DeepSummary
In this episode, Andy Ostroy interviews comedian Judy Gold. They discuss her upbringing in a Jewish household, her comedy inspirations like Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers, and her perspective on the rise of antisemitism. Judy talks about the importance of humor in difficult times and her belief that comedians should be free to joke about any topic.
Judy shares stories from her career, including her first stand-up experience in college and the writing process for her one-woman shows. She talks about her struggle with 'cancel culture' and the backlash some of her material has received. Andy and Judy also touch on her thoughts on fellow comedians like Dave Chappelle.
The conversation delves into Judy's views on various social and political issues from an LGBTQ+ perspective. They discuss her passion for advocating for free speech and her writing on the topic. Towards the end, Judy reveals her top musical artists and they share a light-hearted exchange.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Judy Gold passionately advocates for free speech, opposing 'cancel culture' and censorship of comedians.
- Humor played a vital role for Judy and her family in coping with difficult situations like antisemitism.
- Judy believes comedians should have the freedom to joke about any topic, though she critiques some modern comics' choices.
- Judy's Jewish upbringing deeply shaped her comedy and worldview, instilling awareness of antisemitism from a young age.
- As a Jewish lesbian mother, Judy offers a unique perspective on LGBTQ rights and Israel's complex political landscape.
- Judy values observational humor drawn from everyday life experiences over pure shock value comedy.
- Undergoing the 'first laugh' of stand-up as a college student solidified Judy's path into comedy.
- Judy expresses frustration over societal incompetence, inequality, and mistreatment of workers like servers.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “You know, stand up comedy is so, so american. It is such a direct. A result of our First Amendment rights. And in other countries, comedians are killed. They are killed. They are jailed.“ by Judy Gold
- “You know, I grew up in a house. As I said, my father served in World War Two, and we were reminded I have a whole bit in my act, you know, that all they talked about was that everyone hated the. Like, I would be having dinner, and I'm like, the chicken is delicious. They all hate us. Everyone hates us.“ by Judy Gold
- “And, you know, when I was in Israel for that, you know, when I did the mission with the wider bridge, one of the LGBTQ centers, you know, if a Palestinian escapes and goes to Israel to seek, they are granted asylum. If they're, you know, gay or transparent, they are put up in an LGBTQ center.“ by Judy Gold
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Episode Information
The Back Room with Andy Ostroy
Produced by RFR and Andy Ostroy
6/27/24
Judy Gold is a film, television and theater actor and writer and comedian. Her stand-up specials have appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, and LOGO, and she’s appeared on Netflix's Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. She’s the host of the podcast It’s Judy’s Show with Judy Gold; and is featured in the new Netflix documentary Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, which explores the history of LGBTQ+ standup comedy.
Her recent film credits include She Came To Me, Tripped Up, and Love Reconsidered. And her TV credits include City On A Hill, Better Things, The First Lady, Extrapolation, Life and Beth, Girls 5 Eva and recurring roles on Awkwafina, Friends from College and Search Party. She’s won two Emmy awards for writing and producing The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and has written and starred in three critically acclaimed Off-Broadway hit shows, Yes I Can Say That!, The Judy Show – My Life as a Sitcom, and 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother. Judy’s appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show, and has made numerous appearances on The View, The Today Show, The Drew Barrymore Show, and on MSNBC, CNN and NewsNation as a free-speech advocate. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book Yes I Can Say That: When They Come For The Comedians, We Are All In Trouble.
Judy is funny AF! We have an absolute blast chatting about Jews and Jewish mothers; cats and dogs; cancel culture and the comedy business today; her early inspirations and favorite current comics; and her writing process. And, she reveals the things that piss her off most, as well as her Top 5 musical artists of all-time! And, what would a chat between two Jews be without a passionate discussion of Israel, the protests and antisemitism...
Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy
Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel