
Follow me as we journey into the world of Nina Manni.
Renisha Marie: Who is Nina Manni?
Nina Manni: What do you mean? I'm Nina Manni. Right? Wait, am I supposed to talk about myself in the third person? Yeah....I don't like myself enough to do that.
Renisha Marie: (Note to self, “Only ask questions of Nina that she can respond to in the first person. HAHAHA! Renisha Marie loves talking about herself in the third person. Oops! Too much information. Back to the interview LOL.”)
Renisha Marie: On what projects are you currently working?
Nina Manni: I'm currently working on trying to get my dog to sit on his hind legs and wave his paws in the air whenever I say "Hey girl!" Besides that, I write scripts with my hubby and my fabulous writing partner and I'm the warm-up comic for Joan Rivers' "Fashion Police."
Renisha Marie: When did you know comedy was what you wanted to do?
Nina Manni: A psychic told me when I was 19 that I was going to be a stand-up. I thought he was crazy but ended up giving it a shot many years later. Partially because I felt bad about him being wrong.
Renisha Marie: I caught your act at the Ha Ha Cafe and you were irreverent, insightful, and, well, insane (forgive the alliteration). All good things, by the way. Were you always funny?
Nina Manni: I don't know if I was always funny, but I was always pissed about something. And when I got pissed, people always laughed.
Renisha Marie: What was the best gig you ever performed?
Nina Manni: Sometimes I get to perform in a line-up with my husband, which is the best because then people know all the things I say about him are true.
Renisha Marie: Who is your favorite comedian of all time?
Nina Manni: I like a lot of different comedians for different reasons. Patton Oswalt is an amazing wordsmith; I love how tight Chris Rock's writing is; I'm moved by the emotional journeys Simon Amstell takes you on; and I'm endlessly inspired by Joan Rivers.
Renisha Marie: Who is your biggest inspiration?
Nina Manni: It's always been Joan Rivers. I remember sitting in my friend's basement, clad in boas and tiaras, watching Joan hosting the red carpet and thinking she was just the funniest "I don't give a fuck what you think" woman ever. The fact that I get to work for her now? It's just stupid cool.
Renisha Marie: Tell us about some qualities that a good comedian should have?
Nina Manni: Man, there are just so many different things that make people good. I could give you a list of qualities, then show you a good comic with the opposite qualities. Just be willing to do the work.
Renisha Marie: What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Nina Manni: Write what you think is funny, not what you think other people will think is funny.
Renisha Marie: What advice do you have for aspiring comedians?
Nina Manni: This may sound harsh, but the odds are you aren't going to make it, not in any "Hollywood" sense. So, if you don't enjoy what you are doing in an attempt to make it, QUIT. Seriously.
Nina Manni dished out some real advice with no chaser. In short: Follow your passion and do it because you love it.
Contact Nina Manni:
Facebook: NinaManni
Instagram: Nina Manni
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Source:http://www.examiner.com/article/exclusive-interview-with-comedian-nina-manni
Bottom Photo:Nina Manni, Comedian Matthew Nouriel and Renisha Marie/Limitless Abundance Prod./Kato Cooks