By Nathan Alexander
Caitlin Peluffo, the “lovable loose cannon,” is headlining a weekend of shows at Planet of the Tapes from August 11-12! Get your tickets here.
Caitlin delivers a high energy performance that will keep the audience hanging on every word. Get your tickets here.
Caitlin is based out of New York City and is a regular at the world famous Comedy Cellar. She tours all over the country and has opened for Maria Bamford, Fortune Feimster, Matteo Lane, and Brian Regan.
Caitlin has performed on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, Comedy Central, and Don’t Tell Comedy.
Caitlin also hosts the podcast Good Time Gal with Caitlin Peluffo where she and a guest revel in the “worst decisions that alcohol ever helped them make.”
Caitlin was kind enough to answer some questions from Louisville Laughs.
Louisville Laughs: How long have you been performing standup and what made you decide to go for it? Were you always the funny one in the friend group and if so, how easily were you able to translate that to the stage?
Caitlin Peluffo: I’ve been doing comedy for almost 10 years (wow… a decade… that’s terrifying). I wanted to try stand up for a few years before I actually had the guts to step foot onstage. Of course, a breakup inspired me to actually pull the trigger (nothing says “you’re gonna miss me” quite like becoming a clown).
I was always the loud, outspoken class clown but had no idea you could make it a career. I had assumed you’d needed special schooling to do comedy, but once I went to an open mic I realized pretty fast that anyone would try stand up.
Where did you get your start? Do you remember any jokes from your first open mic? Are there any jokes that made it to a headlining set?
I got my start with Laughing Buddha open mics. Before I started, I googled “how to start stand up comedy” and Laughing Buddha had a free seminar on getting started with open mics, so I went!
At the end of the seminar they pulled a name out of a hat where the winner got a free class, and they happened to pull my name. I love a deal, so I had to go. There I wrote a joke about my thighs that ended up being in my Colbert set.
Who are some of your comedy heroes and why?
My favorite comic is Dave Attell. He’s a unique blend of sharp and silly. I admire Maria Bamford for her honesty and creativity.
What advice have you gotten that has made the most difference in your journey as a standup? Do you have any advice for new comedians, writers, performers, artists?
The best advice I got was from a comic who told me that a comedy career is a marathon and not a sprint. Now with social media it’s important to remember that. We can’t have all our success all at once.
Also, you must keep your eyes on your own paper, so to speak. Focus on your own goals and what you can control (writing, open mics, etc) otherwise you’re gonna burn out fast.
Do you have any comedy horror stories you’re willing to share?
I once had a Jack and Coke thrown on me by a very drunk, very grumpy (and racist) Long Island housewife. Woof.
Do you have a specific show you’ve done that stands out as your favorite?
I really loved performing on The Late Late show with James Corden. My parents and my fiancé were in the green room with me which made it very special. I also had about 5 days to really prepare for the set so I was proud of myself when I pulled it off.
You’ve made appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Comedy Central, and Don’t Tell Comedy. Do you approach these recorded sets any differently than a regular show at a comedy club?
The only main differences in these sets and the ones I do every day is makeup. And clothes. It’s the only time I care about my appearance.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
For a long set, I write out my set list 3 times in a row and put the last set list in my back pocket. I’ve never looked at it, but it’s like a safety blanket.
You went to art school before becoming a comedian. Do you see yourself ever incorporating performative video art in your comedy?
Oh god no. … Haha I was so serious when I was in art school, so earnest. It was too much.
What do you set out to achieve in a standup show? What do you want the audience to take away from the Caitlin Peluffo experience?
I want people to leave my show in a better mood than when they arrived. At this point in my career, a lot of people come to shows not knowing me or what to expect, and my main focus is to bring joy and a needed distraction from everyday life.
Whenever someone says “I needed that” at the end of a show, that’s what makes me feel like I did my job.
Don’t miss the hilarious Caitlin Peluffo this weekend at Planet of the Tapes! Tickets are available here for shows on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12.
You can find Caitlin Peluffo at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and her podcast!