I recently discovered online videos and social media posts from a fab and funny LA-based comedian, Julia Bernstein (pictured below) who’s been presenting a comedy variety show called the Bologna Sandwich Show. She’s wonderfully silly as well as provocative, and she’s building quite the following online. Julia has now created a series of live shows with special comedy guests as well as audience participation – the first show goes up on June 6th at the Glendale Room, just outside of downtown Los Angeles (ticket info/link provided at end of this interview)
I reached out to Julia to congratulate her on this ballsy endeavor to present live curated shows and asked her a few questions about her comedy career journey so far …..
Julia, what inspired you to take up comedy for a living and not become, say, a doctor or teacher? I’ve always known I wanted to entertain people and make them laugh. My mom loves to tell this story—whenever she was going through something tough, I’d start being goofy just to cheer her up. It was my way to heal people! Also, any “normal” job I’ve ever had, all I would think about is how I wished I was doing something entertaining. I’d always keep a notepad of jokes or funny skit or sitcom ideas. In 2007, I did a show at the public access station called, The Boring Show, doing things like read a dishwasher manual for 45 minutes and then have guests come on & be super awkward and funny. I wish I had kept that going and dove into comedy back then, but I think I just didn’t trust the process yet.
Who are your comedy heroes or influences? I’ll give comedian names and my favorite TV shows/movies… Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Will Ferrell, Monty Python, Larry David, Pee-Wee Herman, Airplane the movie, The Three Amigos, and Sasha Baron Cohen.
Your Bologna Sandwich Variety Show has been shared on YouTube and now you’re going live at the fabulous Glendale Room, just outside of LA. Is everything going to be improvised or do you have a scripted outline to help control the anticipated mayhem?
That’s a great question! It’s scripted, in the form of my Bologna Sandwich Public Access Show where I interview a guest, but this time I’m gonna have a couple guests on stage with me and a co-host…So scripted but also allowing room for improvisation. Think Comics Unleashed meets The Eric Andre Show. I’m going to give out heckle passes & get the audience involved…have them be a part of the show. So yes, controlled chaos, I guess. My good friend Dicey is helping me produce the show, which is good because I am not organized.
Now you must tell us why “bologna sandwich” for a title? Where did that come from?
I had been wanting to have a show where I interview people but also have silly funny weird segments involved. I didn’t know what to call it, then I remembered the story about how my mom and dad served bologna sandwiches at their Jewish Pentecostal wedding, and I knew right away that has to be the name of my show – Bologna Sandwich Show! Because life is bologna and I think it’s a perfect name for a show! Plus it pays homage to my family, which is super important to me.
Are there any guests you would love to invite to your live show such as your favorite actors, comedians….? You know living in Los Angeles gives me access to so many people that are close by. I would love alumni from SNL days that are in my area to be a part of my show. Giovanni Ribisi – he’s one of my favorite actors. Maria Bamford, she’s one of my favorite local comedians. Any local celebrity and or politician would be fun to have on the show.
So Julia, what’s your “end game”? Would you like to eventually have your own comedy chat show on one of the more popular streaming channels or network tv? Yes, my long-term vision for the show is that it is picked up on a major streaming platform. I want it to be a place to showcase comedians – especially those who have put so much time and work into the craft. Have it be a stepping board or spring board for people to try something new with their comedy. Also involve serious conversations about life. I feel like life is bologna…the good, the bad and the ugly so I want to encompass all of that in my show.
BTW, have you ever watched Tiny Chicken Machine Show on YouTube? Created by Mediocre Films, they are my indie heroes from YouTube’s early years. I just watched it I haven’t heard of it but it’s hilarious that’s absolutely the vein of what I’m thinking for my show a little less wacky but kind of like that. I love the absurdity of that
How can comedy fans find you – is there a website or social media?
Yes, you can follow me @bologna_sandwich_show on both YouTube & Instagram and julia_bernstein on TikTok.
And click on this link to my June 6th show in Glendale: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bologna-sandwich-show-friends-of-the-bologna-with-julia-bernstein-tickets-1369322403169
