Are Women Funny?

Since I’ve started doing stand-up I’ve begun to realise more and more that there are so few female comedians on the circuit. And it’s not for my lack of looking – they just don’t exist! So, I was wondering: is it that women don’t want to be comedians or is it that they just aren’t funny? Is there a social club or an AA meeting for Incompetent Female Comedians? IFCA?

Probably not.

However! During my quest to discover the mystery of the shitty titty comedian, I came across, “The Observer,” and held within its crispy sheets was the little known, “Observer Woman Magazine,” which held all the answers to my questions.

Now, “The Observer,” is the oldest Sunday newspaper in the world, taking a left-liberal, social democratic line on most issues, so you’d assume its, “Woman Magazine,” would be a fair, un-sexist, intelligent publication. One to trust and believe is run by strong, smart women. And it is from this that I draw my conclusion that no, women aren’t funny.

I realise that I may have just shot myself in the foot there, but please allow me to elaborate; for on the front cover of this eloquently named, “Woman Magazine,” – written by interesting women for interesting women – aligned next to a photo of said attractive, interesting woman are the titles of the headlining articles. Now, please allow me to inform you of these intellectually stimulating, moving, thought provoking, comical, deep-rooted, stirring titles:

“My Cheating Husband.”

“Breast Reduction.”

“Failed Relationships.”

“Shopping Addiction.”

“Unrequited Love.”

“Designer Lifestyle.”

“Eating Disorder.”

“Youth Obsession.”

“Sexless Marriage.”

And, “Self-Imposed Exile.”

Bloody hell! This woman on the cover has some serious problems! I’m genuinely surprised they don’t give away a box of razors and a coupon for cheap gin with each issue.

Now, initially I thought, well that’s answered my question: this verbal masturbation of a publication shows that some women really can’t find the silver lining. I mean, who wants to stand on stage telling funnies when your overly large breasts have caused the sex to leave your marriage, forcing your husband into the arms of another woman and leaving you with nothing but an eating disorder and shopping addiction, wishing you were twenty years younger so the beautiful shop assistant at Louis Vouitton would love you back and you could stop living in your self-imposed exile?!

Turns out it’s really hard to be a woman. Perhaps there just isn’t that much to laugh about?

And then I thought, actually, that would make a really funny sketch show.