WELCOME
I'm Karen Bergreen, a New Yorker who started as the only Harvard student with a TV in her dorm (it was black and white, don’t judge). I went from law school to law firms, dreaming of courtroom dramas but instead mastering the arts of stapling and proofreading. Turns out, I was terrible at both, which led me to the obvious next step: comedy!
I've performed all over the U.S. and beyond (hello, Canada!), and you might've caught me on Comedy Central, The View, or playing myself on The Jim Gaffigan Show. Now, between raising kids, a needy dog named Tootsie, and some hermit crabs (that sometimes die), I write novels. Check out Following Polly and Perfect is Overrated—more to come!
Thanks for stopping by. I promise this website is as entertaining as a black-and-white TV. Enjoy!
-Karen
SHORT BIO / INTRO
Karen Bergreen is a stand-up comedian, author, podcast host, and educator. A New Yorker and Harvard grad, she left her law career for comedy. Karen has performed at Gotham Comedy Club, The Friars’ Club, and on Comedy Central, The View, and The Jim Gaffigan Show. She’s also the author of Following Polly and Perfect is Overrated. When she’s not making people laugh, she’s at home with her husband, two kids, and their needy dog, Tootsie.
SELECTED CREDITS
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Books
Following Polly
Perfect is OverratedSelected Articles
HuffPost -
Selected Venues
The Kennedy Center
HBO Comedy Festival
Gotham Comedy Club
The Comic Strip
Broadway Comedy ClubSelected TV Appearances
Comedy Central
VH1
Court TV
USA Network
ABC's The View
Oxygen Network's Can You Tell -
Podcasts
Shut Up, Mommy’s Talking
Ruthless Comedy HourKaren is also a regular guest on various podcasts.
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Selected Appearances
Bull
The Jim Gaffigan Show
Law and Order -
Karen regularly engages and inspires audiences through speaking and teaching, drawing from her diverse experiences.
FEATURED PROJECTS
SHUT UP:
MOMMY’S TALKING!
Join stand-up comedians Karen Bergreen and Kyle Ocasio as they not so much tackle parenting issues but rather complain about them. Hear various perspectives with hilarious guests full of support and love for all the parents out there.
THE RUTHLESS COMEDY HOUR
In its 5th smash year, The Ruthless Comedy Hour is a comedy variety show for grownups with half an effing brain. Led by NYC stand up comedians Karen Bergreen, Cynthia Kaplan, and Cory Kahaney, it addresses social, political, and local concerns by making brutal fun of them. Previous guests include Jim Gaffigan, Joy Behar, Seth Rudetsky, Judy Gold, and many more. Proceeds from the show are donated to a different charity every month.
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I had a menopausal belly in the seventies.
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My first headshot ever.
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Cake and wine since 2002!
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The firstborn.