Actress and comedian Heather McMahan spills exclusive details about the AKC National Championship dog show and opens up about her journey in stand-up comedy
EXCLUSIVE: Comedian Heather McMahan on the AKC Dog Show: “It’s Going to Be The Real Housewives of Shih Tzus”
Published on Dec. 13, 2024
Do you love dogs? So does Heather McMahan. The actress and comedian—known for her standout performances in the 2021 rom-com Love Hard and the 2024 Hulu comedy special The Breadwinner—is also a proud dog mom of two adorable French bulldogs, Macaroni and Rigatoni. Combine her love for pups with her hosting chops (think E! red carpets and more), and it’s clear why she’s the perfect host for the new Viewer’s Choice Awards at the 2024 American Kennel Club (AKC) National Championship dog show.
In this exclusive interview, McMahan gives Reader’s Digest a sneak peek at what fans can expect from the world-famous dog show, reflects on her journey as a comedian and shares a few behind-the-scenes stories. Oh, and if you’re a sucker for dog jokes, you’re in for a treat—she’s got one just for you.
So grab a leash, settle in and get ready for a deep dive into McMahan’s life, career and plans for the upcoming AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin—airing live on Dec. 29 on ABC (along with the Royal Canin Viewer’s Choice Awards).
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Reader’s Digest: The AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin, is a dream for dog lovers everywhere. What’s one thing you hope viewers will take away from the event?
Heather McMahan: Just how special these dog breeds are. This is the Super Bowl of the dog world. I want people to be able to watch the show and have such a thoughtful appreciation for all these different breeds.
The animal kingdom’s pretty cool, but when you see the best in show—when you see the best Pomeranian you’ve ever seen in your life—it’s pretty magical, beautiful.
Reader’s Digest: I’m definitely excited! So I know that you have two French bulldogs.
Heather McMahan: Yep, Macaroni and Rigatoni. I named both of my dogs after pasta. My husband and I are both Italian. I was like, “What is one of the great loves of my life? It’s Italian food.” So naturally, we had to name our dogs after our favorite pastas.
Reader’s Digest: That is adorable. They’re basically celebrities at this point. What would you say is the most diva thing that they’ve ever done, and how do you feel they might handle the spotlight if they were at the AKC National Championship?
Heather McMahan: Oh, my gosh. Clearly, they take after their mother. Both of my dogs are talkers. I have French bulldogs that love to chitchat, and when I say “talk,” they will howl. They will sing every day at 6 o’clock on the dot. They will jump up on the couch, and we will sing together as a family. They’re basically already natural performers.
I think that my girl French bulldog, Macaroni, would really be able to find her light. She loves getting her photos taken. But Rigatoni, my male French bulldog, is a little bit more shy. Whenever I get the phone out and he knows I’m recording him, he’s like, No, not today. Macaroni, I think, would thrive at the AKC National Championship.
Reader’s Digest: So there’s going to be a new Viewers Choice experience at the championship, and it sounds like fun. Tell us a little bit more about it. What are you most excited about when it comes to being a virtual host?
Heather McMahan: Being a virtual host is so cool because I have boots on the ground. I am on the floor. I am in the convention center. I am meeting all the different animals. I think it’s cool to kind of have that connection—connection with an audience who may not be able to go to the event, but they can learn about different breeds that they may not have been aware of before. They get to see what it’s like behind the scenes.
Listen, I’m an old show gal, OK, and it doesn’t matter on show day how you’re feeling. If you’re exhausted, if you’re sick, you got to get that blow out, honey, and show up and do the job. So I think it’s going to be really cool to be interviewing the owners, the trainers and being back behind the scenes to see the the inner workings. There’s probably—maybe—a little drama behind the scenes of a dog show. So I’m excited for people to kind of come behind the curtain and get to experience that.
It’s going to be The Real Housewives of Shih Tzus.
Reader’s Digest: You’re known for your sharp wit and hilarious takes. How are you planning to bring your comedic touch to the dog show? Any chance Macaroni and Rigatoni helped you brainstorm material?
Heather McMahan: I was going through the whole creative deck last night with them, and they just said, “Mom, don’t embarrass us.”
It’s pretty funny, right, that we all are obsessed with our pets? My dogs are the loves of my life, and so it’s really funny—just the different characters outside of the animals that you’re gonna meet at the show. People have dedicated their lives to going to the different events, to showing their dogs. You can’t tell me that that’s not some Grade-A material.
I’m also going into this event as a fellow dog lover, so I understand what’s on the line for a lot of these people. They love their pets, and they’re just so proud of their pets. So I’m excited to see the different waves of emotions of some of these dog owners, and I just think it’s gonna be cool.
There’s nothing better than getting to hang out in a power suit around a bunch of beautiful dogs—it’s gonna be the best day ever. If you would have told me years ago that I would get to do this as a job, I would have been like, “You’re out of your mind.” This may be the peak moment. I’m supposed to go on tour in the spring, but maybe I just do this and then retire after this because this is, like, Grade A.
Reader’s Digest: You mentioned The Real Housewives. Imagine for a second that dog shows had a Real Housewives–style reunion. Who do you think would bring the most drama, and who do you think might be the ultimate peacemaker?
Heather McMahan: Well, obviously the most drama is going to be a Chihuahua. I think the peacemaker is always some sort of gorgeous lab, like a Labrador who’s just kind of chill and mellow. The Andy Cohen of it all would be a poodle.
Reader’s Digest: Hosting big events is definitely your thing. What’s been the most memorable live event that you’ve ever done, and how do you think this dog show experience will compare?
Heather McMahan: I feel very blessed. I get to interview celebrities and peers on the red carpet for the Emmys, the Oscars, the Grammys. I love doing the Emmys every year because I get to meet fellow TV actors whom I absolutely adore and look up to. So that’s always a really, really, really fun event every year.
Listen, you’d be surprised. I bet some of these dogs will talk back. So I can’t wait to see who’s got attitude, who’s gonna give me the extra time, who’s going to be a lap dog, who is going to be just like, “Listen, I’m getting my nails done. Please don’t talk to me. I got to get ready for the show.” I will be just as surprised as you to see who’s going to give me the time of day and who won’t.
Reader’s Digest: On your podcast, Absolutely Not, you talk about things that you’re absolutely not here for. What would you say is an “absolutely not” when it comes to dog shows or dog ownership in general?
Heather McMahan: There’s nothing more frustrating than when you’re out on a walk and a dog [that’s] off leash comes running up. That’s always a little bit of a scary moment.
But an “absolutely yes” for me is just my two French bulldogs have such funny, distinct personalities, and they make me laugh so hard. And listen, I hate to say it, but I’d rather hang out with my two French bulldogs than half my friends some days. So “absolutely yes” to the special relationship I have with with my French bulldogs.
Reader’s Digest: Your Hulu special, Breadwinner, is such a hit. What would you say was the inspiration behind the special, and how did it feel to share such a personal and hilarious project with the world?
Heather McMahan: Stand-up comedy is all about my point of view—my perspective, right? And I share all the most intimate details of my life. The idea behind it was that I started making more money than my husband. I had had this over-the-top, elaborate Italian wedding, and we went on this crazy European honeymoon. I realized, like, yes, I may be the breadwinner now, but I’m the one who’s also created the monster. So it’s also a little bit on me.
And I’m so proud of that special. It was so much fun. I got to shoot it at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, which is like my home theater that I grew up seeing shows at. So that was an iconic moment for me.
When people tune in to my special, I want them to laugh. I want them to enjoy themselves. And if you’re laughing at my expense, then so be it.
Reader’s Digest: With Breadwinner out and resonating with so many different people, what’s next for you in comedy? Do you have any dream projects or stories that you’re excited to bring to life?
Heather McMahan: I’m about to start out on my third big national tour. We’re calling it the Bamboozled Tour. At the end of the day, stand-up comedy truly is one of the great loves of my life. So being able to get up on stage and perform for people is such a rush.
I also have a couple scripts for television shows that we’re developing—fingers crossed. You never know how the industry is going to go, but I hope that we get to make those shows at the end of the day. I miss putting on wigs and playing characters and playing somebody outside of myself. So I really hope that I get the chance to act on camera more.
Stand-up comedy is always about me. It’s my story, but there’s nothing better than telling somebody else’s story as well. I’ll be doing my vision board next week, so you’ll have to check in at the end of next year and see what came true.
Reader’s Digest: At Reader’s Digest, we’re also known for our jokes—including dog jokes. Do you have a favorite dog joke that you can tell?
Heather McMahan: I don’t have any favorite dog jokes right off the bat, but I’ll tell you what I think the joke would be: If I took one of my dogs and took them to the dog show. It would be the biggest disaster on the planet because I have so much admiration for the people who actually do this as their full-time gig. It would be like Toddlers & Tiaras, OK? I would be the mom smoking menthols outside, panicked, not knowing what to do. So while I don’t have any knock-knock jokes about dogs, I will tell you what: Seeing me try and show my dogs at the AKC National Championship would be the biggest joke in the world.
Reader’s Digest: Well, I have one for you: What do you get a dog for its birthday?
Heather McMahan: I don’t know, what?
Reader’s Digest: Pupcakes!
Heather McMahan: Actually, it’s Macaroni’s birthday tomorrow [Dec. 12]. She turns 2, so I need to get her a little doggy-friendly cake.
Rapid response with Heather McMahan
Reader’s Digest: Aisle seat or window?
Heather McMahan: I am aisle no matter what. I have long legs, and I have sciatica because I live on airplanes. So if I can’t get up and stretch the dead leg, then I won’t have a working leg by the time we get to Dallas, if you feel me.
Reader’s Digest: Dogs or cats?
Heather McMahan: I own both, so I can’t say either one or the other. I’m an equal opportunist.
Reader’s Digest: Mornings or nights?
Heather McMahan: Nights, baby.
Reader’s Digest: Would you rather time-travel to the past or future?
Heather McMahan: Travel to the past. I’d love to be in the Cleopatra era. I’m obsessed with that time.
Reader’s Digest: If you weren’t a comedian, what would you be doing?
Heather McMahan: Real estate agent because at the end of the day, we’re all doing sales. I think I could sell homes like hotcakes, honey.
Reader’s Digest: What advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Heather McMahan: Trust your instincts, trust your gut and give yourself grace.
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