Today I get to talk with the wonderfully talented and super sweet Karen Knotts. Does that last name sound familiar? Yes, her father was the one and only Don Knotts! Karen grew up in Glendale, CA and was interested in becoming a child actor. But her father wanted her to wait. Show business can be tough on a childhood. So she did. Later in Junior High School she found out she was funny (even when she wasn’t trying to be).

This episode is brought to you by Patreon Sponsor Christy Largent and the Clean Comedy Conference (CleanComedyConference.com).   Click HERE to learn how you can support the podcast.

Karen Knotts Show Notes

We cover a lot in this interview including:

• What it was like to visit the set after seeing The Andy Griffith Show on TV
• Her first meeting with Ron Howard
• Watching her dad study up for episodes
• A fun and unique activity the family would do around the house with her Dad
• How a cockroach changed the trajectory her acting career
• The beauty of small town America
• Visiting Paris France for a month as a teenager (alone)
• Performing in front of (and with) her dad
• Don’s role on Three’s Company
• John Ritter’s under appreciated acting ability
• Pursuing acting
• Developing the “Tied Up In Knotts” theater production
• Speaking at Mayberry Days
• Writing a book

And a whole lot more!

(From WikiPedia) Knotts works as a stand-up comic and SAG/AFTRA actor. She studied at USC School of Cinematic Arts, and previously Beverly Hills High School. Her one-woman show, “Tied Up in Knotts”, is the story of growing up with her comedian dad. She also performs standup comedy on the road. Her television and film credits include Return to Mayberry, An Occurrence at Black Canyon, One of Our Own, and the Vice Academy series.

Karen Knotts also writes for the stage; her one-woman play Roger and Betsy was nominated for the Merce Awards in 2009. She has written two plays, Dates from Hell the Musical, and a farce, But We Open Tonite

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KAREN KNOTTS

by visiting her Web Site www.KarenKnotts.com.

Karen’s Upcoming Performances:

Fri, Sep 22 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
1:30 am – 12:30 pm
‘A Deputy’s Daughter’ – MAYBERRY DAYS FESTIVAL
Mt. Airy, North Carolina

Sat, Sep 23 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
“Tied Up In Knotts” – MAYBERRY DAYS FESTIVAL
Mt. Airy, North Carolina

Wed, Oct 11 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Vitello’s, 4349 Tujunga Ave
Studio City, CA United States

Upstairs at Vitellos presents “Tied Up In Knotts!”

Thu, Oct 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N Oracle Rd
Oro Valley, AZ United States

Gaslight Music Hall presents Tied Up In Knotts!

Sun, Oct 22 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Wild Bunch Film Festival Keynote Speech: “Don Knotts Rides Again!”  Growing up with Don and tall tales featuring his western movie days.  This event will take place Sunday evening of the festival. This is a Fabulous film festival all about Westerns!

Sat, Mar 10, 2018 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Effingham Performance Center, 1325 Outer Belt W
Effingham, IL 62401

Sat, Apr 21, 2018 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
McPherson Opera House, Kansas

 

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:

 

CLEAN IS GREEN!

If you want to get ‘More Laughs – More Gigs – More Money’

(USE CODE SCHOOLOFLAUGHS AT REGISTRATION to get 20% OFF!)

The Clean Comedy Conference is designed for comedians of all levels to come together and learn more about working clean. There’s an old adage, “Clean is green.” Working clean allows you to work a variety of different venues and get paid for it. Whether it’s corporate work, cruise lines, churches, colleges, or comedy clubs, clean comedy can be a great way to reach a wide audience and earn money while doing it.

Through the CCC you will learn from professional comedians and bookers, who will address the pitfalls and show you how to navigate the challenges of making money as a clean comedian. In addition to working at clean comedy venues, many of these speakers and panelists have written for television (late-night and TV shows).

This year, the theme for the inaugural Clean Comedy Conference is “Clean is Green.” Come and see why for yourself. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

• WHO – Maria Herman and Brandon Young – Co Directors
• WHAT – Clean Comedy Conference
• WHY – Connect comedians with bookers to network and show comedians how to make more money from working clean
• WHEN – Thursday October 12^th – Saturday October 14^th
• WHERE – The Comedy Palace. 8788 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego 92123
• HOW – Various daily conferences and evening showcases geared to direct comedians on how to make money and possibly work full time.
• MORE INFO AT cleancomedyconference.com

REGISTRATION COST

NOW – Sept 15^th ONLY $149

Sept 16^th – Oct 5^th $199

Oct 6^th – Oct 12^th $1,000,000 (LOL)

SCHOOLOFLAUGHS 20% OFF – USE CODE AT REGISTRATION