BIO
tv writer. podcaster. comedian. author. performer.
TV WRITING:
Jen is currently a writer/producer on the one-hour comedy Etoile created by Amy Sherman-Palladino & Dan Palladino, currently in production, for Amazon Prime. She was a writer/producer on 4 seasons of the The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime). Other TV writing credits include: The Kids in the Hall Reboot 2021 - Amazon Prime (Producer), ‘Tis the Season To Be Merry - Hallmark Movie (Story by & co-writer) Girls on the Bus - Netflix (Writer), The Eric Andre Show (writer), Chelsea Lately - E! Network (writer), After Lately - E! Network (writer)., Perfect Couples - NBC (writer), Phineas and Ferb - Disney (writer). Her original scripts have been in development with ABC, FX, and the BBC.
PODCASTING:
Jen hosts a weekly solo comedy podcast, “No Fun: The Jen Kirkman Podcast” that’s in it’s eleventh season – where she talks about things going on in the world, in her life, and in her head. Jen hosted a limited series (46 episodes), produced by iHeart Radio from 2021-2022 called “Anxiety Bites” where shed light on common anxiety issues through honest, sometimes funny, but educational conversations with experts.
BOOKS:
Jen is a New York Times Bestselling author. Her first book, I Can Barely Take Care of Myself (Tales From a Happy Life Without Kids) became an instant New York Times bestseller.
Her follow up book, I Know What I’m Doing and Other Lies I Tell Myself was lauded by the prestigious Kirkus Reviews: “Her life may appear chaotic and her lifestyle choices unconventional, but both are as uniquely individual as her book. Genuine, intelligent, and candid.”
TELEVISION APPEARANCES:
Jen has made appearances not only on her eight-year run as a cast member of and writer on Chelsea Lately and the spin-off sitcom After Lately. Jen was a five-time narrator for the Emmy winning Drunk History. She’s made multiple appearances on CONAN and Lights Out with David Spade, Other appearances include: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The View, The Wendy Williams Show. Modern Family.
STANDUP COMEDY SPECIALS/TOURS:
She went on to tour nationally and internationally from 2008 – 2019. She has two critically acclaimed comedy specials on Netflix “I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine)(2015)” and “Just Keep Livin’?”(2017) Her latest comedy release (2022) is her stand-up album “OK, GEN-X” - available for streaming now. On its first week it went to #1 on iTunes. Her comedy specials are streaming now on Netflix; “I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine)” was hailed by the Atlantic as the best of 2015. “And perhaps best of all….Jen Kirkman’s I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine), a searing, open-hearted work about growing older and pushing back against cultural norms.” - The Atlantic.
"Though delivered in an effortless conversational style, her comedy has the meticulous detail that can come only from repetition and experience.” - The New York Times
“Kirkman is one of the slickest in the business at what she does.” - Telegraph.co.uk
PRESS
NEW YORK TIMES - REVIEW OF 2015 NETFLIX SPECIAL
PASTE MAGAZINE - REVIEW OF 2017 NETFLIX SPECIAL
EVENING STANDARD UK - REVIEW OF JEN KIRKMAN IN LONDON
THE GUARDIAN UK - WHAT MAKES JEN KIRKMAN LAUGH
ELLE MAGAZINE - JEN KIRKMAN’S 7 STEPS TO BECOMING A MOSTLY FUNCTIONAL WOMAN
THE ATLANTIC - COMEDY IN 2015 JEN KIRKMAN
SALON - JEN KIRKMAN ON HER NEW MEMOIR
VULTURE - JEN KIRKMAN’S STREET HARASSMENT JOKE
UPROXX - JEN KIRKMAN SAYS DON’T FEAR PERIODS
BUSTLE - REVIEW: JEN KIRKMAN’S NETFLIX SPECIAL
ELLE MAGAZINE - JEN KIRKMAN ON TWITTER
THE BOSTON GLOBE - JEN KIRKMAN’S MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY INSPIRED TATTOO
THE AV CLUB - REVIEW: JEN KIRKMAN’S I’M GONNA DIE ALONE
THE AV CLUB - INTERVIEW: JEN KIRKMAN
THE ATLANTIC - JEN KIRKMAN ESSAY ON CHILDFREE
TIME MAGAZINE - JEN KIRKMAN ESSAY ON CHILDFREE
THE GUARDIAN UK - JEN KIRKMAN ESSAY ON HOLIDAY BREAK-UPS
ROLLING STONE - JEN KIRKMAN “QUEEN OF DRUNK HISTORY”
THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT - JEN KIRKMAN APPEARANCE 2018
CONAN - JEN KIRKMAN INTERVIEW 2015
CONAN - JEN KIRKMAN INTERVIEW 2016
CONAN - JEN KIRKMAN INTERVIEW 2017