Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 184. KC Shornima: Get Comfortable With This Darkness
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Sep 15, 2025 KC Shornima, a talented comedian and SNL writer who once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, shares her unique perspective on handling stress and humor in tough situations. She discusses the balance of addressing sensitive topics, like trauma, in comedy and the powerful connection between laughter and pain. Mike and KC also dive into hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from SNL, and she reflects on how childhood experiences influence her comedic storytelling. Their conversation emphasizes the value of vulnerability in both life and laughter.
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Tragedy And Joke Share A Cadence
- KC Shornima compares tragedy structure to joke structure using Oedipus Rex as an example.
- She shows how a tragic setup and unexpected payoff mirror comedic cadence.
Opening With Dark Material To Avoid Second-Guessing
- KC describes opening with a rape joke and losing the crowd then reclaiming it later in the set.
- She explains she feels compelled to open with it or she'll chicken out later.
From Def Jam To An Open Mic Origin
- KC recounts her first exposure to comedy in America and her impulsive first open-mic night.
- A college Russian lit professor moment and an embarrassing fart became early comedic material.
