Stacey Silberman
Appearances
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
Yes, all the time. Talking to people, getting introductions. It's always asking about our kids. How many kids do you have? Blah, blah, blah. How old are they?
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
Do you have kids? How old are they? And the woman was, you know, kind of Southern, very sweet, very bubbly. And when people are like that with me, you know, I'm pretty open. And so I felt like being authentic. And I told her, you know, one of my children died of an overdose two years ago. And now I have one.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
This woman and her husband, it really upset them. They just couldn't handle the conversation. I just saw this major pity face with the open mouth and the, oh, okay.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
A lot of the times I actually lie. We have two kids, or this is their ages. Talk to you later. And keep it short and sweet. Because sometimes the white lie is better for that person because they're at a party, they're out having fun, and they definitely don't want to hear about your dead child.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
And so I saw that they were going to a show at the Hollywood Improv where Sarah Silverman was performing. And I'm like, oh, my God, I love Sarah Silverman. I want to go. I want to go. And I said, when we got there, go, I want to sit front row center. I want to get heckled. I want to be right under Sarah Silverman. I want her to, like, heckle me if possible. Or me. I guess we heckle them.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
I said, I'm sorry to tell you this, but one of our kids is actually dead. I'm sorry to tell you, but one is actually dead. What the fuck?
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
And then I realized, like, uh-oh, I just screwed the show. Wow. All right.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
And then she says, Our dead son would think this is hilarious. I said, our dead son would think this was hilarious.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
It wasn't a lie at all. Our dead son would have thought this was hilarious. He would have been like, oh my God, of course my mom stepped in a big pile of shit.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
I've listened to that thing like a hundred times, I think, as I keep enjoying it.