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Are women funny? You already know the answer Are women funny? You already know the answer
(6 months later)
I have been making a living out of being funny for the past 21 years. Maybe a little longer if you count hosting “What Now” from 1987, a children’s programme heavy on the comedy sketches and witty banter. But even if you don’t count that, stand-up comedy has certainly been my major source of income since I started doing it in 1993.I have been making a living out of being funny for the past 21 years. Maybe a little longer if you count hosting “What Now” from 1987, a children’s programme heavy on the comedy sketches and witty banter. But even if you don’t count that, stand-up comedy has certainly been my major source of income since I started doing it in 1993.
I’m regularly interviewed for print, radio and television and asked whether I think women are funny. Or whether they’re as funny as men. Or whether it is harder to do comedy if you’re a woman. Or why there are fewer women than men in the industry. Or some other gender-angled query about the work I do. I’m regularly interviewed for print, radio and television and asked whether I think women are funny. Or whether they’re as funny as men. Or whether it is harder to do comedy if you’re a woman. Or why there are fewer women than men in the industry. Or some other gender-angled query about the work I do.
I’ve been giving pretty much the same answer every time. Clearly, it hasn’t been a good answer because I keep being asked the same question – three times already this year (it is March) and as recently as yesterday.I’ve been giving pretty much the same answer every time. Clearly, it hasn’t been a good answer because I keep being asked the same question – three times already this year (it is March) and as recently as yesterday.
I don’t ever want to answer this question again. It makes me tired. It forces me to think of myself as “a woman who does comedy” rather than as “a comedian” which is how I actually think of myself.I don’t ever want to answer this question again. It makes me tired. It forces me to think of myself as “a woman who does comedy” rather than as “a comedian” which is how I actually think of myself.
As far as I can tell, it’s not a question asked constantly of women in other creative industries. People don’t ask if women can act, or paint, or dance, or write, or sing, or play music. Comedy still seems to be a place where we’re regularly made to feel “other”, where we’re asked the kind of questions that make you wonder if maybe you weren’t supposed to turn up.As far as I can tell, it’s not a question asked constantly of women in other creative industries. People don’t ask if women can act, or paint, or dance, or write, or sing, or play music. Comedy still seems to be a place where we’re regularly made to feel “other”, where we’re asked the kind of questions that make you wonder if maybe you weren’t supposed to turn up.
It makes me feel as though every time I walk on stage, or sit on a TV panel show, I carry my gender on my shoulders. And that my success or failure isn’t just about me (which is enough to think about, frankly) but that I am representing every other woman who does comedy, or who might want to do comedy some time. That if I screw up – or any other woman screws up – we’ll all be ruined forever. “See, chicks?” they’ll say, pointing at one of us, “not funny.”It makes me feel as though every time I walk on stage, or sit on a TV panel show, I carry my gender on my shoulders. And that my success or failure isn’t just about me (which is enough to think about, frankly) but that I am representing every other woman who does comedy, or who might want to do comedy some time. That if I screw up – or any other woman screws up – we’ll all be ruined forever. “See, chicks?” they’ll say, pointing at one of us, “not funny.”
They say that a definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result. I’m thinking that if I’m asked the same question over and over and keep answering it, I’ll be barking by Easter.They say that a definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result. I’m thinking that if I’m asked the same question over and over and keep answering it, I’ll be barking by Easter.
So instead, I am posting this to my website and here on the Ruminator, the next time someone asks some version of the “women” to “funny” ratio (probably on Thursday) I will direct the interviewer to this post. Here, then, are the actual questions I have been asked many times, and the answers I have given.So instead, I am posting this to my website and here on the Ruminator, the next time someone asks some version of the “women” to “funny” ratio (probably on Thursday) I will direct the interviewer to this post. Here, then, are the actual questions I have been asked many times, and the answers I have given.
Are women funny?Are women funny?
Christopher Hitchens famously argued in a 2007 Vanity Fair that women aren’t funny – or haven’t developed their comedy skills – because they don’t have to. Comedy, he said, was a mating tool and women don’t need that particular arrow in their quiver because they are pretty and make babies. But men, Hitchens said, get fat and bald so to attract women they either need wit or wealth. Ergo, men have evolved their comedic skills to a greater level.Christopher Hitchens famously argued in a 2007 Vanity Fair that women aren’t funny – or haven’t developed their comedy skills – because they don’t have to. Comedy, he said, was a mating tool and women don’t need that particular arrow in their quiver because they are pretty and make babies. But men, Hitchens said, get fat and bald so to attract women they either need wit or wealth. Ergo, men have evolved their comedic skills to a greater level.
I’m not sure Hitch was entirely wrong, in general terms. But even if women don’t need to be funny to get laid because they smell nice and have soft hair, individual women clearly still have the drive to entertain, and a comedy gene in their DNA they can harness and develop. Also, I’d suggest that not every creative endeavour is about getting laid.I’m not sure Hitch was entirely wrong, in general terms. But even if women don’t need to be funny to get laid because they smell nice and have soft hair, individual women clearly still have the drive to entertain, and a comedy gene in their DNA they can harness and develop. Also, I’d suggest that not every creative endeavour is about getting laid.
Do female comedians get laid?Do female comedians get laid?
Oh god, yes. There is nothing a man finds more attractive that a smart, loud, opinionated, razor sharp, witty, confident woman standing under a spotlight with a microphone in her hand. Just the one man, mind, but he’s a keeper.Oh god, yes. There is nothing a man finds more attractive that a smart, loud, opinionated, razor sharp, witty, confident woman standing under a spotlight with a microphone in her hand. Just the one man, mind, but he’s a keeper.
Why are there so few women comedians?Why are there so few women comedians?
This is a global phenomenon and, after being forced to think about it for two decades, I believe there are three related reasons.This is a global phenomenon and, after being forced to think about it for two decades, I believe there are three related reasons.
Is it harder to do comedy as a woman?Is it harder to do comedy as a woman?
I don’t know. I’ve never tried doing it as a man.I don’t know. I’ve never tried doing it as a man.
What is the hardest thing about being a female comedian?What is the hardest thing about being a female comedian?
Answering the questions about being one. Everything else about it is just like being a comedian.Answering the questions about being one. Everything else about it is just like being a comedian.
Are there fewer opportunities for women?Are there fewer opportunities for women?
Sometimes I get a job because they are specifically looking for a woman. Sometimes I don’t get a job because they specifically want a man. It is still rare for there to be more than one woman in a show. Producers tend to go for only one of any of the following in a line-up show: woman / magician / differently-abled / gay / non-European / musical comedian. You can generally, however, have any number of white dudes with beards and flannel shirts. They don’t stand out so much and skew the overall image.Sometimes I get a job because they are specifically looking for a woman. Sometimes I don’t get a job because they specifically want a man. It is still rare for there to be more than one woman in a show. Producers tend to go for only one of any of the following in a line-up show: woman / magician / differently-abled / gay / non-European / musical comedian. You can generally, however, have any number of white dudes with beards and flannel shirts. They don’t stand out so much and skew the overall image.
Are audiences harder on women comedians?Are audiences harder on women comedians?
It depends on how much comedy they’ve seen, and even then any negative presumptions are only for the few seconds while they watch you walk from side-of-stage to the microphone. After that, funny is funny. I did a gig in Australia in 2008 in a little town called Butt-Fuck-Nowhere where I’m not sure they’d seen women let alone women who do comedy. As I was introduced, my husband heard a dude say to his mates, “Oh, look, a chick. Let’s watch the bitch die.” Then a couple of minutes later he said, “Fuck it, she’s good. I’m going outside for a smoke.” So you get that. But not often.It depends on how much comedy they’ve seen, and even then any negative presumptions are only for the few seconds while they watch you walk from side-of-stage to the microphone. After that, funny is funny. I did a gig in Australia in 2008 in a little town called Butt-Fuck-Nowhere where I’m not sure they’d seen women let alone women who do comedy. As I was introduced, my husband heard a dude say to his mates, “Oh, look, a chick. Let’s watch the bitch die.” Then a couple of minutes later he said, “Fuck it, she’s good. I’m going outside for a smoke.” So you get that. But not often.
Why do female comedians always talk about their periods?Why do female comedians always talk about their periods?
We don’t. I haven’t done a period joke since the one I wrote in 1994 about Paul McCartney. Comedians talk about what we know, and write about the idea that is making the most noise in our head which insists on being turned into a gag. I haven’t been inspired to write about periods since I had my uterus removed in 2003. Thanks for asking. But in defence of a good period joke, let me paraphrase something another comic once said: If Chris Rock bled out of his penis 5 days out of every 28, he’d probably mention it on stage.We don’t. I haven’t done a period joke since the one I wrote in 1994 about Paul McCartney. Comedians talk about what we know, and write about the idea that is making the most noise in our head which insists on being turned into a gag. I haven’t been inspired to write about periods since I had my uterus removed in 2003. Thanks for asking. But in defence of a good period joke, let me paraphrase something another comic once said: If Chris Rock bled out of his penis 5 days out of every 28, he’d probably mention it on stage.
Why are female comedians so foul-mouthed?Why are female comedians so foul-mouthed?
We’re not. A lot of people just notice it more when a lady swears. There was a review once of a line-up show I was in back in the 90s, and the reviewer said I swore more than anyone else on stage. There was an audio recording and I had time on my hands. I counted. One of the boys said “fuck” 28 times. I said it twice. If people notice it more when a lady says it, I can’t help them with that.We’re not. A lot of people just notice it more when a lady swears. There was a review once of a line-up show I was in back in the 90s, and the reviewer said I swore more than anyone else on stage. There was an audio recording and I had time on my hands. I counted. One of the boys said “fuck” 28 times. I said it twice. If people notice it more when a lady says it, I can’t help them with that.
Women are entitled to use all the words including those lovely explosive ones, and the ones that describe our lady-parts. The thing about comedy is it is supposed to sound like an authentic conversation. I swear a bit in my head and also my kitchen. I’m going to talk to an audience the way I talk to my friends.Women are entitled to use all the words including those lovely explosive ones, and the ones that describe our lady-parts. The thing about comedy is it is supposed to sound like an authentic conversation. I swear a bit in my head and also my kitchen. I’m going to talk to an audience the way I talk to my friends.
Your husband is a comedian, too. Who is funnier?Your husband is a comedian, too. Who is funnier?
It’s not actually a competition. We laugh a lot at our place and we don’t notice who starts it.It’s not actually a competition. We laugh a lot at our place and we don’t notice who starts it.
Are women funny?Are women funny?
You asked me that before. I’m going to answer it one last time. As I said at the beginning, I’ve been making a living as a comedian for 21 years. If I’m not actually funny, that’s a seriously clever trick.You asked me that before. I’m going to answer it one last time. As I said at the beginning, I’ve been making a living as a comedian for 21 years. If I’m not actually funny, that’s a seriously clever trick.
• This piece was originally published on The Ruminator and the author’s blog• This piece was originally published on The Ruminator and the author’s blog