Female led sitcoms? Page 4

Quote: Rosco @ November 16, 2007, 10:29 AM

George & Mildred (?)

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I considered that, but I reckon George could have survived as his own character without Mildred; but not the other way around. Mildred very much fed off of George, with no real conflict other than his dim-wittedness having an effect on whatever she was trying to do, whether he was actually there or not. George, on the other hand, had that internal struggle between in some ways actually being pretty sharp, but also being terminally lazy, thoughtless, selfish, and generally putting his foot in it.

Quote: Nick @ November 16, 2007, 11:58 AM

It's not just about commissioners' attitudes though is it. A lot of sitcoms in this country are written by stand-ups and the percentage of female stand-ups to male is minimal. You would expect there to be a lot less that are written by and star females as the leads. Similarly, how many women try to become sitcom writers? A lot less than men I would guess. There are more women trying to make it in comedy now though and I would argue that is why a change is slowly occurring. If 20 times as many men try to become comedians though, you would expect there to be 20 times as many funny men.

The curious thing is that there aren't many famous funny black comedians in Britain at the moment. I obviously don't think that is in any way due to genetics but it is strange that black comedians maybe had more of a presence on TV decades ago than they do now here.

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I think it's the same with popular music, there are a lot more boy and bloke pop/rock (more or less all genre) bands out there. Doing it just seems to attract more males than females in the first place.

I also think Industry attitudes in music are similar to those in comedy, it becomes self-perpetuating because mindless marketing men in both comedy and music can't see much further than the end of their dicks, and won't/can't take too many (any?) risks.

A female comic I know was lamenting recently that even in 2007 she just gets the sex angle thrown at her ALL the time as though that's all she is. It's a bit like female singers, they always seem to have to dress, pose and act like 'prostitutes' before their 'music' gets taken seriously!

As for black people in comedy, there have never been that many in the UK on the telly that I can recall. Lenny Henry being one obvious and great 'mainstream' example. But how many more are there? Disproportionately few I would have thought. Again, I'd put that down to too few Producers willing or able to take any chances other than looking for 'the next big thing' which has to be more or less the same as 'the last big thing', and which is usually male and white..

Is that the answer, if you want to get on the telly... whatever you do, DON'T be different???

Does Reginald D Hunter count? 'Cos he's American, but based in London, hilarious, and I doubt even active over the pond.

I do think of him as English, weirdly. Despite his obviously American accent.
Same as Ruby Wax.

Is Ruby Wax even human?

Quote: Frankie Rage @ November 16, 2007, 1:38 PM

As for black people in comedy, there have never been that many in the UK on the telly that I can recall. Lenny Henry being one obvious and great 'mainstream' example. But how many more are there? Disproportionately few I would have thought.

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I agree that there probably have always been disproportionately few but now it seems that Gina Yashere (and Reginald D. Hunter perhaps) are almost the only black comedians that you see making the occasionally appearances on panel shows.

There were never huge numbers of black comedians on TV but Charlie Williams, Lenny Henry, Gary Wilmot, Felix Dexter, Desmond's, The Real McCoy etc. were all much bigger mainstream successes. It is genuinely weird that they have so little success now.

I had a massive crush on Gary Wilmot! I think I went to see him in panto.
[/off topic]

And let us never speak of this again.

*shuffles off shamefaced*

Well, the first step to rehabilitation is admitting that you have a problem. Good girl. We're proud of you.

I agree with Aarons take on George and Mildred-thats what I meant about Spaced being male led,Simons character could survive without Jessicas but not the other way round.
It is weird though that the industry is male biased when the comedy audience is half female.Maybe us girls are more willing to enjoy male characters/situations and 'issues' than men are about stuff with a female bent.(Unless its gorgeous women with an absence of clothes obviously)

rofl

I think that more than any other factor, it's simply that men are, obviously, men. So have male experiences. And so are probably going to find it harder to write female characters, experiences, banter, relationships, and so on and so forth; nothing consciously pro-male or anti-female from either sex, or on either end of the production.

Quote: Aaron @ November 16, 2007, 9:08 PM

rofl

I think that more than any other factor, it's simply that men are, obviously, men. So have male experiences. And so are probably going to find it harder to write female characters, experiences, banter, relationships, and so on and so forth;

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That's it exactly I think. The same is also true for authors I guess who don't have to put up with the same industry.

So whats wrong with panto? I've always loved it!

He's behind you!

Panto is brilliant. If it's written well.

I guess that's like anything and everything really then.