After returning from a USO Tour of Iraq and Afghanistan earlier this year, comedian Kathleen Madigan learned she’s entirely too short to be involved in combat and that being in the military is nothing like the commercials on television. She made the monumental trip and performed for the troops with Kid Rock, Lewis Black and Kellie Pickler.
As well as trying to look serious in combat gear, Madigan packed 2009 with more tour dates and television appearances. In addition to performing in theaters, festivals and on talk shows, Madigan, dubbed by Jay Leno as "one of the funniest female comics," has been tapped for her comedic point of view by Dr. Phil as a special correspondent for The Dr. Phil Show with reports on various topics. She also appeared this summer as one of Cheri Oteri’s clients in the AMC interstitial program Life Coach. She also recently completed writing, producing and performing on Lewis Black's The Root of All Evil, for Comedy Central. Madigan will appear on the upcoming History Channel special Surviving the Holidays set to premiere on November 23rd, 2009 where she also served as a producer for the project. The American Comedy Award winner for "Best Female Comedian" appeared on shows for VH1 and TV Guide Network which all aired this year as well as The Joy Behar Show and an upcoming appearance on the new Wanda Sykes Show. In addition to the three CD’s and DVD’s currently available, Madigan will be recording another CD and DVD.
In 2004, Madigan was the only comedian ever to go unchallenged on NBC’S Last Comic Standing and in 2007 was a talent scout during the show's fifth season. Other television appearances include stints on E!, CNN, The Tonight Show (10 appearances), Letterman (5 appearances), The Conan O’Brien Show, HBO (2 of her own specials), Comedy Central (An hour and half hour special), and ESPN. Madigan also somehow defeated the ever-popular Larry the Cable guy and other notable funny comics to win the 2007 Sirius Radio Comedy Cup.
She’s performed around the world at comedy festivals and in theaters in IRELAND, ENGLAND, CANADA and CHINA (that was a disaster…feel free to ask her). She was also a writer for Gary Shandling in 2004 and 2005 when he hosted the EMMY’S.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Madigan lives in Los Angeles. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in journalism. Her goal is to make as much money as possible and move to Ireland, the only place Guinness tastes right and perhaps, purchase some sheep.
Jay Leno, "One of America's funniest female comics."
Lewis Black, "The funniest woman in America."
Bob Costas, "One of my favorite comedians."
"Kathleen delivers a great performance with exceptional comedic timing, the right amount of irreverance, and a fun look at some everyday occurrences we can all relate to." - Mary, Georgia, USA
"She's intelligent, sarcastic, smart, VERY funny, and will make you tear with laughter." - J. Cameron, Reno, NV
"Kathleen Madigan is Hilarious!" - Rebecca Hall, Huntington, WV
"We drove 11 hours from Saskatchewan to see her! We loved the show! It's always different." - Mary & Bob, Saskatchewan, CANADA
"I think you're the most awesome comedian out there!" - Drew, Phoenix, AZ
"My friends and I all love you and think you are absolutely hilarious. Tornado season is over. Please come to Iowa!" - Melissa, Iowa, USA
"We came out in the hail storm and your show was sold out. Come back soon to Minneapolis!" - Whitney, Minneapolis, MN
"This is one of your Texas fans. We would brave a hail storm for you, too!!" - April, Dallas, TX
"Love you and your material. When are you gonna make it to Ireland?" - GSR, Ireland
In Other Words (2006, Warner Bros.) - Billboard Magazine Album Review
"Standup comedienne Kathleen Madigan makes her major-label debut with In Other Words, a witty and wonderful effort that's just too short. Madigan's greatest strengths are her balancing of the cynical and approachable and her equal-opportunity antagonism. There's edgy material underneath her everywoman delivery as Madigan skewers both George W. Bush and Ted Kennedy, along with lesser targets like Larry King and Oprah. Her Bush rant on "Politics" is the highlight of the album, with Madigan pointing out how the president always re-explains things that don't need re-explaining (Madigan as Bush: "Osama bin Laden is hiding in a cave, people. In other words, he's playing peek-a-boo").
Effortlessly transitioning from one topic to the next, the album flies by in what seems like a lot less than the 47 minutes it is, which makes minor complaint number one that the listener is left wanting more, much more. Longtime comedy fans, on the other hand, will appreciate how she recalls the brassy and brash Rusty Warren at times, or how she can riff on family life like a more acerbic, golden-age Bill Cosby. Anyway you slice it, In Other Words is such a great throwback to the days when standup wasn't all character-driven or "indie" that one has to wonder why the majors didn't call her up sooner." ~ David Jeffries
For a complete list of all television appearances, please visit the www.imdb.com website.
