Top 5 Artists You Should Know

5. Black Liver Society - Comedy Group
4. Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats - Band
3. Scissor Sisters - Group
2. Fozzy - Band
1. Anastacia -Singer

Don't agree? Send comments to deanjenningscomedy.com or find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedeanjennings and on Twitter @TheDeanJennings
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Top 5 Music Shows

5. American Bandstand
4.TRL
3. Yo! MTV Raps
2. Uranium
1. That Metal Show

Don't agree? Send comments to deanjenningscomedy.com or find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedeanjennings and on Twitter @TheDeanJennings
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Top 5 Women Wrestlers

5. Bull Nakano
4. Madusa
3. Sensational Sherri
2. Mae Young
1. The Fabulous Moolah

Don't agree? Send comments to deanjenningscomedy.com or find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedeanjennings and on Twitter @TheDeanJennings
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Top 5 Batman Villains

5. The Riddler
4. Two-Face
3. Scarecrow
2. Bane
1. The Joker

Don't agree? Send comments to deanjenningscomedy.com or find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedeanjennings and on Twitter @TheDeanJennings
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Top 5 Comedians of All Time

5. Phyllis Diller
4. George Carlin
3. Richard Pryor
2. Lenny Bruce
1. Redd Foxx

Don't agree? Send comments to deanjenningscomedy.com or find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/thedeanjennings and on Twitter @TheDeanJennings
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Top 5 Comic Book Villains

5. Sinestro
4. The Devil (All names, all versions)
3. Carnage
2. Darkseid
1. The Joker

Don't agree? Send your comments to deanjenningscomedy@gmail.com or find me on facebook www.facebook.com/thedeanjennings
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American Scary

Back in our parents' and their parents' day there were late night shows that played horror films and the hosts had personalities that kept you coming back each week. This documentary pays tribute to all of the hosts and the fun times that were had as a youngster watching a horror movie late at night.

From the vivacious Vampira to the quick witted Svengoolie, these hosts made the scary movies easier for the kiddies by making light so the kids wouldn't have nightmares or wet the bed. Hehehe! I love scary movies and these folks made them fun and worth watching just to see what they would say or do during the breaks of the movies.

On The Dean's List Horror Scale
1- "Tear My Soul Apart", this sucks!
2- Freddy could kill me cause I fell asleep!
3- Strap me to a chair, this one's a "Shocker"
4- I'm having a ball, am I in "Phantasm"?
5- Great scares take "Shape"

American Scary gets:
4- I'm having a ball, am I in "Phantasm"?

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CW Anderson Interview

The Dean's List proudly brings to you the "Extreme Enforcer" CW Anderson! CW is a professional wrestler who has traveled the world giving spinebusters to anyone that steps into his path and now, we're in his path... Hopefully, we'll just get the interview and not hurt.

DL: Thank you for allowing The Dean's List to interview you and take time away from your schedule.

CW: My pleasure, thanks for interviewing me and I heard you wanted to experience my spinebuster too!

DL: Uh... NO! Let's get started, sir... I'm a long time wrestling fan and have to admit that I hated you in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Cocky and violent are the two words I used to described you to folks that watched WWE or WCW and they would say, "Oh, like the Four Horsemen!" Were you ever contacted by Ole or Arn?

CW: Never contacted but met them through the years. Arn I have mad respect for but Ole, well that's another segment within itself.

I appreciate that you hated me, means I was doing my job right.

DL: You got your start in 1993 but at one time you were a baseball catcher and drafted by the San Diego Padres, only to reject the offer. Why did you reject the offer?

CW: In 1989, wasn't really enough money to uproot my life and move away like I did. Had a friend who did it the year before and couldn't make it. Plus my mom was so against it she talked me out of it but there wasn't a day that didn't go by that I didn't regret it. I was good and had a cannon for an arm, still at 42 I've got a strong arm.

DL: How was the training at the WCW Power Plant?

CW: The tryout was something I had hoped to never go through. It was the most brutal thing I've ever done. After that, it was OK. Sarge had his hands full training everyone and I thought he did a great job molding me into the guy you hated at ECW.

DL: ECW is where you blossomed as a performer (in my opinion) and my favorite match of yours was the "I Quit Match" against Tommy Dreamer. Did you think this was your "calling card match" ?

CW: Without a doubt! That match was done on my 30th birthday, Jan 7 2001 and still to this day at 42, people still talk about that match.

DL: When ECW folded, did you try to go to the WWE right after?

CW: NO, went to Japan and wrestled there for a while.

DL: You were hospitalized in 2005 after a supplement caused your liver to stop functioning but returned to the ring several months later. Did you ever think your career in wrestling was through?

CW: I thought my life was over but God's grace pulled me through. Wrestling was the least of my concern at the time, just being able to wake up another day was my hope.

DL: Being in the business, do you find yourself using the wrestling terminology in everyday conversations?

CW: Yes!

DL: Was that a shout-out to Daniel Bryan?

CW: No!

DL: Umm, ok... The WWE came calling and when they did, they kind of dropped the ball (in my opinion). TNA had an "Extreme Reunion" and you faced 2 Cold Scorpio. Was this just a one shot with TNA or did you want to continue working there?

CW: It was a one shot deal but, I hoped after me a Scorp had a great match, we would get offered something.

DL: In ECW, you teamed with Steve Corino (another wrestler I hated at the time). I follow you both on Twitter and it seems like you've been long time friends. Do you keep in contact with other ECW Alumni?

CW: Steve I keep in contact with every week. We are like brothers, love that guy. The others, it's here and there and that happens sometimes.

DL: I mentioned earlier that I hated you in ECW. As I look back at those days and see why I hated you, Steve Corino and other wrestlers. Do you take it as a compliment when fans say that they hated you?

CW: Yeah, it meant that I was doing something right. Hate me or love me, as long as you're talking about me.

DL: You as well as the many professional wrestlers I have seen or even had the honor of meeting and interviewing, have my respect for putting yourselves in a ring and putting on a great match. Looking back, is there anything that you would change?

CW: I could've been a little more aggressive on things I want!

DL: I know this is asked numerous times and usually by fans that want to get into the business but, do you have any advice for an aspiring wrestler?

CW: Find a good school and absorb as much about the business that you can.

DL: My friend Adam Gross has a question: Do you think a fan's "pipe-dream" of wrestlers such as yourself, The Hardys and Chris Hammrick using your know-how to cement a strong regional promotion in the Carolinas and Georgia area could ever happen and I mean strong like Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Jersey All-Pro Wrestling?

CW: Anything's possible with good talent and the right promoting. Fans gotta know someone's wrestling to come to the show and then the talent has to keep there and bring'em back.

DL: CW Anderson, you have become one of my favorite wrestlers and I am honored to interview you. Thank you for not giving me your spinebuster! Folks, you can find CW on Twitter (@ECWAnderson) and now right here on The Dean's List! Check back with us to find out who made, The Dean's List!
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Lance Hoyt Interview

Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to do this interview, it means a lot to me and I'm sure your fans will enjoy it as well.

DL: Welcome To The Dean's List, Mr. Hoyt!

LH: Thanks for having me!

DL: Let's get started... In 2000 you started training in Texas under the tutelage of Solo Faitala. Spending four years in Texas under names such as Lance Steel and by last minute Breakdown. What is your fondest memory of those days before signing with TNA?

LH: My Fondest memory of my days before TNA where in Dallas, Tx with a company called PCW.  I worked under the name Shadow and found Most of my early Indy success there.  They had a weekly show and were on TV in Dallas for years.  Worked with great talent every week and had the chance to entertain some GREAT fans with great wrestling and stories.  Shadow is a character that I wish I had the opp to take to a major Market. 

DL: While in TNA some called you the second coming of Kevin Nash mixed with Andrew "Test" Martin. Two guys with a lot of talent, in my opinion. Did you ever feel pressure to be like them?

LH: I never really felt the pressure to be like anyone specific.  But,  Being a Big guy has many pressures that ppl don't realize.  As crazy as that sounds.  It's actually a tough thing being a Big guy in the business.  I know, I know  sounds crazy.  BUT, if one doesn't wrestle like a BIG guy then ppl seem to not accept it sometimes.  PPL both in the industry and as fans have pre conceived notions on how Wrestlers should Wrestle.  And sometimes when one tries to go outside that box.  It's not accepted very easily.  I Never saw myself as that Big and always wanted to be different and break that BIG guy mold.  I think I do and have done things Both those guys have never done or would be able to do.  But I would LOVE to find the success that both of them had in wrestling!  Nothing but respect!

DL: You had some great talent to work with in TNA. Guys like Chris Candido, Ron Killings, Matt Bentley, Kazarian and the list goes on. Is there anyone in TNA at that time that you wanted to work with that you didn't have the chance to?

LH: Well my Hero to say in the business was always Sting and even getting to know him was a very cool thing for me.  I had many conversations with him and got to know the man as well as the character first hand.  So I Really would have loved an opp to work a program with Sting.  Unfortunately it never happened. 

DL: The tag team of "The Rock N Rave Infection" was cool because you both rocked the Guitar Hero Controllers during your entrance. Do you play Guitar Hero and if so what level do you play at?

LH: RNR was cool because we had a lot of fun doing it.  We had a ton of creative freedom and had great chemistry in the ring.  I have not payed that game in Long time.  I am not much of a gamer.  I never got very good at the game.  But it was fun!

DL: I still play on beginner because I'm lazy, but you give me a wrestling game and I'm on fire! Speaking of wrestling video games, how cool was it to be in a game?

LH: Probably one of the coolest things I've gotten to be apart of outside the ring was Playing the Raw vs SD 11 game as myself!  Kinda surreal. 

DL: While in the WWE you were under the ECW brand and became an intense heel. Which do you prefer: Face or Heel?

LH: Vance Archer in ECW was a great starting point.  I believe if ECW had not been shut down.  I would have had more opportunity to grow and find myself in that company.  I enjoy working.  Doesn't matter which way I portray myself

DL: Shortly after your stint in the WWE, you signed with New Japan Wrestling. Did the Japanese fans throw you off during your first match over there?

LH: I have been working in Japan since 2007.  With smaller companies and one tour with All Japan in 2009. So when I got the amazing opp to work with New Japan Pro Wrestling.  It wasn't my first time in front of the Japanese Fan base.  That being said.  It's a very different environment than that of anywhere else in the World.  Their respect is Amazing.  I love working in Japan and if My career finishes in Japan.  I will be VERY proud of that!

DL: You're a devout Christian and you're not afraid to share that with anyone. Do you ever find the temptations of the road to be overwhelming?

LH: I Love Christ and Thank HIM he Loves me.  I am by no means a perfect or even close of a man.  I make mistakes ALL the time.  LIFE has temptations.  So I fall a lot in his eyes.  But the AMAZING thing.  He is always there to pick me up.  So I thank HIM for the Good and Bad in my Life.  And without his forgiveness.  Those temptations would Eat me Alive!!

DL: I know most people ask you but, what advice do you have for future pro wrestlers/sports entertainers?

LH: Wrestling is a Passion.  If one gets into the business for any other reason than they LOVE it.  They are doing it for the wrong reason.  Always Push ones self.  Never get comfortable.  Try and find that next Big pond and Grow to be the Big fish there..  Listen, Learn, Grow!  One never knows everything in this industry.  One can Always learn something new from ANYBODY!  Always Push yourself to change and get better!  Body, Costume, Entrance, Ability, Personality!  Look at what you see on your TV.  Aspire to be better than that in EVERY way..  Be HONEST with yourself.  If you Lie to yourself, you only Hold yourself Back!  The LITTLE things are more important than most young workers realize.  Doing a amazing move is cool.  But if you look like a fool in between those Cool Moves. Then ppl see that and will not accept one as Elite.  Never be complacent!  If one does then that person will Never advance.  And remember. It's Showbiz.  Sometimes it's more about the relationships with the ppl in the locker rooms than what you are able to do in the Ring.  It was told to me By Doc Tom Prichard.  It's 90% about what goes on behind the curtain and 10% about what you do in the ring. 

DL: We at The Dean's List wish you well and thank you again for being apart of this interview. Check us out soon to find out who made, The Dean's List!

Be sure to follow Lance on Twitter (@lancehoyt)
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Laura Hayden Interview

The Dean's List brings you a very funny lady that you may have heard of, she is Laura Hayden!

DL: You earned your Masters in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary's College and you credit your "infamous" commencement speech as your first stand up performance, do you feel as if laughter really is the best medicine?

LH: At the time I gave that speech, I was not yet tuned into the power of laughter. Actually, if you told me then I was going to be a comedian, I would have asked you what were you smoking!
I was nominated to give that speech by my class because apparently I would make all my presentations funny- no matter what I was talking about. Since most commencement speeches are notoriously long and boring I was trying not to be the "we'd like to thank the faculty… blah blah blah" type. It was only after I had been a working as a burnt out physical therapist and started doing comedy that the power of laughter started to present itself. I would leave my job drained emotionally, mentally, physically maybe ever spiritually of everything I had to give, barely even able to walk to my car from shear exhaustion, and I would go to do an open mic, because I have a terrible case of the protestant work ethic—if I said I was going to be there, I would! Even though I was exhausted.
And the most magical thing happened—someone would make me laugh and then I would make other people laugh and I would end up leaving at midnight feeling better than I did at 7 in the evening. This happened over and over again so I became intrigued with the effects of laughter.
Laughter studies became a pet project of mine. There is a tremendous amount of research about the benefits of laughter on every aspect and system in your body, physical, mental and social. Is it the best medicine? Well maybe not the best, but it is pretty amazing. However, I want my dentist using Novocain, not telling me knock knock jokes.

DL: You also have a PhD in Physical Therapy from Boston University, how did the two universities differ in your opinion?

LH: It is like comparing apples and oranges. Mount Saint Mary's is a tiny school compared to Boston University. Both great schools, but very different. When I was attending 'The Mount' it was about becoming a physical therapist. Since I was already an experienced therapist when I attended 'BU', the focus was on research, lots and lots of research.
My dissertation was very personal to me. It was on the healing aspects of laughter, with the main focus on caretaker stress and burnout. I want to try to help prevent or alleviate the effects this devastating problem.

DL: Most comedians are starving for attention for one reason or another. Other than your speech, what turned you on to stand up comedy?

LH: As I stated before, becoming a stand up comedy was nothing I ever planned. Honestly, comedy chose me, I did not choose it. People who have had this type of experience in their life understand, people who have not, think I am crazy. Which I am quite sure I am, but in a mostly good way.
Every New Year instead of making a resolution I will not keep, since I have never been able to stop drinking, eating or swearing—I decide to try something new.
All through college I waited tables, at first as a way to get over my shyness and then it turned out I'm really good at it. Plus I went to college forever so I needed the cash to pay for life. All my regular customers told me I was funny and I just blew them off " yeah yeah yeah, what do you want?" Then my classmates in graduate school thought I was funny. My husband thought I was funny and now as a physical therapist my patients think I am funny. So odd really, cause I never thought I was funny. So I flipped a coin 10 years ago on New Years Eve, if heads came up I was going to take a stand up class, if it was tails-- sailing lessons.
Heads came up—obviously. I expected to take the stand up class (shout out to Jeff Jena, he was a great teacher) do the showcase and move on with my life. But comedy had plans for me! I am still in the process of figuring it all out. I can tell you honestly that comedy has made the most profound positive impact in my life, nothing I ever expected or could have even imagined. And it saved physical therapy career.

DL: Your website has all kinds of information about you and yes, we looked at the press kit. Do you recommend the press kit for up and coming comedians?

LH: If you are trying to get gigs, you need something people can look at that says something about what you have been up to. Press kits are just a resume really. How you want to 'sell' yourself to bookers can be as unique as the person/comic might be. My PR person put together my press kit, and to be honest, it's a little boring.

DL: You've been on a number of television shows, radio shows and films, what was your best experience in those areas?

LH: My best experience to date just happened. I was on Stand Up in Stilettos for TV Guide Network. Super fun shoot, amazing audience and my own make up artist—who was a miracle worker!
Honesty, all the shows I have been on have been a great experience. I have nothing but love for everyone who has put me on his or her podcast, radio show, TV show or film. I am grateful.

DL: Competitions, do you think they are Good or Bad?

LH: Both. The bad first:
Contests can make comics even more neurotic than we already are. Sadly, I have seen some very ugly behavior from some contestants. And for the most part, no matter how hard the producers of the contest try, someone one or many are going to get screwed in some way.
The good part is people love contests, so they show up to watch. Having an audience is good. You can network with other funny people, which is a blast as long as they are not crying cause they lost, or trying to stab you in the back some way so you will lose.
I have done many contests. I have won, lost, got a lucky break and have been screwed. Because there are 100 little things that can put some at an advantage or disadvantage. The people watching have no idea or even care about such things, they just came to laugh.
I now have a very Zen like approach to contests. I do the best I can, entertain the nice people who came to watch comedy and resign myself from the outcome. Judging comedy is like judging a beauty pageant. All 50 girls are lovely. Who is the prettiest is subjective based on the bias and ideals of the 3-5 judges. Judging comedy is the same thing. Not winning does not mean you are not funny. If I made the audience laugh, I have won, regardless.

DL: "I didn't mean to be a virgin in the 80's!" and "Medical Meltdowns" are a couple of the things you talk about on stage and are extremely hilarious, do you get asked a lot: "Where do you come up with this stuff?"

LH: Yes. Inspiration is everywhere.
The 80s show had been percolating in my brain for a decade when I finally had the gumption to write and produce the show. It was a much bigger task than I ever would have imagined. Its like deciding to buy new curtains for the kitchen and then remodeling the whole house. The 80s show was based on having my heart broken very badly like a John Hughes film in my late teens. Comedy is tragedy plus time, true in the case of this show, with a killer 80s sound track.
The Medical Meltdowns is based on the hilarious events that take place when people seek medical treatment. There is a lot of comedy to be mined from trying to be of service to the ill and afflicted.

DL: When asked by up and coming comedians for advice, what advice do you give them?

LH: Write all the time and get on stage as much as possible.
Only a very small discouraging percentage of what you write/think is funny will be funny to an audience. And there is no way of knowing what will work until you say it out loud in front of a lot of people. The audience will let you know what is funny; they are a fair and decisive judge.
And there is no way to get funnier without being on stage to hone your skills.

DL: Do you feel as if the comedy world has given women a hard time, as in "Most women aren't funny" etc. etc...?

LH: Yes, but I say this with a bit of hesitation. I have seen, heard and have been victim to this way of thinking. But I really don't like to make excuses for or buy into anything so negative. Women can be funny, men can be unfunny, making a blanket statement about an entire gender is small minded. I don't view myself as a female comedian. I think of myself simply as a comedian.
DL: Were you inspired by any comedians before you started?

LH: Oh my yes. I'm still inspired by comedians, the famous and not famous (yet). Comedians are a brilliant bunch of courageous lunatics. And I mean this as a high compliment. Bill Cosby's chocolate cake for breakfast is a classic! And I adore Eddie Izzard.

DL: Who would you like to work with if you get the opportunity?

LH: Everyone! Truly everyone. But with that said Eddie Izzard is my comedy hero. I'm a fan of Jim Jeffries, Bill Cosby, Louis CK and Tina Fey—This list could go on and on.

DL: Have you had any "interesting" fan interactions?

LH: Ah yes. Most recently I have acquired an 82-year-old stalker. I'm always grateful for an attentive fan, but he has moved into creepy. I'll just say it has become very awkward.

DL: Every comic has a best/worst time on stage, what was your best/worst time?

LH: Thankfully, I've had a lot of great experiences on stage and few nightmares. The best is always when you and the entire audience are in sync, like a puppet master, pull a string and they will laugh. It is a wonderfully powerful feeling and truly a gem when it happens.
I'm leery of doing comedy on boats or any trapped environment. I once had a corporate gig that went terrible wrong. I got fired from the big boss 15 minutes into 30 minute set for saying the word 'bitch'. All hell broke loose. I was stuck for 3 hours with these people with no place to run or hide. It was awful.

DL: Laura, you've been awesome! Be sure to check out Laura's website www.laurahayden.com and tell'er I sent ya :)
Stay tuned to find out who made The Dean's List!
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Blah blah blah

All I heard was blah blah blah... This is the beginning of a bit that I do about anything and everything that is on my mind. I can use this to be funny and make people laugh or I can make them mad as hell. Both options happen frequently and you never know which will be heading your way.

I overheard a woman yelling at her significant other about their car and how it's not her job to take care of the maintenance. As she stormed off he saw me and said, "Eh, women?!"
I smiled and said back, "No worries. All I heard was blah blah blah, I'm not a mechanic!" He laughed so hard and said, "Me too!"
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Big Money Rustlas

On The Dean's List Movie Scale
1- "I'll Never Tell" anything good about this!
2- "Dazed & Confused" from watching this!
3- "You Only Live Twice" watching again!
4- "Blazing Saddles" can't pull me away!
5- "Rocky" this goes the distance!

Big Money Rustlas gets:
4- "Blazing Saddles" can't pull me away!

The Insane Clown Posse are in another movie and it's funny as hell! I haven't laughed this hard in a long time and I'm not cracking on this film. Well worth the hour and a half I spent watching. Whether you like ICP or not, this is worth checking out and the cameos are awesome too. Cameos by Vanilla Ice, Bridgette The Midget, Ron Jeremy, Scott Hall, Jason Mewes, and more. If you're a fan, a "juggalo", a "juggalette" or just enjoy funny stuff, check this out!

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Top 5 Wrestling Entrance Themes

5- Cult Of Personality by Living Colour for CM Punk
4- Man In The Box by Alice In Chains for Tommy Dreamer
3- Unstable by Jim Johnston for The Ultimate Warrior
2- The Game by Motorhead for Triple H
1- Graveyard Symphony by Jim Johnston for The Undertaker

Yes, most of these choices are for WWE wrest... I mean Superstars! Actually I do mean wrestlers!!! I hate that the "W" word is looked down on and actual wrestlers don't get their due... Another story, for another time... maybe!

These songs take me back to a place in my history that was so memorable and long lasting. The Undertaker is number one on my list for one reason: everytime I heard the bell toll, I was transported back to the debut of 'Taker and I was in awe of him. Twenty years later, the tolling of the bell leaves me speechless and frozen where I stand. Don't believe me? Ask my buddy Zack Mathews, he saw it first hand!

The Game by Motorhead is the song that I play in my head before I step on stage. Not to step on toes or sound cocky, but when I step on stage "I Am The Fucking Game!" Yes I just quoted or paraphrased Triple H from an interview he did with "Good Ol' JR" Jim Ross. It gets me pumped to deliver the best for the people that paid to see a show.

Ultimate Warrior's entrance was awesome and is so memorable with fans my age and we all have done the rope shake and running around the house when we've heard it!

Tommy Dreamer is the heart and soul of ECW! I wanted to be Dreamer and I dressed up like him for Halloween one year (wish I had a picture of it to show y'all) Man In The Box will always remind me of the days of Extreme Championship Wrestling and where I learned how the psychology of the business (even in comedy) could be used to build a foundation that spawns "cult like" fans.

CM Punk used this song before but it's lyrics meant so much more as he came back to the WWE as the Champion. During his stint on Smackdown, Punk had the Straight Edge Society and it was called a "cult" by fans. Driven by Punk's beliefs, the SES had made Punk out to be a "Messiah" and the WWE was shaken to it's core. As Punk won the WWE Championship, he left the company to prove a point to McMahon. When Punk came back, Cult Of Personality filled the arena and the Punk Era had begun!

Stay tuned for more Top 5 Lists on The Dean's List
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January's Female "Hottie of the Month"

Mindi Lashay Walker is our Female "HotM" and travels back and forth from Tennessee to Kentucky to entertain folks like us. A really cool girl with looks that kill and a body that can do the same! Welcome January's Female "Hottie of the Month": Mindi

Wanna be our Male "HotM"? Send your entry to deanjenningscomedy@gmail.com
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Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!

On The Dean's List Horror Scale
1- "Tear My Soul Apart", this sucks!
2- Freddy could kill me cause I fell asleep!
3- Strap me to a chair, this one's a "Shocker"
4- I'm having a ball, am I in "Phantasm"?
5- Great scares take "Shape"

This movie gets:
2- Freddy could kill me cause I fell asleep!

It's a movie that is campy and not edited well. I was finding things to do during the scenes and the dialogue was horrible. This movie doesn't even belong in the "B-List" section. An "F-List" is more acceptable for this catastrophe. If you have an hour and change to nap or waste in general, this is for you!

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Laura Hayden Interview

The Dean's List brings you a very funny lady that you may have heard of, she is Laura Hayden!

DL: You earned your Masters in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary's College and you credit your "infamous" commencement speech as your first stand up performance, do you feel as if laughter really is the best medicine?

LH: At the time I gave that speech, I was not yet tuned into the power of laughter. Actually, if you told me then I was going to be a comedian, I would have asked you what were you smoking!
I was nominated to give that speech by my class because apparently I would make all my presentations funny- no matter what I was talking about. Since most commencement speeches are notoriously long and boring I was trying not to be the "we'd like to thank the faculty… blah blah blah" type. It was only after I had been a working as a burnt out physical therapist and started doing comedy that the power of laughter started to present itself. I would leave my job drained emotionally, mentally, physically maybe ever spiritually of everything I had to give, barely even able to walk to my car from shear exhaustion, and I would go to do an open mic, because I have a terrible case of the protestant work ethic—if I said I was going to be there, I would! Even though I was exhausted.
And the most magical thing happened—someone would make me laugh and then I would make other people laugh and I would end up leaving at midnight feeling better than I did at 7 in the evening. This happened over and over again so I became intrigued with the effects of laughter.
Laughter studies became a pet project of mine. There is a tremendous amount of research about the benefits of laughter on every aspect and system in your body, physical, mental and social. Is it the best medicine? Well maybe not the best, but it is pretty amazing. However, I want my dentist using Novocain, not telling me knock knock jokes.

DL: You also have a PhD in Physical Therapy from Boston University, how did the two universities differ in your opinion?

LH: It is like comparing apples and oranges. Mount Saint Mary's is a tiny school compared to Boston University. Both great schools, but very different. When I was attending 'The Mount' it was about becoming a physical therapist. Since I was already an experienced therapist when I attended 'BU', the focus was on research, lots and lots of research.
My dissertation was very personal to me. It was on the healing aspects of laughter, with the main focus on caretaker stress and burnout. I want to try to help prevent or alleviate the effects this devastating problem.

DL: Most comedians are starving for attention for one reason or another. Other than your speech, what turned you on to stand up comedy?

LH: As I stated before, becoming a stand up comedy was nothing I ever planned. Honestly, comedy chose me, I did not choose it. People who have had this type of experience in their life understand, people who have not, think I am crazy. Which I am quite sure I am, but in a mostly good way.
Every New Year instead of making a resolution I will not keep, since I have never been able to stop drinking, eating or swearing—I decide to try something new.
All through college I waited tables, at first as a way to get over my shyness and then it turned out I'm really good at it. Plus I went to college forever so I needed the cash to pay for life. All my regular customers told me I was funny and I just blew them off " yeah yeah yeah, what do you want?" Then my classmates in graduate school thought I was funny. My husband thought I was funny and now as a physical therapist my patients think I am funny. So odd really, cause I never thought I was funny. So I flipped a coin 10 years ago on New Years Eve, if heads came up I was going to take a stand up class, if it was tails-- sailing lessons.
Heads came up—obviously. I expected to take the stand up class (shout out to Jeff Jena, he was a great teacher) do the showcase and move on with my life. But comedy had plans for me! I am still in the process of figuring it all out. I can tell you honestly that comedy has made the most profound positive impact in my life, nothing I ever expected or could have even imagined. And it saved physical therapy career.

DL: Your website has all kinds of information about you and yes, we looked at the press kit. Do you recommend the press kit for up and coming comedians?

LH: If you are trying to get gigs, you need something people can look at that says something about what you have been up to. Press kits are just a resume really. How you want to 'sell' yourself to bookers can be as unique as the person/comic might be. My PR person put together my press kit, and to be honest, it's a little boring.

DL: You've been on a number of television shows, radio shows and films, what was your best experience in those areas?

LH: My best experience to date just happened. I was on Stand Up in Stilettos for TV Guide Network. Super fun shoot, amazing audience and my own make up artist—who was a miracle worker!
Honesty, all the shows I have been on have been a great experience. I have nothing but love for everyone who has put me on his or her podcast, radio show, TV show or film. I am grateful.

DL: Competitions, do you think they are Good or Bad?

LH: Both. The bad first:
Contests can make comics even more neurotic than we already are. Sadly, I have seen some very ugly behavior from some contestants. And for the most part, no matter how hard the producers of the contest try, someone one or many are going to get screwed in some way.
The good part is people love contests, so they show up to watch. Having an audience is good. You can network with other funny people, which is a blast as long as they are not crying cause they lost, or trying to stab you in the back some way so you will lose.
I have done many contests. I have won, lost, got a lucky break and have been screwed. Because there are 100 little things that can put some at an advantage or disadvantage. The people watching have no idea or even care about such things, they just came to laugh.
I now have a very Zen like approach to contests. I do the best I can, entertain the nice people who came to watch comedy and resign myself from the outcome. Judging comedy is like judging a beauty pageant. All 50 girls are lovely. Who is the prettiest is subjective based on the bias and ideals of the 3-5 judges. Judging comedy is the same thing. Not winning does not mean you are not funny. If I made the audience laugh, I have won, regardless.

DL: "I didn't mean to be a virgin in the 80's!" and "Medical Meltdowns" are a couple of the things you talk about on stage and are extremely hilarious, do you get asked a lot: "Where do you come up with this stuff?"

LH: Yes. Inspiration is everywhere.
The 80s show had been percolating in my brain for a decade when I finally had the gumption to write and produce the show. It was a much bigger task than I ever would have imagined. Its like deciding to buy new curtains for the kitchen and then remodeling the whole house. The 80s show was based on having my heart broken very badly like a John Hughes film in my late teens. Comedy is tragedy plus time, true in the case of this show, with a killer 80s sound track.
The Medical Meltdowns is based on the hilarious events that take place when people seek medical treatment. There is a lot of comedy to be mined from trying to be of service to the ill and afflicted.

DL: When asked by up and coming comedians for advice, what advice do you give them?

LH: Write all the time and get on stage as much as possible.
Only a very small discouraging percentage of what you write/think is funny will be funny to an audience. And there is no way of knowing what will work until you say it out loud in front of a lot of people. The audience will let you know what is funny; they are a fair and decisive judge.
And there is no way to get funnier without being on stage to hone your skills.

DL: Do you feel as if the comedy world has given women a hard time, as in "Most women aren't funny" etc. etc...?

LH: Yes, but I say this with a bit of hesitation. I have seen, heard and have been victim to this way of thinking. But I really don't like to make excuses for or buy into anything so negative. Women can be funny, men can be unfunny, making a blanket statement about an entire gender is small minded. I don't view myself as a female comedian. I think of myself simply as a comedian.
DL: Were you inspired by any comedians before you started?

LH: Oh my yes. I'm still inspired by comedians, the famous and not famous (yet). Comedians are a brilliant bunch of courageous lunatics. And I mean this as a high compliment. Bill Cosby's chocolate cake for breakfast is a classic! And I adore Eddie Izzard.

DL: Who would you like to work with if you get the opportunity?

LH: Everyone! Truly everyone. But with that said Eddie Izzard is my comedy hero. I'm a fan of Jim Jeffries, Bill Cosby, Louis CK and Tina Fey—This list could go on and on.

DL: Have you had any "interesting" fan interactions?

LH: Ah yes. Most recently I have acquired an 82-year-old stalker. I'm always grateful for an attentive fan, but he has moved into creepy. I'll just say it has become very awkward.

DL: Every comic has a best/worst time on stage, what was your best/worst time?

LH: Thankfully, I've had a lot of great experiences on stage and few nightmares. The best is always when you and the entire audience are in sync, like a puppet master, pull a string and they will laugh. It is a wonderfully powerful feeling and truly a gem when it happens.
I'm leery of doing comedy on boats or any trapped environment. I once had a corporate gig that went terrible wrong. I got fired from the big boss 15 minutes into 30 minute set for saying the word 'bitch'. All hell broke loose. I was stuck for 3 hours with these people with no place to run or hide. It was awful.
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Top 5 Roommate Requests

5) Food
4) Drinks/Alcohol
3) Living Room Time
2) If sex is happening, put something on the door
1) More Toilet Paper!

Living with roommates is different but I'm saving money and I'm feeling better about things. The only other roommate I ever had was my Granny and she was the coolest. Only arguments we had was about the Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Bulldogs :)

Nonetheless, I've got two roommates now and things are going good. Now I'm off to watch WWE Monday Night Raw and get the Male and Female "Hottie of the Month" for January!

"HOLLA, IF YA HEAR ME!"
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Fan of the Month - January

MeLissa is The Dean's List "Fan of the Month" for January! She's been a fan from the start as well as a fan of my comedy. She's in the original "Adventures of Dino Bravo" skit and is an awesome person.

MeLissa found out that she has cancer and that it's terminal. Her friends have rallied behind her to support her during this trying time and created a fundraiser page on WePay.com
Below is the web address if you'd like to donate anything, because every little bit counts. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Lissa, we love ya and you're in our hearts and prayers

https://www.wepay.com/donations/help-lissa-loy-beat-cancer-fundraiser
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New Things Are Coming!

I'm working on getting some new features for the Dean's List like:
Hotties Of The Month - where I promote a male and female that are HAWT
Fan of the Month - where I showcase a fan each month
Reviews of Movies, Music and Games
Interviews
Top 5 Lists
And much more... Stay tuned!!!
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