie come to life, a lot of the costs will go to post production costs. For that we're going to offer a perk of a blu ray for $80 you can get a Blu Ray copy of the film that is limited to 100 copies, it will have an exclusive commentary track only on this blu ray also for that $80 you get your name in the credits and a social media shout out

5:39

for only $80 that's like a bargain to get into the movie biz.

5:42

So please go to our Kickstarter for all your friends are dead in help see an indie horror movie come to life.

5:50

This sounds really exciting, Ricky,

5:52

thank you so much for having me on, Jeff.

5:54

All right, everyone, I will put the link to the Kickstarter in the show notes. You know how to get the show notes go to Jeff is funny, calm. They're all there. Just so everyone knows I'm not involved with this Kickstarter at all. All the donations go to Ricky and his team. I just wanted to help Ricky out Ricky was a guest on episode 7 of live from Detroit, the Jeff Dwoskin show. Ricky was the first person ever to reach out to me and asked to be on my podcast. So I felt really special. And he did that. So when he told me he had a movie, and he needed some help, I invited him back to introduce him again to all of you. So check that out. Cool stuff. I know, there's other levels of giving too. When you're checking out the teaser, I think there's even a $20 level where you can help become a part of the movie. So anyway, that's pretty cool.

And now it's time for the social media tip! This episode is gonna be a little different in terms of the social media tip. Usually I'm here and I'm dropping knowledge and I'm giving you all the scoop. But sometimes I have a guest like my guest today, Leah Lamarr, who happens to also be not only a talented comedian and actor, but also synonymous with clubhouse and its success. club house is an amazing app. It's an audio focus, social network. And Leah talks all about how she found it, what drew her to it and why she stayed and how she became such an integral part of the success of clubhouse over the past year or so. amassing a huge following. I'm just gonna ask you to hang tight. And we got some great info coming up in just a few minutes from Leah. And that's the social media tip. (to be continued)

I do. I take a quick moment to thank all of you for your support of the sponsors week after week. I can't thank you enough when you support my sponsors. You're supporting me and the podcast live from Detroit, the Jeff Dwoskin show and your constant support. That's how we keep the lights on today's sponsor is Rock Ridge Railroad Company. That's right Rock Ridge. We're bringing rail transport to your town I used to traveling by car or plane. Well, it's time to give train travel a try. with unlimited physical or emotional baggage limits. You no longer have to leave anything at home. train travel allows you to kick back relax while traveling without the fear of plunging 30,000 feet. Say goodbye to traffic jams and unlimited destinations travel by train today. Well if you're interested in train travel, check them out at rockridgerailroads.com. I believe they now have up to 16 destinations for you to choose from. So that's pretty exciting.

But I'll tell you what's really exciting is my conversation with Leah Lamarr. This time I think I shared that interview with you. It's a great discussion about following your dreams. Enjoy. Alright everybody, I'm so excited to introduce you to my next guest comedian actor clubhouse superstar Writer, Producer Leah Lamarr. Leah, welcome to the show. Thanks so much for having me. Hi, Jeff. How you doing? I'm doing great. I'm doing great. So it's it's fun to have you I appreciate you taking time from your superstardom to hang out my show with me.

9:13

I mean you mostly disturbed me just making a chair and oh my god if anyone is a TaskRabbit please come to my house I cannot do this. I need a husband or a TaskRabbit

9:24

moving is not easy. There's a lot

9:26

no there's there's already screws missing and half the chairs. I think people will be lucky to leave my house without with all their limbs. That's just where we're at right now.

9:35

Have you been to IKEA yet to fill up the house?

9:38

I am very shamefully ordering most of my furniture from Amazon. I know the shame. I feel the shame. Well, I don't want children in my furniture.

9:49

For those who don't know, Leah is I guess the face of clubhouse. I mean, you've been on so many articles Rolling Stone etc, etc. Bringing comedy to clubhouse during the pandemic But I know there's there's more to this story because as I kind of dug into your background you've done a lot the overnight success that took years. Let me ask you first via Goldman is your name you change your name? I'm guessing for sag. Why did you pick Lamarr?

10:16

Wow, you really went right for it. You know, when you asked me before this, is there anything that you know, I'm worried you're gonna be like so can you name every ex boyfriend and their address and why it didn't work out? Jesus Christ. Jeff, is this fun for you?

10:30

It's a fair question. It's a great name. I assumed that you picked it because of Hedy Lamarr was an amazing Jewish woman called the Jewish Wonder Woman. I figured that fit your personality and probably where you would have got that from but I wanted to know if that was the case. That was just my guess.

10:45

Yeah, I changed my name from Jew mcdu to slightly less Jewish Hedy Lamarr is a very distant cousin of mine. And I found that out many moons ago at an awkward Thanksgiving dinner. And so basically right after that, I just changed my name. I always wanted to change Goldman. It's a It sounds like you're eating a sandwich go mom. Like it's just, you know, I don't want to I'm very obviously Jewish. I talk about it a lot. It's not something I'm trying to hide. But yeah, I always wanted to change Goldman. So I did.

11:17

You are unabashedly Jewish. I am I like that about you Jewish. I'm

11:21

proud. It's nice. I wasn't always this way. But I am certainly now. And over the last couple of years, I felt that way. But I do think that when I was thinking about becoming an actor in the industry, I couldn't think of that many Jewish actresses who had distinctly Jewish names, and most of them were comedians, Sarah Silverman. She's the only one I could think of that has a super Jewish name that's distinct like that. But when you think about actors, you know, Natalie Portman used to be Natalie Hirsch slag, right? Galaga Joe doesn't like if you don't realize it, this really doesn't like scream anything specific. Scarlett Johansson, same thing. mucuna same thing. So you know, I don't know, it just didn't work. For me. I was like, if I'm going to be an executive producer, or in finance, or doctor, I'll keep Goldman but since none of those things really struck my fancy I decided to go for a swap room,

12:14

right? You walk into the room with Goldman, then people are already preconceived Jewish,

12:19

right? They immediately point at me and say, do you know which I am? But now they're like, What is she you know, right. But

12:26

you control it and own it on your own terms, which I think works. Have you had any problems with anti semitism that since moving out there and I mean, you are you are very outwardly Jewish, which again, I love, but I'm just curious Is it is it made anything harder for you? Because you definitely don't hide it?

12:43

Well, I didn't book Mrs. maizel. And that completely ruined me because I'm Jewish female comedian from New York. And don't get me wrong. Rachel brosnahan is a genius. But she's not a stand up comedian and she's not Jewish. And I'm like, really? There are so many Jewish comedians were actresses. I mean, just put Natalie Portman. And Rachel brosnahan is an absolute genius. She does the role justice. I won't say it's anti semitic, that they don't they didn't cast me. No, you know, I have faced a lot of anti semitism, when I went to school in Virginia, and the South is a very different place. And I I'm not really sure why I stayed. To be honest, I think it was a very, very small arts community. And I really related to the 20 people that I found in the arts community at such a massive school, but for the most part, a lot of people had a lot of misconceptions old timey misconceptions about Jews, you know, the ones that like horns and like money, grubby. I mean, I am, it's just like, it just sounds bad when they say it, you know, right. It's none of their business. Right? You know, I would be walking down the street and someone be like, are you Lee? Are you that Jew from New York? And I'm like, Oh, God, is it gonna grab the pitchfork? And they'd be like, well, at least you're a big, fat, ugly Jew. And I'm like, so you think I'm hot? You know, tear is terrifying. And then when the KKK came through Charlottesville, I was actually just surprised. It didn't happen sooner. Truly, it's a very scary place. I got dumped for being Jewish. I mean, you know, a girlfriend that I was bringing home for Thanksgiving on the write up was telling me how she thought that the rapture was real, which Okay, you believe what you want to believe. I don't judge anyone. And she was saying, I'm just so happy that when the apocalypse happens, and Jesus comes back, if you decide to accept his light into your heart, and you accept Him as your Lord and Savior that after living with all the plagues on this planet for seven years, if you survive that you could be with me and haven't you get a second chance? It's not so cool. And I was like, pull over the car.

14:45

I mean, at least she gave you a path.

14:47

Yeah. Like, I don't think that the older Jews are gonna appreciate this conversation. You know, we need to have a little chitchat.

14:53

What is it? They say down there. Bless your heart. Bless your heart. Bless your heart. My heart has been blessed. Many times, they must be really worried.

15:02

Yeah, they're very worried about my soul. No, no one is more worried about my soul than my parents so they can try all they want. But the Christians have nothing on the Jews. That's all I know,

15:12

your, your parents very supportive parents did were they always like behind you being a stand up comedian and actress

15:19

No, I was cut off at 18. And which I think is very unlikely in the Jewish community, to be honest, but in a way, I think that's made me very strong and build a lot of character, just what everyone loves character, and everything I have, and everything I've built, I've done myself. And that's something that I'm very proud of. And it's a narrative that I definitely cling to sometimes too hard, you know, I want to just scream from rooftops, but I did this myself. Someone just hand it to you. I had a chip on my shoulder about that for a long time, you know, I worked 234 jobs at the same time just trying to make ends meet and pay off student loans and having jobs that I hated. And I think I took a lot of jobs just to appease my parents, so they would be happy, but nothing ever aligned with my soul that wasn't being an artist. And I feel like if I'm not performing, or I'm not creating, I'm dying, that's how I feel. And so once I finally took the steps to being a full time artist, and making this my life's purpose and pursuit, that's when I finally felt free. And my parents, I think, I think my parents just want what all parents want for their children to be happy to be successful to not have to worry. And a lot of that comes with a job because a job provides stability and a 401k and health insurance and you know that there's a very easy trajectory that you can see when someone follows a clear path and a ladder, you know, steps up toward your career and building momentum one day being that CEO, and I just never really wanted that. I don't see myself existing that system, I've never really done well with structure. I think I operated well within it to a certain degree. Because my teachers I found always mean always had a lot of flexibility for me. And so I'm just they were not that supportive for a while. And I think it's hard for parents to get on board when your daughter goes to quote unquote lala land and thinks that she's going to be a quote unquote, comedian or actress. It's a hard profession. And I don't think that they didn't think I was special or anything, but they couldn't jump on board. So I really just had to stick to my chosen family at the time for support through that. And you know, we've very much rekindled our relationship now. And I'm we're just starting to rebuild our family structure. And I think they are very proud of me. And they came to see me do stand up for the first time in six years. I've been to exam six years and they came to see me at the West Palm Beach improv, I was opening for Eric Griffin, and it was a sold out show his past and I think that there's Oh, okay, she's actually like doing this. She's not just saying she's doing it, she's not flailing, she's doing it. You know, she's opening for a very well known, respected comedian. She's doing great in front of a packed room. And I think that that's when it really hit them that I'm doing this not going to go away anytime soon. And that's that I'm glad

18:20

that you're reconciling you know, I understand. You know, I have two daughters myself. And so it's, I can see where you know, you worry about your kids, I think is what it comes down to right. I always love them. It just you know, you get nervous that's off to you for going out and doing and following your dream. I think that's it's incredible. And it's for them. It's nice, because you're one of the ones that actually pop Not everyone who goes tries to do what you do ends up on, you know, the cover of Rolling Stone named dropped by Joe Rogan. Oh my gosh. So

18:51

you know, it's interesting, because I find that I can't really share with them a lot of my success because they have no idea about my industry. So for example, I am opening for Dane Cook at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas. It's amazing. Thank you. I'm very excited. And I called my mom and I said, Mom, do you know who Dane Cook is and she was like No, and I was like, Alright, well just know this is something you should be proud of me about. This is a big deal. I mean, they don't know very many comedians, it's just not their interest. I

19:25

think it's like in general though, I think people outside of the comedy community I once went and saw Mitch Hedberg Lewis Wow, unbelievable. And I would tell my friends right can you believe that lineup insane right? I would tell people and they'd be like, Who? Like they didn't know any of them. And it's like it's it's weird. It's like they know certain people know certain people. I mean, your mom should know Dane Cook is but like

19:49

they're they just live in a different timezone. You know what I mean? They're, they live in a different time line. I think I love them. But I opened for Russell Peters, and they didn't know who Russell was. You know, they didn't know who we are Griffin I'm like you know, I'm like do you know who's there silver like do you know Joan Rivers? Of course they know Joan Rivers, but I'd like to not know Dane Cook is like you're just living under a rock. I love my. So they can't always celebrate with me. But I am excited about the cool things that are coming up for me.

20:21

Yeah, Dane Cook is huge. That's exciting.

20:24

And he's an amazing person. I mean, he has gotten me some really cool spots at the Laugh Factory at the improv. He's really helped me out and he doesn't have to just nothing but a nice guy giving other people shots.

20:37

That's how you know real man's right when they make it and then they help other people. Yeah, he's the goat. That's very cool. Hey, I wanted to circle back because actually, I was gonna I was gonna joke about this maizel earlier because you had a couple of tic tocs that I saw where you did like a modern Miss maizel we you were being serious when you said you audition for that role. Oh, yeah. Because I was gonna what I wanted to bring up is I always thought it was interesting. And I've had this conversation with friends is like when the whole thing came out. Black people have to voice black people up who can't be a non Indian part, right? And I would always say the only exception they seem to accept the whole world except is they let non Jews play Jews. Nobody said anything about Miss maizel she's not Jewish. Tony Shalhoub is not Jewish. I mean, they play great Jews.

21:23

I love Tony Shalhoub. I mean, he's just a genius. Look, the whole cast is fantastic. And I, I wouldn't ever recast. I think that they do a perfect job portraying the characters and that's what acting is. However, it does bother me.

21:37

I mean, it was never even addressed.

21:40

No, I know. People don't consider us a minority, even though we're less than 1% of the world and we are so historically hated that it makes no it blows my mind and we're so disproportionately hated. I'm like to hate us that much. Is it because we control 15% of the world's wealth, and that's why you hate us. What is the other reason? You know what I mean? I mean, I don't know any of it. But yeah, it's, it's deeply saddening and confusing that we're not seeing as diverse it what's interesting is I find people either think that they say, oh, you're just a white woman, or Oh, you're just Jewish, they'll some reason it's, there's some sort of confusion with what Jews are. And also, the other thing is that Jews aren't all just white, right? So you know, it's an ethno religion. And I get it, it is kind of confusing. And I understand why people want to hate us so much, because we are so fun. We are fun. We like to party. We're funny. We're smart. But I really wish that you know what, I'm going to take the words out of my mouth and just let that sit. I mean, I could talk about this all day. I just, I love juice. I love I love a lot of people. I love so many people, and I'm just sad to see that Jews are not deemed as any sort of diverse population.

22:58

Well, you're gonna change that without your Jewish things. Let us pray. Do you consider yourself an actor who does comedy or a comedian that acts

23:10

I used to consider myself an actor who does comedy and now I feel like I'm a comedian who acts and I only say that because I mean, I'm, you know, a classically trained actor, and I've been acting for so much longer than I've been doing comedy. And yet comedy is the thing that's really taken off for me. I mean, I wanted to do Broadway. Oh, I used to sing. I'm a horrible dancer. I have eight left feet if that's possible, you know, Broadway was my dream did not happen. I wanted to be a Jewish Britney Spears didn't happen. You know, they're a couple of rooms died before we got here, Jeff, you know, this wasn't number one. But what I realized is that getting to just be myself was actually more freeing than pretending to be someone else and confined to someone else's words. And I don't think at this point in my life, I could have one without the other. I don't think that I would want to just strictly be a touring comedian. I love being on set. And I love the creative process. I have a couple of pilots I've written that I would love to be produced. And if I'm in them amazing if I'm not no problem, but there's nothing more fun than watching great idea executed well in TV and film. For me. I now feel I'm more of a comedian who acts, but that's simply by virtue of what I do more frequently, because I've been an actor for as long as I can remember. I mean, I acted, I acted happy when I was depressed. You know, I mean, I should have won an Oscar in college. That's all I'm gonna say.

24:36

What was the path? What was your first? Was it your first acting gig that came first? Or did you do a stand up?

24:42

Oh, no, no, I mean, I've only been doing stand up six years actively doing for much, much longer. I mean, it was mostly musicals. I was doing a lot of musical theater. And then, you know, but I was never a lead. There's something about singing in public that made me really nervous. I can sing for a small group of friends, but For some reason, you know, I know that musicians bear their soul through song comedians fare their soul through jokes. And for some reason, I just feel more comfortable doing it through jokes. And it was a nervousness I could not get over. I loved musicals. But there just was something that did not work for me just did not click. So then I just started doing straight theater, which I loved. And I love theater to move me to sort of the TV film route. So when I was living in New York City, I was doing some Off Broadway shows and off off Broadway shows, and then off, off, off off off Broadway shows, right. And then I started auditioning for TV film and, and getting booking little commercials and little, you know, co stars here and there on shows. And then I moved out to LA, I started doing immersive theater, and auditioning and being on you naqt in LA is gold. If you're an actor, and you're listening to this stay non Union as long as possible, especially if you're booking because once you joined the union, you were in the major leagues, and you were up against the best of the best. So stay non Union as much as possible. Because I used to work left and right. I used to book every commercial anyway, moral of the story. I'm very grateful for my union. Yeah. And then and then I just, you know, ran with TV film and I was doing a bunch of improv, but I never loved it. I don't really you know, there's no I in team but there is a me. And sure, I like to Yes, and people and improv. Sure, sure. But I prefer to know, but an entire audience, I realized that for me, I have the personality of a comedian more. I'm more of a lone ranger. I like to come and go on my own schedule. I like to write my material, not that I don't have a team mentality, so to speak. But, you know, I guess I don't

26:45

know this. There's something about being up there and just kind of owning it. I can never do improv. I fooled myself into thinking, Oh, I'm getting better at improv, the more I'm on stage, but really, I just got better at riffing with the audience, which I guess is being a little off the cuff but not like you're at a dentist's office, you can only talk in disco voice or something crazy. Like, right? It was interesting that you were less afraid to do stand up comedy than sing, because to me doing stand up comedy would be 1000 times harder. And because I mean, I always thought like when you're watching someone's saying, you can just listen, right? You can kind of half Listen, you can I can talk to you. And the person over there is singing whatever, James Taylor and they're doing whatever and I'm, we're just enjoying it, but we're doing our own thing stand up. People have to actually listen to you, right? I mean, to get that laugh, they have to have been paying attention. And so there's a whole different level of focus on you. It's just interesting. I get it. Like I could never sing either. So I totally understand. But for people listening, it's probably like, It's weird. It's like, yo, you could just go sing a Britney Spears song, and what's the big deal? Doing your own words and being judged? Right seems so much harder so much.

27:51

Yeah, I think there's something about having people listen to me. And I'm not just talking about my therapist. But when I am talking about myself on stage, there's something very therapeutic about it. I always say therapy is therapy, you know, anyone who says comedies therapy sign, and I find myself writing jokes to heal, you know, after a breakup after death. Anything that's traumatic, I'll write jokes, and when I'm ready, and then I'll save them for as long as I need them. And then once I process the pain, kind of take them out of my set, I don't need them anymore. I feel like I got it out. I know a lot of artists are like that, you know, you'll write a song about a breakup, you'll write a poem, whatever it is, right? I think that's how I also work as a comedian. I just write about my life so much. I mean, everyone knows about my sex life, because anyone who has ears will hear it. Whether they want to or not, singing always just felt so scary to me. I think I was not confident enough of a musician, and I am more confident in who I am as a person. I don't want you to think I wasn't nervous. I mean, the first time I did an open mic, it was a barista. My best friend and the open mic host before the open mic started. And I was so nervous. I asked to go before the other comedians came, I went to the bathroom eight times beforehand. I couldn't hold myself together. And I did five minutes. And afterward I was like, Am I funny? I just bombed for five minutes to no one. It's like, no, what are you talking about? You're not gonna be funny for other 10 years.

29:25

Most comedians, I think when they go on stage, they do have that internal nervousness, but it's when you step on stage, it immediately converts to energy, right? And then that's what kind of drives you through it. If I were to get on it to do karaoke that would kill me when I would get on stage it would turn against me, like Johnny Carson would talk about he would have that pit in his stomach every time before he went on. I think if you don't have it, the shows you have the most trouble with just because you didn't convert the energy as you're kind of walking on stages.

29:53

It's interesting because the more I do stand up, the more dead inside I feel going on stage, the better for me personally, the nervous For that I have now i'd convert into excitement. But the nerves I had going on to sing. I could never convert to excitement. It would just consume me and I couldn't get past it was interesting. I don't know why. But here we are today, Jeff telling jokes to the internet, telling dick jokes or whoever will listen.

30:20

When you were kind of converting from being an actor to a comedian, how did you start doing comedy six years ago? What was the first thing? Did you start doing open mics, just start riffing just trying to figure it out.

30:30

Yeah, I took a class, I took pretty funny women with Lisa sunset. And it was great, because it was a very supportive room with other female comedians who are rising, we could go to open mics together. And I think open mics can be very intimidating, especially when you're new, and especially when you're a female. And so it was nice to have other women to go to mics with, I mean, eating shit, aka bombing, aka not getting any laughs is hard, you really have to have a thick skin. And you really have to have an intense stick to itiveness. To stay in it and keep writing jokes and keep trying and getting up there and telling jokes in front of other people who are too jaded to laugh at them. And you know, are just waiting their turn to get on stage and are paying attention to your jokes, you have to really want it and you have to really enjoy it. And you have to really grind and pound the pavement, get up as much as you can and record every set. And listen back and see where you got laughs see where the wording was specific to where you got a laugh, and memorize it that way so that you don't change it. That's why you're getting the laugh and be willing to workshop your jokes and rewrite them. I mean, a lot of it is failing, a lot of it is learning in public. And I think that that's a very hard thing to do. And if you're willing to not make money doing it for a long time. And even when you do start making money, realize it's not something you can live off of. And you'll have to have multiple other jobs to support yourself until you're in a place where you're getting paid the kind of money to headline and tour, you know, it's a long road. So you have to love it if you don't love it. And you'll know

32:05

you started comedy in LA or New York

32:07

comedy in LA. Yeah, which is wild. But here we are. She's already comedy in LA and she lives to tell the tale. My sets, then verse, My sets now are very different. You know, my sets then were very planned and structured. And I knew I was doing what, which jokes when, and it felt very performative. And now my sets, it depends on the type of room I'm doing. But you know, for example, Friday and Saturday, I chose in smaller rooms less than 100 people, less than 50 people probably, and I just talked to the audience for most of it, you know, I just did crowd work because I could, and because I wanted to and I, I enjoy doing crowd work, because I love connecting with the audience that way and making them feel like they have an inside joke, then they're they're part of my set versus them watching me and laughing at me. It feels like they're rocking with me. But you know, I love doing both and I used to be terrified of crowd work. And now I love it. You know being on the road so much gets you a little more in your comfort zone to talk to people and realize you can make anything funny if you give it a chance.

33:14

If you give it a chance, how did the boys 2 menorah thing come around?

33:18

Hilarious. So actually, I can't even begin to tell you how many people sent me the casting notice that they saw I was honestly baffled because it was they were looking for an attractive Jewish woman. And so I was like, Alright, this is you only get the jobs, your metaphor. And I'm obviously meant for this job if five people have reached out being like, have you seen this cast? And so I submitted and then

33:46

for those that don't know boys to menorah was a James Corden skit with Zach Braff. Charlie puth. Oh, my, it was wild. It's hilarious. Alright, so I'm sorry. So just Okay, so back to so you got to know you went out for the job.

33:59

I got it. I got it. I it was a music video. And it was a Hanukkah theme. So it's like they couldn't have chosen a better person. Obviously, you know, I have a Jewish essence and energy and look and feel, and also an actor, comedian. So I think that they knew I was gonna provide the performance that they needed. And you should watch it. It is hilarious. It actually

34:22

it's really funny. It's really funny.

34:24

It's so funny, because I remember there was one moment where they're lifting me up in the chair like they're doing the hora. It's a Jewish tradition for all of you who don't know what that is. And I'm not look, I'm not a heavy woman. But all of a sudden, after doing it so many times your arms could get tired. And I remember looking over at Zach Braff and the chair just starting to follow up with hilarious, it was hilarious. I mean, it was the most fun I it was the coolest best job I think I've ever had. I mean, I didn't even speak and I didn't care. I was like I would do this any day of the week. This is an honor. It's been And an honor and a privilege

35:01

to be here. No, that was it was great. It was sort of like your your Daydream and then at the end, it's like, oh my god, it was real. It was it was so funny. That must have been a blast. And then Josh Peck was in that Christopher Mintz flass. Who is Mike Levin? Levin, right. wasn't that big loving? My No. Okay. Yeah, no, he was He's so funny. And then the other kind of do Jewish thing you did was night of 1000 Jewish stars on clubhouse as we kind of make our way to clubhouse that was a giant Seder service. Everyone knows that we do around Passover.

35:38

So clubhouse for those who don't know what it what it is, is an audio only social app. And we were able to bring a lot of stars we got Jeff Garlin, Chloe Fineman, Jordan firstman, count Randi Zuckerberg, he was incredible. I love her. Tiffany haddish came in Tori Spelling. It was such an epic night. We really just did a lot of outreach. And I think at the time, people were still pretty in lockdown. And so people were just willing to come in and be of service to community. We also had a Holocaust survivor, Sammy stegman, who spoke is such an eloquent speaker and really touched so many people. And we were just very grateful that so many people said, yes, you know, we didn't get Fran Drescher and that one will hurt for a long time. But

36:24

my dream was freakin doing that she couldn't.

36:27

Probably her own. There was later but we had my embolic who's incredible, such a beautiful voice for the Jewish community as well. And I was just honored that so many people wanted to come to our Seder and partake, and we had people Sam merill, and Jared freed and Jessica Kherson do comedy. And we had musical performers. And we had people from all over the world there. It was a really beautiful night, and I was so grateful.

36:56

Did your parents know most of those people?

36:58

No, but that's okay. That's okay. They enjoyed it. They enjoyed it. And they saw how many people came through. And they were very impressed.

37:05

That must have made them super proud. Yeah, yeah. I think that they were I think they were proud of that. So talk about clubhouse. How did you what what was your rise to fame on clubhouse? How did that come about? What drew you to the app? You know, when did you first know like, oh, my goodness, I'm kind of a superstar.

37:22

Thank you. Well, so in December, my girlfriend Nicole Banham introduced me to the app and I didn't use it for a couple of weeks, I didn't really understand it. And she was pushing me in the direction of trying it. And when we finally started weren't doing it. One of the first rooms I had, I was going through a breakup and there was a clinical psychologist and a relationship coach in a room and they just talked me through the breakup and really helped me do a 180 and pivot away from this relationship and made me feel so much better. And then they followed up with me. And I was like, What is this miracle app? What is this app where people are at helping people and you know, especially in the time where we were also disconnected from each other, and craving, conversation and intimacy and friendship and connection, it was almost a godsend. And I just became addicted to it. And I got excited to meet new people constantly. And I finally realized that it was going to be a fantastic space for comedy because I was making people laugh on there just being myself. And I was like, well, this is going to be perfect for comedy. So that's when I started doing daily shows. And lo and behold, 1000s of people come every week. And it blows my mind that we have had over 100 shows we had our 100th show last Friday was so cool. And I was just honored that everyone came to support and continues to come and support us and I book comedians from around the world Monday through Friday 12:05pm Pacific to show called afternoon delight we also have a show called The Midnight roast Sundays and Thursdays. That's polyene daanish McCool they host a roast room is the funniest. Oh my god, these guys are hilarious. And you know, we've got a couple other shows, but a lot of it is a team mentality. Now, you know, the comedians come they, if they want to put their friends up people they know and trust, I just let them put anyone up that they know and that they trust in real life. And I always want more comedians introduced to the app, and I try to onboard more as many people as I can. So it has been such a roller coaster. I'm very honored that the community is flourishing and that people love hot on the mic my comedy club on the app, and that they love our rooms and keep coming every day. I mean, I couldn't ask for anything better, especially when we're in a world that's so blended now with digital and live

39:42

Leah has over 230,000 plus I'm just gonna say plus 33k at the moment thank you but 233 points. A good way to time people listen, I just wanted to point out they go oh, that was Yeah. Anyway, all this translate to like The Press finding you and making you kind of the focus of the success of clubhouse,

40:06

I think by word of mouth. I think that when people speak about me even the founders of the app, they say I found clubhouse I found comedy on clubhouse, I created the space for it. And so by way of just people, acknowledging what I did for the community, I think is how people found out about me or they'd come into my rooms and they would see what I was doing and want to write a story or interview me or take quotes. So very grateful for all the press, of course, but it's it's been a wild ride.

40:39

Now, that's awesome. So how did it feel when Eric Weinstein is talking about Joe Rogan and Joe Rogan just kind of name drops you? That's got to be surreal, right? I mean, events as you call your parents, and they're like, who, you know, the guy from News Radio.

40:55

Exactly, exactly. I was speechless. I think Joe is an incredible human being and he gives a lot of young comics opportunities and he has a very large platform and I can't even believe I got a shout out on it. And I was very honored and humbled and Eric is just a dear friend and trusted human being and i i think that he's such a inspiration in many ways and I was blown away I was blown away Jeff just just to be brought up by two people who who I admire personally and professionally was really a godsend.

41:35

I can't even imagine to me It must have been the maybe even cooler than opening for Dane Cook but like nobody to me, it's like it just it's got to be the coolest thing. I mean, I mean the amount of people that would have heard your name just because of his how many people listen to Joe Rogan kind of got to be so surreal so surreal. what's what's next for Leah Lamarr

41:56

I am hoping to start touring soon and I am hoping to start doing a hot on the mic tour as well. So I'm very excited about all these things

42:05

and clubhouse now is open to everyone right so they can check you out on clubhouse yeah baby Come on in. We are open for business, open for business. Besides clubhouse What are other great ways that people can keep up with you on the social medias?

42:19

Oh well they can find me on Instagram at Lee Alomar Twitter at Lee Alomar clubhouse at Lila Mar. If you forgot my name is Sarah Silverman. And, you know, you can check my website for show dates and I always post about them on my Instagram stories. And in my clubhouse bio, I always have my my tour dates on there. So if you want to come see me live, that's where you can find me if you want to hear me digitally. I'm usually in clubhouse Monday through Friday. 12:05pm for God knows how long. And that's, that's where you can find me at the moment. Awesome.

42:52

I can't thank you enough for taking time away from all your adoring fans to talk with me.

42:59

I mean, thank you so much. I will probably just take this one quote and send it to my mom and dad and be like, Did you hear what he said adoring fans? And they'll be like, yeah, we're number one in two. So well, thank you so much for having me. This is a blast. So nice meeting you, Jeff. So nice

43:17

meeting you as well. All right, keep it going. Ladies and gentlemen, for Leah Lamarr. All right. Okay, so you guys have some homework now right head over to clubhouse. If you don't have the app, download the app, follow Leah join her club hot on the mic. Check out all the live shows that she does without her comedian friends. Put a little laughter in your life. Also head over to LeahLamarr.com check out all the hilarious videos Leah has done. Plus there's clips lots of stuff we didn't even talk about. She's the host of E! what the fashion, she's a web series real Witches of West Hollywood tons more hilarious stuff for you to discover at Leahlamarr.com.

All right, well, with the interview over it means we're nearing the end of the episode but that can only mean one thing. That's right. It's time for another trending hashtag when the family of hashtags at hashtag around up follow hashtag roundup on twitter at hashtag Roundup, download the free hashtag roundup app on Google or iTunes App Store. Tweet along with all the hashtag roundup games and one day one of your tweets may show up on a future episode of the live from Detroit the Jeff Dwoskin show this week's hashtag #MyDreamEscapeIs from tag recall. Leah was kind enough to share her story of following her dream from New York to LA and to superstardom. So let's dive into some other people's dreams. with the hashtag #MyDreamEscapeIs... Alicia's dream Escape is Disneyland like she literally wants to live in the castle. I gotta admit something to you. I do to help Dream escape has anything to do with Henry Cavill Ah, cat wants escaped to the Netherlands married dreams of heading over to Tuscany and reading amongst the olive trees. Gina's dream Escape is somewhere over the rainbow. Gina. I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. Janine is dream Escape is the Bates Motel. I'm not sure she understood the tag. Darren's dream Escape is seeing pandas up close. Diane's dream escape would be to Margaritaville with a shaker of salt. I hear it's the last shaker of salt. Diane gnomes dream Escape is somewhere without her kids. Raymond once again get away from his stupid bosses. Kelly wants to head over to a secluded desert island and Alan's dream Escape is a trip to Bermuda, but I'm assuming he doesn't mean the Bermuda Triangle. All right, well, those are some great dream escapes. Hopefully you all get to go where you want to go in your life travels. We'd love to hear what your dream Escape is head over to Twitter and tweet with the hashtag #MyDreamEscapeIs I'll keep an eye out for it.

Well, can you believe it? Here we are. At the end of the episode Episode 69 has come and gone. I want to thank once again my guest Leah Lamarr for joining me. Everyone check out Ricky Glore's Kickstarter, links to everyone will be in the show notes. I can't thank y'all enough for coming back week after week. It means the world to me, and I'll see you next time.

46:27

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Jeff Dwoskin show with your host Jeff Dwoskin. Now go repeat everything you've heard and sound like a genius. catch us online at the Jeff Dwoskin show.com or follow us on Twitter at Jeff Dwoskin show and we'll see you next time.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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