Laurie Kilmartin filming her “45 Jokes About My Dead Dad”

Laurie Kilmartin writes for Conan and appeared as a finalist four years ago on Last Comic Standing, but seven months ago, Kilmartin’s attention was focused on an audience of one: Her dying father.

She channeled her emotions into her Twitter feed @anylaurie16.

Tweets like, “Every day, I set a new goal of not seeing Dad’s genitals when I help him off the toilet,” and “Hospice says to reassure the loved one that they can go, that we will be ok. So me sobbing “Dad, don’t fucking leave me!” was frowned upon” captivated not only her tens of thousands of followers, but the millions more who read them through RTs.

On Feb. 27, 2014, Kilmartin typed: “Heads up, new followers. After my Dad passes on, I’m going on a dick joke cleanse.”

She may have done that following her father’s death on March 2, but on Oct. 17-18, 2014, she’ll back to perform “45 Jokes About My Dead Dad” (A Mostly Enjoyable Evening of Terrifically Grim Comedy) at The Lyric Theater in Los Angeles.

The shows will run an hour each. But Kilmartin is looking to turn it into a very special special of only five minutes. Shot like an hour stand-up special.

Why? Why not! “Theater, three cameras, the works,” Kilmartin said. “I booked a venue, hired a producer and director. This is not a one-person show. I don’t do that. In my heart of hearts, I’m a nightclub comic. No tears. No message. Some dick jokes.”

Laurie Kilmartin’s 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad, at the Lyric Theater, Los Angeles, Oct. 17-18, 2014.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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