Episode 1573 - Ali Macofsky
5Digest
This episode of "WTF with Marc Maron" features an interview with comedian Ally McCoffsky. The conversation begins with Ally sharing her early experiences in show business, starting with prank phone calls to Kiss FM at the age of seven. She discusses her family background, including her parents' work as Longshoremen and her Jewish heritage. Ally also talks about her early comedy career, her experiences on shows like "Kill Tony" and Joe Rogan's podcast, and her thoughts on roast battles. The interview delves into Ally's personal struggles with addiction, revealing that she has been sober for almost nine years. She describes her journey to sobriety, her decision to embrace open mics, and the impact of her family's history with alcoholism. Ally also shares her experiences with apps and technology, expressing concerns about their potential to contribute to anxiety and panic. The conversation concludes with Ally discussing her current comedy career, including her new interview show, "Ali's Interview Show," and her upcoming tour dates. She expresses excitement about her future plans, which include shooting a movie and an HBO special.
Outlines
Ally McCoffsky's Comedy Journey and Personal Struggles
Comedian Ally McCoffsky shares her early experiences in show business, starting with prank phone calls to Kiss FM at the age of seven. She discusses her family background, her early comedy career, and her experiences on shows like "Kill Tony" and Joe Rogan's podcast.
BetterHelp Sponsorship
Mark Maron promotes BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and self-discovery through therapy. He highlights the convenience and flexibility of online therapy.
App Dependence and Anxiety
Mark Maron shares his concerns about the increasing reliance on apps and how they can contribute to anxiety and panic. He uses his experience with a water leak detection app as an example, illustrating how constant notifications can heighten worry.
The American Office and Cringe Comedy
Mark Maron discusses his experience watching The American Office for the first time. He finds the show funny but struggles with the main character's lack of self-awareness, which he finds relentlessly annoying. He compares this to his feelings about Seinfeld, suggesting that he prefers comedy with a stronger connection to reality.
Ally's Early Comedy Career and Prank Calls
Ally McCoffsky shares a story about her early comedy career, starting with prank phone calls on Kiss FM at the age of seven. She describes the process of getting on the radio, her interactions with the hosts, and how it led to her involvement in other show business opportunities.
Ally's Connection to Joe Rogan
Mark Maron recounts the first time he saw Ally, getting out of Joe Rogan's car. He discusses the mixed feelings he has about Rogan and how Ally's association with him initially raised questions in his mind.
Ally's Perspective on Roast Battles
Ally shares her thoughts on roast battles, expressing her initial confusion and discomfort with the format. She acknowledges the potential for comedic challenge but ultimately prefers to focus her energy on other forms of comedy.
Ally's Family Background and Long Beach Roots
Ally discusses her family background, revealing that she grew up in Long Beach and attended school in Orange County. She shares details about her parents' work as Longshoremen, her father's cigar smoking habit, and her family's Jewish heritage.
Ally's Childhood and Family Dynamics
Ally discusses her childhood, including her parents' divorce when she was five years old. She reflects on the impact of her older sisters on her development and how they influenced her sense of humor.
Early Career in Show Business
Allie discusses her early career as a child actress, appearing on a local radio show called "Lil Alley." She shares how she aged out of the show at 11 and reflects on the experience, expressing gratitude for the right amount of fame and anonymity it provided.
Discovering the Comedy Store
Allie shares how she first learned about the Comedy Store through a TMZ tour with her sister. She initially had a naive understanding of the venue, thinking it was a literal store for comedy.
Allie's Journey to Sobriety
Allie reveals that she has been sober for almost nine years. She describes her own struggles with alcohol, starting to drink heavily in high school and continuing into her early twenties.
The Decision to Pursue Comedy
Allie shares how her experience in Israel led her to consider joining the Israeli army. However, her mother's emotional reaction convinced her to stay home and focus on comedy.
Comedy Career and Headlining
Allie discusses her comedy career, which took off after working briefly at the Comedy Store. She shares how she started touring and is now a headlining comedian.
Allie's Interview Show
Allie talks about her new interview show, "Ali's Interview Show," which she produces with her boyfriend. She describes the show as sillier and more fun than a traditional podcast.
Touring and Future Plans
Allie shares her upcoming tour dates and discusses her plans to shoot a movie and an HBO special. She expresses excitement about returning to performing after filming wraps up.
Keywords
Prank Phone Calls
A form of comedic entertainment where individuals call unsuspecting people and engage in humorous or outrageous conversations, often using disguises or fabricated identities.
Show Business Bug
A strong desire or passion to pursue a career in entertainment, often characterized by a fascination with the world of acting, music, or comedy.
Longshoremen
Workers who load and unload cargo from ships at docks and harbors. They perform a variety of tasks, including operating cranes, moving containers, and securing cargo.
Kill Tony
A popular podcast and live comedy show where comedians perform a one-minute set and are then subjected to critiques from a panel of judges.
Roast Battles
A comedic competition where two individuals engage in a back-and-forth exchange of insults and jokes, often targeting each other's personal characteristics or experiences.
Joe Rogan
A popular podcaster, comedian, and UFC commentator known for his wide-ranging interviews and controversial opinions.
Half-Jew
A person who has one Jewish parent and one non-Jewish parent. This can lead to a complex and nuanced relationship with Jewish identity and cultural practices.
Open Mic
A performance opportunity for aspiring comedians to showcase their material in front of a live audience. Open mics are a crucial part of the comedy scene, providing a platform for new talent to develop and gain experience.
Sobriety
The state of abstaining from alcohol. Allie's journey to sobriety was a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience, allowing her to overcome her addiction and live a healthier life.
Q&A
What was Ally's first experience in show business?
Ally's first foray into show business was at the age of seven when she made prank phone calls to Kiss FM. This led to her involvement in other opportunities, including auditions for Disney shows.
How did Ally's experience on Kill Tony impact her comedy career?
Ally's experience on Kill Tony provided her with valuable stage time and exposure to a large audience. It also helped her develop her comedic voice and learn to handle criticism.
What are Ally's thoughts on Joe Rogan and his podcast?
Ally has a complex relationship with Joe Rogan. While she acknowledges his influence on comedy and his ability to provide visibility for young comics, she also expresses reservations about his controversial opinions and the potential for negative interactions.
What is Ally's family background and how has it shaped her identity?
Ally's family background is a mix of Jewish and non-Jewish heritage. Her parents were Longshoremen, and her father's cigar smoking habit is a recurring theme in her stories. Her family's Jewish traditions have played a significant role in her life, even though she has a more casual approach to religion.
How has Ally's experience with apps and technology impacted her perspective on anxiety?
Ally has become increasingly aware of the potential for apps and technology to contribute to anxiety and panic. She uses her experience with a water leak detection app as an example, illustrating how constant notifications can heighten worry and create a sense of dependence.
What was Allie's experience like as a child actress on the radio show "Lil Alley"?
Allie enjoyed her time on "Lil Alley" but aged out of the show at 11. She reflects on the experience with gratitude, appreciating the right amount of fame and anonymity it provided.
How did Allie discover stand-up comedy and what comedians inspired her?
Allie discovered stand-up comedy through YouTube clips from the Laugh Factory. She was particularly drawn to the work of Kristalia and Dane Cook, whose humor resonated with her as a high school student.
What was Allie's relationship with alcohol like and what led her to seek sobriety?
Allie struggled with alcohol from high school into her early twenties, experiencing blackouts and reckless behavior. Her family's history with alcoholism and her own inability to take a break from drinking ultimately led her to seek help.
How has Allie's comedy career progressed since her early open mic experiences?
Allie's comedy career has flourished since her early open mic experiences. She has toured extensively, worked at the Comedy Store, and is now a headlining comedian.
What is Allie's new interview show about and what guests has she had on?
Allie's interview show, "Ali's Interview Show," features conversations with musicians and other interesting individuals. She has interviewed Dylan Frances, a music producer and DJ, and her next interview will be with St Vincent.
Show Notes
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