Many comics use stand-up as a launching pad for a career as an actor. That’s not so for Kathleen Madigan, who performs Friday and Saturday at the Borgata.

“For me, there is nothing I would rather do than stand-up,” she said while calling from Nashville.

Madigan, 60, isn’t just blowing smoke.

The quick and unpredictable humorist had plenty of television offers over the years. The gigs Madigan turned down range from being an ESPN anchor to acting and writing for sitcoms.

“Ever since the ’80s when they started giving out sitcoms to stand-ups like Robin Williams, there have been comics that are really actor people looking to get acting gigs but trying to do stand-up,” Madigan said. “I never wanted a sitcom. Asking me to become a sitcom actor would be like asking me to become a veterinarian. I have no concept about how to treat a dog or act. How arrogant would I be if I could pretend that I can do what (actress) Patricia Heaton does. Give the acting jobs to someone who studies acting and works at it every day.”

Some of her peers would have jumped at the chance to have joined ESPN, just due to the national face time.

“I can see that because you would have great exposure as an ESPN reporter,” Madigan said. “The job I turned down went to Suzy Kolber. I love sports. But there were a few big reasons I passed on ESPN. I don’t like every sport. I know nothing about NASCAR, so I wouldn’t want to cover it. ESPN isn’t going to pay much for new talent because they can get away with it. Everyone would sacrifice to work there. Hey, I studied journalism but it was evident early on that I could make more money as a bartender than as a journalist. But I didn’t want to do that either. I always wanted to be a stand-up comic.”

Madigan is perplexed why there are so many senior politicians.

“There should be age limits on running for office,” she said. “Chuck Grassley (92) is a senator from Iowa. I asked some Iowans how they can keep him in office and they told me people are afraid to vote him out. They said it would be like voting against your grandfather. They said this was the guy they remember sitting in the middle of a hay wagon when they were kids and they can’t say goodbye to him.”

Madigan wouldn’t mind if there were limits on seniors driving.

“When my grandfather was 85, he hit the same guy twice in one day,” she said. “He hit the guy at the bank and at Denny’s.”

Material is endless for Madigan, who despite hitting her sixth decade, had no interest in retiring from comedy.

“I’m not ready to quit,” she said. ” We only have so much time so let’s spend it as wisely as we can. The best way I can spend time is by doing stand-up.”

Musical choices

The incomparable Diana Ross will perform Friday night at Ocean.

Count on Ross to belt out such hits as “Come See About Me,” “Upside Down” and “Baby Love.” The Motown legend loves to engage with the audience.

Country sensation Keith Urban will perform Friday and Saturday at the Hard Rock. Urban has the hits but what is often glossed over is his guitar ability. Urban can and will shred during both shows.