Irish-American comedian, Jackie Monaghan, who Roseanne Barr once described as a “fucking genius” has made her film debut in ‘Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same’ , in which she plays an alien who attempts to navigate the dating world on planet earth. The film will have its Irish premiere this Saturday, November 18 in The New Theatre, Temple Bar, as part of the Dublin Feminist Film Festival. 

Hi Jackie! Tell us, where do you get your comedic inspiration from?

I really think I was born with it. That or my life was a bit tough, so I had to be funny. It was probably a combo of the two. I was darkly funny for as long as I can remember.

I would run up to any man with a mustache and scream “Daddy Daddy” and throw my arms around them, knowing full well they weren’t my Father!

At the age of four, I overheard my mother relaying stories to her friends about things I had done.

For instance, I would run up to any man with a moustache and scream “Daddy Daddy” and throw my arms around them, knowing full well they weren’t my Father!

Or my Mom would ask me, in front of strangers at the supermarket, to pick out what kind of cereal I wanted, I would say -“ok, ok, just don’t hit me again”. Of course, she didn’t hit me; I just LOVED embarrassing her whenever I could!

Who are your comedy idols?

Steve Martin, Maria Bamford, Madeleine Kahn, Sarah Silverman, Robin Williams, Tig Nagero, and Catherine O’Hara.

How does being Irish-American play into your comedy routines?

I never understood the luck of the Irish. We age like bananas! There were a lot of storytelling and quick jokes at family get-togethers. So I probably got a lot of my timing from them.

Growing up I couldn’t do Irish dancing because my arms flailed all over the place. So my Father said to tie my arms down. Which was his solution for everything. But now I go out dancing and only my legs move and I have no idea what to do with my arms.

What was it like making Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same?

I loved every minute of it. I loved being an alien. I think I have felt like an alien my whole life, so I finally looked like how I felt, which was freeing in a lot of ways.

Madeleine Olnek who wrote and directed the film is a comic genius and I treasure working with her. I have met and worked with famous comics but no one is as funny as Madeleine. She has an incredibly unique perspective that is hilarious and makes a subversive statement that is unifying.

What are the weirdest dating rituals you’ve encountered (LGBT+ or otherwise)?

Without doubt, the peppering of boring questions. I wish someone would come up with a dating app for people who only want big talk not small talk. For people who live limitlessly.

I just broke up with my girlfriend. I am excited to meet someone new, eventually, but I want to meet them organically. Small talk makes me feel like I am being shoved into a tiny box it just feels wrong and unauthentic.

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=6]

What’s your idea of a perfect date?

A perfect date would be if I could find someone much like myself. Is that narcissistic? I wish I was narcissistic… Is that narcissistic? Someone who likes to talk about the nature of things. Someone who believes that we are all one and only love is real, basically someone who loves to laugh and play.

What’s the most awkward date you’ve ever been on?

I was set up on a date and the woman was really just not my type. She said she didn’t feel complete without dating someone. I am the complete opposite. I feel really complete on my own and that nothing is missing. I want to be with someone who also feels whole.

If you could give any (interstellar) dating advice, what would it be?

To be yourself right away. To not make yourself small to make the other person feel big. To not make yourself big just to make the other person feel small. To just be and have fun. To not force anything and to listen to your own inner guidance. To enjoy the ride.

You don’t have to be a lesbian or an alien to love this movie. It’s heartfelt and funny. What more could anyone want?

If you could work with any director, who would you choose?

It is a tie between John Waters and David Lynch. But If I had to pick between them and Madeleine I would pick Madeleine – she is doing things nobody does and all her movies feel like you are part of something big and beautiful that will last forever.

Why should people go see Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same?

You don’t have to be a lesbian or an alien to love this movie. It’s heartfelt and funny. What more could anyone want? This movie gets you laid!!! Trust ME!!!!

‘Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same’ will have its Irish premiere this Saturday November 18th, in The New Theatre, Temple Bar, as part of the Dublin Feminist Film Festival. Tickets for the show can be booked HERE