After our interview a few months ago, Maria Bamford and The Bastion are BFFs. In our mind, at least. She recently came through town with the Comedians of Comedy gang, and will return to our fair city on November 16, for another show at the Lakeshore Theater. So of course we hung out at my place, where we did each other's nails, listened to the Spice Girls, and scrolled through Cute Overload*.

Your series on Super Deluxe continues to delight and amaze us. You seem to have an unending source of ideas for the show, how do those ideas evolve in your head?

It's just whatever I'm worried or mad or excited about- I'm really happy with the Halloween episode and OCD episode- those are my favorites and feel proud- but just sort of percolate and then write in my notebook and talk about with friends a little and then type it up!

Blossom has a lot of charisma for such a small dog. How long do you think it will be until she has her own show?

Blossom is a grand dame, an elegant lady, a woman of means. She doesn't need show business. Show business needs her. (She is fielding offers, but mostly from my Mother.)

You're going to be with the rest of the Comedians of Comedy gang for the Nov. 1 Chicago show at the Vic Theater, right? How are those shows going?

They are GREAT! We were in Philadelphia last night and it was awesome- our third time in Philly and it was just wonderful- the shows seem to get better and better.

You're going to be at The Lakeshore Theater on November 16, after having been there for two shows last May. When we spoke then, you said that one of the things you liked about performing there was that you liked being able to do one or two shows instead of a full week, which is what a lot of places require. Is that part of the reason you're coming back, and what else do you like about doing shows at the Lakeshore Theater?

It's a theatre and people can sit down and not have to buy drinks and they can focus and relax. Comedy clubs can be kind of stressful with all of the constant ordering and sitting with tables of people you don't know- can be odd.

Some Chicago comedy fans are wondering if you're going to be bringing Jackie Kashian with you again, because they enjoyed the combination of the two of you. Will she be your opening act?

Oof. I'm not sure. I have to check with Jackie!

Is it true that you made out with Jon "Ducky" Cryer and taught Jenna Elfman how to play the violin?

Yes (fake made out) in a show that was on for 3 episodes and once on Dharma and Greg-I haven't auditioned as much for TV shows anymore because the process is kind of a bummer (for me)- it's like temping- you go in and do a job (and the auditioning can be a bummer because I so often didn't get the job.) Stand up is more empowering- I always have the job!

Can you give our readers some idea of what to expect from your Nov. 16 show? Any special bits your fervent fans can look forward to?

Messages for my mom's answering machine from the Baby Jesus, my view of history/geography and some new stuff about traveling in the van with the guys!

*Not really.

- Elizabeth McQuern