Episode 043 ANECDOTES – Kate Willett: “Just let me be an idiot”

ANECDOTES Newly-minted Netflix "specialist" Kate Willett gets down and dirty with us on stand-up ANECDOTES. Anecdotes are distinct from storytelling. They often lack a complete storytelling framework--a beginning, a middle, and an end. They're usually "pointless." There are no emotional expectations that then are either met or shattered. No one's life is changed by an anecdotal incident. Yet these flimsy, insubstantial retellings of inconsequential events are the backbone of a lot of the best stand-up comedy. Whereas a most people may simply relay an entertaining or provocative anecdote, a stand-up comedian mines that anecdote for unexpected meaning and connections. And the comic does so fallaciously; no logician would accept that seeing one crazy lady in a grocery store is proof that all grocery stores make ladies crazy. But if the comedian can make that claim seem sound for a moment, we laugh. Indeed, anecdotes are often not just fallacious in stand-up. They're routinely apocryphal as well; it probably didn't happen the way it's being told. There's something about an illogical flight of fancy that's just hilarious. We explore all this via bits by Maria Bamford, Brian Regan, and Kate herself. ABOUT THE GUEST COMIC Kate Willett is a comedian, actress, and writer whose raunchy feminist storytelling is both smart and relatable. Her 15 minute special premiered on Netflix’s “Comedy Lineup” in August 2018. She was recently a correspondent for the JIM JEFFERIES SHOW at Politicon 2017. She’s been featured on Viceland’s FLOPHOUSE and her appearance on Comedy Central’s THIS IS NOT HAPPENING was on Splitsider’s list of “2016’s Best Late Night Standup Sets.” In the past, she toured with Margaret Cho nationally and internationally and has featured with comedians like Kyle Kinane, Jen Kirkman, Ali Wong, Dana Gould, and Greg Behrendt. Her comedy album “Glass Gutter” was released in 2017. FEATURED BITS ON THIS EPISODE - Maria Bamford - Super Confident People (How To WIN!, 2007) - Kate Willett - Choking From The Heart (Glass Gutter, 2017) - Kate Willett - Glass Gutter (Glass Gutter, 2017) - Brian Regan - Me Monster (I Walked On The Moon, 2004) Thank you, Kate! Make mistakes. We support you! SEE KATE LIVE (soon): - Austin, TX: Friday, November 30th 2018 @ The Velve Comedy Lounge http://www.thevelveetaroom.com/show/kate-willett-0 - Burlington, VT: December 13th-15th @ Vermont Comedy Club https://www-vermontcomedyclub-com.seatengine.com/events/25514 - and more at https://katewillett.com/calendar/ CHECK HER SPECIAL AND HER ALBUM: - The Comedy Lineup on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/80223138 - Glass Gutter on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/1Y0pAm9cKOqjNJhyn4JQdW FOLLOW HER: http://instagram.com/kate.willett http://www.facebook.com/katewillett https://twitter.com/katewillett VISIT HER WEBSITE: https://katewillett.com Special thanks to Maria Bamford's vocal stylings and Brian Regan's goofy lovability. And, Salt N’ Peppa, you're the spice of my life. SUPPORT “Let’s Talk About Sets!”: Please like us on Facebook and, if you’re feeling grateful, consider sponsoring us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/letstalkaboutsets https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutsets Or, if you want to send us a one-time tip say thanks: Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/Jeff-McBride Paypal: jeff@letstalkaboutsets.com Lastly, CHECK OUT OUR LIVE COMEDY AT OUR NEWLY RENOVATED SPACE: https://www.brickspotcomedy.com CREDITS: For this episode, our sometimes editor and executive producer, Bobbi Jeanne Misick, has our heartfelt gratitude. She's absolutely wonderful to work with--she's punctual, highly skilled, communicates clearly and with a great sense of humor, and on top of all that, she's goodhearted gem of a human being and a good comic. Thank you Bobbi Jeanne!To find out more about this badass, go to https://bobbimisick.squarespace.com/about