Legendary performer Joan Rivers told me to abandon my life as a TV executive and pursue stand-up two weeks before she died, comedian Cally Beaton reveals on a new Mail podcast.
In conversation with Mail columnist Bryony Gordon, Beaton, 56, said she credits Rivers with inspiring her ‘midlife reinvention’, giving her the confidence to do her first ever stand-up gig.
Before her comedy career, Beaton, as a single mother, climbed the television industry ladder to senior vice president at Viacom, where she helped develop major shows like South Park and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Her new book, Namaste Motherf*ckers, follows her journey from corporate executive to comedian and offers guidance to women experiencing midlife burnout and other mental health issues.
‘I was lucky enough to meet some amazing people during my career’, Beaton told the podcast.
‘We would go to Cannes and host industry events – Hollywood A-listers who were fronting new shows would come and get drunk, hoping for jaded executives to invest in them.
Joan Rivers told me to abandon my life as a TV executive and pursue stand-up two weeks before she died, comedian Cally Beaton has revealed
In conversation with Mail columnist Bryony Gordon, Beaton, 56, said she credits Rivers with inspiring her ‘midlife reinvention’
Beaton explained that Rivers had spotted her comedic potential during speeches she gave at industry events. Listen here
‘It was at one of these events I met Joan Rivers – I ended up working with her on a few occasions and go to know her well.
‘I never really thought of Joan as a typical feminist before meeting her. But of course, she was bursting through the glass ceilings of Hollywood when women weren’t doing what she was doing.
‘I owe her a lot – it was Joan who said to me, a couple of weeks before she died that I should try stand-up.’
Beaton explained that Rivers had spotted her comedic potential during speeches she gave at industry events.
When Beaton expressed doubts about being too old to make such a career pivot, the veteran performer offered some wisdom on why it’s never too late to pursue what makes you happy.
Rivers died in September 2014 from complications following a routine endoscopy procedure.
Beaton said: ‘I was 45, and I told Joan it was too late for me to go into comedy. One of my kids has special needs, and I needed a day job.
‘She just looked at me and said: I am 81; at 45, you’re still in the thick of it. I think you should try stand-up. She died two weeks after that conversation.
Rivers died in September 2014 from complications following a routine endoscopy procedure
Since launching her comedy career, Beaton has appeared on major comedy shows including QI, Live at The Apollo and The Apprentice: You’re Fired
Beaton’s new book, Namaste Motherf*ckers, follows her journey from corporate executive to comedian and offers guidance to women experiencing midlife burnout
‘When I heard the news, I decided to do my first ever drunken, hopeless open mic thing. That’s where you start, you need to put in those hours to get good.
‘Any 81-year-old who’s still at the top of their game, telling a 45-year-old you’ve got it all ahead of you, that was a massive gift.
‘Now at 56, I am very proud of my age. I wear it with pride – it’s better than the alternative.
‘I am aware that in 10 years’ time, I will think God, you were so young. We’re never going to be younger than we are right now.’
Since launching her comedy career, Beaton has appeared on major comedy shows including QI, Live at The Apollo and The Apprentice: You’re Fired.
She has created three solo shows for the Edinburgh Fringe, with her 2019 routine Invisible making it onto best jokes of the year lists.
To hear Cally’s full story and her insights on the mental health crisis affecting middle-aged women, search for The Life of Bryony now, wherever you get your podcasts.
