Gender and Humor

Hmm, you seem to be saying that women are "conditionally funny". (This term seems like an oxymoron because humor "should" be funny from the gut, not the mind.)Anyways, I am curious about non-American opinions too. Any female comedians you would like to list? C'mon, Brit comedy must have bowl-fuls!

Does this mean you generally agree that women are less funny than men? A lot less? I tend to do that with Simpson quotes, especially if they are monkey-themed.

Hello everyone. I've been reading this forum for ages but registered because I really wanted to post on this thread...Some Brit dames I find very funny - Jennifer Saunders, Josie Lawrence, Caroline Quentin and Linda Smith (sadly no longer with us). The sketch show 'Smack the Pony', written by and starring Doon Mackichan, Fiona Allen, Sally Phillips and Sarah Alexander, was brilliant. One of my favourite sitcoms, Green Wing, was written by a team led by Victoria Pile and included some great female comedy performances, including from Michelle Gomez, Pippa Haywood and Tamsin Grieg.I'm going to throw in a Finn too - Sandi Toksvig is ace.The best female stand-up comedian I've seen was probably Jo Caulfield. Other popular female stand-ups in Britain include Victoria Wood, Jo Brand and Jenny Eclair, but I'm not a huge fan of any of them. I've not seen much live stand-up but most that I have seen (by men and women), apart from the occasional big name like Bill Bailey and Bill Hicks, has been buttock-clenchingly bad. Maybe because it's often very self-referential, and I prefer the more obtuse, surreal stuff.

Hey hey Oni,Damn you forum participants, I can not view videos at work because of the firewall and internet filters. In the future could you all at least write a sentence to describe why you think the video is illustrative to your point? Thanks. I'll try to review your video later at home. I like Sarah Silverman. I obviously don't know her in person, but she seems like she MIGHT be the type who is funny but in a caustic, sarcastic way. I have known those types, but wouldn't want to date them for long.The other two you listed aren't exactly world-class comedians. But this is supportive of you thinking that women are less funny. I agree, I agree. Looking over my thread, it appears everyone can easily name their favorite comedy movies, but is having a difficult time with the lady comedien list. Hmm.Lastly, as a comedien, I expected from you at least one classic comedy film in your list. From before the 70s? Or from before the 50s? Limiting myself to only five films was difficult for me, perhaps it was doubly-difficult for you.

I don't really agree. Hitchens over-analyzed this to death, which doesn't surprise me because he tends to view everything with Darwinian glasses. Look at the movie "The Sweetest Thing." Those are all girls who value comedy in their lives and none of them are either "ugly," "dyke," "Jewish?", or "Butch."He's just painting with a large brush. Tracy Ulmann has spent her entire life in comedy and she's neither of those caricatures either. Yeah she is, not to mention obnoxious. I can't stand her or Garafolo. It's a real turn-off to hear political activism in the middle of a set. Nobody fucking cares what your politics are. Just make me laugh, bitch, that's your job. If I wanted political commentary I'd watch C-SPAN, thanks. My only criticism with Carey is that sometimes he tries so hard to be funny he ends up not being funny. I went in to that movie with skepticism. People blew it up too much by saying it was on the level of Old School (probably in my top 3 best comedies of all time), so that by the time I saw the movie it was a huge let down. It was hyped up too much. And then I saw it a second time and have concluded that it has the potential to be at least in the top 10 for sure.And now the Doug Song is my ringtone Edited by Hyroglyphx, : No reason given.

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"Political correctness is tyranny with manners." -- Charlton Heston

But your lack of ANY examples are evidence of absence of evidence. (Umm, perhaps, Straggler or Razd can assist.)

Hey Subbie, Ohhh, an ingrate, ehh? I'd tear out your tonsils!If you ask any man who the three greatest American men in history are, they would reply, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Moe*. The stooges were a great surreal farcical comedy team. Love 'em. I'd agree she should be on a list. But top three? Hmmm, maybe? She WAS considered the next Lucy, so she might not be a bad choice. Yeah, Maybe not in my top five, but a very funny movie. Too many funny moments, but I find the scene where Babs says "hi daddy" to her father as a judge, and then his desk implodes. Early 1970s movie.So far no one has offered any pre 1970s comedy movie. Hmm.* Credit some comedian I can't remember. Maybe Tim Tommerson?

Hi caffeine,I anticipated your type of reply. That's why I specifically asked you to name YOUR favorite female comedians and comedy movies. Without any lists, it might appear you simply don't have any sense of humor. (If your OK with that, then so am I, no problems) Also, I think we can, sort of, guage the type or depth of humor by the type of movies you list. And from that, maybe a simplistic logical or intelligence profile of each participant. For e.g. if you said all Jerry Lewis movies, you are either a dumbass American or a brilliant French person (just kidding). Seriously, this seems like an obvious science experiment that should have been done years ago. And I bet it has.

Nah, I hadn't see those. I just watched them...A little too dry for me, but not bad. The second one was funnier.I spend most of my online time while at work so I don't frequent video sites but stick with text and images instead (its easier to get away with and not as bad imo...)

Yes... a medium amount less I got to use the word "Id" in Scrabble..."Its one of the three components of the psyche!"

Well, let's fix that right away.Again, in no particular order: Arsenic and Old Lace
My Man Godfrey
His Girl Friday
It Happened One Night
Some Like it HotNot this one.What the hell, as long as we're doing lists, and the actual topic notwithstanding, I feel compelled to present my list of the greatest male stand ups. As usual, in no particular order:Bill Cosby
Robin Williams
Bob Newhart
and of course, George CarlinEdited by subbie, : Tyop

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Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus. -- Thomas JeffersonFor we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

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explanation (since you're czech)

Welcome to the forum aiki,Wow. I thought asking for THREE woman comedians would be difficult. Sadly, even though Americans do get a sampling of Brit television, I don't recognize any of your names you supplied, sorry. Are you a female, AND a comedian/actress? You seem very connected to the comedy world. I hope another Brit will respond to your email. As do I. If I catch a very, very obscure reference, I laugh exponentially harder.

Why not just sign up and dive right in earlier? Scared?Are you gonna participate more now that you have?

Hey Subbie, I like older films, but sadly have never watched any of these above from start to finish.My father is a big factor in my liking older films, might I add: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) w/Cary Grant. "Cole. Bill Cole. Friend of the family. Just came in out of the rain." Animal Crackers (1930) Marx Bros. I often describe our processes here at work as "Marxist". I agree, he was great.