Though best known as Chloe on 24, make no mistake: Rajskub is a goofball. She's been described onstage as "cheerfully vulgar" while reflecting the tone of her roots (HBO comedies Mr. Show and The Larry Sanders Show).
Mary Lynn Rajskub is best known to audiences as Jack Bauer’s loyal, adorably awkward partner on 24, Chloe O’Brian, but she also has some serious comedy chops. We caught up with her as she prepares to headline at Carolines for the first time.
As a comic, how does it feel to be on a show as intense as 24? Do you ever feel like laughing when everyone's trying to be really serious?
I do feel like laughing. 24 seems very funny to me unless I'm acting on it, then it becomes very serious. It may be a light form of mental illness.
You get given a lot of technical jargon. What was the toughest line you ever had to say?
“Encode the encrypted, corrupted trunk line into the infrared version of two guards that are coming up straight ahead—it's run by a laser; you can do it by flipping the toggle second on the right, then cutting the blue wire after I get you a facial-recognition hi-res photo from the CCTV cameras. Do it now, Jack!”
Can fans expect to hear more about 24 at your show? Or is this going to be a straight up comedy performance?
A little bit of both! I touch on 24 and my personal life—it’s a straight up good time comedy show. No impending terrorist attacks, and I will not be tattooed with lots of black eyeliner. People are also encouraged to call me “Mary Lynn”.
How does it feel to be headlining a New York institution like Carolines?
I'm so proud to be performing there, I can't wait! So many comedy legends have graced the stage, it's an honor to perform there. Especially since I started as I fine art painter. People started laughing at what I was saying and I went with it, I never thought I would do stand up comedy, acting or star on a hit drama! I'm loving every minute of it and can't wait to see the audience.
You've guest starred in a lot of revered TV comedies: Always Sunny, Flight of the Concords, Mr. Show, Arrested Development. At this point, are you just lobbying to appear on your favorite shows?
I have been on a lot of amazing shows, also including Larry Sanders and Modern Family! When I look at them all in a list, it makes me smile. I'm developing a TV show, but more importantly right now I’m bringing comedy to a live audience, which is my favorite. Anything can happen.
Which shows are you a fan of right now? Which ones would you like to appear on?
My husband and I have date TV together. We were on The Walking Dead and House of Cards. Now it's Orange is the New Black and 24. I watch reality shows when my husband is not around, like Long Island Medium and Keeping Up with the Kardashians…