Comicpalooza Exclusive Interview with Rachel Bloom of “Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury” Internet Fame

!Warning: Interview includes explicit themes. If watching video is blocked at work, you probably should not read this hilarious interview until you get home!

      So a few days ago, a relatively unknown comedian and sci-fi fan, Rachel Bloom, released a video entitled “Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury.” Within a week, it has received over half a million views. Comicpalooza got the chance to catch up with Rachel to find out a little more about the girl who has got the web buzzing about the iconic sci-fi author Ray Bradbury. The video is all over the internet, but the interview is only here on the Comicpalooza Blog!

Comicpalooza: So Rachel what turns you on about Ray Bradbury?

Rachel Bloom: What turns me on about Ray Bradbury is that he has amazing ideas with which I emotionally connect. I wrote "Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury" about 2 years ago after re-reading The Martian Chronicles for the umpteenth time. I definitely don't claim to be a sci-fi expert (there's still so much more in the genre I have yet to read), but I know that Ray Bradbury will always be a favorite of mine.

Comicpalooza: I noticed that in the video you seemed to highlight only a few of his numerous works, what made you choose these above the rest?

Rachel Bloom: I chose a few works to highlight above the rest because it's only a 3 minute music video. Believe me, in earlier versions, I referenced a lot more. An example of a cut verse: "In my pussy there's a tiny drummer/Every time I read 'Farewell, Summer.'

Comicpalooza: The video is very professional in its production, is this due to having good friends with lots of experience or did it take a lot of time and money to make this happen?

Rachel Bloom: My video was a combination of knowing very good friends as well as knowing that you often need to pay people to get professional results. As I produced the whole thing myself, it definitely took a lot of time.

Comicpalooza: You serve up a trifecta of singing, dancing and comedy, what sort of performance background do you have?

Rachel Bloom: I am a musical theater gal at heart. My whole life, I was the drama kid, all the way. At NYU, I originally studied in the CAP21 musical theater studio before transferring to the Experimental Theater Wing my junior year. While at NYU, I got really involved with my sketch comedy group called the Hammerkatz, and I went on to direct it my senior year. In the past year or so, I've just begun to combine sketch comedy with musical theater, and the result has been quite pleasurable. In addition to this music video and others I plan to produce, I'm also working on some more musical theater sketch comedy.

Comicpalooza: What were your expectations when you made the video? Was this just something fun to do or did you anticipate the huge response you've gotten?

Rachel Bloom: I had a feeling this video would do well, but I never anticipated this reaction. To me, I was just really passionate about this idea and I wanted to see it come to fruition. The process of making this video has been just as rewarding as the result from fans.

Comicpalooza: Are you looking forward to meeting Tosh from Tosh.0? What about the nerd stalkers? Gotten any of those yet?

Rachel Bloom: Yes, I've gotten the nerd stalkers, but those are my kind of people. For the most part, they're all very sweet and intelligent, and, most importantly, get the comedy of the video. And at the end of the day, I'm just another nerd who gets comedy. I mean...I won a grandparent/grandchild lookalike contest when I was 12. I'm not one to nitpick nerdiness. As for Tosh.0...I hope that happens!

Comicpalooza: Well, what do your friends and family think of the video? Do you roll with a bunch of Nerds, Dorks, and Geeks who are sci-fi fans?

Rachel Bloom: My friends and family have been so supportive. My parents, although a little embarrassed at first with their only child talking about blowing a dude in a car, are so proud of me and are constantly checking Youtube. My boyfriend (a comedy writer) has been the biggest supporter of this from the beginning. He was one of the first people to hear this song, and from the get-go he was like, "This is awesome. People will love this." I hang around mostly comedy nerds, although a few of my friends are more comedy/sci-fi nerds. My friend Becky just wrote an awesome article about death rays that's being published, and my friend Jeff is an awesome budding sci fi movie writer.

Comicpalooza: Being a fan, were you afraid the video might offend Ray Bradbury, or more afraid he would take you up on the offer?

Rachel Bloom: I was definitely afraid of offending Ray Bradbury, haha. I never considered he would take me up on the offer. Actually, I just got word that he watched it and really enjoyed it, so my fears are assuaged.

Comicpalooza: That’s good! So, are you going on the road with this? Should we expect to see you perform "Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury" live anywhere? Or should we expect a "Love letters to George Lucas" video?

Rachel Bloom: Ooo...going on the road. When I write more songs (and can actually have a full show with comedy songs), then, that's a consideration!!

Comicpalooza: Rachel, thanks for being a sport an answering some of our questions!

Rachel Bloom: Let me know if you want more from me, happy and flattered to answer!

Check out her video, “Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury” on YouTube…