Rudy: How do you imagine your breakthrough moment into fame and fortune?

Mandy: While answering a Q & A.

Rudy: But seriously, folks. You must have a picture of it in your mind's eye -- something that makes it real for you.

Mandy: I'd love to host my own talk show. And I'd love to mudwrestle Tyra. Those two things make it real for me.

Rudy: How has your work as a NY Post reporter influenced your view of the world?

Mandy: It's more the stories I write that influence my view of the world. I try to learn something from every one I do. Like, I'm not a sports person at all, but one time I wrote about Tiger Woods and some of the drama regarding his wife. In writing the piece, I interviewed a biographer of Woods who talked about the golfer's amazing ability to be in the zone, and how sometimes after he plays a game, he doesn't even remember it. I'll never forget that insight because I think that kind of connection also applies to writing and comedy.

Rudy: Speaking of Tiger and his wife, one might venture to say you're definitely in "the zone" (wink) of what he finds attractive.

Mandy: Because I'm such a golf nut, right? I get that all the time.


Rudy: What have you learned as a big-city reporter that most everyday people will live a lifetime without ever knowing?

Mandy: That this Q & A is more grueling than a personal session with Freud himself. Okay, how about: That everyone is struggling. That everyone is comparing themselves to the next person. When you are in the heart of it, you realize that no one ever sits back and thinks, now I've made it! Maybe Oprah does. But Conan O'Brien is comparing himself to Jon Stewart is comparing himself to Steve Colbert, etc. Which is fascinating, and also humanizing, which makes it inspiring. And now I have written my first commencement address.