Becky Pedigo: The Mr. Skin Interview

Why'd you get into comedy, for the groupies?
Yep, the groupies. I don't know if you know this, Mr. Skin, but men love women comics. Every man wants a woman who likes to get on stage and battle drunks from behind chicken wire. Seriously, who wouldn't fall for someone who could make fun of their friends until they cry? Wait, I take it back. It seems I got into comedy to make people cry.

When you're on stage are your hecklers more sexist than the comments a male comic might have to endure?
Absolutely. When I was a man I found the heckles were much less sexist. Just the typical "You suck" sort of thing. Not once did anyone ever yell out "Take off your shirt." That only started after I decided to become a female comic. Which I did only because I thought I could get more work.

Most comedians are fat, ugly, and bubbling over with self-hatred--if I may generalize--but you're a young and attractive woman. What secret shame are you hiding?
Thank you and of course you may generalize since I'm not being lumped into your generalization. I would have to say that my secret shame is that I can't be more honest and open with my self-hatred. I wish it could bubble over, like with other comics, but instead I suppress it, let it get twisted around in my head until I've tricked myself into believing that I hate everyone when in reality it's just me that I despise.

Speaking of attractive women, which actresses do you think are hot?
Well, my "hot" might be a little different from other people's "hot". I don't really care much for your typical fakey, plastic, stick-figure-with-a-gigantic-head actress. What I find hot is someone who's smart, honest, and is willing to take a punch for me. So I'm going to say Kathy Bates (Picture: 1 - 2). Oh, and Eleanor Roosevelt. I think she did community theater.

Do you have any famous fans or funny stories about celebrities?
If an escaped convict featured on Unsolved Mysteries is considered famous, then yes. My best celebrity story is ... about ten years ago I was at the grand opening of a '50s-themed restaurant owned by Dick Clark. Why was I there? Because I'm really cool. Dick Clark was there signing autographs and apparently not happy about it because I overheard him say, "Okay, the kid and then the old lady and that's it." Everyone there loved him and yet he turned out to be a big jackass. This story was a lot better before he had a stroke.

What was the first nude scene you saw in a mainstream movie growing up?
Oh that's easy. It was Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood. Remember the kidnapped girl [ Debralee Scott (Picture: 1)] was being kept underground and he didn't find her in time and she died. Then they brought her body out on a stretcher and she was naked and had a huge afro below the waist. I'm not sure, but I think that scene might have started the grooming movement in America.

Do you have any favorite nude scenes?
There are just so many nude scenes that are near and dear to my heart. They're like my children, so it's hard to choose one without hurting the others. But if I had pick, I guess I would say the one in the uncut version of Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. It was so hot and yet tender at the same time. I'm not sure if this is just Hollywood folklore, but I heard that film is the reason Abbott and Costello broke up.

Can a comic do a nude scene and have it be sexy as opposed to funny?
If you're talking about Red Buttons or The Smothers Brothers I would have to say yes. Anyone else, probably not. Most comics are goofballs. I'm not sure they could get through a nude scene without saying, "Maybe it would be funnier if I arch my back like this?"

Would you ever do a nude scene?
I've never done a nude scene and there's really no reason for me to ever do one ... unless I was trying to get work. My mom is a HUGE Mr. Skin fan so I have to clarify that I'm kidding. Anyway, no I don't think they'll be carrying me out naked on a stretcher any time soon. But if they did, I'm sure I'd be brilliantly naked.

Do you like your body?
Most days I like my body just fine. Sometimes I'll see my reflection in a window as I walk past and think "Nice!" Other days I catch a glimpse of my reflection and think who is that eleven-year-old boy and why is he following me.

What have you been working on that our readers might be interested in?
I'm glad you asked, sir. I just taped a half-hour Comedy Central special. It's called Comedy Central presents Becky Pedigo. It airs April 28. I'm pretty sure that's the date. If anyone cares, they can go to www.beckypedigo.com to keep updated. Also, I'm on myspace, but I don't understand how it works so everyone will have to figure it out for themselves.

What's next?
What's next? I just said I taped a half-hour comedy special. Can't I enjoy that for a few minutes without worrying about what's next? Wow. Be here now, Mr. Skin.

Finally, if you ever do a nude scene Mr. Skin will feature you on the site with a profile. Part of the profile offers Skinfo, or a tidbit of sexy information readers wouldn't necessarily know about you. So what's your Skinfo?
Thank you for the profile offer, I'll keep that in mind. Man, it's hard to say something about yourself that you feel is "sexy" without sounding arrogant. But here goes ... I love The Three Stooges. Which is pretty hot because it means I'm not some girly girl who can't be silly or laugh at other people falling down or getting poked in the eye. Sexy!