Lena Felton

October 24, 2018

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!

Lena Felton

Lena Felton is deputy editor of The Lily, which she joined in 2018 as a multiplatform editor. Previously, she was a politics editorial fellow at the Atlantic.