Amy Poehler To Aspiring Comedians: ‘Comedy Is Not For The Weak’

Amy Poehler had some advice for aspiring comedians recently, and she gave it to them straight: Comedy is not for the weak, she says, and if you’re doing it to get rich you should rethink things.

Poehler, who has been a huge name in comedy for decades via the Upright Citizens Brigade, Saturday Night Live, and her film career, said, “If the goal is doing good stuff and working with your friends… if you’re doing that then you’re succeeding. If the goal is to be famous and make money – then you’re in real trouble.”

Amy added, “It happens rarely and when that is your goal – being famous and making money – then you’re not paying attention to the things that will make you money. It’s a long life. It’s a long process. It’s a hard business, this business doing comedy. It’s not for the weak. It’s not for the weak to be living in New York. It’s hard.”

If anyone is in a position to give out advice about longevity within a comedy career, it’s Amy. Not only has she held her own in a world that can be harsh towards women, she has risen to idol status alongside her good friend Tina Fey.

Amy has used her name for more than attracting viewers, too; as founder of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, she’s ensuring that girls who are doing great things in their communities are getting recognition as well as inspiration. She also took the opportunity recently to call out Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit for a sexist tweet he made which said that women’s sports aren’t worth watching, making an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers for a reboot of her old SNL bit with him.

“Really, really, really, Andy Benoit, there’s nothing in women’s sports worth watching? I think a lot of people would love to watch you say that to Serena Williams. I guess I’m not surprised that you work for Sports Illustrated. You guys put out a Swimsuit Issue every year dedicated entirely to women who aren’t in sports, unless you think that it’s a sport to cover both boobs with one arm. Really!?!” Poehler said.

Amy Poehler is having a big month, having just finished the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Del Close 17th Annual Marathon as well as watching her Pixar film Inside Out draw in huge crowds at the theaters. Her next project is the Netflix reboot of Wet Hot American Summer.

[Photo courtesy NBC/YouTube]