Alexis Wilkinson went from being the first black woman President of Harvard’s acclaimed humor publication, The Lampoon, to writing for HBO’s hit comedy series, “Veep.” She’s become an outspoken public figure and writer--with work featured in Slate, Opening Ceremony and TIME--but as we know, big victories such as these don’t come without a lot of work, a few disruptions and some twists and turns in the road. In this episode, Alexis recalls her experiences of “comping” or trying out for The Lampoon multiple times, finding her place in the middle of an elitist institution, losing her best friend and working to create media that represents this diverse world as it actually is. Her response to naysayers? Laughter. And this is why she chose comedy. Music in this episode is by Chargaux.
“The best thing you can do when the unexpected happens is to laugh at it. That’s the best outcome. You either get angry or you laugh at it.”
RELATED LINKS:
- Alexis on Twitter
- Alexis' writing on Opening Ceremony, Slate, Time, Cosmopolitan & xojane
- Boston People feature on Alexis
- Alexis on Studio360
- Veep
CLIPS USED IN SHOW:
- Veep Theme Song
- Alexis at Chicago Ideas Week Conference
- NPR Interview with Alexis
- Alexis on Melissa-Harris Perry
- Clip from Veep Episode 7, Season 2 - "The Shutdown"
- Clip from Veep Episode 1, Season 1 - "Fundraiser"
Name: Alexis Wilkinson
Current City: Los Angeles, California
What are you listening to now? "I Wanna Boi" by PWR BTTM
What film/book/show/piece of media changed you? I've gotten really into the director Alexander Payne lately. "Citizen Ruth" is a great movie. I've been thinking a lot about smart satire and treating "unlikable" characters with compassion and that film does an amazing job of both.
Who is your career role model? Shonda Rhimes
What is a tool you can't live without? My foundation primer by BECCA! My skin is oily like an empty bag of chips without it. I also have a Mophie phone charging case that has changed my life.
How do you drink your coffee/tea? Milk and sugar if I'm relaxed. Black if I'm getting down to business.
What's your spirit animal? House cat: attractive, inflated sense of importance, adaptable, rude
Updates? We're finishing up shooting the last episodes of Veep, which everyone should check out! The new season premieres the 24th of April. I've got a couple projects in both film and TV that are moving forward, but it's a bit too soon to tell. Fingers crossed!
CREDITS:
- Produced by Sarah Ginsburg & Elaine Sheldon
- Sound design by Billy Wirasnik
- Illustration by Christine Cover
MUSIC in this episode is by Charly & Margaux of CHARGAUX. Visit their website, purchase their music on iTunes and check out their MusicMaker episode Wednesday, February 17th.
Songs you heard: Lullaby (feat. Soft Glas), Tell William, I'm So Pretty from the album Broke & Baroque // All The Parties, Lone Ranger, Great Expectations from the album The Gallerina Suites