Interview · moment 7 of 17
Working for Ellen and Dating Comedians
from The Gift · #97
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
3 minGuest
Michelle recounts her sister's 12-year relationship with a comic that led her to hire standup comedians as assistants, her time working for Ellen DeGeneres, and turning down a Red Nose Day sketch that would have made fun of her weight.
- 24:17Guest got a cascade of standup comedian assistants hired through her boss's connections.
- 24:31Tim asks about working for Ellen DeGeneres.
- 24:45Ellen was a tough and difficult boss, though not personally cruel to the guest.
- 25:22Tim notes comedians are all losers and clowns, then backtracks on the characterization.
- 25:50Dating a comedian means signing up for a long-distance relationship due to touring schedules.
- 26:17Tim turned down a Red Nose Day NBC sketch that would have paid $1,100.
- 26:28The sketch's premise was just him taking his shirt off so kids would see he's fat.
- 26:50Tim wouldn't do it without actual funny lines, not just being a fat clown for charity.
- 27:05Guest agrees the concept exploits him rather than creating genuine comedy.
Ellen DeGeneresRed Nose Day