In my opinion, and i'm not just saying this, women are better at comedy. My favorite comedian is Sarah Silverman and I think when given the chance women do it so much better than men. Especially as they have a different perspective on things. For example Smack the Pony was so original (and funny) because a female orientated sketch show had never been done before.
PS I apologise in advance for the sexism which will surely follow.
Not sure about this one Adam - some very good folk on either 'side'. I could sit on the fence and say Eddie Izzard though!
One of the best comedy 'actors' is Dawn French though - I know she has the comedy edge of being a fatty (lets face it fat people are funny) - but she certainly has great comic timing and ability.
I do also think that in comedy women tend to either be VERY good or VERY bad - not many in the middle-ground - but perhaps that's just me perception.
Hermaphrodites...they have the slight edge I think.
There are some fantastic comediennes out there but and the end of the day, I'd have to say men.
Well, as a woman I'd have to say... men are funnier in general. My husband still makes me laugh every day, and we've been together for 23 years.
I am going to have to say men (at the moment). There is more choice for a start.
I still think it is hard for women to break into comedy & I do believe they are judged more. Even I am guilty of this in the past myself. Come on be honest, your at Jongleurs one of the acts comes on, its a woman, how many of you assume before she opens her mouth that she wont be that great. Come on you know its true. I am a listener into conversations & I have heard it said. Time & time again.
There are too many old fashioned people still out there. Women talking about sex & swearing is still a bit of a taboo to SOME people.But Hey!. F**k it.
The greatest comedians are those that can do a set or write a sketch where there is no swearing. Of that I am convinced. It is easier to say f**k than to think of an alternative. I however would kill to have the intelligence & humour of Bill Hicks. My all time icon.
One of my fav comedies in the last 5 years is Nighty Night. The 1st series and one episode from the 2nd. Thank god for Julia Davies I say. She wrote one of the darkest comedies seen on television to date. In my opinion many men found that series weird and cringe worthy.From chatting to some womenfolk who did get to see it, they loved it.
Anyhoo I am getting boring now. I have said a million times comedy is in the ears and eyes of the beholder.
Quote: charley rance @ June 15, 2007, 4:19 PMThere are too many old fashioned people still out there. Women talking about sex & swearing is still a bit of a taboo to SOME people.But Hey!. F**k it.
Lets hope they don't meet you Charley.
I would say men are better at comedy, and comedy in women is more rare. But there are exceptions. Victoria Wood, for example, Celia Imrie, Emma Wray (Brenda from Watching), Liza Tarbuck, Raquel from Only Fools (but NOT Cassandra - she's a rubbish actress), Molly from After You've Gone, Raymond's wife in "Everybody Loves ... " Zoe Wannamaker, Roz from Frasier (but not Daphne), Claude from Less Than Perfect (wonderful comedic ability), Julie Walters, and the rest of the cast of dinnerladies.
My gran loves Victoria Wood. I like her but I am not a fan. This Sarah Silverman chick looks interesting though. I like Joan Rivers. I like balsy women who dont care about offending anyone.
I think men and woman just have a different idea of what is (or isn't) 'funny'. I don't think men are better at it than women, or vice versa ... what comes out is just 'different'. I think women have a more carefree approach to it than men, who often worry more about dotting all the I-s and crossing all the T-s than the women do ... but don't necessarily produce better stuff! Then again, I've noticed on this forum particularly sometimes, that if you don't know whether the writer is male of female ... it's darn hard to come to a decision one way or the other, if one was asked! Just my opinion ... in the end there are more important things to worry about!
Oh, and I like Joan Rivers too ... and Jo Brand ... wonder why!?!
I think men just edge it, i think that Victoria wood Sarah silverman, dawn french, Wanda sykes and people like Gena yashire are all quite funny but i do think that men are funnier.
Men are good at comedy, women are good at washing and ironing. Sorry feminists
Don't apologise Jack... you're right - we are good at washing and ironing... as well as comedy - it's called MULTI TASKING, in fact I come up with some good stuff when I'm on auto-pilot doing household chores.
I like Joan Rivers, Ruby Wax - mouthy funny women.
Quote: Jack Massey @ June 15, 2007, 8:47 PMMen are good at comedy, women are good at washing and ironing. Sorry feminists
Now Jack what kind of woman would I be if i did not pull you up for that. There is that better. Are you erect now?