A lot has happened since Andi Osho won the Funny Women Awards in 2007. Her career has gone from strength to strength with appearances on Mock the Week, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Stand Up For The Week and Live At The Apollo and two wins on Celebrity Mastermind! Since moving to LA Andi hasn’t just bagged her first movie role but begun making her own films too. We managed to grab a moment with one the busiest comedians on the LA and London scene…
Funny Women: Do you think that things have changed for women in comedy since you won the Funny Women Awards in 2007?
Andi Osho: Yeah, there’s more conversations about fairer representation for women in comedy, like, Mock The Week having more women on the show. I’ve also noticed that new panel shows are looking at having female captains which is great. And generally, there seem to be more great comediennes coming through which will hopefully silence those people once and for all that think there aren’t any funny women. There are, and we’re mobilising! There’s still a long way to go but we’re definitely heading in the right direction of breaking up the all-boys closed shop.
FW: As one of our most famous winners, what did the Funny Women Award mean to you and do you have any advice for our latest winner Desiree Burch?
AO: When I won, I’d only been doing stand up for a few months so this was the biggest thing that had happened in career as a performer – I was already an actor. It brought with it a level of attention that helped advance my career for sure. The Funny Women brand is well known and so to be able to say ‘Winner of the Funny Women Awards’ as one of my credits, was a real stamp of approval.
As for new winners, I’ve no advice really other than keep doing what you’re doing and see the Funny Women Awards as a great win and a brilliant stepping stone for the next stage of your career.
FW: You’re based in LA now, how does the LA comedy world compare with London?
AO: LA is a showcase town meaning that ideally, an act should get good somewhere else, then come to LA to show casting directors and producers what they can do. It’s more of a challenge getting gigs in LA and not many people get paid. Well, the promoters seem to but the acts don’t! I’m glad I’ve earned my stripes in the UK because starting out in comedy in LA would be hard work. I also think the Brits, especially Londoners, are more liberal in their humour. Los Angelenos are a bit nervous to laugh at the edgier stuff, perhaps because they’re worried about who’s watching. Brits don’t worry about nonsense like that.
FW: What’s next for you?
AO: I’m at a really interesting place where I’m starting to get traction in the US but have managed to keep a profile in the UK. This year I landed my first movie role, Stateside, I went to film school and have two short films doing the festival circuit. I’m also getting ready to direct another short late spring of 2016. So there’s lots of irons in the fire. I love being busy.
FW: And finally, who are your favourite funny women?
AO: At the moment it’s probably Amy Schumer, not specifically for her stand up, but I love how she is talented across so many disciplines. Of course there’s her stand up, but she has a TV show, wrote Trainwreck which was super funny but she also turned in a really grounded, believable performance as the lead. She’s an impressive women. I wouldn’t say no to her career!
