writings, interviews, & reviews
Jason Zinoman from The New York Times
“In her debut, “Specialish,” Jessica Watkins puts it this way: “You need more than comedy. You need a shtick.”
For Watkins, this meant pushing a cart across America on highways and through woods, sleeping in a tent and filming this lonely trek while doing sets in small spaces from New York to California. An odd mix of stand-up special and “Nomadland,” her effort is both exceptional and characteristic of the try-anything moment in comedy, one in which many performers are fusing forms, mixing onstage with off, merry with melancholy, written jokes with music, improv or other elements.”
Paste Magazine Review
“Currently when you Google Watkins’ name, the results are flooded with links to an astronaut or an Ohio woman who participated in the Capitol Hill insurrection. SPECIALish should convince comedy lovers, if not the algorithm, that that should change.”
A personal essay for Talkhouse
“The truth is, to walk along highways for months on end is to take a risk. And staying with dozens and dozens of complete strangers can be dangerous. But I could attach possible “danger” to anything in life. There is no map that can guarantee a safe and pleasant journey. I’ve survived sexual assault and, like many women, I was attacked in a place I thought I’d be safe, by people I knew. But nothing happened to me in the Middle of Nowhere, USA. I looked like a cult leader pushing a cart of moonshine, peeing on the side of the road, camping in bushes, and somehow, I survived unscathed. And you know what? I don’t feel invincible. I don’t feel lucky, even. I feel unafraid.”
- Jessica Watkins
TALK OF THE TOWN NASHVILLE!
Jessica Podcasting with the rad women at
Bitch Talk
“SPECIALish is just the kind of story we need as we emerge out of the pandemic and sheltering in place. There's so much humor and truth as the film unfolds that it's 100% relatable. We loved the film and love Jessica's stand-up. Once you watch it, we think you will too!”
The InterroBang
“While on the walk I stayed at campgrounds, state parks, the side of highways, motels, hotels, a tour bus, a treehouse, used travel websites like Warm Showers, Couch surfing, and complete strangers opened up their homes and families to me. Most days I didn’t know where I would lay my head that night, but somehow it always worked out, every place kept me safe. “ - Jessica Watkins
Rebellious Magazine Interviews Jessica
The fact that SPECIALish is arriving at a time when we all just experienced our own year of relative solitude makes the film that much more rich and relatable. Rather than simply witnessing one-woman’s journey, the film feels like a grand odyssey proving anything – from growing closer to loved ones to discovering the joys of nature to starting a new career (or all of the above) – is possible.
World Film Geek review
“Specialish is both a funny and emotional look at a comedian who did the impossible to get her gimmick out there. Jessica Watkins literally walked across the country and proved herself to be both a funny woman and a human being who had suffered and have the determination to not give up despite all obstacles. Definitely a film worth checking out.” - World Film Geek
Review by Corriente Latina
“I wholeheartedly recommend joining Jessica on her walk. It’s one you’ll never forget. Brilliant, talented, funny, charismatic, charming, and beautiful… I can’t wait to see what Jessica does next!”
Review by Christine Negroni
“the documentary is not about laughter it is about healing, in Watkins’ case from a sexual assault at age 15. The highways and bridges and tunnels are waypoints along her path to the unknown. And the unknown is this: what would happen if women stopped listening to the worriers? What if they hopped into an airplane with parachutists they just met and made the leap trusting the parachute to do its job? And so this is what Watkins does.”
Difficult Women Podcast
“Could you walk across America? On this week's episode of Difficult Women, Katy & Marie sit down with comedian and film maker Jessica Watkins and discuss the making of her new documentary film SPECIALish, which follows her solo walk across the U.S. Jessica dishes about some of her experiences out on the road and gives advice to women who are interested in solo travel. “
Salt Lake Dirt Podcast
“It packs a powerful punch -- hilarious, personal, and moving.” - Salt Lake Dirt
Movie Marker write-up
“Random Media is releasing Jessica Watkins comedic documentary feature ‘SPECIALish’ about her walk across the United States over the course of 8 months, as there are traumas revealed, truths clarified, and obstacles confronted along the way.”
Review by Tinsel & Tine
“she has a Jewish sort of delivery, which is strange considering she’s from Tennessee.”
The Good, The Dad and, The Ugly podcast
“This week the boys are joined by hilarious comedian, Jessica Watkins! We talk all about her upcoming documentary "SPECIALish", which details her amazing walk across America. Cocaine, skydiving, serendipity and much more! This ep is a for sure humdinger and doozy!”
Review by The Times Weekly
“Jessica Watkins:SPECIALish is the self-directed and written story of a New York standup comic who found herself caught in a rut, and who made a bold decision to climb out of it. Jessica Watkins made a documentary of her solo walk across America.”
Breaking Down Bits live podcast
Brian and Drew talk with Jessica Watkins about her comedy writing and her soon to be released project SPECIALish, which is part stand up and part documentary.
The Comedy Bureau Field Report Podcast
“Far before the pandemic ever began or was even a whisper of a thing, Jessica Watkins took it upon to herself to simultaneously make a stand-up comedy special and walk across America. She did indeed accomplish both, but it was not at all what she expected, which is a very timely experience to have as we’ve all had to go through the intense journey of the COVID-19 pandemic.”