Kathleen Madigan is a veteran of the stage, doing 250 nights a year on the road. She is also a veteran of comedy specials, having just released her "Bothering Jesus" tour on Netflix, and she has worked the late-night TV circuit many times over her 29-year career.
"Bothering Jesus," her sixth album, came out in 2018, and was the best-selling comedy album since 2014.
She was even a guest on Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." Seinfeld described her as "small, practical and fun. She makes a lot of sense, but not too much sense, just enough to be hilarious."
For her, they are all mediums that allow her to get in front of more people, which is why she is very excited about the opportunities that resources like Twitter, Sirius XM radio and Netflix offer.
"Anything on Netflix is good to have," she said in a phone interview. "You get a lot younger people on that.
If you go
› What: Kathleen Madigan — Hot Dogs and Angels Tour› Where: Walker Theatre inside Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.› When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21› Admission: $30 and $45› For more information: 423-757-5580› Online: https://www.tivolichattanooga.com/events/781358/Kathleen_Madigan› Phone: 423-757-5580
"Me and [good friend and fellow comic] Lewis [Black] were just talking about this last week. We have a ton more outlets now. It used to be there would just be HBO, Showtime and Comedy Central. Now there is Netflix, Hulu, Showtime and the internet."
She said having the comedy channel on Sirius XM has been a big boost because it puts older comics and routines in front of people who would likely never have heard the material. She is currently recording a greatist hits CD of her past material that will be out in 2020.
"I did it live. I, myself, like a live album. It's my preference.
"Regular radio was always fun, but they never played that much comedy. Then Sirius comes along, and now Pandora and Spotify. Those are nothing but bonuses. It has opened up a whole new revenue stream and fan base."
She is also a regular poster on her Twitter page @kathleenmadigan, though she can't say whether it puts more rear ends in seats or sells more records.
"I can't tangibly say that it does anything, but if you are not doing it, you're not in the game."
Madigan brings her Hot Dogs and Angels Tour to Walker Theatre inside Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.