Aisling Bea on Losing Her Luggage, Traveling to Kansas City & Her Hulu Show This Way Up | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Comedian Ashling discusses her luggage mishap and her show "This Way Up."

Key Insights

• 🗺️ Ashling’s travel mishap becomes a humorous anecdote, highlighting how unexpected challenges can create memorable moments.
• 💨 The show "This Way Up" combines elements of comedy and drama, focusing on the small, daily struggles of life.
• 😨 The title of the show carries a metaphorical significance, emphasizing the importance of handling fragile emotions with care.
• 🎄 Ashling's experience alone during Christmas in New York impacted her creative process and inspired her songwriting.
• 💦 The connection between personal experiences and creative storytelling plays a significant role in Ashling's work.
• ❓ Ashling's interactions with the audience foster a sense of community, as she shares relatable journeys through comedy.
• 🫵 The blend of humor and emotional depth in her performances resonates with many viewers, proving she has a unique voice in the comedy landscape.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What was Ashling's travel experience like when arriving in the U.S.?

Ashling had a challenging travel experience. After her flight was canceled from London, she was rerouted through Chicago, only to find that her luggage was missing upon arrival. After 22 hours of travel, she ended up with an unexpected outfit that came from the hotel, leading to a humorous moment on stage.

Q: How does Ashling describe her show "This Way Up"?

Ashling describes "This Way Up" as a blend of comedy and drama that explores themes of personal growth and the difficulties of putting oneself back together. The show reflects the subtle, often overlooked struggles people face, moving away from dramatic narratives to highlight the everyday resilience needed in life.

Q: What inspired the title "This Way Up"?

The title "This Way Up" was inspired by a gift Ashling received during a lonely Christmas in New York while rewriting her show's script. Her friend sent her a box labeled "this way up," representing the fragility of the contents inside. The title embodies both a cautionary aspect and a hopeful message about finding positivity amidst struggle.

Q: How does Ashling feel about her show receiving popularity?

Ashling expresses her excitement about her show's popularity and how it has resonated with audiences. She mentions it trending on Twitter and appreciates the support, emphasizing the relevance of its themes of connection and handling life's challenges, thus reinforcing her connection with viewers.

Q: Does Ashling have plans for future travel in the U.S.?

Yes, Ashling mentions that she will be traveling to Kansas City, Missouri, for a charity event hosted by Paul Rudd. She anticipates it being her first visit to the area, and while navigating her travel mishap, she remains optimistic about her experience there.

Q: What themes does Ashling explore in her comedy?

Ashling often explores themes of resilience and the everyday struggles of life in her comedy. She stresses the importance of addressing emotional topics in a light-hearted way while being authentic, showing that it’s okay to embrace vulnerability while finding humor in challenging situations.

Q: How does Ashling react to making people cry with her performance?

Ashling humorously acknowledges her ability to evoke emotions in her audience, mentioning that she doesn't like making men cry. Despite this, she recognizes that touching on deep themes in her performance is essential and tries to balance comedy with moments that resonate emotionally.

Q: What was Ashling's initial title choice for her show?

Initially, Ashling wanted to name her show "Happy," but she had to abandon that title because it was already used for another show on Netflix. This setback led to her eventually settling on "This Way Up," which she feels captures the essence of resilience embedded in the series.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Irish comedian Ashling shares her experience of losing luggage while traveling to the U.S. for a charity event, humorously addressing the situation on stage.

• She discusses her critically acclaimed show "This Way Up," which combines comedy and drama, focusing on personal growth and resilience.

• Ashling reflects on her time spent in New York over Christmas while rewriting her show, and how a thoughtful gift inspired the title "This Way Up."