Comediennes is a book about female comedians. The cover shows charactures of many, and the next page in is a guide for who is who incase thre are any that you can’t figre out! (For me there was many.)
It has not always been accepted that women are funny. But I think the comediennes mentioned in this book show that statement could not be less true. The book biographies many, many comidiennes and it is broken down sort of by the era in which they made it big.
Some biographies are bigger than others – I think Mary Tyler Moore’s came in as the longest. Each bio also points out if they were the “first woman to..” which I liked. I am always all for women excelling in fields that are deemed to be “just for men”!
The end of the book also has a Q&A with some of the women mentioned which was pretty humorous (though we’d have a problem if it wasn’t!)
I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in order to write this review. All opinions are mine and I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
It wasn’t until the 10th century that women were allowed to perform, and then only rarely. Like many art forms, female comedy got its start in the church and expanded to stage, radio, film, and television. For the longest time, it has been believed that women aren’t funny. The stories within these pages will not only debunk that myth but will make you wonder how it ever got started in the first place. Women of all races have not only taken center stage in comedy, but in many cases, have dominated it.
This book thoroughly explores the genre. Comediennes: Laugh Be a Lady chronicles the evolution of the humor through the research of Darryl and Tuezdae Littleton and the scores of interviews they conducted with veteran female performers from all mediums, as well as Tuezdae’s own experiences as a comedienne. Startling facts are revealed and tributes are paid to the icons of yesteryear by the titans of today in their own words and sentiments.
Women have always made us laugh, from their outrageous characters, pratfall humor, cutting barbs, clever wit and unforgettable side-splitting moments. Their “herstory” has only just begun.
It wasn’t until the 10th century that women were allowed to perform, and then only rarely. Like many art forms, female comedy got its start in the church and expanded to stage, radio, film, and television. For the longest time, it has been believed that women aren’t funny. The stories within these pages will not only debunk that myth but will make you wonder how it ever got started in the first place. Women of all races have not only taken center stage in comedy, but in many cases, have dominated it.
This book thoroughly explores the genre. Comediennes: Laugh Be a Lady chronicles the evolution of the humor through the research of Darryl and Tuezdae Littleton and the scores of interviews they conducted with veteran female performers from all mediums, as well as Tuezdae’s own experiences as a comedienne. Startling facts are revealed and tributes are paid to the icons of yesteryear by the titans of today in their own words and sentiments.
Women have always made us laugh, from their outrageous characters, pratfall humor, cutting barbs, clever wit and unforgettable side-splitting moments. Their “herstory” has only just begun.