Always Funny: Melissa Merlot

This week on It’s Always Funny in Salt Lake City, we talk with the “Queen of Utah Comedy”, Melissa “Cobra” Merlot.

This redheaded fireball talks about the impending “Ginger Takeover”, the “K-Town Takeover” and the “Podcast Takeover”.

Check her out this month in 3 different places.  Lumpy’s, K-Town and 5 Monkeys. So if you don’t go to at least one, you are just being a bad person and a unsupportive pee pee head.  Pfffftttt.

Describe yourself in 10 words or less?

Big, loud, red, fun, twisted, sarcastic, angry, idealist, silly, boobs

How will you and your army of ginger warriors take over the world?  What type of government will you put into power once you have attained global domination?

Since we are gingers we will take over the world easily. We will set up a government for the people by the gingers so the night time will be the right time since we can’t go out in daylight. There will be no more wars all disagreements will be settled by a series of dance offs.

You LOVE Lucky 13.  Create your perfect hamburger and name it.

Yes I do love Lucky 13 best burgers in Salt Lake City

The Merlotsa a burger marinated in merlot topped with pasta, mushrooms, and marinara sauce between two big white fluffy buns.

Have you ever cradled Jason Harvey like a baby?

I haven’t had the pleasure. But I want to dress him up in little costumes and push him around in a stroller while he is licking a giant lollipop.

Why did you start doing stand up comedy?

I always loved comedy and always wanted to give it a try. After the first time I tried it I was hooked much like crack.

Who are your biggest inspirations in comedy?

Funny people, Eddie Izzard, Bill Hicks, Denis Leary, Doug Stanhope, Joe Rogan, Tracy Ullman, Julie Brown, and anyone funny.

How long have you been doing comedy?

About 5 years, I’ve been saying that for years and it will continue to be my answer forever because I am terrible at math.

Who has been the biggest help for you in your comedy career?

Help? What is that?

It was recently announced that you were taking over K-Town Komedy, what are your plans for the show?

It is such an honor to be hosting that show. Steve McInelly has been so great at running it for four years which is an extremely long time in comedy show years. I just hope to be able to keep it going and have it be as much fun as when he was running it.

Who are some people to look forward to seeing at upcoming shows in this year?

Hopefully Karen Rontowski, Kristine Levine, and Lang Parker they are my personal favorites. Maria Bamford and Margaret Cho are two that I have always wanted to see live, I’m hoping to make that happen this year. I am going to see Leslie Hall she is more of a performance artist but I am really excited about her show.

Say 5 nice things about former host Steve McInelly.  Now 5 really mean things.  I understand some of them might be the same.

Nice things?

He is a really good person deep down, very deep, very hard to see that niceness. Maybe that wasn’t even niceness, maybe he was just drunk. He is really funny and great to work with. He is one of the few comedians who is always on time. He takes comedy very seriously and I am sure he is gonna do great in Vegas.

I don’t really have anything bad to say about him. Except I don’t know how he hit the jackpot with his hot wife. I almost put a picture I have of them on HotChicksWithDouchebags.com.

Oh and Steve always sends me funny but really gross videos. I am still angry at him over the one where a hippopotamus farts and shoots poop everywhere swinging it’s tail like a windmill. Yeah that made me puke then I researched it and found out that is part of the hippopotamus mating ritual, then I puked again.

What makes the K-Town Komedy so special?

It is just such a fun show. Steve and Carla McInelly putting so much into running it and getting the word out about it are really what made it so special. So that is a lot of pressure on me to keep it up. But I like keeping things up, if you know what I mean. The audience at K-town has always been so much fun and they come out ready to laugh. That is one of the reasons I have always enjoyed that show.

Congrats…. City Weekly Artys Comedian of the Year.  What was your initial reaction when it was announced you were the winner?

Shock was my first reaction. I love Jay Whittaker and Christian Piper and find them both hilarious so I would have been happy with whoever won. Of course I am happiest about me winning though.

What was your strategy for the victory?

I tweeted a lot telling people to vote for me. That was my campaign strategy.

Have you had sex and thought about your award plaque instead of the person you were having sex with? I know I would.

HA! No I have a one track mind and it is usually focused on sex especially when I am having sex.

What is your favorite show that you have been a part of over the years?

Opening for Doug Stanhope at The Complex when he filmed his Showtime special Before Turning The Gun on Himself was my all time favorite because he is one of my all time favorite comedians. It meant a lot to me to be a part of that show.

What is one joke that you have done that has stood out or been a crowd favorite?

My credit card joke and I don’t mean my credit score that is actually a bigger joke.

What do you think of the Utah Comedy Scene?

I love it. I think it is great. There are so many funny and motivated people here there is always something going on. If one show ends another comedian will just start up a new show. I really like how it just keeps going.

What is the thing happening in the comedy scene that you are really excited about?

New people, it is always nice to see people just getting into the scene and really enjoying it. It helps me remember how excited I was (5+x) years ago when I started.

Who are some of your favorite Utah comedic performers? 

My competition from City Weekly Jay Whittaker and Christian Piper of course. Jason Harvey, Rachel Jensen, Natasha Mower, Patrick Ramirez, and Jonny Brandin.

What is your favorite venue to perform?

K-town of course!

What shows do you have coming up? 

Lumpys South Friday Feb 7th For the Love of Comedy Show

K-town Saturday Feb 15th with John Hilder from Las Vegas

5 Monkeys Thursday Feb 20th with you!

What shows do you not having coming up?

Podcasts! Yes I am one of the many comedians who has jumped on the podcasting bandwagon. I have my own podcast The Dating Apocalypse which discusses dating dilemmas. I came up with that after my conspiracy theory podcast Conspurracy wasn’t doing so well so I decided to go for a more mainstream theme like dating. I have actually kind of given up on dating though and just decided in a couple of years I will settle down and buy a mail order husband. But I do have some great stories and I have guests with great stories as well so tune in. Both of those will be available on iTunes soon.

I am also a cohost on The Left Show which is an excellent political podcast available on theleftshow.com. And a cohost on The Awkward Hour podcast available on theawkwardhour.com.