The Knife Wife

Susan Rice: Comedy, Aging, and Finding Your Funny at Any Age Media

Published: 2 weeks ago

Sometimes when I talk to another comic, it feels like we were twins separated at birth—and that’s exactly how it is with today’s guest, the hilarious Susan Rice. You may know her from her specials Silver Alert (Amazon) and We All Become Our Parents (Don’t Tell Comedy), or her series Bad Advice with Susan Rice. She’s been in the comedy game for decades, and let me tell you—her stories had me laughing, nodding, and occasionally spitting out my coffee.

In this episode, Susan and I dig into everything from her comedy beginnings in Portland to what it’s like finding your voice later in life, producing shows during COVID, and what it really takes to last in this business. We talk about aging, audience connections, and why older comics still have plenty of fire in the belly. Plus, you’ll hear us swap stories about knees, Jell-O, and exactly what NOT to say to a woman over 60. This one is packed with laughs, truth bombs, and a whole lot of heart.


Episode Timeline

[1:11] – Susan Rice on her Amazon special Silver Alert and why I watched it twice

[3:05] – The curse of barrel chairs and why no woman looks good in one

[4:17] – Susan’s path from acting school to finding stand-up in Portland

[10:20] – The comedy boom in Portland and what it was like working 30 nights in a row

[16:54] – Creating a community comedy festival during COVID in her Portland neighborhood

[20:37] – Why boomers are still a comedy audience force to be reckoned with

[27:04] – Naming my upcoming special (with some hilarious rejected titles)

[32:07] – Susan on forgetting punchlines, crowd work, and learning to pivot on stage

[37:47] – The best advice for new comics: “Be fearless and be kind”

[42:27] – Why Susan curses on stage and how she responds to criticism about it

[46:02] – Talking comedy heroes: Kathleen Madigan, Louis Black, Paula Poundstone, and more


Links & Resources


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