Introducing US stand up Britt Migs, who debuts at this year’s Fringe with her show ‘Dolphin Mode’ at the Underbelly George Square. ‘Dolphin Mode’ premiered last year to a sold-out audience at Caveat in New York and went on to sell out The Second City Blackbox (as part of the New York Comedy Festival) as well as the Knockouts Comedy Festival in March this year.
The New Yorker went through a unique and comically bad divorce. During the Super Bowl weekend she not only lost her job on the Friday, but began getting a divorce on the Sunday. Britt gets into the gory details of her divorce...
Did her ex-husband’s friends help him out? Of course they did! They told him that he should throw out his phone and cancel his credit cards. Little did they know, this would be the catalyst that tipped Britt off to a story involving online sex bots and more.
Upon re-entering the dating world, Britt is bombarded by a slew of men in her newly-single DMs asking her out in the most deranged ways possible. Nothing says love like strangers on the internet threatening to kill you. Well, surely it’ll be better in person? Britt’s a little rusty and realises dating in your thirties is a little different to dating in your twenties. After a few mishaps, including scaring off an Australian man and shaving her body smooth like a dolphin only to have her date cancel on her, Britt realises how grateful she is to not just be dating men.
For most of Britt’s life she thought she was totally straight, even though there were some big, glaring signs...like the Victoria’s Secret catalogues she hid under her bed as a kid. Upon exploration, she settled on the “bisexual” label, although it still took her family some convincing. Just as she began navigating the waters of gay dating, she found love. But that meant family, friends and her neighbours had to adjust to her not being with a guy…
If you’re single, dating, straight, gay, if you’ve ever gone through a break-up or been scammed by a bot on Instagram...this is the show for you.
Britt Migs has a bi-monthly show at Union Hall called “Sunday Sauce”. She has written for Reductress, FlexxMag, Slackjaw, The Take, and many others. By day, Britt works as an Emmy award-winning TV & digital producer. When she's not doing all of that you can find her watching horror movies with her cat, Tony Soprano.
Britt Migs' debut stand up show ‘Dolphin Mode’ will be at the Underbelly Buttercup on George Square from July 30 - August 25 at 2.15pm. Buy tickets here.
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
Pee. Pee one more time. Then one more time for good measure. I have a bladder like a thimble. Then I like to jump up and down (literally) to shake any last nerves out. Big smile. Knock ‘em dead!
What irritates you?
Really well-adjusted people. You’re telling me you don’t have a lick of mental illness? Not at all? Look around!!!
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
It’s gotta be a toss up between swimming with sharks and exclusively dating men.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Get married. I mean, I can’t believe I was with a guy who got extorted by a porn bot on Instagram. I wish I was kidding!
Okay fine, fiiiiine. You want something outside of the show? I guess I would say that one time that I got a casting notice for a new show called ‘Woman vs. Food” and filmed myself stuffing burgers and fries in my mouth. I never heard from the casting agent again. I wonder where that video ended up…
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
By far how bad internet comments have gotten. I am completely numb to them now and find them hilarious but WOW people have hate in their hearts! Mostly men. One guy told me he hopes I get run over by a truck, which is kinda nice when you think about it! A quick, painless death.
What do your parents think of your job?
Much like when I came out to them, I don’t think they took me seriously until they really saw me doing it. My mom didn’t really want me to pursue the arts (too risky). She thought I, a person who can’t add 14+7 without a calculator, would make an excellent businesswoman. Recently she’s been coming around to the fact that this is my career so much more and that really warms my heart…But then I realised it’s because she literally has to. As a parent, when your 33-year -old is pursuing comedy, you kinda have to act cool about it because you have no other choice but to own it. It’s like when your cookies turn out shitty for a party and you’re like “I actually prefer them a little burnt so I made them that way on purpose. This was by design. I’M PROUD OF WHAT I MADE.” Ya know? She’s come a long way, though, and is supporting me at the Fringe by flying out here for my first show!
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
The lack of sleep. I lovvvve a good sleep and comedians probably get as much as ER nurses. Good thing I’m doing the Fringe, a place known for its relaxing, sleep-filled vibe!
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
I have a ton of imposter syndrome (as any good comic should) but I also think I’m a good hang, I could talk to a WALL and have a good conversation. I don’t think you’ll ever be bored around me. I’m silly and I’m a very good friend. I would be a TERRIBLE person to survive the apocalypse with, though. Kill me immediately in that case.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
How dare you! I would like to earn a bazillion dollars. Sorry, pounds.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
There is certainly a healthy amount of luck involved. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I was in the right place at the right time instead of Times Square during rush hour. But, it has happened to me a few times! I was once on a show with Hari Kondabolu (a Fringe veteran and comedian I respect deeply who is much further ahead than I). He heard me doing my divorce material and thought I would make a good opener. He’s since taken me on the road and gave me the opportunity to perform for massive crowds and gave me what felt like my first big break.
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
Well, I hate golf (sorry, St Andrews!!!) and I don’t feel very “tortured” per se (aside from the crippling anxiety) so I suppose I’m a third thing. I’m a guy playing whack-a-mole at an arcade. I’m trying my best, even though I’m pretty stressed out trying to win this very silly game.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
No family, friends, or comedians? This is hard. My friend’s four-year-old kid is really funny, I love that girl. And DON’T say we’re friends because we don’t even text. She doesn’t have a phone.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
First and foremost - I really hope you guys make it! I have a complicated answer. My sock and underwear drawer is MAYHEM, but then my jeans are nice and organized. It really depends on the shape and size of the items going in said drawer. Big items? Tidy. Little items? Go nuts.
Britt Migs' debut stand up show ‘Dolphin Mode’ will be at the Underbelly Buttercup on George Square from July 30 - August 25. Buy tickets here.
Picture: Dev Bowman
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