Recently, we got the chance to interview Iliza Shlesinger, the first funny-gal to walk away with the Last Comic Standing title. After walking home a winner, we followed her comic genius on her personal twitter, @iliza. Now she plays the bad guy on the hot new dating show, Excused. The reality dating show is set to take off tonight on VH1, but check you can check the Facebook fan page for Excused to find out when and where the show will be playing on your network.

On the show, Iliza kindly excuses possible dates based on the first impression they give the contestant. Unlike other dating shows, you and I could be contestants on the show! (Tweet the show @excused for more details on how to participate.)

In between her busy schedule and hours of filming for the show, Iliza gave us the answer to a few burning questions we had on our kinky college minds…

1. Off the top of your head, what’s the craziest thing you did in college?

Eesh, one time I ate too many mushrooms. I trashed my room, yelled at a shampoo bottle and seriously contemplated throwing my computer out of the window. Oh, I’ve also been skydiving- so that was super fun.

2.     We’ve heard a lot about your new show, Excused, which begins airing on VH1 on November 14^th. (Show also is syndicated across the country – check facebook/excused for local channel and air time). Why should college girls watch this show? What will have us tuning in?

College girls should watch my show because it gives you a crash course in what kind of douche bags are out there waiting for you in the real world. The better prepared you are, the less likely you are to end up dating a white rapper guy with a glittery dragon emblem on his jeans. That goes for guys too, there’s a lot of gross girls out there, it’s better you know what to look for so you can avoid a first date that involves handjobs and subsequent crying.

3.     Who are your biggest comic influences?

I never understood that question or why anyone would care.  I feel like people ask that so they can look at your art, pick it a part and be like “oh, I can see where he/she gets that part from.” But, since you asked, for me, it was never other stand ups. I loved sketch comedy as a kid. SNL, Kids in the Hall, In Living Color. For me it’s always been about characters and scenes- I think that’s why so much of my stand up is big with a lot of movement and voices- it’s colorful. Also my parents are really funny. I can’t tell you which is funnier because if I did and either of them were to read this, there’d be a fist fight…of words. No really, it wouldn’t be fun for me (they’re divorced).

4.     What’s the best moment from filming so far? (Best blooper, best/worst first impression, etc…)

I mean, people are crazy- so it’s always fun to see who walks in that door but once in a while people will have epic meltdowns when they are excused. We had this one blonde girl lose her shit when she was excused at the end of the night. She was HAMMERED and started yelling, cursing, threatening to beat the guy up- she even knocked things over. She was on the war path looking for the guy who excused her (who was sitting on set in another room with me- hiding from her). At one point in her drunken tirade she yelled out “YOU DON’T KNOW WHO YOUR FUCKING WITH! I’M TOM HANKS’ NIECE” and, as you can imagine, we were all super impressed…

5.    Have you ever excused a date the minute you saw them at the door? If so, how did they take it? Didn’t do it? Ever wish you had? Why?

No, because in real life, that’s rude. One time I agreed to go out with this guy who I had met once and, not really remembering what he looked like (thanks to a lot of Mango Vodkas) I went- and when I got to the date, not only was he not cute, he was annoying and kind of bratty. But I stayed for a drink, thanked him and left then did the classy thing by ignoring his texts for the next few days. I’ve had a few people (more guys than girls have admitted this on my show) who tell stories of blind dates where they pull up to pick up the girl, she’s ugly and they drive off. The psychological ramifications of an action like that can be severe and that girl will do one of two things. She’ll either go on to hate men and become like a super slut with issues OR lose the weight, get Proactive and become like SUPER hot but with a chip on her shoulder…her hot, well oiled, perfectly tan shoulder. On camea making funny jokes about someone’s outfit or weirdness is one thing, but to call someone straight up ugly isn’t cool- I never do that on my show. Just remember, as hot as you might think you are, there’s someone out there who finds you repugnant.

6.    We know you see a lot of dating-don’ts on your show, so what are a few things you’re looking for in a guy? What shouldn’t a guy do if he’s trying to impress you at the door?

If a guy wants to impress me at the door…He probably shouldn’t be a contestant on a dating show. But in real life, if I’ve already let you come to my house? It means you’ve already impressed me with either your ability to bench your body weight or your firm grasp of the notion that it’s not okay to wear Sketchers or any sort of MMA apparel.

7.      Can you tell us about your best and worst college dating experience?

I can’t. I didn’t “date” in college, I kind of always had a boyfriend. Just because I make jokes on a dating show doesn’t mean I’m Carrie Bradshaw.

8.  Any tips for a girl about to embark on a classic walk of shame?

Can’t say I’ve ever had a walk of shame…because, even as a drunken 19 year old, I knew better than to sleep with a random dude and then walk home in my Wet Seal mini dress. Tip number one, ask that asshat to walk you home, for god’s sake, there’s bears outside.

9. If you had to spend the rest of your life only making fun of one celebrity, who would it be? 

I guess myself- which I already do…because I’m a stand up comic. The celebrity part is questionable though.

10. Drink of choice?

For like getting drunk? Anything fruity. If it’s got mango in it, it’s going on my tab, oh, I also like pear. Other than that I usually drink water- I also love Red Bull. LOVE IT…oo and fun coffee drinks

11. A lot of our readers are constantly debating between reaching for their dreams or shooting for a realistic, attainable career goal.  What would you say to those readers?

If you have to debate that choice, then you’re not cut out for your dreams. Passion always finds a way. Follow your passion and everything else will work out. No one ever made it as a famous actor by also working full time as an accountant. When I decided to do stand up comedy full time (without any offers from anyone to make that a reality) I quit my job. I knew that I couldn’t devote myself to writing, doing sketches, going on the road etc unless I made the choice to make it a full time endeavor. So I quit my office job and made it work. I got paid to write web shows, I got paying stand up gigs, I sold a web series I did anything I could within the realm of comedy to stay afloat…and then I got on Last Comic Standing 6 weeks later and ended up winning. A non traditional road to success, but a road I actively chose to go down vs staying at an office job and dabbling in stand up. Just go for it, you can always get another shitty job if all else fails.

12. What’s the most surprising thing about filming a TV show that non-TV stars would be shocked to learn?

It takes a really long time. Our show takes over thirteen hours a day to shoot just one date. It’s a marathon. It can take hours just to get a few moments  so THINK ABOUT THAT the next time you’re at home drunk makin’ out with a dude and have my show on in the background so you can have a little bit of  mood lighting the dark so that when you take your clothes off he can get the idea of your body without seeing anything too close up. IT TAKES HOURS TO MAKE THE ART YOUR TAKING FOR GRANTED! hahah also sometimes I don’t wear shoes if I have a long dress on, no one at home can tell.

You know that scene in Get Him To The Greek when Aaron’s girlfriend says something to the effect of, “Omg I can’t wait to watch like 100 hours of Gossip Girl”? I laughed hysterically (It’s funny cuz it’s true!). David did not (for the same reason).

I don’t know about you guys, but when I get home after a long day of interning, working, and gymming, all I want to do is eat dinner and zone out to one of the thousands of Real Housewives or Say Yes to the Dress episodes I have DVR’ed. Unfortunately, my live-in boyfriend isn’t on the same page. Especially now that it’s baseball season.

Without our usual primetime lineup to veg out to (If you’re an avid CC reader you’ll know about my unerring obsession with Comedy Night Done Right), the pickings have been slim for couple-friendly shows.

Until Now. Enter this summer’s surefire couple-pleasing shows. Read on, DVR and get some popcorn ready.

Last Comic Standing: David and I love this show because it’s (obviously) hilarious. But we love this show even more because Craig Robinson is the host. He’s charmingly side-splitting, and I personally think he’s kinda sexy. Disturbingly enough, David agrees. Anyways, the comedians are either really funny or funny because they don’t know how bad they are. And in either instance, the celebrity judges Greg Giraldo, Natasha Leggero (Chelsea Lately!) and Andy Kindler will crack you up. I’m soo happy this show is back, because girl or guy, who doesn’t love to laugh?

Lie to Me: The eccentric Dr. Lightman is back! This show is 65% Criminal Minds + 20% House + 15% Castle…and the main character is British. Besides the fact that after watching you’ll enjoy talking to each other with distinctive accents for the remainder of the evening (and you’ll say things like “the remainder of the evening”), Dr. Lightman (Cal Roth) is seriously badass. Basically he and his team of uber-psychologists read body language to catch bad guys. Realistic? No. Awesome? Yes.

TrueBlood: The Vampire craze goes coed with Eric, Bill and Sookeh. This weekly drama is a satiating hour long (but the end still comes way too soon every Sunday). It’s got blood and guts galore for him, along with seriously sick fight scenes. For the ladies, it’s got twisted, passionate love stories, Southern gentlemen vampires from a century or two ago, and Alexander Skarsgard. The sex scenes will spark both of your imaginations, and strong, sexy and feisty Sookie is a heroine guys and girls can root for. Plus, HBO has to put all of their parental control warnings (SDVM) on every episode, so you know it’s gonna be good.

Top Chef: There are 3 reasons why Top Chef just might be the ultimate couples’ show. 1. Incredible Food 2. Crazy characters 3. Padma and Tom (I don’t know what it is about that shiny bald head but Colicchio is one smooth, badass mofo). Every season David and I get seriously pumped for Top Chef…like we countdown the announcement of where the new season will be held and set the DVR to record the next episode a week in advance. It’s so much fun to pick our favorites – and we’ve gotten pretty good at it! I picked Angelo, he picked Kenny, and after you watch this season, you’ll know why. It’s a great way to have fun competition with your guy while expanding your vocabulary (seriously, now I know what brunois means). Plus, you can borrow their challenge ideas for a sweet date night. David has accepted my challenge to a cook off, and trust me, once we’re done with Top Chef South Florida, I’ll tell you lovely readers all about it!

There are so many shows about to premiere this summer that I know David and I will be able to agree on (Hello Entourage, Wipeout and Mad Men). How about you guys? What will you and your boyfriends be watching this summer?

Is Blake Lively the next Gwyneth Paltrow?

Iliza Shlesinger: another hottie who proves girls can be funny.

Looks like I’m not the only one going to the grocery store like a hot mess.

Have fun with your accessories!

Robert Pattinson stinks. No, for real.

There’s another Olsen?

What will the Idols be singing tonight?

Natalie Portman and Sean Penn. Iiiinteresting.

Milk does a body good.

Blend your own wine!

More drama for Kobe Bryant.

Economy gets many students interested in becoming RAs.

We watched a ticker in the top right-hand corner of the screen, creeping closer and closer to the moment when our minds would explode on impact after viewing the MOST SHOCKING AUDITION EVER. See that people? I used caps lock.

My heart is currently pounding with nervous anticipation. Here goes nothing!

Heeeeeeeeey! Wait a minute. I’ve been duped. The only thing truly shocking about that exchange was French Stewart’s date-rape joke. This just in: sexual assault is still not a laughing matter. Poor taste buddy. It’s clear now why he slipped into irrelevancy shortly after 3rd Rock went off the air.

I was too distracted to focus on the rest of the program. But here’s what else happened …in haiku form

Acts from two countries

Funnier than in the past

Judges picked wisely

Add a haiku or two in the comments. Two points for rhymes!

Photo: NBC.com

Bill Bellamy and British assistant host Fearne headed to Los Angeles and Houston to scout for top talent. Both cities were teeming with stellar comedians, especially of the fairer sex.

Three ladies made it to the semi-finals including Andi Smith, a funny lady with a funnier accent. (Her MySpace page says she’s from a small town in Wisconsin though, so the jokes on me.) She’s a working comedian with a lot miles on her and tonight she took the Last Comic Standing camera crew on a tour of her motel room. Let’s just say I’ve seen more habitable fraternity house bathrooms.

Other standouts tonight were Erin Foley, who did an fantastic set on the oddities that can be seen driving through Mississippi and the over-eager employees in the Wachovia commercials. And Jackie Kashian, another Wisconsin native, impressed me with her warm family humor. Move over cheese, comedy is quickly turning into our number one export...not right here though...sorry about that.

The men weren't half bad either. My favorite is Eddie Pepitone who is the bastard child of Lewis Black, Sam Kinison

and every angry old man you try to avoid on the bus. He grouchy but ultimately lovable, which makes him a little more grouchy. It's a vicious cycle which results in a some serious laugh out loud moments.

Last Comic Standing is bringing in comedians from NBC shows past and present to serve as guest judges. Tonight's panelists were Oscar Nunez and Angela Kinsey from The Office and Alfonso Ribeiro (Fresh Prince) and Neil Flynn (The Janitor from Scrubs). One of these things is not like the others. One of these things does not belong. Not because he's black (Though NBC is sorely lacking in the people of color department) and not because he's short (he said so himself tonight) and not even because his show went off the air 12 years ago (many of the Fresh Prince storylines are still relevant...except that one with Bell Biv Devoe). Alfonso Ribeiro just isn't someone I think of when I think "funny." I don't know where he fell on NBC's short list but he would've been near the bottom of mine. Was Mayim Bialik from Blossom too busy?

Did you watch tonight? Did anyone you love not make the cut? With two weeks of auditions in the can, who are your front runners? And just what is Fearne adding to this program?

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