Who's Funny Now?
June 1, 2017 7:12 AM Subscribe
Ten years ago, Christopher Hitchens (RIP) declared women weren't funny and speculated as to why this might be so: Why Women Aren't Funny (Vanity Fair)
However, there is something that you absolutely never hear from a male friend who is hymning his latest (female) love interest: "She's a real honey, has a life of her own … [interlude for attributes that are none of your business] … and, man, does she ever make 'em laugh." Now, why is this? Why is it the case?, I mean. Why are women, who have the whole male world at their mercy, not funny?
To contextualize this, Bridesmaids (2011), the breakout "Women's comedy that actually appeals to the mens!" wouldn't be released for four more years.
Since then, we've seen the rise of Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Pohler, Mindy Kaling, Kristen McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Aidy Bryant, Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham, Lindy West, Vanessa Bayer, Cecily Strong, Michaela Cole, Ellie Kemper, and more... so many more.
Even in 2007 his observations felt dated, but also, social media hadn't quite galvanized women for sharing interests, commenting, critiquing and supporting one another so immediately and profoundly.
It probably also isn't a coincidence that feminist websites like Jezebel also had a fundamental role in bringing women, women writers and women-in-comedy into the spotlight. Jezebel is also celebrating 10 years.
However, there is something that you absolutely never hear from a male friend who is hymning his latest (female) love interest: "She's a real honey, has a life of her own … [interlude for attributes that are none of your business] … and, man, does she ever make 'em laugh." Now, why is this? Why is it the case?, I mean. Why are women, who have the whole male world at their mercy, not funny?
To contextualize this, Bridesmaids (2011), the breakout "Women's comedy that actually appeals to the mens!" wouldn't be released for four more years.
Since then, we've seen the rise of Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Pohler, Mindy Kaling, Kristen McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Aidy Bryant, Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham, Lindy West, Vanessa Bayer, Cecily Strong, Michaela Cole, Ellie Kemper, and more... so many more.
Even in 2007 his observations felt dated, but also, social media hadn't quite galvanized women for sharing interests, commenting, critiquing and supporting one another so immediately and profoundly.
It probably also isn't a coincidence that feminist websites like Jezebel also had a fundamental role in bringing women, women writers and women-in-comedy into the spotlight. Jezebel is also celebrating 10 years.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Hey, we've talked about Hitchens and his opinions on inter alia women and humor before, and if this post is about not-that it'd make a lot more sense not leading with or framing itself around that. -- cortex
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posted by Dressed to Kill at 7:13 AM on June 1, 2017