Comedian Maria Bamford Finds Humor In Discussing Her Mental Health

FARGO - This weekend will be a homecoming of sorts for Maria Bamford, head of the Fargo Comedy Fest on Friday night and the Duluth Comedy Fest on Saturday night.

Bamford, who grew up in Duluth and once told Stephen Colbert he was "the funniest comedian in the world," knows the regional audience well.

"Both are passive-aggressive patient groups. Even if it's their birthday, they don't scream," Bamford said in a recent interview with The Forum. "I probably relate to most people in Duluth. There's probably going to be friends of my parents who are going to glare at me after the show and say, 'Oh, my.'

Bamford's fans around the world recognized his parents from his move. He is known for speaking openly and transparently about life on stage and more recently in the press. Her first book, Of Course I'll Join Your Religion: A Memoir and Everywhere of Mental Illness, was published in September.

Bamford's definition of worship differs from the standard definition in that it includes family and support groups. He is open about his struggles and uses his platform in the world of stand-up to talk about mental health.

"I am not an actor who drinks alcohol. I don't always have fun. Please subscribe to YouTube before purchasing a ticket. It's really about harm reduction," he said.

Her Netflix show Lady Dynamite gave viewers a glimpse into Bamford's life. He chose not to do stand-up, instead playing a version of himself after months of treatment for his bipolar disorder while trying to make ends meet in Los Angeles and the entertainment industry.

In real life, Bamford was committed to a mental institution and included humorous anecdotes in his book, including a recipe for Psychic Ward Graham Crackers.

The supporting cast of Lady Dynamite is witness to Bamford's wonderful comedy, with other stars including Jenny Slate, Ana Gasteyer, Mo Collins, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Seth Meyers, Judd Apatow, John Mulaney and "Weird Al "Yankovic" .The show also featured Jackie Kashian, who performed for Bamford in Fargo and Duluth.

Bamford pitched ideas for the series and collaborated with writers, but never wrote an episode. The show ran for two seasons and ended in 2017.

In writing his memoirs, he describes the process as "an agonizing sting, like that of a snail." It's not much fun, but it's okay.

Including stand-up comedy?

"That's it. I'm depressed. "I don't always like it," she said. "I like to cook and have a Diet Coke and a plate of chips."

Because Bamford likes to work with an antagonist, he hired an editor to help shape the book.

"It's fake energy, but it works," he said. "I'm old and I'll say, 'Yeah, I don't like what you think. I always did what I wanted, what I thought was fun. I know my voice and I have a wonderful feeling.

As a caveat to the dark thematic material, Bamford had "terrible" transitions in Comic Sans, which he called a "kind of trigger". Writing about people with suicidal thoughts, she also brings gentle comedy and urges readers to contact anyone who answers the phone, including a hotel concierge, rental car service or suicide hotline.

"See if they work in your life," he writes. All their literature says, "Life is a gift." Have someone answer the phone to authenticate you.

Bamford, who works for a freelance text line, knows that talking to people can help. "A person can rise in any part of society," he said. "There are things we can do."

Bamford said she has been open about her mental health for years because it can help her and others. At age 10, she began experiencing "violent and sexually aggressive thoughts" and shortly thereafter attempted suicide.

"It wasn't until I was 35 that I discovered it was some kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder. I didn't know I had it," she said. “Even if you don't have OCD, everyone has some sort of fearful thought from time to time. People know when they are laughing. If people don't laugh, leave it. they go to another show.

Performing comedy has given him a comfortable way to share his thoughts and feelings.

"Standing was a way to connect with people and feel safe," Bamford said. His approach has been well received by his audience and readers. He published his email address in the book and enjoyed receiving letters from readers.

Bamford was also surprised to learn that Duluth artist Annelisa Roseen was involved in the project on Instagram and posing as celebrities.

And then, last September, a letter to the editor praising Bamford and suggesting that city streets be named after Bob Dylan — who lived there as a young man but never wrote about the city — appeared in the Duluth News Tribune of Bamford last September.

So what would happen to Maria Bamford Street?

“This has to be a dead end, right? A hole?” he said. "Maybe it's the sidewalk in front of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory."

What: Fargo Comedy Festival
When: Friday, 9:00 p.m.
Where: Fargo Theatre
Info: Tickets range from $39 to $149, plus fees

Editor's note: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the crisis text line by texting TALK to 741741.

Maria Bamford: Get help and get better