Is there such a thing as a funny female comedian?

padders67

I'm just glad nobody mentioned sarah millican

padders67

padders67 wrote: »

I'm just glad nobody mentioned sarah millican

shes about as funny as a fungal infection.

Tarzana

mariaalice wrote: »

Generally I take some feminist theory with a pinch of salt, however this thread got me thinking....there is a feminist theory that states that a lot of dislike of women rears it head when woman appear in traditional men's spaces and stand up comedy was traditional a mans space, now for some reason some men resent woman appearing in the male space of stand up comedy and you get the women aren't funny as a put down to woman.

There are some very funny women and very funny men and some not very funny men and some not very funny women.

There's a kinda attitude like if one female comedian is unfunny, then they all are. Whereas an unfunny male comedian is just unfunny.

Tarzana

Jev/N wrote: »

Just about to post this

Nina Conti too with the Monkey but, then again, I haven't seen much else so could be just a one-trick pony....

Hate Nina Conti, but then I have a severe aversion to ventriloquism.

o1s1n

Tarzana wrote: »

There's a kinda attitude like if one female comedian is unfunny, then they all are. Whereas an unfunny male comedian is just unfunny.

That one works in many different ways unfortunately, doesn't just stop at comedy.

This cartoon sums it up well;

http://www.personal.psu.edu/bfr3/blogs/asp/Gender%20diversity.png

Tarzana

o1s1n wrote: »

That one works in many different ways unfortunately, doesn't just stop at comedy.

This cartoon sums it up well;

http://www.personal.psu.edu/bfr3/blogs/asp/Gender%20diversity.png

So true. Driving is another biggie.

wicklowstevo

no afraid a funny female does not exist joan rivers is the closest thing and she is too crass

AtomicHorror

wicklowstevo wrote: »

no afraid a funny female does not exist joan rivers is the closest thing and she is too crass

This is all the proof I need to conclude that nobody from Wicklow uses the shift key or punctuation.

wicklowstevo

i blame the schools atomichorror . there was no shift keys in my days . plus the excessive inbreeding and shallow gene pool means not all of us are blessed with the correct number of fingers and thumbs .

Ficheall

How are we defining "funny" for the purposes of this thread?

DrumSteve

Not going to read through the thread, but Caroline Aherne and Tina Fey are funny.

fearrua

There's a fair few in my opinion, but they've all already been mentioned really- Amy Poehler, French & Saunders, Tina Fey, Deirdre O'Kane, Kristen Schaal can be a bit hit and miss but most comedians are.

Tarzana

DrumSteve wrote: »

Not going to read through the thread, but Caroline Aherne and Tina Fey are funny.

Caroline Aherne is a genius.

Tarzana

Ficheall wrote: »

How are we defining "funny" for the purposes of this thread?

You can't, it's so subjective.

truedoom

Sandy Toksvig is pretty funny i think

But good female comedians are few and far between imo

Ficheall

truedoom wrote: »

But good comedians are few and far between imo

FYP

Remmy

truedoom wrote: »

Sandy Toksvig is pretty funny i think

But good female comedians are few and far between imo

Forgot about her, She's gas on QI

Tarzana

truedoom wrote: »

Sandy Toksvig is pretty funny i think


But good female comedians are few and far between imo

Remmy wrote: »

Forgot about her, She's gas on QI

Sandy's great. Remember her on 'Call My Bluff' in the 90s with Alan Coren and Rod Liddle?

beefstew

Amy Schumer...this girl got jokes!

SupaReckless

says I'm too new to post images or attatchments- so on youtube dot com, add these links for sore sides and lols

sommore
/watch?v=dXIIupnBSWk


amy schumer
/watch?v=ym33QVE-Of4

adrienne truscott
/watch?v=h88lcf2UJKo

Rachel Feinstein
watch?v=cV30u8JgCXM

Emily Heller
/watch?v=Sj977cFBuKk

Chameleon Comedian
/watch?v=gZIXv5Ovv8c

mikeym

Theres a few.

Wompa1

Tarzana wrote: »

There's a kinda attitude like if one female comedian is unfunny, then they all are. Whereas an unfunny male comedian is just unfunny.

Or there's such a significant ratio of unfunny to funny female stand-up comedians out there that it seems that way.

I find many female comedic actors to be funny like Tina Fey, Amy Pfoehler, Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer, Laurie Metcalfe etc.

The woman that played Mary from John and Mary on Fr. Ted was great in that role. Mrs. Doyle hammed the role up a little bit...kind of like Fr. Jack...but that's probably how they were directed.

But there's very few female standup comics that I find funny. I don't believe it's some subconscious unwillingness to enjoy their performance. I saw some male comedians talking about this before. They made a comment that what us men find funny tends to be different to what women find funny. The same way a lot of men didn't find Friends funny, some did. Or Sex and the City. Women seemed to widely love those shows.

That Lynch lady in Ireland isn't my cup of tea. Meave Higgins isn't either. Ditto Jo Brandt. Some of Amy Schumers sketches are great but her standup...meh. Sarah Silverman, same thing. Her show bordered on moronic at times but had good parts..some of her standup jokes were very funny but most was terrible.

I'm as critical of male comedians as I am of women though. I don't enjoy most male stand ups. They have to be pretty good for me to enjoy

ToddyDoody

If there is then maybe there's a place for me in comedy

Aidric

Hand on heart I couldn't name a funny stand up comedian. There are many good female comedy actors however.

DrumSteve wrote: »

Not going to read through the thread, but Caroline Aherne and Tina Fey are funny.

Case in point.

wp_rathead

yes

Mr.Micro

My wife laughs at me all the time.

GotTheTshirt

Mr.Micro wrote: »

My wife laughs at me all the time.

About time you pulled your pants back up.

The Highwayman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5TlR0K7ASA

This guy is great

Wompa1

The Highwayman wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5TlR0K7ASA

This guy is great

I saw him live in Arizona, where it's legal to carry concealed or non-concealed weapons. He opened with a 10 minute rant about gun control. Everybody laughed! That takes balls and also talent to word it in such a way that you'll get both sides of the spectrum to laugh.

hattoncracker

Emma Thompson is hilarious!

sadie06

Not standup, but I think Catherine Tate is a comic genius, as is Caroline Aherne.

Tarzana

Wompa1 wrote: »

Or there's such a significant ratio of unfunny to funny female stand-up comedians out there that it seems that way.

I find many female comedic actors to be funny like Tina Fey, Amy Pfoehler, Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer, Laurie Metcalfe etc.

The woman that played Mary from John and Mary on Fr. Ted was great in that role. Mrs. Doyle hammed the role up a little bit...kind of like Fr. Jack...but that's probably how they were directed.

But there's very few female standup comics that I find funny. I don't believe it's some subconscious unwillingness to enjoy their performance. I saw some male comedians talking about this before. They made a comment that what us men find funny tends to be different to what women find funny. The same way a lot of men didn't find Friends funny, some did. Or Sex and the City. Women seemed to widely love those shows.

That Lynch lady in Ireland isn't my cup of tea. Meave Higgins isn't either. Ditto Jo Brandt. Some of Amy Schumers sketches are great but her standup...meh. Sarah Silverman, same thing. Her show bordered on moronic at times but had good parts..some of her standup jokes were very funny but most was terrible.

I'm as critical of male comedians as I am of women though. I don't enjoy most male stand ups. They have to be pretty good for me to enjoy

Hmmm, what you're saying doesn't even back that the ratio of funny to unfunny is that much larger amongst female comedians than male. You say you don't find a lot of female comics funny, but that you are also critical of a lot of male comics. And that's not even considering the subjectivity of comedy. I have also heard that for women, in these islands at least, comedy clubs are still incredibly intimidating places and that it's hard to feel welcome and accepted at times. How many promising female comics are deterred by this in conjunction with the fact that stand-up is tough ol' business. Of course one can argue that you need to be thick-skinned to survive in the industry. You need industrial strength to make it as a female in stand-up though.

Wompa1

Tarzana wrote: »

Hmmm, what you're saying doesn't even back that the ratio of funny to unfunny is that much larger amongst female comedians than male. You say you don't find a lot of female comics funny, but that you are also critical of a lot of male comics. And that's not even considering the subjectivity of comedy. I have also heard that for women, in these islands at least, comedy clubs are still incredibly intimidating places and that it's hard to feel welcome and accepted at times. How many promising female comics are deterred by this in conjunction with the fact that stand-up is tough ol' business. Of course one can argue that you need to be thick-skinned to survive in the industry. You need industrial strength to make it as a female in stand-up though.

I've also heard that the vast majority of comedy clubs around the developed world are intimidating places for every comic. If you're unknown, you're going to get heckled and judged...that's the way it is. Watch Bill Burr in Philadelphia...Or Youtube Hecklers...it happens to men and women. You're right about the thick skinned part...but I would say it's the same for men and women. If you're actually funny and skilled with winning over a crowd, you'll be fine. Even if you're not, those heckles are a learning opportunity, you can use them to figure out how to deflect them.

The funny to unfunny ratio for women seems greather than for men...Yeah, there's some male comics I don't like e.g. Micheal McIntyre and Des Bishop. But I like a lot more male comics than I have females. I went to a comedy festival last year. Hannibal Buress, Dave Chaepelle, Jim Jefferies, Jeffrey Ross, Two guys I never heard of before and there was a lady..I didn't enjoy one of the guys sets. And the female comedians set just didn't make me laugh at all. Yet the lady I was with thought she was hilarious. Meanwhile she wasn't all that into Hannibal, Dave Chappelle or the two unknown guys.

It is subjective...but I find it odd that many more man can transcend genders, while most women can't

Lou.m

mendusa wrote: »

I was watching mock the week last night and Jo Brand was on it a so called comedian.Her jokes involved been old,going through the menopause and been fat needless to say they needed to use the laughtrack for her.It got me thinking that i can't think of a funny female comedian i can name 5 some what funny male comedians.

1.Johnny Vegas
2.Peter Kay
3.Neil Delamere
4.Alan Carr
5.Michael Mcintyre

then the females i can think of
1.Jo Brand (explained already what I think of her)
2.Deirdre O'Kane(best thing she ever done was when she was in that rte drama and was riding ya man while beating the **** outta him
3.Katherine Lynch(Wonderwoman wonder how the **** she got a show)

So can anyone tell me of a funny female comedian please or do you think there's no such thing as one.

Jennifer Saunders.Tina Fey.

Tina Fey is one of the best writers.

Wompa1

Lou.m wrote: »

Jennifer Saunders.Tina Fey.

Tina Fey is one of the best writers.

But not at Stand-up?

Un Croissant

Joan Rivers is fcuking awful. I have to admit to not liking female stand up for the most part. Saying that, on TV its more than made up for. Tina Fey being the obvious one.

Tarzana

Wompa1 wrote: »

I've also heard that the vast majority of comedy clubs around the developed world are intimidating places for every comic. If you're unknown, you're going to get heckled and judged...that's the way it is. Watch Bill Burr in Philadelphia...Or Youtube Hecklers...it happens to men and women.

Anecdotally, it's worse for women though, in the UK and Ireland at least.

Some things aren't equal for each gender. For example, today many men are much more reluctant to enter into a primary school teaching as a profession because they, with some justification, feel they'll be scrutinised more than a female teacher for inappropriate behaviour. It's a real shame.

I also don't agree that women can't transcend gender in comedy. They get reduced to the "oh, she'll just talk about her period" thing. Please. The vast majority of men navigate well-trodden subject matter.

So, yes, you like more male comedians. My point was it's harder to break into if you're female. You need a thicker skin than your male equivalent.

bnt

This thread reminded me that I had one of Chelsea Handler's books to read: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. Not a big name here, but she had 25 standup appearances on Jay Leno, then her own show on the E! Channel. it doesn't hurt that she's sleeping with her boyfriend is the CEO of the E! Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0hnbyvftC4

I'm not convinced by her on the screen, but her writing is hilarious and had me cracking up on the LUAS today. The first chapter is a (hopefully) exaggerated account of what happened when she discovered masturbation at the age of eight. Let's just say that lab rats with electrodes in their brains have got nothing on Chelsea. :eek:

whupdedo

Tarzana wrote: »

Anecdotally, it's worse for women though, in the UK and Ireland at least.

Some things aren't equal for each gender. For example, today many men are much more reluctant to enter into a primary school teaching as a profession because they, with some justification, feel they'll be scrutinised more than a female teacher for inappropriate behaviour. It's a real shame.

I also don't agree that women can't transcend gender in comedy. They get reduced to the "oh, she'll just talk about her period" thing. Please. The vast majority of men navigate well-trodden subject matter.

So, yes, you like more male comedians. My point was it's harder to break into if you're female. You need a thicker skin than your male equivalent.

Yes, but it could also be that women are just sh1t at comedy

whomitconcerns

Shappi Khorsadani the Iranian engllish comidienne is one of teh VERY few I would actually pay to see

whupdedo

whupdedo wrote: »

Yes, but it could also be that women are just sh1t at comedy

But again pretty much any woman who's been on snl and several others have been mentioned here they are very funny comedians they just generally choose not to do stand up that in no way reduces there value as comedians

losthorizon

I find Aisling Bea very funny.

AS for Micael Mcintyre op he very generic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke8R5K5NOWg

St890

Jaxxon Fat Stationery wrote: »

But again pretty much any woman who's been on snl and several others have been mentioned here they are very funny comedians they just generally choose not to do stand up that in no way reduces there value as comedians

It takes a lot more skill to stand on a stage on your own and make an audience laugh. It's a lot easier when you have other people to interact with.

Tarzana

whupdedo wrote: »

Yes, but it could also be that women are just sh1t at comedy

Such astute analysis.

riclad

AMY SCHUMER, the actors on broad city.
theres loads of funny comediennes.
Look at snl, amy poehler, tiny fey etc it has produced dozens of female comedians .
I think she split up with him, re chelsea handler.
Her show is ending soon.
Theres more male comedians, but theres plenty of funny female comedians especially on us tv.

Da Shins Kelly

losthorizon wrote: »

I find Aisling Bea very funny.

I saw her on 8 out of 10 Cats and thought she was really good. She was well able to hold her own against Jon Richardson and Sean Locke.

St890

St890 wrote: »

It takes a lot more skill to stand on a stage on your own and make an audience laugh. It's a lot easier when you have other people to interact with.

Does it though as a senior wrighter on a scetch show or as senior wrighter on a comedy show there's massive responsibility on you to be funny

18MonthsaSlave

Thread resurrection (or undeadening if you are an actress from The Walking Dead)

Funny? You decide?

Beano

18MonthsaSlave wrote: »

Thread resurrection (or undeadening if you are an actress from The Walking Dead)

Funny? You decide?

Good delivery. pretty dumb joke.