Terry Morrow: Lynne Koplitz recalls tough start in Knoxville

Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Graylock.com

Former Knoxvillian Lynne Koplitz, who stars in “Z Rock” on IFC. stars in new season of Z Rock on IFC. Credit: Jennifer Graylock/IFC.

When comedian Lynne Koplitz was in Knoxville 20 years ago, she worked two jobs just to make ends meet, and it wasn’t easy.

She took on a second job at Java in the Old City because her day job at the Lunch Box didn’t pay enough. She longed to get an acting career off the ground and better herself. Reflecting on those days now, she gets choked up.

“It changed my life,” she says of the jobs during a phone interview to promote her three days of shows at SideSplitters comedy club starting tonight.

Koplitz came to Knoxville to perform with the Tennessee Stage Company, which featured her in productions at the World’s Fair Park. She cut her performance teeth with the company but learned her approach toward work with her other jobs.

Working at Java “was the beginning of my work ethic,” she says. “I cry when I think of picking those scripts and nailing them to the wall as I washed coffee cups. That’s the sort of stuff that always touches you.”

Now, Koplitz lives in New York City and has a successful career doing stand-up and appearing on TV shows such as IFC’s “Z Rock” and WE’s comedy reality series with Joan Rivers called “Joan Knows Best.” Rivers and her daughter, Melissa, recruited Koplitz to do the WE show.

As much credit as Koplitz gives to her Knoxville days for making her tough, she gives the same props to Rivers as a source of inspiration.

“She instills a work ethic in you that makes you want to work harder,” Koplitz says. “I have all these projects now. I am always busy. I feel like I am always working. I very rarely just stop.”

Koplitz has an accomplished resume these days. She was host of the syndicated dating show “Change of Heart,” guest host on NBC’s “Later,” co-host of the Food Network’s “How to Boil Water” and co-host of the talk show “Life and Style.” She’s also headlined her own Comedy Central specials.

Not bad for a New York City/ Florida transplant who managed to find her way in Knoxville.

“When I have hard days in New York, I think, ‘Girl, you dreamt to be here,’” she says. “You washed a lot of coffee cups to get here.”

Koplitz’s shows are today, Friday and Saturday at Sidesplitters, 9246 Park West Blvd.

General admission is $6, and $8 for preferred seating. Tickets via phone or at the door are $2 more per ticket. All tickets go up $2 on the day of the show.

For show times and other details, visit www.SideSplittersComedy.com.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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