By Tammy Scileppi
Did Astoria-based comedian Carmen Lynch move a step closer to snagging her own Las Vegas show and a cool million on “America’s Got Talent”?
She’s tall and awfully funny, dishing out one-liners that leave her audiences in stitches.
Lynch always has lots of stories to tell. Some are silly, while others are unabashedly dicey and even self-deprecating. All are hilariously based on things that happened in her life… except for the things she exaggerates.
“I looked like such a freak. The teachers were so nice to me. They’d be like: ‘You should be a model because you’re so tall.’ You’re like: ‘What about my face? My face wants to be a model, too,” she joked.
That’s the joke that caught the judges’ attention, garnered four yes votes and a standing ovation after the comedian completed the memorable stand-up set. If you watched her “America’s Got Talent” audition on the episode that aired Tuesday, July 10, you would have appreciated everyone’s reaction.
New Yorkers who viewed the show that evening may have been surprised to find out their city was represented by a comic from Queens. This season’s only New York City competitor, Lynch made it onto the NBC talent show during the final round of auditions back in April.
And not surprisingly, she was over the moon when she witnessed Simon Cowell, Mel B., Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel vote unanimously to send her through as an official competitor on season 13. That episode marked the final round of judge auditions. Lynch and a select few who made it past, via the golden buzzer, have been setting their sights on the grand prize: their very own Las Vegas show, and $1 million.
“It was very exciting. The energy of a packed theatre is always a good time. And I found the spot I was told to stand in without looking down too much,” Lynch told TimesLedger. “My sister said, ‘You were great on America’s Most Wanted.’ Took her about five seconds to realize what she said.”
The comic appeared in the next round this week in Tuesday’s judge cuts episode in which she performed a new comedy act in front of the judges. If she makes it through, Lynch then moves onto the live shows. If she doesn’t, she is out of the competition.
Lynch said she chose her highly competitive comedy career because in her view, “I can’t get fired unless I do it myself. And the dress code is casual. And I don’t fit well in cubicles.”
Her comedic influences include Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Dave Attell, and when she’s not cracking jokes, she’s engaging in something very different from stand-up comedy.
“Probably watching murders on TV,” she said. “I also like adventure, so last week after a Vegas gig I drove to the Grand Canyon for some hiking and then watched ‘The Staircase’ on Netflix.”
A regular at the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village, the seasoned comic has one goal: to always make people laugh. She has a bunch of shows lined up through August and is currently on tour promoting her comedy album, “Dance Like You Don’t Need the Money.”
After 15 years of performing in Gotham and Los Angeles, you can say she’s been around the block a few times… comedically speaking. Lynch has been featured on “Conan” and did her thing twice on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” You may have also seen her on television series like “Inside Amy Schumer” and “The Good Wife,” in guest roles. She once starred in a short film directed by Chloë Sevigny.
When it’s time to unwind, the roving comedian likes to stay local and hang out with friends at some of her favorite Astoria eateries and bars, including HinoMaru Ramen, Taverna Kyclades, and Astoria Bagel.
“There are so many and I’ve yet to discover more,” she said. “Hopefully, they’ll read this and slip me some extra noodles/octopus/cream cheese.”
Most comics don’t usually joke around when they’re not on stage and Lynch, who describes herself as “not really serious,” admitted that sometimes she can be an introvert.
“I think I’m taking in what’s around me, so I can come up with new material,” she said.
Aside from “America’s Got Talent,” Lynch said she’s currently “diving into stand-up in Spanish now, so maybe ‘America’s Got Talento?’”
Lynch credits some of her material to her family, who she said is very supportive of her comedy career.
“They don’t mind when I use them as material, which is helpful because I can’t stop,” she said.
