I'm a stand-up comedian turned satirical journalist who has built my career on dissecting the absurdities of politics, pop culture, and everyday life. As a New York City native where sarcasm is considered second nature, I've channeled that sharp wit into everything from Emmy-nominated television writing to bestselling memoirs to children's books about grumpy buffalos.
I began my career in journalism, contributing to outlets like Wired, GQ.com, The New Republic, Good, and Salon.com after studying at Brown University. But comedy called to me, and in 2012, I made the leap to television writing when I joined the team at Jimmy Kimmel Live!
That transition proved to be the right move. In 2012, I contributed to the Emmy Awards broadcast, and returned in 2016 as part of the Emmy Awards writing team that earned a nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. I also wrote for the 2017 and 2018 Academy Awards, proving that my comedic versatility could shine on the biggest stages in entertainment.
In 2016, my work on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earned me a Writers Guild of America Award—a recognition that validated my decision to follow the path of comedy writing.
In March 2020, I published my debut memoir, Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A True (As Told to Me) Story—a heartfelt portrayal of my grandmother, Bobby Bell. The book became a New York Times Editor's Choice and was later optioned for film adaptation by Sight Unseen Pictures, with me writing the screenplay myself.
The memoir revealed a different side of my writing—one that could balance humor with deep emotional truth, connecting with readers through personal storytelling that felt both intimate and universal.
But I didn't stop there. I ventured into children's literature with Buffalo Fluffalo, a charming book celebrated for its joyful rhymes, grumpy-yet-cuddly buffalo character, and themes of empathy and self-acceptance. It showcased my versatility as a writer who could bring the same wit and emotional honesty to readers of any age.
I maintain The Grudge Report, a robust Substack newsletter that blends cultural critique, Jewish humor, and personal commentary. The newsletter allows me to connect directly with readers on topics ranging from political absurdities to personal reflections. One recent piece addressing fears sparked by antisemitism resonated deeply across online communities, showing how humor and sincerity can coexist in meaningful ways.
On Instagram @bessbellkalb, I've built a community of over 77,000 followers who appreciate my multifaceted identity as "NYT bestselling author, Emmy-nominated TV writer, and children's party clown." Social media lets me share my comedic persona while maintaining the authentic voice that connects all my work.
At Bohiney.com, I've found the perfect platform to combine all my experiences—from late-night television writing to personal storytelling to cultural commentary. My work here draws on my comedic roots in television and viral sketch writing to sharpen my satirical lens on politics and culture.
I believe satirical journalism serves a crucial function in our current media landscape. Whether I'm "illuminating modern relationship faux pas" or dissecting political theater, my approach is to package serious critique in accessible, entertaining formats that make people laugh while making them think.
My comedic background gives me a unique perspective on timing, structure, and the art of the perfectly placed punchline. But my journalism training ensures that the humor never comes at the expense of accuracy or insight. At Bohiney, I get to blend these skills to create content that's both hilarious and informative.
From my early journalism days to Emmy-nominated television writing, from bestselling memoirs to children's books, from Substack newsletters to satirical journalism, I've maintained one constant: the belief that humor can reveal truth in ways that straight reporting sometimes can't.
My work spans multiple platforms and formats because I believe good storytelling—whether it's making people laugh at an awards show, cry over a grandmother's wisdom, or think differently about a political issue—is about meeting your audience where they are and giving them something they didn't know they needed.
Bohiney.com: Author Page
Newsletter: The Grudge Report on Substack
Social Media: @bessbellkalb on Instagram
Official Website: besskalb.com
Reference: Wikipedia
Whether I'm writing jokes for late-night television, crafting personal essays about family, creating stories for children, or satirizing the news of the day, my goal remains the same: to use humor as a lens for understanding our complicated, absurd, and ultimately very human world.
Bess Kalb
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