ON STAGE In the background, Jan Davidson’s kids could be heard killing each other. Not literally, but the kind of violence that siblings often inflict on one another.
She doesn’t yell. Instead, Davidson, a mother of two, politely puts down the telephone and calmly talks to her son, a freshman at Santa Monica High School. Soon the ruckus subsides and she goes back to her conversation unfazed. Instead of being embarrassed, Davidson chuckles.
“It helps me to deal with being a single mother,”she said of her willingness to laugh at life.“If I don’t laugh at it, then I might cry.”
Davidson has more reason to be happy now. The Ocean Park resident and aspiring stand-up comedian is one of 13 finalists in ’s reality contest show “Funniest Mom in America,” now in its third season.
Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr will serve as the host when the series premieres next Thursday at 9 p.m. The series finale will be broadcast on Mother’s Day,May 13.In addition to exposure, the winner will receive $50,000.
“It’s been pretty overwhelming, especially with this group of female comedians,” said Davidson, who began practicing stand-up in Boston. “It was like I was taken back to Catholic school and someone threatened to fight me after school. I’d rather meet an ex-con in a dark alley.
“But after meeting some of the women, they really were great,” Davidson said. “They really changed the way I think about everything as far as this business goes.”
Davidson isn’t the only Santa Monica mom bringing the funny. Two others — local performer Janine Hayes, a mother of four from Pico Neighborhood, and Cathy Ladman, a professional comic and actress from Ocean Park — have also joked their way into the finals.
Each of the three women went through an audition at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles before judges Kim Coles and Hal Sparks.As to be expected, most of the competing jokesters talked about their kids and life at home, while others touched on the differences between races, and the trials and tribulations of dating with teenagers still at home.
One comic greeted the audience by saying, “It’s great to be here. In fact, it’s great to be anywhere my kids aren’t.”
Barr and the judges narrowed that list down to 13, including one Internet pick — Hayes. From there, six moms are eliminated after one episode, and then one each week thereafter.
Finalists are given the chance to live together and compete for a spot in the series finale — an hour-long stand-up comedy competition. While the challenges will be comedic,the competition will be real, as each episode will include eliminations, surprise visits from celebrity guests and more than a few laughs. Over the course of the series,viewers will get to know each of the moms and their stories.
For Ladman, the audition was a fluke. She was coaching a friend, helping her put together a set for the show. The friend asked Ladman why she wasn’t entering the contest and Ladman had no excuse, so she decided to go for it.
“I just showed up,”she said.“It was really a lark. I didn’t have my comedy notebook, which I would never go on without it, but I just said to myself that I’ve been doing this for 25 years so I think I’m prepared.” Like the rest of the comics, Ladman enjoys making people laugh.
“I just think it’s really thrilling,”she said.“It’s so disarming when someone laughs, and to be able to make them do that is really exciting.”
For Hayes, performing has been a lifelong dream.As a kid in Haverhill, Mass., she would constantly get in trouble for her wild antics. When she heard Steve Martin’s “A Wild and Crazy Guy” album, she knew her future was in comedy. Like many beginners in the field, Hayes had to work hard to get over her stage fright and she credits comedy club owners for encouraging her and giving her stage time.
“It’s been very difficult for me over the years,” Hayes said. “I left an abusive marriage. I’m a single mom with four kids and working full-time, but somehow managing to pursue my dream. I hope that the tough times I’ve been through can be a comfort, an inspiration to other women in similar situations to not give up and continue to pursue their dreams.
“I just want to provide a good example for my kids.”
As for Roseanne, each woman said they found the host to be supportive and genuine, not nearly as harsh or confrontational as she comes across on television. Ladman knew Roseanne from their days performing in local comedy clubs in the ‘80s. The two were performing at the Comedy Store when Roseanne was discovered, and later went on to write for her Emmy-award winning television show “Roseanne.”
“You’ve read all this stuff about her over the years, so when she smiles and is sweet to you, you are surprised, but pleasantly so,” Davidson said.“She can really make your day. She has a great sense of humor and was very honest and supportive.”
If they come out on top, the three Santa Monica moms said they would most likely spend the $50,000 prize on their families,either helping with bills or repairs to the home.
Still, each said money is not the greatest reward. It’s the chance to practice their craft and make people pee their pants.
“Regardless of what happens, I lucked out,” Ladman said. “I got to do my work and in front of an audience. That’s always a lucky thing. There is no losing when it comes to this. Many people thought Van Gogh was a loser because he never sold a painting. I feel sorry for those people.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 6, 2007. Read the original PDF.