Nneka McGuire

Oct. 18, 2018

Naomi Ekperigin is a stand-up comedian, actress and writer. She’s written for Hulu’s “Difficult People,” Comedy Central’s “Broad City” and NBC’s “Great News.” She’s appeared on MTV, VH1 and HBO, among other networks, and has her own Comedy Central half-hour special, which premiered in October 2016. She’s a regular on the “2 Dope Queens” podcast, and was one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Comedians You Need to Know” in 2017. Ekperigin will be performing a set with Cameron Esposito, Rhea Butcher and others Oct. 27 at the Bentzen Ball comedy festival in Washington, D.C.

The Lily chatted with Bentzen Ball comedians via text and phone calls ahead of the festival, which runs Oct. 25-28.

September 28, 2018 3:52 p.m.

Nneka McGuire

Hi, Naomi. This is Nneka McGuire from The Lily. Thanks for taking a bit of time to talk with us.

Naomi Ekperigin

Hey, how are you?

Nneka McGuire

It’s Friday, so I’m great. How are you?

Naomi Ekperigin

I’m good!

Nneka McGuire

Have you ever done an interview via text before?

Naomi Ekperigin

Never! And I'm at work, so I'm being a real sneak.

Nneka McGuire

I will tell no one

So, can you tell me a bit about how you got involved with Bentzen Ball?

Naomi Ekperigin

I was very lucky to be asked to perform, possibly because I met Tig when she directed the 2 Dope Queens HBO specials.

Nneka McGuire

I would never ask you to reveal your secrets before you perform, but can you share a hint of some of the material you’re most excited about?

(Like a trailer. But the kind that’s ambiguous and doesn’t give away the whole movie.)

Naomi Ekperigin

I talk about personal stuff, relationship stories, how true crime shows are making me crazy, etc. I’m also excited to do a live version of my podcast, Couples Therapy, hosted by me and my fiancé Andy Beckerman, where we have comics who are close — bffs, couples, siblings — do sets about their relationship.

Nneka McGuire

I’ve heard your podcast — it’s very funny. Has working on a podcast about relationships impacted your real-life relationship with Andy?

Naomi Ekperigin

Oh wow, thank you! Since we talk so much about relationship stuff, we are VERY honest in a way I don’t think we would be if we weren’t doing it publicly every week. But I think that’s a good thing.

Nneka McGuire

What motivated you two to start your own podcast earlier this year?

Naomi Ekperigin

Well, it feels like you can’t move to LA and not at least *try* it, haha. But really it was because we’ve loved doing the live show for years, first in NYC and now in LA, and wanted to share it with a wider audience. That’s what’s so exciting about bringing it to Bentzen Ball—we get to perform for a DC audience. I haven’t been in a while, it’ll be fun. Do you think the crowds will be “lit AF,” as the kids say?

Nneka McGuire

I vote yes. Our style only allows the use of this emoji: . So let’s pretend that black heart is a lit crowd that I’m sending your way.

And speaking of emoji, how would you describe your personality if you had to do so in three emoji?

Naomi Ekperigin

️

Yaaaaaaassssssss!!!

Wowowowow, that’s a tough one. Let’s see …

Nneka McGuire

That’s quite the emoji crew. I can tell you put thought into that trio.

I know our time is technically up, but may I ask you one last question?

Naomi Ekperigin

Of course!

Nneka McGuire

Great—thank you. You’ve written for “Broad City.” What’s one of your favorite lines or scenes that you wrote?

Naomi Ekperigin

I can’t remember actually, but when Ilana babysits that little blonde boy in season 2, I brought a lot of my NYC babysitting experience to it. That storyline was a favorite!

Nneka McGuire

The boy from this GIF?