Chances are you’ve run across Maria Bamford before.
Got children? Her shockingly malleable, emotive voice has popped up in a variety of cartoons aimed at the kiddie demo (“WordGirl,” “Hey Arnold!” “Barnyard”).
Suffering from a touch of the hipster? Bamford gained love from that set with turns in the Comedians of Comedy tours and films, as well as spots on Adult Swim shows like “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” and “Home Movies.”
If you’re a TV hound, consider the fact that Bamford was the first female comedian to have two half- hour Comedy Central Presents specials, in addition to her many appearances on late-night talk shows.
We caught up with the Minnesota native in advance of her sets at Comedy Works tonight and Saturday to talk about her new Comedy Central CD, her upcoming TV roles and the joys of depression.
Q: You’re really connected with your fans via MySpace, Facebook and your website. Is that something that comes naturally?
A: Not really. I love secretarial work but it’s more fun if you’re doing it for somebody else. I get wrapped up in my head about it because it is for myself. I feel like somehow I’m saying the wrong thing, or constantly guilty that I’m not giving the person enough back. They’ve come to see the show, and then they leave a MySpace message, but where does the show begin and end? I have trouble with boundaries.
Q: I read recently that you were working on a book about depression and mental illness, which you’ve dealt with in your own life. How does a comedian tackle that subject?
A: It’s about whatever dark points in people’s lives — horrible humiliation, mental illness, depression. I’ve read tons of books about that and none of them are funny. I’m hoping to get little snippets from other comics about their experiences with those things.
Q: I heard not long ago that you also had a main role on Fox’s “Sit Down, Shut Up!,” the new show from “Arrested Development” creator Mitch Hurwitz. Did that pan out?
A: I did have a main role, and Mitch Hurwitz was so nice to bring me back again and again trying to convince the executives, but they just weren’t on board. I do have side voices on the show, which is really nice because usually if you’re taken off a role they’re like, “See you later . . .”
Q: Your new CD, “Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome,” comes out April 21 on Comedy Central Records. Will the episodes of your SuperDeluxe Web series be included?
A: No, but Stand Up! Records is putting out a CD called “Plan B” sometime this year that will have all 20 episodes of “The Maria Bamford Show” for people who are interested in that.
Q: Is that album all new material?
A: It’s the live stage version of a one-person show, which was kind of the beginning of doing the Web series. It has interviews with my parents (a frequent subject of Bamford’s comedy), DVD commentary and chitchatting.
Q: And did I hear you were running for public office?
A: It’s more of a fantasy because I know it takes a lot of work to do that, even just a neighborhood council. I think I’d have to be home more often because you really do need to be there once a month.
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
Maria Bamford
Comedy. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. Today-Saturday. Various times. $25. 303-595-3637 or
