Melinda is a comedian, writer and actress whose stand-up focuses on healing through humor. LA Weekly described her as “the female David Sedaris.” She voices multiple characters on the Emmy-winning series Adventure Time and has appeared in many TV shows and films as both a comedian and an actress. She created, wrote, produced and starred in the award winning digital series Romantic Encounters with Melinda Hill, based on her stand-up and wrote, directed and performed an hour-long comedy special called “Inappropriate” that drops in fall 2020. Her podcast “Let’s Process This with Melinda Hill” can be heard on all major podcast platforms and features celebrity interviews about transforming trauma into creative treasure.
Recovery Comedy: What were you like as a kid?
Melinda: We moved 27 times so I was always the new girl. I did a lot of plays and made up characters and voices around the house.
Recovery Comedy: What made you decide to become a stand-up comedian and how long have you been performing?
Melinda: 15 years…An acting teacher suggested I go into comedy because I was “accidentally funny.” I loved the autonomy of writing and creating your own material.
Recovery Comedy: Were you performing stand-up comedy before you got into recovery?
Melinda: Yes, those first few years of comedy were brought to you by vodka and cigarettes.
Recovery Comedy: Does your comedy have a message and if so what is it?
Melinda: Yes, my message is focused healing through humor—empowering and inspiring the human race.
Recovery Comedy: Who are your comedy idols?
Melinda: Maria Bamford, Kristen Wiig, Steve Martin and all comedians who repurpose their material into books, movies, series and specials. I love silly, absurd, poignant and smart comedy.
Recovery Comedy: Where does your inspiration for material come from?
Melinda: Life. It’s all around us at all times.
Recovery Comedy: What is your joke writing process?
Melinda: I am really just a channel for what happens in life. I think of it more as transcribing than writing.
Recovery Comedy: What is your kryptonite?
Melinda: Deep dish pizza and red wine—just being alone on a couch with that stuff like “you can’t hurt me cuz I’m gonna hurt me!”, getting sick, bringing it out to the trash bins for someone less
fortunate to enjoy, perhaps a homeless person…then bringing it back in 2 hours later to finish myself and realizing I’m the person less fortunate. : (
Recovery Comedy: Is your family supportive of your comedy career?
Melinda: Yes, although whenever I tell my mom about a success she says “that’s great honey, I hope that ends up working out for you one day.” I’m like it just did end up working out for me, this day, the day that I got the job.”
Recovery Comedy: Is comedy part of your healing process?
Melinda: Absolutely. If I can find the light in a dark situation it not only heals me but it heals countless others going through a similar thing by enabling them to find the humor in it.
Recovery Comedy: What was your worst experience performing comedy?
Melinda: Sexism and sexual harassment.
Recovery Comedy: What was your best experience performing comedy?
Melinda: Performing for troops in 12 countries, cancer patients and just people who really needed it.
Recovery Comedy: What is your favorite joke?
Melinda: The ones that heal.
Recovery Comedy: What is your comedy dream?
Melinda: To write and star in my own series, movies and specials.
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