News / TV

Julia Scotti’s groundbreaking audition for America’s Got Talent 2016

Julia Scotti is a 63-year-old stand-up comedian who impressed the judges Tuesday night during her audition on America’s Got Talent, then wowed them even more when she explained that she had tried to make a go of a career in comedy for 20 years, then quit, took an 11-year-break, and came back. As a woman. Her first go-round, she was Rick Scotti.

Julia’s Twitter bio reads: “Comedian, professional old person with cranky moments, Returning to comedy after an 11 year absence, caused by a tonsilectomy gone awry.”

Which means we now have an openly transgender stand-up comedian on national network primetime television. Roll the clip!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HxkZNX9r_0

As for “Rick,” a 2012 profile of Julia Scotti in Philadelphia CityPaper says that Rick Scotti got his stand-up start in 1980, then got passed at the old New York City Improv before moving to Philadelphia, and closing out that chapter of her life as Rick in 2000.

Her website says she’s working on a new touring show with Kevin Meaney, called “Big Pants & Hot Flashes!”

Stay tuned to see if her schedule has to change due to her success this summer on the TV, though!

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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