Interviewed by: Joseph Santiago
Christina Walkinshaw is a stand-up comedian known for her witty storytelling, cruise ship adventures, and hilarious observations on life. She has performed at top comedy clubs in NYC and around the world. In this exclusive interview, she shares her journey into comedy, heckler stories, and what it’s like performing on the high seas.
1. What first got you into stand-up comedy? Was there a defining moment when you knew this was what you wanted to do?
Christina: “I started stand-up while I was going to Carleton University for Journalism. A cute fraternity bro named Spicoli told me I should do it, so I did. The first time I performed (Yuk Yuk’s Ottawa), I had a million friends in the crowd, so I felt like that didn’t count. The second time was sold out in front of all strangers, and it was even better than the first. That’s when I knew I could do this. (Spicoli was just a nickname obvi, and now I feel bad I forget his real name.)”
2. Who were your biggest comedic influences when you were starting out?
Christina: “I started before the days of clicking on YouTube to binge/study this stuff. It was rare I saw it on TV, but when I did, the comic who always stuck out as an idol was Wendy Liebman. LOVE HER!! Then, when I started doing it, my influences were the Canadian comics around me—Don Kelly, Irwin Barker, Heidi Foss, Darryl Lenox—some of my favorites, and I bet a lot of people don’t even know them. (Or ME lol.)”
3. How did you first get into performing on cruise ships? Is it a tough circuit to break into?
Christina: “I basically got recruited. I did the Seattle Comedy Competition in 2016, and three years later, a cruise ship agent who saw me there called me up and asked if I wanted to showcase for the ships. All a good lesson in learning you never know what kinds of seeds you’ve planted along the way, eh?
Is it a tough circuit to break into? I’d have to answer yes, and possibly harder to stay in. You need a lot of material that’ll work out there, and also the lifestyle (‘ship-life’ as we call it) might not be for everyone.”
4. Have you ever had a moment where the ship’s setting—like rough waters or an unexpected announcement—totally interrupted a set?
Christina: “Oh yeah, one time I was having a hot set—then, about 25 minutes in, a bunch of people started fleeing out of the room. I got so in my head thinking, ‘How did I lose ‘em? CRAP, I’m walking a lot of people! Not even walking, more like RUNNING!’
Turns out a guy was barfing all over the place. Seasick? Drink package sick? Who knows? Some people were nice enough to find me after the show and tell me it wasn’t my fault people bolted. They just didn’t want to get barfed on. Now we’re all Facebook friends lol. Thanks, Jess and Kat!”
5. Do you ever have to change your material based on the demographics of a cruise ship audience?
Christina: “LOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OMG YESSSSSSSS. Hahaha I can’t stop laughing at this question. (Sorry.)”
6. You perform at some of the best clubs in NYC. What are your favorite comedy clubs to perform at and why?
Christina: “I love performing at Gotham Comedy Club. All the staff are amazing, gorgeous club, and since I’m in my points years, I’m gonna note that it’s in the American Airlines Barclay Card dining rewards program.
(Anybody else noting which comedy venues score you miles? Probs just me, eh? I’ll shut up now.)”
7. How many sets do you typically do in a week?
Christina: “If I’m on a ship, usually about seven 40-minute sets. On land, I can get lazy and/or just wanna live my life, and only do two or three. My hustle is slowly dying, and that’s on me.”
8. What’s your process for writing new material?
Christina: “I spontaneously make notes on my phone the second I think of something joke-worthy, even though I get nervous people are onto me and know I’m making fun of them in my head.
I love some classic morning pages when I wake up (Julia Cameron style), but when I sit down determined to actually work on material, I usually decide it’s time to clean out the inside of my slimy water bottle. A lot of stuff gets worked out on stage, and I make sure I write it down once I get backstage so I don’t forget it.
(Oh yeah, I hate taping myself. One of the biggest fails as a comedian, I’m sure.)”
9. Your blog, The Cruise Ship Comedian, gives fans a window into your experiences. Do you ever take moments from your blog and develop them into stand-up material?
Christina: “My blog is more of a behind-the-scenes of the jokes, so usually not. Although after I posted my man overboard story, I was tempted. The guy jumped the exact minute my show was starting.
Was he like, ‘Female comedian!? I’m outta here!’ Splash”
10. Every comedian has a heckler story. What’s the worst or funniest heckler experience you’ve ever had, and how did you handle it?
Christina: “Google Christina Walkinshaw Casino Niagara. I didn’t even know what Jezebel was until I was on it.”
11. What are some of your favorite destinations you’ve traveled to while performing?
Christina: “Well, obvi I’m spoiled in this department. Working on cruises is sort of like window shopping for a real vacation. Malta and Santorini are two particularly magical ports to sail into.
Sometimes I’m shocked people come back on board early for my show.
Every ‘shiplebrity’ (term coined by my fellow comedian pal Teresa DeGaetano) is a regular in Cozumel, so shoutout to Jose at La Internacional Cerveceria for always taking care of me.
Oh, and going back to the motherland to perform with ol’ Canadian pals is always the best:)”
12. What’s the one thing about being a comedian that you wish more people understood?
Christina: “We’re not all as confident as we appear.”
13. If you could put together your dream lineup—dead or alive—which five comedians would you want to share a stage with and why?
Christina:
- “I’d bring Kathleen McGee back from the dead cuz I miss her.”
- “I’d pull Melissa McQueen out of retirement cuz her writing on game shows is proof of how funny she still is and always has been. Her return to stand-up is inevitable imo.”
- “Jen Murphy, so we can podcast live at the show.”
- “Kristeen Von Hagen, cuz she’ll be mad if I don’t put her on the show. (JOKES, BRO! You’re hilarious and we’d probs do the show in Vegas anyway just for you. And video poker obvi.)”
“Then I’d text about 30 more comedians and whoever wrote me back first would get the spot. Cuz after doing comedy for 20+ years, I know the only way to shed my nerves and truly enjoy the moment is to do it with friends.”
Christina Walkinshaw
