British Comedy Guide

Funny Women 2009 (Stand Up)

I went to the finals of the Funny Women competition at The Comedy Store last night which was being filmed by the BBC but I'm not sure when or where it's being broadcast yet.

I know they'll always be people here and elsewhere who think women can't do stand up but I was really impressed with the high standard. No PMT jokes and only a couple about facial hair! It was actually great to have an all female line up as it meant the audience wanted to listen and not just make comments about their boobs!

There were 10 final acts, plus last year's winner Katherine Ryan and MC Jan Ravens and an impressive panel of ten judges including Katie Taylor (BBC), Lucy Lumsden (Sky) and Stephen K. Amos. Sam Delaney from The Guardian was a judge so they'll no doubt be a proper write up there!

If interested the finalists were:

Charlie Covell, Tania Edwards,Giada Garofalo, Domestic Goddi (sketches), Rhona McKenzie, Elizabeth Mee, Miss London, Jo Selby, Catherine Semark, Marie Vagen, Katerina Vrana and Eve Webster.

Miss London won and she was very good and feisty which I'm sure helped. I felt for the quieter ones who I think would have struggled to stand out so much in a short time slot. Miss L genuinely seemed shocked and said "I've only been doing this for nine months!" I'm sure that went down well with the others. ;)

There was a very good and funny! impressionist who came second but my personal favourite wasn't even in the top three. :( Charlie Covell - I can't find a clip of her standup yet but here she is talking about her role in the film Oscar and Jim which I have to go see now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvkbIE9FHog

If you're reading, AngieBaby, I want to see you there next year!

Jx

P.S. They were also raising awareness of:

http://www.vdayuk.org/

to stop violence against women and girls, here and abroad.

Jane, do you have a background in journalism? Your reports are always very thorough and informative.

It's about time the industry had some decent young (or not so young) female comics coming through.

On a different note Jane, you'll be pleased to hear that Victoria Wood is back with a Christmas special this year and she's re-prising her 'Let's Do It' song but updated with more modern-y lyrics.

As you can imagine, I am pissed off beyond human comprehension eccstatic that Vic Wood is back on our screens.

Quote: Jane P @ September 22 2009, 7:42 AM BST

Miss L genuinely seemed shocked and said "I've only been doing this for nine months!" I'm sure that went down well with the others. ;)

Haha. Ouch.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 22 2009, 1:22 PM BST

On a different note Jane, you'll be pleased to hear that Victoria Wood is back with a Christmas special this year and she's re-prising her 'Let's Do It' song but updated with more modern-y lyrics.

Heh. I saw her talk about that on something, and thought of you. Pleased

Quote: Jane P @ September 22 2009, 7:42 AM BST

I
If you're reading, AngieBaby, I want to see you there next year!

It's a date
:D

Quote: AngieBaby @ September 22 2009, 1:44 PM BST

It's a date
:D

I think Jane means with you performing and not a girly night out. :P

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 22 2009, 1:52 PM BST

I think Jane means with you performing and not a girly night out. :P

You can come too, RENÉ! :P

After not getting in the Sitcom Trials, I'm considering all options. (Plus any excuse to wear womens clothes).

Were any of the women so funny on the night that they were subjected to a South African sex test to see if they were really men? ;)

I'm cheeky me.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 22 2009, 1:22 PM BST

Jane, do you have a background in journalism? Your reports are always very thorough and informative.

Who doesn't like to inform? :)

I am wondering if that's a backhanded compliment though like when Dan said to me on Saturday - "I didn't realise you were *that* old". (I am in fact the same age as Renegade Carpark and Davina McCall - whatever that means).

Angie it's a date - whether you're on the stage or watching. :)

Zooo great news! Victoria Wood is back. I'm not mad on her comedy songs but just knowing they'll make RC's teeth itch will add to the enjoyment won't it?

I still have her play to look foward to in November as well - full report to follow.

:D

Quote: Jane P @ September 22 2009, 8:46 PM BST

Zooo great news! Victoria Wood is back. I'm not mad on her comedy songs but just knowing they'll make RC's teeth itch will add to the enjoyment won't it?

Heeeee!

Quote: Jane P @ September 22 2009, 8:46 PM BST

Zooo great news! Victoria Wood is back.

It's hardly news!

Does no one pay any attention to the rest of the site? Teary

Quote: Aaron @ September 23 2009, 6:20 PM BST

Yahoo! are really gay. They seem to block half of our e-mails. I'll note down your address.

Yeah, just checked, there's not even anything in the spam folder. How are Hotmail? I could always change to my hotmail address.

I've not heard complaint regarding Hotmail. I think Nil had a lot of problems, but not receives them successfully (when we have time to write them...).

Share this page