Rhea Butcher is a standup comic, actor and writer. They co-wrote and -starred in their first television series, “Take My Wife,” with Cameron Esposito. This year, Butcher started a podcast called “Three Swings,” which is about all things baseball. Butcher will be performing a set with Esposito, Naomi Ekperigin 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.
October 10 2018, 10:22 a.m.
Lena Felton
Hi there, Rhea. This is Lena from The Lily. Ready to try out this texting-interview thing?
Rhea Butcher
Yes!
Lena Felton
Awesome. How are you doing today?
Rhea Butcher
I’m doing well. How about you?
Lena Felton
Not bad — it’s pretty fun to be texting as part of the job.
And we are all super excited to see your and Cameron Esposito’s show at Bentzen Ball. What are you most looking forward to at the festival?
Rhea Butcher
Ha! That’s cool.
I’m excited to be back in DC and with the folks who need a break from everything going on. Looking forward to bringing some joy to people’s lives for a moment.
Lena Felton
Absolutely. It’s been a whirlwind of a couple weeks. What are some of your favorite D.C. spots?
Rhea Butcher
I’m hoping I can remember the names
Poets and Prophets?
And then the diner that’s nearby there?
Lena Felton
There’s a coffee shop/bookstore chain called Busboys and Poets
Rhea Butcher
That’s the one!
Lena Felton
Ah, yeah. Such a good spot.
But you’re originally from Akron, Ohio, correct? Our editor in chief, Amy, is from North Canton.
Rhea Butcher
I am from Akron!
That’s cool, I used to work in North Canton
Lena Felton
No way. Well she’s definitely going to want to know what your favorite Ohio things are.
Rhea Butcher
For this interview?
Or just in general?
Lena Felton
Ha, text them over — that way the whole world can know
Rhea Butcher
Great!
Luigi’s in Akron
Square Records in Akron
Tommy’s Restaurant and the Grog Shop (performance venue) in Coventry (Cleveland)
All of the Metro Parks
The Akron Art Museum
And “Cadillac Hill”
Lena Felton
If I ever find myself in Ohio, I will be sure to check these out. What’s the most Ohio thing about you?
Rhea Butcher
Probably that I talk about being from Ohio all the time!
And the most Akron thing about me is that I always correct people when they say “you’re from Cleveland right”
Lena Felton
Oh boy. Glad I didn’t make that mistake this time.
Rhea Butcher
Hahaha
Yes ME TOO
Lena Felton
Phew.
Okay, but this next part might upset you:
You have an entire podcast about baseball, called “Three Swings.” But I have to be honest, my favorite part of baseball are the garlic fries at the stadium...
Rhea Butcher
Hahaha
Hey that’s baseball!
That’s something you love about it
So you do love it!
Lena Felton
True. America’s favorite pastime for so many reasons.
Rhea Butcher
I would bet those garlic fries are a little more fun being at the field with a game going on
Correct!
Lena Felton
How would you distill your postseason hopes/predictions into a text for a baseball rookie like me?
Rhea Butcher
My postseason hopes are that the American League and National League Championship series both go to seven games. Because even though we will all have multiple heart attacks, it will be optimal postseason viewing. I think the World Series, no matter the matchup, will definitely go to seven games.
What I love about the postseason is that even if you aren’t a baseball fan, it can grab you. We are in an era of baseball right now that is so exciting because it’s been happening for over a century now, and all these records are being broken, and things that have never happened before, are happening. For example, a 100+ year old team like the Red Sox has never won more than 100 games and they did that this year.
Or last year, the Astros winning the World Series, which they’ve never done. And the Cubs ending their 108 year World Series drought, and against the team with the second longest drought.
(The year before that)
Plus this year, we got the Yankees vs. the Red Sox, probably the most fabled rivalry in baseball history (sorry Dodgers & Giants), against each other for the division series, which has also never happened before.
Lena Felton
Whoa. I’ve never thought about it like that before.
If that’s not American progress, I don’t know what is.
Rhea Butcher
Hahaha
Yes
It’s just been long enough
The Wild Card is what allowed for NY vs. Bos
Otherwise, they are the same division so it was impossible pre Wild Card
Lena Felton
Oh… I see. Starting to get the hang of this.
Rhea Butcher
Haha
Lena Felton
And you play too, right?
Rhea Butcher
I’m good at explaining baseball
I do!
Lena Felton
That you are
What’s your team called?
Rhea Butcher
The Biscuits
Previously the Kokopeli’s, Koko’s for short
Lena Felton
The biscuits. Wasn’t expecting that, but I like it.
Rhea Butcher
It’s our catcher, Alice, her cat
Lena Felton
Ah, I’ve got you. Okay, back to comedy — what’s the most embarrassing things that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Rhea Butcher
Probably getting altitude sickness at the telluride festival and thinking I was bombing and having the audience be like “you’re fine!”
The jokes were fine but I was definitely not fine
Lena Felton
Ugh, altitude sickness is just the worst. Glad you pulled through though.
Rhea Butcher
Quick question: how much longer? I have something at 11, unfortunately.
Lena Felton
That’s all good — thank you so much for taking the time to text.
I’m so much more knowledgeable about baseball now.
Rhea Butcher
Hahah
Then my job here is done
Lena Felton
Exactly. Have a great day, and we will see you at Bentzen Ball.
Rhea Butcher
Just want everyone to also check out Baseball for All, an .org helping girls and women’s baseball to thrive, and also the US Womens National baseball team, who came in fourth this year at the World Cup over the summer.
Lena Felton
That is wonderful. We need more organizations like that. Thanks so much, Rhea.
Rhea Butcher
Sure thing!
