Giggle Goddess: Kosha Patel

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What’s your favourite cupcake flavor?

Don’t have one.  I accept all cupcake flavors as equally delicious.

What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?

No one really, I just felt like I had something to say so I started saying it and writing it to whoever would listen or read.  Then I realized you could make money off of that.  And I thought to myself, done.  I could do that for cash.  Sweet, let’s do this.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?

That is a high-pressure question.  Hmmmm.  Ha!  I just looked out the window and saw the mailman trip and drop his little tub of mail.  That’s pretty funny.  Oh, come on!  He didn’t hurt himself.  He’s fine.  He’s looking around to see if anyone is watching him.  This is priceless, can I get some popcorn, please?   Oh ha!  He dropped a letter!  This is great.

If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?

Beyonce.

What are some challenges you’ve faced since going down the comedy track?  What are some things that have made all of those obstacles worth overcoming?

Sometimes, it’s difficult to find something to talk about that hasn’t already been said brilliantly by someone else.  The thing about comics is that we all have a sense of humor and a lot of the times we find the same things to be hilarious, or share similar perspectives, so a lot of times I’ll have a joke and I find that someone else is using it.  And it’s not like this thought has even come out of my head yet, it really is just a weird coincidence.  I think the best thing to do in that situation is move on as quickly as you can. DO NOT try and use that joke after it has already been done.

Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?

Oooo, um, I would love to meet Tina Fey and Ellen, and work with Anna Faris and Mindy Kaling.  I love Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman as well.  Joan Rivers scares the crap out of me, or at least her face does.  Is that mean?  I’m kidding Joan, your eyes are supposed to look like that, they’re as cute and cuddly as an ice pick, very comforting. Face lifts are a great coping mechanism for aging, sure, absolutely.

In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?

I think I’ve learned a lot about production.  When I first began performing, I was an actor and I wrote comedy, whereas now, I’ve written and produced my own show.  So when I say I need a 2K with a couple sandbags, I actually know what that means.  And I’m better with budgeting, etc.  I think my producing skills have really been developed.  I’ve also learned how to take studio notes which is fun!  Kidding, it’s totally weird sometimes.  I’ll never forget when they told me “The viewers want to see what’s trendy right now.  Put more Indian stuff in your script.”  **Don’t worry, I’m still milking that train, so we’re all good.

What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?

You know, at the end of the day, I really just want to make content that I believe in!  And I have to remind myself that all the time, especially in this town because when opportunity gets bigger, there’s more at stake and more people to please (aka the guy who’s writing your paycheck), so I don’t want to write something just to please other people.  I want to write material that I find funny because at the end of the day, that’s the stuff people respond to in the first place.  I also want to meet Beyonce.  If we could get tea or something, that would be great for my career and self-esteem.

Do you have a specific audience to whom you play/would like to play?  Describe that audience, and why/how you’re playing to them.

Ideally, I’d like to cater to everyone but most of my content is inspired by geeky girl stuff because… I’m a geeky girl… so…

What’s your weirdest insecurity?

Ugh! I’m terrible with rapping.  I think I have no rhythm, I can’t do it in front of other people.  I get really shy.  But you know what, get me all alone in my car on a hot day, and I can get DOWN on some Tupac. “You gotta learn to holdja own, they get jealous when they see you witchya mobile phone!”

Which character are you most like from “The Divas”?

Oh my gosh, I don’t know, but I could definitely get down with Betty Krueger and Shirly Wench.  Those two are my bitches for life.  Shirley, call me, girl!  I got a Smirnoff Ice with your name on it!

Kosha Patel baby pic

Little Kosha plotting comedic world domination, even at a young age.
No, don’t mess with her.

When you’re not writing/performing comedy, you’re…

Definitely not grocery shopping, that’s for sure.  I hate doing that.  Grocery shopping is no bueno.  Nope, no thank you, Mr. Grocery store, call your mom or someone who cares.

What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men when it comes to comedy?

When I’m catering to women, I try to be funny, when I’m catering to men I try to wear less clothing.  I’m kidding guys, lighten up!  I know I gotta give you more credit than that!  I can simply TALK about wearing less clothing and it appeals to men.

What’s your favorite comedy movie of all time?

I’m gonna name something that I bet NO ONE reading this has every seen, but it’s possibly the funniest movie I’ve ever seen in my life.  It’s a movie that was made in the 90s starring… SINBAD.  It’s called THE CHEROKEE KID and it’s my favorite comedy of all time. You thought I was gonna say something with more substance, didn’t you? Nope, I’m a simple one.  Martin Lawrence does it for me every time.  Blue Streak = comedic gold.  I have the VHS if anyone wants to borrow it.

The title of your autobiography?

Keepin’ it Kosha (for your mom).

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Love Kosha? Check her out in our ’90s sitcom style web series, Gorilla Boss!

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