What Happened to the 'Queen of Mean?' Lisa Lampanelli Explains All in New Solo Show 'Irrelevant'

Nicholas Dussault READ TIME: 6 MIN.

Lisa Lampanelli
Source: Instagram

She hasn't been back on "The Howard Stern Show" since announcing her retirement, "No reason to be. I'm not in the business. But I do see Howard and Beth at the North Shore Animal League America where I was honored to be named an ambassador." As for standups, she's still friends with many of them, mentioning Nikki Glaser, Brad Williams, and Jeff Ross, and notes that she will go see Kathy Griffin when she comes to her hometown in the near future. Next up for her will be a reading of "Irrelevant!" by an actress in New York City on September 7. Details will soon be posted on her Instagram: @lisalampanelli.

In the world of romance, the twice-divorced Lampanelli boasts that she has not only remained friendly with her second husband, the infamous "Jimmy Big Balls," but she introduced him to his current wife. "He wanted this real Italian girl and that's not me. It all worked out. You know how you know when people are going to connect? I even went to the wedding." As for her own romantic status, she claims that she was just accepting that maybe that part of her life was over when she started watching Denis Leary's "Rescue Me" and thought "Oh shit, I think I need to go out and get something. Here we go again." Let's hope she's taking notes. Another show might follow.

In the meantime, the former "Queen of Mean" keeps doing what she can to be helpful to others. "I can't give advice. I can't fix everybody. I can't get upset with someone because they're not doing what I want them to do. Ah, and there it is. It's okay if you can't come to Easter. It's not my problem."

It's ironic that her show is titled "Irrelevant!." The comic-turned-storyteller may be more relevant now than she has ever been. She's putting herself out there, sharing her journey, her struggles with food, relationships, and life, in the hope that it will help others to feel connected. "Everyone's got something and by sharing my story, my hope is to connect with you."

And, yes, Lisa Lampanelli is still funny. Very funny. When asked about a particular word she used quite often in her act, this kind, gentle, generous spirit quipped, "When I did the roasts I used to limit myself to one fuck and two cunts because I didn't want to get bleeped so much you wouldn't hear anything. You'll still get your cunts. That's it! I think you've helped me find the tagline for the show, 'Come for the message, stay for the cunts.'"

"Lisa Lampanelli: Irrelevant!" New solo show Saturday August 31 to benefit the Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford Street, Provincetown, MA. For more information about the theater, visit the theater's website. For ticket information, follow this link.


by Nicholas Dussault

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