Out and About with… Mo Welch

In this latest edition of Out Traveler’s Out and About With... series, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of Mo Welch, a Los Angeles-based comedian, actress, writer, and cartoonist. From her Instagram comic strip character, Blair, which served as the inspiration for her 2019 book How to Die Alone: The Foolproof Guide to Not Helping Yourself, to the sale and development of TV pilots at HBO Max, with Chelsea Handler and Blake Griffin among the producers, and her appearances on the Conan stage, Mo Welch’s comedic prowess has propelled her to the forefront of the industry’s emerging stars.

Her docu-special, Dad Jokes, available now on YouTube, is a collaborative effort co-directed by Dan Hartigan and Welch herself. It offers a unique perspective on comedy, delving into the realm of dad jokes while also exploring the complexities of absent father trauma. Mo takes viewers on a captivating journey through small-town Illinois, sharing her repertoire of dad jokes while preparing to reconnect with her estranged father after a separation of nearly two decades. Filmed at the picturesque Lodge Room in Los Angeles and across Illinois, Mo skillfully weaves comedy with poignant storytelling, creating a viewing experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Dad Jokes is not just about Mo’s relationship with her father; it’s a hilarious account of her life’s quirks and adventures. She amusingly recounts the dramatic measures she took to avoid giving birth to her daughter on September 11, her unabashed love for Melissa Etheridge, and her knack for turning life’s biggest fears, like losing her teeth, into a punchline. Mo’s unique brand of humor shines through in every anecdote, leaving the audience in stitches and wanting more.

Favorite hotel?

MW: (Domestic) When I stay in Chicago, I always stay at the Longman & Eagle rooms above the restaurant. (International) Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam.

Favorite restaurant?

MW: The restaurant I go to the most is All Time in Los Angeles. So, it must be my favorite.

Go-to movie to watch on a flight?

MW: Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion

If you found yourself stranded on an island, which three items would you hope to have with you?

MW: Tweezers, sunscreen, flint (I watch Survivor).

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What's been your most memorable/humorous travel experience so far, and why?

MW: The first time I traveled alone was from Chicago to Wyoming on a Greyhound Bus. I don’t recommend that travel experience to anyone. Pay the extra $50 to get on a train or plane if you can. The ride was 23 hours, but it felt like two weeks. When I arrived in Wyoming, I just asked someone to drive me into town. I definitely put myself in some scary situations, but luckily it all turned out okay.

What’s one travel destination that exceeded your expectations and why?

MW: When I was opening for Anthony Jeselnik, we stopped in a bunch of cool cities, but I was most surprised by Stockholm. It was clean and everyone rode a bike. Even though I’m part Swedish, I never thought about going to Sweden. I love ABBA, but it seemed boring. Once I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. And I love it despite my stand-up set not going over well.

How do you navigate and embrace local LGBTQ+ culture when visiting different countries?

MW: It’s important to do a lot of research on the tolerance of LGBTQ+ before traveling. I live in a bubble in Los Angeles and need to remind myself that I’m not accepted everywhere. When I travel with my wife, we try to find the lesbian bar in town. There aren’t a lot of them anymore, but we love checking them out. Sometimes it’s a rave in Barcelona playing a remix of Melissa Etheridge and other times it’s just us at the oldest lesbian bar in Paris.

Can you share a travel tip or hack that has made your journeys more enjoyable or convenient?

MW: I ended up getting the Delta credit card to get into the lounge. Those airport lounges are a game changer for the toilets alone.

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Have you ever had a transformative or eye-opening experience while immersing yourself in a different culture, if so, please explain.

MW: I love crying in an art museum. I remember crying at the Musée D’Orsay in Paris. It just creates a mildly good existential crisis for me.

Have you ever faced any challenges or encountered discrimination while traveling as an LGBTQ+ individual?

MW: When I travel with my wife, we really don't like explaining to the person at the hotel desk why we asked for a king bed instead of two queen beds. That’s come up a lot. We’ve received horrible comments from people on the street if we’re holding hands. That was mostly in LA and NYC. I think we’re careful about how much affection we show in public when we’re overseas. It’s sad, but I’d rather be safe.

Travel often inspires new material for artists. Can you discuss any travel experiences that have significantly influenced your comedy, or any particular destinations that have sparked new ideas for your work?

MW: Every time I travel, I remember that I want to write/draw a graphic novel. I’m always so inspired, but by the time I'm back home I forget. I always bring notebooks and drawing pens in case I’m inspired. I write my jokes while I’m riding in a car, plane, or train. My body sits while my mind races. So anytime I’m traveling, I’m writing. When I’m traveling, it’s almost always for work, so I’m constantly re-writing jokes. Sometimes I’ll pick three jokes to work on during a plane ride so I can focus on making a tiny part of my set better. My wife and I love to drive to Vegas, and we make the time pass by coming up with TV show ideas which last the entire ride.

Your book How to Die Alone offers a humorous take on the often-taboo subject of loneliness. Can you share how this book has resonated with your fans, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community who might relate deeply to the themes of isolation and connection?

MW: My Blair audience is the greatest audience I’ve experienced. They are sensitive and emotional. I think we all never want to feel like we’re alone and the book, despite the title, (hopefully) helps people realize that.

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If you could collaborate on a project with any filmmaker, who would you choose, and what type of film would you want to create together?

MW: I think a Tim Burton/Mo Welch collaboration would be really fun. Goth comic?

In your docu-special Dad Jokes, you highlight your hometown of Normal, Illinois. How has coming from a place with such a distinctive name influenced your perspective on ‘normalcy’ and its portrayal in your comedy?

MW: I was born in Normal and grew up all around that region. I lived in trailers and houses in Stanford, Armington, Atlanta, Waynesville. I moved to Oak Park, Illinois when I was twelve, so I always just told people I’m from Chicago. It’s a lot easier to get through the small talk that way. Now I put my real origins into my comedy, because I really like the fans from Central Illinois. I think they are just happy to see someone move and achieve their dreams. And shout out Normal now and again.