By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
December 7, 2001
Wendy Liebman is at the doctor’s office. There’s nothing wrong with the comedienne’s funny bone. Rather, the 40-year-old comic is waiting for her fiance to get checked for a spider bite.
“My two almost step-sons–who are almost 6 and 10 years old–are here with us, too,” she says, phoning from Los Angeles.
“They’re not exactly sure who I am yet. They think I’m the maid, the chauffeur and the lady who makes their lunch. So I guess it won’t be too different when I become their stepmom.”
But seriously folks … Come to think of it, it’s difficult being serious with Liebman, whose droll sense of humor is always “on”.
A stand-up comic for the past 17 years, Liebman majored in psychology in college. Next, she enolled in a adult education class called “How To Be a Stand-Up Comedian.” After she got her nerve up to do open mike nights, she began calling in sick on a regular basis at her secretarial day job.
“I am definitely not the funniest person I know,” says Liebman. “My best friend growing up is a housewife in New York and she is the funniest person I can think of. But there is no part of her that wants to do what I do for a living. There has to be a drive in you to be a performer. If you have that, talent is almost secondary.”
Liebman, who is shopping around a book she has titled Swear on Lily, also is ready to try her hand at acting. Loosely based on her life, the pilot for the sitcom was written by her fiance. They plan on pitching the networks after she finishes her Zanies gigs this weekend.
SPEAKING OF CHICAGO, Liebman had this to say:
Favorite Chicago season: I love winter! I’m originally from Long Island where it was cold and live in L.A. now, where the seasons are so shallow.
Favorite Chicago pastime: Shopping. The government told us it’s our patriotic duty to shop so I’m just following orders.
Favorite place to shop: I like to find 99-cent stores so I can buy stuff for my garage sales. For $99 things, I like going to the Water Tower. I get lost on every floor, but I feel obligated to go through every store.
Favorite hotel here: I like the Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons. I stayed at the One Season in Alaska.
Favorite place to eat here: I love the pizza at Pizzeria Uno’s. I like any chocolate stores. I’ll pay $75 for a bar of Tobelerone.
Favorite Chicago celebrity (past or present): I love Oprah, Michael Jordan and Jerry Springer. I get such a kick out of Jerry.
Favorite souvenir: I always buy magnets and mugs. I used to buy shot glasses from every airport but I decided that isn’t the collection I wanted the kids to see, so I don’t do that anymore. I have a gorgeous yellow mug of Chicago with a painting of the Sears Tower on it that I love.
Favorite bar: The minibar. I like Zanies a lot, too. It’s the real deal. Chicago is the hotbed of comedy.
Favorite Chicago sports team: I would’ve loved to have seen Michael Jordan play with the Bulls. What’s he doing in Washington?
Best thing about playing to Chicago audiences: They’re very smart and energetic. I have a comedy mosh pit when I play in Chicago.
Most embarrassing thing someone has said to you in Chicago: Guys say, “I love you , Wendy!” And I’m like, “Where were you when I was in high school.”
The last word on Chicago: Fun.
