Limited skills and self-preservation. According to the comedian herself, those may have been the ingredients to Lizz Winstead's comedy origins.
"I'm the youngest of five kids," says Winstead. "I never got a word in edgewise. I was in desperate need and searching for a place where I could finish a sentence uninterrupted." Over time, this inevitably led to stand-up. After several open-mic appearances (that ranged from "super good" to "epic bomb") a life-long habit was formed for the native Minnesotan.
Along with stand-up comedy, Winstead is the co-creator and former head writer for The Daily Show. In the early-90s, comedians who focused on the media and current events weren't as numerous as they are today. When Comedy Central was looking to launch a signature "daily show", Winstead was the blend of comedy and politics that they were looking for. "Disgruntled news people - they're the funniest, darkest people in the world," says Winstead. Through her experience with The Daily Show, Winstead has worked alongside Lewis Black, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and many others.
This Thursday, Winstead brings her comedic talents to the West Theatre in Duluth for an evening of Everything's Awful!: A Comedy Show. Despite the dismal title, Winstead heralds an uplifting mantra. "If you're laughing, you haven't given up hope."
For tickets and more information, visit the West Theatre website.
