Arden Myrin On Her New Comedy Memoir, Insatiable And 1990s Stand-Up

Arden Myrin is not your average comedian. The Rhode Island native saw her rise throughout the 1990s as a stand-up comedian, worked her way up through sitcoms throughout the 1990s, from Working to MadTV and Friends, appeared on over 100 episodes of Chelsea Lately and played the irreputable villain in Netflix’s Insatiable.

Now, the multihyphenate TV star, podcast host and interior design aficionado is releasing her memoir: Little Mis Little Compton, which is out with Running Press on Sept 29. The book is a romp through 20 years of comedy. It brings together nostalgic, funny stories about her formative years, breaking into Hollywood, living in Zach Galifianakis’ closet and the passing of her parents (which both came at bizarre times).

The book has garnered nods from mega stars like Amy Schumer, Molly Shannon and Chelsea Handler, and there’s no doubt a sense of sisterhood is needed in today’s comedy landscape. Myrin’s memoir tells the tale of how one woman made her way to Hollywood, but not without sharing some wisdom along the way.

In a way, it’s like a crash course for aspiring actors and comics, as Myrin writes about audition waiting rooms (“the competition truly was not with the other people in the waiting room but really against themselves”), why actors should hone their skills as readers for a casting directors, “if given the chance,” and golden advice she got from her friend Andy Flemming, whose mom used to say: “Don’t give ’em what they want, make ’em want what you’ve got.”

There’s an opening quote by Peter Pan in the book, setting the tone for one comedian renowned for her childlike charm and her wild, poppy sense of humor. She spoke from her home in Los Angeles about her toxic dad, protecting your magic and how the boy’s club of comedy has changed.

Sorry to read about the passing of your mother in your book, it seemed to come at a weird time?

Arden Myrin: I was on my way to her funeral when I got the email saying this book would happen. It changed the DNA of the book, in a good way, it changed everything. A friend called this book my “mom-oir,” it’s more than just a silly beach read. Its so much about my mom, who was so fun. My parents married on a dare and were married for 50 years. My mom was great, my dad was working against me. But even still, I wanted people to read that you could thrive under that, have a happy ending. Even if there was someone so unkind to you.

You were on Conan O’Brien in the 1990s, which was your big break, and your dad was negative? How did you deal, to stay optimistic?

I knew better than to go to him to be happy for me. But when something so exciting happened, like being on Conan, booking a sitcom, and have him be so cruel for sport, it hurt. I had to realize he couldn’t do it.

You got into comedy when you were in Chicago?

Yes, I was writing plays in high school and moved to Chicago when I was 19, it was magical. There was an entire class of people I hung out with, the future Upright Citizens Brigade founders, in the peak of their creativity, nobody had money, but it didn’t matter. It was about talent and creativity, the joy of collaborating. It was an eye opener, these are my people, I can do this.

Was standup a stepping stone to improv?

It was. I loved that standup forced me to not stand behind someone else and find my own voice. It helped with the writing of this book. I was told to record my sets and listen to where I’m cutting people off and not letting them laugh. It was my flaws or the worst things about me, but that’s what relatable. It was freeing.

What was the comedy world like in the 1990s when it was more of a boy’s club?

When I look back, my buddies were fun. But the machine of comedy clubs, even touring, it was trying to make a guy listen to you for 45 minutes. Trying to alter my set. There weren’t a lot of women, it was overwhelming. I was 21. Changes are being made. Looking at Tina Fey, there are women that take ownership. It’s a good time for that.

You also say in the book that it’s important to protect your magic, why?

Anyone who is leading a creative life, there’s going to be people who are trying to squelch you. I can always feel it when its coming my way. It wasn’t fighting. It was almost like seeing a puddle on the street and stepping around it. Its important to have an outside eye and learning who is safe and who is a frenemy. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned I have good instincts and need to trust and act on them.

I found the part where you’re grieving in an airBnB in Atlanta quite compelling. Insatiable was difficult to shoot for you, right?

Season one episode one my dad died, season two episode one, my mom died. Two different airBnBs, one year apart. The odds of that happening, I felt bad for my costars, who only knew me as grieving a parent each season.

How did you bring your role as Regina to life in Insatiable?

That was the most fun part to play, I’ve never felt that way; the outfits, the hair the accent—all of it, it was crazy. She stole Dixie at the mall. It was great to play a terrible person. She reminded me of a combo of Reece Witherspoon in Election, someone who feels misunderstood and going about getting what she wants in the wrong way, a victim, a dangerous person, and a Laura Dern character. Its someone so hurt and misguided. I loved our showrunner, I got to improvise.

In life, in your career, what was your “Plan B?”

My mom told me not to have a backup plan. When I was on MadTV in my third season, my dad was asking me when I’d get my accounting degree. He was belittling me, but my mom was a huge supporter. As a plant going towards the light, I had to listen to my mom.

Are you a risk taker?   

I’m brave, I’m a risk taker. I’m physically cautious, I’m not a daredevil, unless I’m working—I’ll do anything. I’m a bold person creatively, making things.

A large part of the book is about friendship, how has that made you who you are?

You never know who is around for the long haul. You are surprised who you get to keep. L.A. was lonely at first, for the first five years, now it’s nothing but good vibes.

Pre-order Arden Myrin’s book, Little Miss Little Compton: A Memoir.