Michelle Buteau interview continued:

J: How did you get into doing commercials and films?
MB: It’s going very well. It’s baby steps. It’s a lot of hard work. It’s just like comedy or anything else in the entertainment business. You have to pay your dues, do a lot of free stuff and a lot of shitty stuff. But as long as you believe in yourself and have a slight amount of talent, these things will happen.

Everyone has a different story about comedy and acting. For me, I did a lot of open mikes and barking [where comedians distribute flyers for a club in exchange for stage time]. My first commercials were [from] a lot of Craig’s List ads, ads on New York websites, and I did a lot of auditions that maybe weren’t even auditions, but that’s the best kind of education as opposed to going to an acting class. It’s a slow networking process and then I eventually met managers and agents. Even in comedy, getting on Premium Blend on Comedy Central, a lot of people have seen it, and they might be talking to someone who has me in mind for a show or a commercial. It’s just a snowball thing, that’s how it works.

J: What do you have in the pipeline?
MB: Lots of things. I’m going to Nashville next month to do the NACA convention [National Association of Collegiate Activities, where student bookers from colleges come to see acts] … and hopefully the college kids will like me. Then I’m going to do the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen at the end of February, which is pretty cool.

I’m writing a pilot that I plan on pitching in March, and hope that goes well. That’s not really my thing. It’s basically the Cosby Show meets Party of Five, but funny and believable. I’m excited about it -- not much gets me excited but I’m excited about this.

J: Do you have a best or worst experience story in comedy?
MB: There’s a lot of bad and good ones. The first time I went to L.A. and did comedy, the host got me onstage and said, ‘Please welcome Michelle Buteau -- another female trying to be funny.’ I was so new in the business that I had no idea I should be insulted and that I was allowed to say something. The great thing about comedy is it’s a free forum. There’s no rules except to be funny and have a point really. It’s the best kind of education. Afterwards, the host was talking to me and said he couldn’t believe I did comedy and wasn’t gay, because all the really successful female comedians are gay because it takes balls to do comedy. I told him he needed to get a hug from his mom, and I hoped his dick was as big as his mouth. So good times there.

There’s a lot of good stories too. I just did a college in North Carolina, and I did an hour and a half for 19 to 21 year old Republicans. Normally I wouldn’t think we have anything in common but that’s the beauty of comedy, to connect with these people. The week before I was in London and did an urban room -- it’s beyond urban, it’s like straight up African, people from Tanzania in African garb, like ‘Don’t you hate it when Kenyans try to act Ethiopian?’ It was like a comedy show for “Coming To America” and I was able to relate with those people too. There’s a lot of good stories, but any good comedy story has a great ending when everyone’s laughing and satisfied and walk away thinking, ‘Oh my god, females are funny.’

J: Do you always mention you’re single in your act?
MB: No, not really. I just do whatever I’m feeling, and for the last few months, I’ve really been feeling single. It’s been the holidays and everyone says, ‘Come to this party, and there will be a lot of couples.’ Thanks but no thanks. I have to talk about what I know, being female and being ethnic and being single because that’s what I’m going through right now.

For the most part, I am entertaining a lot of couples and married couples, so … [being single is] what I’m getting known for now, so I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. I’m sure if I meet someone I like more than three weeks, my whole act will change.

Michelle Buteau is competing in a Comedy Central contest to open for Greg Giraldo in a special show in Jamaica (the contest also offers a few lucky voters a chance to attend the show). More information can be found at http://comedycentral.fearlessconcepts.com/getupstandup/. She also has numerous upcoming New York City shows including: Jan. 8 -- Ho & Mo Therapy; Jan. 9 -- Chicks & Giggles, and Comedy Village; Jan. 11 -- Potty Mouths; Jan. 14 -- Electric Shock Comedy Hour with Adam Sank; Jan. 16 -- Mad River Grill; and Jan. 20 -- Mo Pitkin's.