Stand-up comedian Candice Guardino chatted about her newest comedy special, “Candice Guardino: Italian Bred,” which premiered on January 27, 2026, on such platforms as Amazon and Apple TV.
How did your “Italian Bred” comedy special come about?
“Italian Bred” started small, just 5 minutes at a comedy club, me impersonating my mom. One character turned into stories about my dad, grandma, and sister… before I knew it, I had 30 minutes of material that people were actually responding to.
The very first laugh hooked me! Then I wanted to bring myself into the mix. I’m musical, theatrical at heart, and realized that grounding the show in my own point of view would be its anchor…which, of course, took a little time to figure out.
At its heart, the show is a love letter to our beginnings: the chaos, the drama, the love… and, of course, the food. It’s about capturing family in all its messy, hilarious, and universal glory.
What inspires your comedic routine?
Most of my comedy is inspired by everyday life. You know, the messy, chaotic, real stuff we all go through.
Family drama, relationships, the absurdities of our upbringings, adulthood, motherhood, marriage… even the little everyday moments that are frustrating and hilarious.
I like to take what’s familiar to everyone and exaggerate it just enough so people see themselves in it, laugh, and maybe even feel a little less alone. I’ve been through it too. I got you. Let’s laugh thru our tears!
How does it feel to be a comedian and writer in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
It’s empowering and so overwhelming all at once, right?! On one hand, the digital age has completely opened the door to comedy content and creators. You don’t have to wait for a gatekeeper anymore.
You can build your audience, test material in real time, and reach people all over the world from your phone. Crazy!
Streaming especially has opened doors that didn’t exist even ten years ago. But it also requires you to wear every hat. You’re the creator, marketer, editor, strategist. The pressure to constantly produce can be exhausting. You are a brand. Exciting but exhausting.
I think the key is remembering that technology is a tool, not the art. The art still has to be honest. If the writing is strong and the voice is clear, these platforms just become vehicles.
At the end of the day, it’s still about connection. The medium may change, but the goal for your art doesn’t.
What do your plans for the future include?
My future plans are all about creating, manifesting, and sharing stories — and having fun while doing it. I’m working on a comedic essay book because I love writing, and I’m developing a TV show and a movie.
Maybe one day, a Broadway run will happen too…Hey, a girl can dream! I also want to tackle another Theatrical Show about the chaos of modern life: adulting, marriage, kids, and family with all the messy, funny moments we’re somehow surviving.
Honestly, the most important part is enjoying my family and being present, because time flies and I don’t want to miss a single moment… or meltdown.
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
Yes and not all of them were the big, shiny moments. Of course, having my own special stream on Prime and Apple TV was definitely defining! It’s exciting, it was a “you did it” moment.
The moments that really shaped me were the quieter ones like performing for 12 people and giving it everything I had, getting told “no” over and over, but choosing to keep going, betting on myself when it would’ve been easier to stop.
Becoming a mom after such a long fertility struggle also redefined me creatively. It deepened my perspective, my vulnerability, and my sense of purpose.
I stopped chasing approval and started creating from truth. Those moments: the resilience, the reinvention, the risk…that’s what really defined me.
What is your advice for young and emerging comedians and writers?
Write your truth. Not what you think people want to hear; tell that scares you a little. The more specific and honest you are, the more universal your work becomes.
Also, stop waiting. Don’t wait for permission, representation, or the “perfect” opportunity. Create. Perform anywhere. Write constantly.
The muscle only grows if you use it. Know, is a long game. There will be quiet seasons. There will be doubt. But consistency beats talent. Protect your voice. Trends come and go.
Your point of view is the only thing no one else has. That’s your superpower. There’s only one of you and the world needs you.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success, to me, means alignment. It’s when who you are, what you love, and how you make a living all line up.
It’s being able to create from a truthful place, support my family doing what I love, and know that my work is genuinely connecting with people. It isn’t just numbers or sold-out shows—though I’m grateful for those! It’s about personal connection.
It’s someone coming up after a show and saying, “That felt like my family.” It’s building a career that still allows me to be present as a wife, a mom, a woman. Real success is fulfillment—with purpose and freedom attached to it.
What would you like to say to your viewers about “Italian Bred”? (what’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
I’d love viewers to walk away from Italian Bred realizing that family is universal. No matter where you’re from, we’re all navigating the same love, chaos, and crazy drama.
If the special brings families together to laugh, maybe cry a little, and share their own funny stories…then it’s done its job. It’s about connection, and creating memories together.
To learn more about Candice Guardino, follow her on Instagram and visit her website.
