“I remember when I moved to LA, I didn’t have a cell phone, I didn’t have a computer, I would check my email at the video store,” says comedian, writer, and actress Natasha Leggero. 

“As soon as Twitter came, I started Tweeting all my jokes. It's the great equalizer. But it meant I gave away all the ideas. Now the bigger problem is that people get offended really easily. There are a lot of people online that are looking to take you down at anything. For me it’s been very challenging, I almost prefer to write a TV show instead.” 

That show is “Another Period,” renewed for it’s 3rd season (coming this summer) on Comedy Central. It’s like if "Drunk History" met "Upstairs Downstairs" met "Barely Famous."

“I was sick of playing prostitutes...I felt like most parts I played I wasn’t wearing pants. I really wanted to do a show where women were in control,” the comedian shares. On the show Leggero plays Lillian Bellacourt, defined by her family’s wealth who cares about one thing: becoming super famous. Presumably harder in 1902 without a hashtag where the only viral was cholera. So where does that put Leggero in terms of social media 2017? For one, she recently shared her best tips Straight Talk Wireless. 

"I was sick of playing prostitutes. I wanted to do a show where women were in control." 

Tweet this. 

Second, she’s happy to list off a couple pet peeves.

Pet peeve #1: People posting photos of themselves at the gym. "I know they’re really proud of themselves but it’s annoying and makes you feel bad. They’re in full hair and makeup having someone take their photo.” However, she's happy to concede: “Mariah Carey’s gym posts are always the best because she’s in high-heeled tennis shoes.” (Case in point: here and here and here.)  

Peeve #2: “I don’t think anyone has ever flown in a private jet and not done an Instagram photo shoot.” Adding, “Which by the way are very bad for the environment.” (Looking at you Leo.) 

Peeve #3: “Pics of food don’t even register anymore.” 

“It’s very hard to not annoy anyone,” Leggerro jokes, “and I feel hypocritical because of all my political posts." Scroll her Twitter and yes, it's pretty political. “With politics, people get mad. Anything anti-Trump and you all of the sudden get death threats-- it just doesn’t seem funny anymore. With the current admin every single person is a political comic, so I almost want to take a few steps back and come back in a couple of years." Don't actually expect her to take any breaks. In addition to "Another Period," Leggero and husband, fellow comedian Moshe Kasher, will hit the road this summer, continuing their "Honeymoon Tour" at Bonaroo, giving love advice and “fixing people’s relationships.” 

When asked if social media has made it easier for women in comedy, there's a bit of a shrug in her voice. “I would never want to carry around video camera all day and record everything I do. Everyone says, 'Oh standup, that’s the hardest thing in the world,' but for me it’s natural." She brings up YouTuber Cameron Dallas and his tour— "He doesn't perform," she laughs. "It’s an international tour where he meets people.” There’s no shade though. “Doing the road for 15 years is kinda hard… but what I’m doing is a different skill.”

While the world of comedy has been described as fairly cutthroat, for Leggero, it doesn’t feel competitive. And she's happy to love on fellow comedians and friends like Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford and Chelsea Peretti. "Maria and Sarah were both pretty established when I started but they’ve both been super positive. It’s been fun to come up with everyone. If one person can’t do a job, the next person does it. Of course there is competition in a way, but I feel very lucky that I have a TV show and I’m able to hire my friends," she shares.  

“Bringing up other people with you is the idea,” she laughs. “Or at least the people you like.” 

For those who don’t have friends hiring on them shows, Leggero has this advice for those who want to get into comedy. “It’s kind of a bummer,” she shares, “but you simply have to start writing and performing. Even if you can write for three minutes and go to an open mic, it’s really about working. Most of my comedian friends were going up at least five times a week, sometimes more. Sometimes a couple of shows a night. You have to work your material and keeping trying and figure out why you are or aren’t getting laughs. Pay attention to what people are laughing at when you’re onstage. It takes a lot of careful study of yourself. From stage presence to mic technique to making sure your jokes aren’t super hacky. You have to immerse yourself. If you want to have a career in comedy, full immersion.”

So to review: support your friends, work super fn hard, and nix the gym selfies, unless of course,  you're Mariah.  

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