Introducing Lily Blumkin, character comedian and award-winning writer and performer for The Daily Show, who makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut this year with ‘Nice Try’. Featuring nine original characters, “Nice Try” is an honest and hilarious look at how we remember the past, and how we use it to inform our present.
What REALLY happens when you try your best and you don’t succeed? That's what the greatest comedian in the world, Lily Blumkin finds out. Okay, she's ABOUT to be the greatest comedian in the world. As soon as she blows up on TikTok, which she’s super close to doing... After all, she posts every day and her views are finally reaching double digits. Next stop: fame and fortune!
For now, Lily’s back at her childhood home, packing up her bedroom because her parents are moving. As egregious as she finds it to get rid of the place where a once-in-a-generation talent grew up, Lily concedes that, fine, she “doesn’t live there anymore.” She runs through each of the objects that her mother asked her to discard, realising that while they might not be useful to her anymore, they are valuable; they capture the youthful spirit of the woman who will one day change comedy and entertainment forever. Somebody could make an art exhibit with all this stuff!
As she picks up an item, she launches into a moment from her past. An arcade toy reminds her of her first boyfriend, who had a crush on his best friend. An old photograph reminds her of her dad, who tried way TOO hard to accept Lily when she came out at gay. A crumbling beauty product recalls the cosmetic employee who called her ugly many times.
Once Lily’s room is clean, she proudly carries out her box of precious items, only to be stopped by her twelve year old self. Young Lily has come back to break the news to Adult Lily that she’s not actually that special, and she’s certainly not as hot as Young Lily hoped she’d be. Adult Lily is taken aback, and the two of them bicker about whose version of the past is more truthful.
She finally admits that maybe her self-image is a bit deluded, but don’t you have to be crazy to think you can make it as an entertainer? But when she gets back to New York, the doubts creep in. Lily starts to wonder if maybe everything she thinks about herself really is a lie. Maybe her 12-year-old self was right...
Lily Blumkin is an award-winning writer and performer on the staff of The Daily Show. She is featured on-camera as a Sketch Player and has helped the show win two consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety Talk Series. In April 2023, she wrote the keynote speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner for comedian Roy Wood Jr.
She was a featured act in the New York Comedy Festival, SF Sketchfest, and NYC Sketchfest. Her writing has been selected by the literary humour magazine Points in Case, as well as the Webby Awards, the Nantucket Film Festival, the Screencraft Comedy Competition, and the Cinequest Screenwriting Competition.
Lily Blumkin’s debut character comedy hour ‘Nice Try’ will be at the Gilded Balloon Patter House Blether from July 30 - August 25. 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)
I usually stare in a mirror and repeat my mantra: “You are a god, you will never die” anywhere from 2-100 times. Then I slap myself, give the mirror a kiss, and slap myself again.
What irritates you?
Itchy tags on the back of shirts and global injustice.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
If I’m being honest, texting while biking… sorry mum…
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Probably broadcast the fact that I’ve texted while biking.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
Did you know that rich people in power are usually not that funny? It’s surprising because they often consider themselves very funny and above all interesting, so you can imagine my shock when I met some and discovered they were neither! How did they get that idea??
What do your parents think of your job?
“It’s never too late to go to business school.”
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
When people describe me, they use the word “funny” before the word “hot.” :(
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
*shows you the bill for my antidepressants*
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
Barely enough to afford living in Brooklyn, NY/enough to afford living in Brooklyn, NY
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
I think luck is a huge part of career success, especially since getting noticed or going viral can feel so random sometimes. Almost all of my professional achievements have been lucky breaks. If I ever start saying I got somewhere based on merit alone, you have my permission to punch me in the face.
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?
I fit into a third category: the tortured golfer. This is for the people who are just trying their best to get on with life. Also I don’t know how to golf and I’m terrified by the idea of it.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
…who else is there???
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).
I do, in fact, keep my drawers very tidy. When my room or my apartment is messy, my whole life feels out of control, so I like to keep things as organised as possible. Plus tidying helps me feel productive after a long day of staring at a computer writing jokes I’ll never use.
Lily Blumkin’s debut character comedy hour ‘Nice Try’ will be at the Gilded Balloon Patter House Blether from July 30 - August 25. Tickets here.
PICTURE CREDIT – MINDY TUCKER
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