An actual question I’ve been asked more than once is, “Are there any good female comedians?” Because I don’t want to offend anyone, I always respond, “What do you mean by female?”

Most people live happy lives without contemplating the gender of people who make them laugh. The majority of the population can enjoy a joke no matter who tells it.

People who live in Comedy World (especially the women folk) contemplate this question a lot. I’ve received numerous inquires over the years from people booking events who’ve said, “We’d like to offer some diversity. Do you know any female comedians?” If I was prone to take offense at dumb questions, this would ruin my week. However, I possess a vibrant sense of humor so I respond with jocularity.

“I know lots of female comedians! They’re all substance abusers who neglect their children, is that going to be a problem?”

I got a phone call a couple of years ago from a promoter who asked me if I could recommend any black comedians. If I was prone to take offense at dumb questions…you know. The event was at a church on the West Coast that explicitly requested a non-white comedian. A church, mind you!

I responded:

“Absolutely! I know some black comedians. They’re atheists. Lots of F-Bombs. Lots of vulgarity. Lots of religious mockery. You’ll have diversity spurting out of your ears!”

Many years ago I listened to a female bemoan the unfair treatment she received from comedy club managers. The woman, I’ll call her ‘Terry’, told me the comedy scene was rigged in favor of men. She insisted that she wasn’t getting booked because she was a woman.

I (gently) suggested, “Maybe they don’t think you’re funny.” As I said earlier, this was many years ago. I didn’t know the proper proper way to respond to a woman expressing her experience with sexism.

Just agree. Men are awful.

Since Terry is not in the room to yell at me right now, I’ll say the truth. Comedy clubs are interested in making money. That’s it. The club manager doesn’t care who is on stage as long as people are buying tickets and drinks. Color doesn’t matter. Gender doesn’t matter. Age doesn’t matter.

The main thing stopping women from succeeding in comedy is un-funniness. (By the way, that’s the same thing that stops men from succeeding in comedy.)

ANY audience will laugh when you’re funny. People don’t stifle their laughter because a joke came from a woman. Neither will a set of xx chromosomes elicit laughter from lame material. “Funny” is gender neutral.

To answer the original question, “Yes. There are good female comedians.” And it is hilarious that you felt the need to ask.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

(1 Corinthians 10:31)