When life gives you lemons, who has the time to get out a juicer and make lemonade?! Perhaps a more realistic and practical way to deal with life’s difficulties is to just laugh about it. At least that is how comedic duo Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin are approaching life’s ups and downs, and serving it up to audiences in ROTFL episodes in their podcast series MESS, from iHeart Podcasts and Big Money Players.
Each week, Sydnee and Marie deliver sharp humor, candid commentary, and personal insights as they navigate life’s ups and downs with guests like Matt Rogers, Bowen Yang, Matteo Lane, Amber Ruffin, and more. From awkward dating moments to the chaos of adulting, they mix hilarious opinions and real-life realizations in every episode, packed with enough comedy that will have you laughing until you cry.
And if you’re wondering what the vibe is in the MESS studio, think the opposite of all those un-relatable, hoity-toity celebrity or high profile podcast hosts where you feel they are never talking on your level. MESS might be so relatable, it’s TMI! But the beauty of it is that you can’t stop listening, and you end each episode wanting to be besties with Sydnee and Marie. Ok, maybe that’s just something we are (not so) secretly manifesting!
And we kinda got our wish! Because Sydnee gave us some one-on-one time to answer a few questions and share more about what listeners can expect when they tune into an episode of MESS, as well as the role of comedy in a world that is filled with a constant stream of depressing news.
As you reflect on 2024, how would you sum up your experience on ‘MESS’?
A private FaceTime that’s very much a public, inside look on how we are so unserious in a too serious world.
Comedy is a hard field to break into, but you are both killing it! How do you find your niche and your voice?
Can you believe I had a totally different life before standup? Bottle waitressing for a decade gave me a super specific outlook on life initially, so I made jokes about partying, dating guys & wasting money. Now it’s a complete 180, sober, gay, but still wasting money. My voice is just a grown girlie trying to maintain the fun in life while getting older.
What should listeners expect to hear when they listen to an episode of MESS that they cannot find elsewhere?
Very close friends taking an unserious-serious approach to the messiness of life. Marie & I agree on some things but for the most part we are giving you raw opinions that are glazed in jest. Also we get our guests comfortable so it doesn’t feel like a rigid interview. We are asking the questions people are too afraid to ask.
It’s a dark world we currently live in and honestly we need comedy more than ever! How can comedy be a light in a dark world and bring that joy that can be hard to find?
Life feels like that meme with the dog in the burning house drinking a cup of coffee saying “I’m fine.” Comedy is us as the dog, we know bad things are happening but we gotta keep it pushing to make fun of all the crazy things happening. If I can get a teeheehee or an LOL on your lowest day, I’ve done my job.
How do you tailor your conversations, jokes and moments in the podcast differently than you would in a stand-up situation?
Standup kinda has a formula where you set it up & then hit us with the joke. Podcasts are so much more freeing because you just say what comes to mind and sometimes listeners will find the most random moment funny. Marie & I just have the best chemistry so we fully rely on vibes and go with the flow. We don’t “try” to be funny on the pod, it just happens.
Who are your biggest comedy influences throughout your career, and how has their journey inspired you to keep going?
Growing up I watched Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, and Chapelle and they were my go-to for what comedy should look like. After 10+ years in standup, I’m lucky to be friends with the funniest people who are also doing really well, so my inspiration is them. Zainab Johnson, Matteo Lane, Michelle Buteau. They are literally doing all the things that bring them joy, all different POVs. I know every day they wake up being themselves and fans just get to experience that while they are onstage.
What are your fave topics to riff on in the podcast?
“Mess of the Week” is a must, Marie & I talk about our own personal issues or things we’ve overheard. It’s so ridiculous & relatable and shows the audience we aren’t afraid to chat about our mishaps.
Who have been your fave guests on the show so far, and which moments have surprised you the most?
Caleb Hearon really was a top guest because he became the host for a bit and asked the right questions. Also Marie has a digging in her bag moment that had everybody dying.
You can listen to all episodes of MESS on iHeart Podcasts, follow the series on Instagram, as well as Sydnee and Marie.
