I've been in the game of stand-up comedy for nearly 15 years. Because of my various TV and radio credits as well as the fact that over the past several years I've been able to support myself solely on the vehicle that is comedy- I feel I can label myself a "professional" stand-up comedian. There's no arrogance in that statement just acceptance that this is who I am as opposed to the entertainment lawyer or pediatrician I toyed with becoming. But I have a confession for you. I'm not one of those comics who grew up with comedy coursing through her veins watching Prior' Cosby' Carlin or Poundstone and thinking' "This is what I want to do with my life!" I had and still have tremendous respect for them and I was in awe of their talent' but I never in a million years thought it would be something I would do. My grand dreams were of becoming a journalist- a star reporter bringing light and truth to the world. I also had one more lifelong dream- to become a mom. I hope my husband doesn't take offense to this when I say that I probably gave more thought to being a mother than I did a wife' but hey that's the honest truth- and that's what we comics do- we lay it out there.
When I found stand-up comedy or rather when it found me (it has a way of doing that to the most unsuspecting of us)' it was like I'd found my calling. I could still be a beacon of light and truth' and the best part- I could also have fun without being censored by some network or sponsor. Comedy became my life' my passion-my "baby". Over the past 15 years I have seen it grow from a twinkle in my eye to a full-blown real life career and purpose.
Now' for my second confession- again' I'm going to be completely honest when I say I have no idea how the hell I'm going to be both a comedian and a mom. Don't get me wrong I know it's possible. I have several hysterical and successful friends who are doing it. (Laurie Kilmartin' Kerry Louise' Sherry Davey' Corey Kahaney' Mary Kennedy' Judy Gold' Carie Karavas' Jessica Kirson' and Calise Hawkins- just to name drop a few.) I'm all about the silver lining so know that this makes me ripe with even more possibilities of doing "Mom's Night Out" shows' getting on websites just for moms; even TV programming geared just for mothers on networks like Nickelodeon's new subsidiary NickMom.
It's just that like most comics I'm used to it being just me. We comics are a mostly loving bunch' but surprise surprise we're a really selfish group of individuals. It's no wonder why every other group of entertainer out there including mimes (yes' bloody mimes) has their own union' but comedians do not. I think that stems not from the fact that we're not smart enough to do it- comics are some of the most brilliant people out there whether they hold a law degree from Harvard or an 8th grade education. It's just that what we do is very solitary work. We're on the road by ourselves' we usually write by ourselves; unless there's an extreme exception we're on stage by ourselves. Not only are we used to it- we like it.
So the idea that I'm now going to have this amazing miracle of a creature that I've dreamed of having in my life since I was a little girl tagging along has sent me into a bit of a tizzy. I am a firm believer in the adage that "God/The Universe doesn't give you more than you can handle." But I still am in a quandary over how I'm going to handle this. I'm sure it will require' love' compromise and incredible support from my husband (which thank God I have). But I also know that while I'm figuring it out I'm going to milk this kid for all I can even before it starts milking me- which is why I started the blog: www.DiaryofaPregnantComedian. The material has already begun writing itself. And I suppose it will continue to do so and so long as it does I'll be sharing it with the world. That's what comics and moms do' right? Well' at least the funny ones.
See Profile for Karith Foster
