Iliza Shlesinger had her first solo stand-up gig back when she was in junior year of college. She wrote a forty-five minute one-man show and performed it in front of the students. But her first professional gig as a stand-up comedian happened three years ago at an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles. The first time she performed on a non-LA crowd however, was in a distant town in Oregon. Iliza Shlesinger believes that she is meant to be a stand-up comedian the moment she was born. Her funny antics just come out to her naturally. Meanwhile, she considers being called by the MC on the stage while she is in the rest room, pooping, as her worst nightmare as a comic. She also fears that there might come a time that she says something she can’t talk her way out of. Luckily, that hasn’t happened to her yet.
Iliza Shlesinger considers Adam Sandler as her major influence in the entertainment business. Because of him, she became a huge fan of Saturday Night Live. She also loves watching Kids in the Hall, In Living Color, Throw Down the Bobby Flay, Arrested Development, Will and Grace, Family Guy, Rock of Love and MTV’s True Life. As for joining The Last Comic standing, Shlesinger hopes to gain more opportunities through her exposure on the show. She also wants to be recognized by a wider fan base.
Iliza Shlesinger is one of the finalists of the Last Comic Standing, a reality talent show on NBC searching for the funniest and wackiest stand-up comedian in the country. The winner shall receive a contract with NBC Universal and a Bravo Special.