Elle Magazine
March 2002

FUNNY GIRL Hope, jokes and sharing a laugh - that's what comedienne Karen Loftus says got Americans over the tragic 11 September attacks last year. Speaking to ELLE from Barcelona, on her way to South East Asia, the stand-up livewire talks about her show the American Woman (which played at the Jubilee Hall in January), funny girls getting dates, and the importance of being ridiculous.

Why do you think people need a good laugh?
After 11 September, there was this feeling where nobody wanted to laugh, and everything felt sort of heavy. I think it took a little while before everyone decided that they could suddenly have a laugh and have a good time. Whatever is going on, comedy just lightens up whatever's happening. People realise the lighter side of things, and not the negative side of it all - finding the fun and the humour in things makes life such n adventure. I'm always looking for the laugh.

Where did comedians find their material after 11 September?
For a time, I think everybody was under a microscope about what was appropriate. It took a really long time before people could have a laugh about anything; even just to find humour. Even top humourists and comedians were suddenly not being funny. But then I watched Will and Grace one night, it was the first time I watched a sitcom a few weeks after the incident, and it was so good to escape, and to laugh, and to not think about what's happening.

So is nothing sacred?
My material is from my travels to different countries, about how I'm perceived from the cultures that I weave in and out of. My material comes from where I go and what I do. I create characters by mimicking people-I'm kind of notorious for playing with the audience, off the cuff. If I see people not responding, I play with them, and something comes out of that- [siren screams in the background]

Er, did the police get you?
No! H! They've gone on.

What do you think women comedienne offer that male comedians don't.
I think what women offer are a few more surprises. My act is very physical, and I'm quite off the wall, so it's unexpected. My favourite medium is stand-up, because I can do everything. I can tell stories, I can do a little movement, there's a little bit of dance, I get to improvise, and it's a combination of everything.

What sort of reaction do men have to funny women?
Socially, when you're quick and sharp, it really throws them! And they find it a bit threatening.

Do you get a lot of dates from doing comedy?
Well, um, not really. I get my dates outside of comedy. I've been traveling so much lately, its like, 'Hi, really nice to meet you! Gotta go.' Ha ha!

Okay, so, Whoopi Goldberg and Lucille Ball in a Celebrity Death Match. Who'd win?
(Long pause) Wow. I'd figure that Lucille Ball would give Whoopi Goldberg a good match, and she'd probably wheedle her way out. But I think Whoopi would whup her in the end. She'd just verbally slam her!

What about Whoopi and Britney Spears?
Oh my gawd! Whoopi, no comparison. Britney would try to get on, strike a pose, hit a dance move…Britney can't hold a candle.

What about you and Britney?
Hands down me for sure.