Jackie Kashian wasn’t a political comedian when she began preparing for her latest album, I Am Not the Hero of This Story, which she recorded at the Acme Comedy Company in Minneapolis late last year. “I had the greatest line-up of jokes, 45-minutes of gold and then the world went to sh*t six weeks ago,” Kashian explains at the top of the album. She goes on to ask, “Did you guys know that we were going to be the bad guys in World War III.”
The joys of explaining politics to your Facebook friends and discussing the dystopian present with her father – a long-time resident of Wisconsin – further add to the hilarity of Kashian’s politically-inspired jokes in the wake of the 2016 election. Her insights into casual Christianity and the Armenian genocide also offer listeners thoughtful analysis on complex issues that have been sweetened by a spoonful of satire.
Kashian’s approach throughout I Am Not the Hero of This Story is open, honest and welcoming in a way that allows fans to laugh at everything from her attempts to lose weight – or to “be pointy” as she says – to her toying with the idea that maybe she could try to be gay. Her Midwestern friendliness is magnetic, drawing fans in so that they ultimately enjoy the intricacies of her material to the fullest degree.
Much of the latter portion of the release revolves around Kashian’s relationship with her husband and the quirks that come from being married to a game developer. Her takes on why 47 is the perfect age for procreation and the finer points of tantric sex are also extremely funny thanks in part to the way that the comedian simply lays out her thought process on each topic.
I Am Not the Hero of This Story follows in the hilarious tradition of Kashian’s previous works such as her 2014 special This Will Make an Excellent Horcrux and her appearances on Last Comic Standing and Conan. She currently hosts the long-running podcast The Dork Forest and co-hosts the Nerdist podcast, The Jackie and Laurie Show, with Laurie Kilmartin.
Jackie Kashian’s I Am Not the Hero of This Story is currently available to be purchased on iTunes via Stand Up! Records. Head over to JackieKashian.com for more information and to take a look at her latest tour dates.