Have Women Been Funnier than Men This Entire Time?

“Women aren’t funny.” We hear this narrative all the time that to be successful in comedy; you must be a man. This enduring misogyny has held women back for decades, but today, opportunities for women in the comedy field have expanded more than ever. But let us not forget what it actually means to be a female comedian, perpetually fighting for a seat at a table full of men.

Comedy thrives in clubs across the nation where both beginners and experienced storytellers hope to make audiences erupt in laughter. Stand-up comedy requires not only a good set of jokes, but also engaging crowd work, and knowing how to make people laugh means knowing how to deliver a joke the right way. Looking past the skill factor, the field of stand-up represents some of the greatest gender disparities in comedy. According to Zippia’s career demographics, 89% of stand-up comedians are men, while only 11% are women. Breaking the boundaries are female entertainers like Tig Notaro and Ali Wong, who prove that gender and age do not impact comedic success as they detail their intimate yet hilarious sex stories and experiences with womanhood.

When women talk about sex, it is often received differently than when men do so. This occurs in other industries, including music and movies. The major problem with the double standard of comedy is that men are allowed to be as vulgar as they please in the name of humor, but for women, obscenities are often perceived as undesirable. This exact phenomenon has happened to comedians like Amy Schumer, who was labeled as a sex comic based on only a portion of her material.

Though misogyny holds women back, today, they are able to successfully be funny and share their experiences on platforms that they not only star in but also produce, direct, and write.

TV comedy gives minority women a space to create and share their collective experiences in a relatable way. From Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary to Maya Erskine’s PEN15 to Mindy Kaling's The Sex Lives of College Girls, women can be powerful and funny while existing as complex characters created by their own selves. Other influential talents like Issa Rae embody the ability to express themselves while infusing activism and awareness with comedy.

Despite these recent successes, television has not always welcomed women of color. Saturday Night Live has remained a launchpad for successful comedians and the standard for sketch comedy for decades. But in 2016, former cast member Leslie Jones experienced vicious racism and misogyny from social media users. Despite the treatment Jones faced, SNL continues to feature women such as Ego Nwodim, Punkie Johnson, and Heidi Gardner, who bring unparalleled humor to the long-standing production. 

Whether it be in the form of films, podcasts, or live stand-up shows, comedy is embedded in most of the media we consume. It can be easy to overlook how far women have come in the comedy industry, but all that they fight against, in terms of sexism and misogyny, remains today. What it means to be a female comedian is to be clever, resilient, and, most importantly– funny.

Strike Out,

Matilda Pollard

Boca Raton

Matilda Pollard is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She is a proud Pisces who loves all things creative. Her hobbies include trying new foods and watching classic rom-coms. You can reach her at mpollard280@gmail.com