Today, we have an awesome interview with LA-based Israeli Comedian Or Mash, who made the move from IDF soldier, to a regular 9-to-5 drone and then to the stages of comedy clubs and even beyond- all for a desire to genuinely express herself and have cool stories to tell.

“Or Mash is her own beast! She’s a star. She knows how to be funny and she’s just funny when she’s not even trying to be. Her timing is amazing. She’s just so confident in her own space!” —Nick Cannon

The Tel Aviv Native did her part in the Israeli Defense Force for two years, and some years later she would begin her comedy career at the famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles, where she would also win an all-women joke challenge that endeared stand-up to her and her to the craft. Much of the Israeli transplant's work involves this sort of "outsider's perspective" where both as a woman and a middle easterner she gets to look at all the quirks of American Culture through a very different lens. Or has opened for Jeff Ross, and has appeared in lineups with Sarah Silverman, Jim Jeffries, Bill Burr, Marlon Wayans, and others.

Or recently graduated from the prestigious UCLA Writer’s Program, which helped her produce her own original show, “Mashed,” directed by Matthew Harrison (Sex and the City.) Mashes’ other original comedy “Needs,” which she co-created with her equally talented sister Ofir, has proven to be a favorite, winning awards at film festivals like Toronto International Women’s Film Festival, Toronto Film Magazine Fest, London-Worldwide Comedy Film Festival, and the Women’s Comedy Film Festival in Atlanta; just to name a few.

Currently, Or Mash is a fixture on the cast of VH1's Music and Sketch comedy improv show “Wild ’N Out” for Paramount Plus

OR, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WANTING TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE SOMEONE PLUNGE INTO COMEDY. WHAT ELSE DROVE YOU TO THIS CORNER OF CREATIVITY AND ENTERTAINMENT?

I was always creative. When I finished the army I went to college, got a degree, and did the Nine to Five thing. It made me depressed and I was curious to explore the world and all I can be in it. I wanted to have cool stories to tell to my grandkids when I’m old. I want to tell them their grandma was a rockstar.

WHAT DO YOU SEE RIGHT NOW AS YOUR BIGGEST COMEDY ASSET?

My heart. The funny and the truth comes from your heart. The more honest you are, the more you have fun- the funnier you'll be.

WE DON'T OFTEN HEAR FROM WOMEN IN SERVICE. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCE? WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

Like most new things in life, it's hard in the beginning and becomes easier once you ‘get it’. On my first day at boot camp, they woke us up at 4 in the morning. It was December cold and I forgot my gear in my room. I was a very clumsy soldier at first. By the end of it, I was still clumsy as a person but at the top of my class.

WHAT'S THE MOST VALUABLE LIFE LESSON YOU THINK YOU LEARNED IN YOUR TIME WITH THE IDF?

I learned that I was funny because I kept getting out of trouble by making my commanders laugh. I once dyed all of the army base rooms pink. I got in a lot of trouble for that.

LIKE MUSICIANS, STAND-UP COMEDIANS ARE INSPIRED BY THE PREVIOUS GENERATION. WHO DID YOU GROW UP WITH AS YOUR COMEDY ICONS? WHO INSPIRES YOU TO THIS DAY?

Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Kat Williams, George Carlin, Chelsie Handler, and Joan Rivers.

STAND-UP COMEDY IS A COMPLEX AFFAIR, AND SOMETIMES THINGS JUST DON'T WORK OUT THE WAY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO, HAVE YOU HAD A SHOW WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE "BOMBED"? IF SO, TELL US ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE.

I once bombed in Paris in front of my mother. It was my first year in Comedy and a friend booked me on a show in Paris since I was visiting. I got on stage, it was a tiny room in the basement of a restaurant with 6 people. My mom and my sisters were late and walked up the first row while I was on stage. They all took out their phones to record me. People barely spoke English which was the language I told my jokes in. My mom then told me the security guard wouldn't let her in, she yelled “You have to let me in! my daughter is performing there!”

The security guard said ma'am this is the bathroom. I'm not sure what kind of performance your daughter is giving but I think she should do it herself. Turns out she was at the wrong place.

ON THAT SAME NOTE, SOMETIMES THINGS GO EVEN BETTER THAN YOU IMAGINE. TELL US ABOUT THAT FIRST TIME YOU WERE ON STAGE AND EVERYONE WAS IN STITCHES WITH YOUR SET.

My first full set ever at the HAHA Comedy Club in North Hollywood. I was so nervous, but once I got on stage I could feel magic in the air. It was one of my best times ever.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT LINED UP FOR THE NEAR FUTURE? ANY PROJECTS OR TOURS YOU WORKING ON?

We just wrapped Season 19 and 20. 19 is On air now every Thursday on Vh1 and season 20 will follow. I am very excited for all of them to come out. I’m doing stand-up comedy in LA and going on tour soon. I’m working on Two movies that I am very excited about! And continuing with my web series Sundays on IG. The series follows where I wake up every Sunday and tells a comedic visual story you can find it under the hashtag #orssundays on IG or_mash

For comedy shows and tour dates and on youtube @ormash for funny clips.

Interview: Or Mash knew making her commanding officers laugh was just the beginning

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