Pam Ann Is Back in the Air with New Show 'Pamdemic'

With air travel fraught with restrictions and danger, Pam Ann (Australian performer, producer and DJ Caroline Reid) has been pretty much grounded for nearly a year. That doesn't mean that the cheeky performer, who has built quite a cult following in the past decade, isn't working while in quarantining. On January 2 she brings "Pamdemic," her latest multi-character show, to Wilton Manors in Fort Lauderdale in a socially-distanced performance.

With her big hair and classic air hostess attire, Pam Ann looks like she walked out of some 1960s Russ Meyer film. It's a look, she says, she got from her mom. "I blame my mum because she was a drag queen in the 60s. I get drag queen, trans, trans man, I've had it all my life," she told the Australian site QNews in 2018.

"I grew up very alternative," she continued. "I was hanging out with trans, gays, drag queens. I was very alternative back in my early years. It was part of the fabric of my life. So it's my DNA. If you're going to have a language, I speak trans and gay. It's just my world. It's just what I exist in and what I know really."

Her portrayal of an international air hostess will likely offend some, but has made her something of an international sensation. Even the major airlines she skews in her routines have embraced her, having done promotional and training videos for British Air, was named Air Italy's Ambassador and be featured in their in-flight safety videos, and hit live DVD 'Come Fly With Me' on Qantas's inflight programming.

Her shows have played such famous venues as London's Palladium, New York's Joe Pub and San Francisco's Castro Theatre. Her website puts it this way: "Pam's barbed wit has seen her fly many a risky route and negotiate even the most politically incorrect flight path with her blisteringly funny take on the world of airlines and aircrew. Nothing is out of reach of her pristine white gloves, strutting up the aisle with a trolley full of beautifully unpredictable, acerbic airline satire. There's not much Pam hasn't seen or done – from crewing Elton John's private jet at his express request, sharing a stadium stage on a tour of the UK with Cher, and counting Madonna in her legion of devoted fans worldwide."

EDGE recently spoke with Reid as she prepares for her Fort Lauderdale show.

EDGE: For those who may not know, what is the inspiration behind becoming Pam Ann?

Caroline Reid: Initially, back in 1996, before there was social media and iPhones, my main inspiration for the Pam Ann character was Pan Am airlines. I really liked the marketing and their style of the 60s, 70s, and 80s air hostess. It was born more out of my love for fashion and their design aspect. I actually dressed up as a Pan Am air hostess for one my birthday parties - It was a James Bond themed one, because Pan Am flew James Bond. I got drunk and I thought everyone was calling me Pam Ann. So, she was really born out of Vodka!

EDGE: What can you tell us about your new show – "Pamdemic"?

Caroline Reid: "Pamdemic" is going to be quite interesting, because I have not flown since March 2020. So, Pam Ann airlines has been grounded. My comedy is observational, so it is really hard for me to talk about flying during COVID, because I haven't. With the show, I am going to start with "I wish the bat was born," and "I wish it was eaten." The trip is going to start in Wuhan and then I am going to take you around the world: Italy, London, and then land in Miami. So, I am really going to focus on the pandemic then what I would normally focus on – my flight, my travel, and all the flight attendants. I will include them in the show, but Pan Am in a different way.

EDGE: It's your first live performances in over 10 months – are you nervous about getting back on stage?

Caroline Reid: It's a work in progress. Its my first show in 11 months. It is going to be really great to see humans and perform live for them. I do feel sorry for them because I haven't entertained for anyone in months and I have a lot to say. I am always nervous before a show. It gives me anxiety. I must admit there is extra anxiety because of the length in time that I haven't performed live. So, yes, I am quite petrified.

EDGE: Have you ever had this much downtime?

Caroline Reid: Never in my life!

EDGE: How different is Pam now than when the pandemic first began?

Caroline Reid: She is still not happy about economy/coach passengers having extra room now. I don't think she will like the masks. All of this is definitely going to put her out a bit. However, she will really like the social distancing. COVID has sucked the glamour out of flying.

EDGE: The passage of time has always allowed anything to be funny, but since we are still living through the pandemic how did that effect your writing of the show?

Caroline Reid: "Pamdemic" was something that was right. We have to address the elephant in the room. I have always like to confront things head on. Everyone right now is reeling from it. This is the perfect time to do comedy, because comedy heals that stress. When someone says something that you're not supposed to say, and I say it, just relieves all of that stress you're feeling. I think comedy is healing and I think to take the piss out of this pandemic is healing. Just coming to a live performance is going to be healing for all of us.

EDGE: What's your favorite movie with a plane in it?

Caroline Reid: "Airplane" is the best airport/airplane movie and one of the funniest one. I love any movie that is retro – "Airport '77" and "Concorde Affaire". Those films are just beautiful. I just love the design of the airports and the aircrafts. I love the colors, the seats, and the uniforms of the air hostesses.

EDGE: What are the benefits of your mile-high club?

Caroline Reid: You can find it on Patreon.com. I started this during the pandemic, because I was doing online shows and a community started to be born out of this and I wanted to create a place where they could come together. You can choose what tier you want and each one has different perks and benefits. It is really a great platform for Pam Ann fans to connect and stay together during all of this.

EDGE: At the heart of most humor there is some truth. What are your hoping the audience will take away from your show?

Caroline Reid: Well, I hope that they don't leave with COVID! I hope they do leave with a big belly full of laughs. I just want to make the audience happy and make them laugh. If people leave and feel offended that is a job well done too!

EDGE: What's on top of your to do list next?

Caroline Reid: Funny that you ask that. I was thinking of that while on my way back home from having my teeth cleaned at the dentist. I need to do another vision board, because last year's didn't work. No one could have predicted last year in a million years. For this year, I would like to go to the Fillmore theatre here in Miami and film my show for a Netflix special. A very realistic goal.

To book a flight with Pam Ann, visit her website.