Funny Females

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• July 25, 2015

Probably one of the most annoying things about being a female in comedy, is after shows, people (usually women) will come up to me and say, “you were so funny, and I don’t think female comics are funny.”  Besides wanting to punch them in the face, I’d like to suggest female comics they’ve likely never seen who are hilarious.  Here’s a list of some of my favorites (in no particular order).  You should go see them, and if you don’t laugh your ass off, I will personally reimburse your money.

(Click their name for website/videos)

1. Maria Bamford

If you’ve ever talked to me about comedy, I probably mentioned Maria Bamford.  My admiration for her is borderline creepy (okay, it’s full blown creepy).  I love Maria Bamford because her comedy is as weird as it is genius.  If someone doesn’t care for her comedy, I know we don’t have much in common.  Finally, Netflix is giving Bamford her own show, and the comedy community is rejoicing.

Twitter: @mariabamfoo

2. Wendy Liebman

You might have seen Wendy on last season’s America’s Got Talent!  Besides being one of the sweetest and most beloved comics in the business, she’s funny as hell. Her television credits include, pretty much everything.  She’s a master of misdirection, and from what I can tell, she’s a master of life, in general.

Twitter: @WendyLiebman
3. Carmen Lynch

I don’t always encourage my parents to go to comedy shows, but when I do, sometimes Carmen Lynch is the headliner (and they loved her!).  My funny friend Carmen Lynch is a top notch joke writer.  Also, she can perform in Spanish.  We get it, Carmen, you’re great in two languages.  Stop making every one else look bad.

4. Lynne Koplitz

Before I ever even thought of trying stand-up comedy, I must have watched Koplitz’s Comedy Central special seven or eight times.  Thirsty for a funny female comic, who was smart, pretty, and feminine, I was excited to stumble upon her Comedy Central Presents because so often I’d hear people say that female comics couldn’t be all those things.  Proud of my comedy knowledge, I’d suggest to these people that they check out Lynne Koplitz, knowing she would prove them wrong.

Twitter: @funnylynne

5. Bonnie McFarlane

You need to watch Bonnie’s documentary, “Woman Aren’t Funny,” which she made with her husband and notorious ball-buster comic, Rich Vos.  There are a lot of comedy documentaries, but from the perspective of Bonnie, it’s unique, and so funny.  She’s also such a great joke writer.

Twitter: @bonniemcfarlane

6. Bernadette Pauley

No apologies, tough Boston girl, Bernadette Pauley, cracks me up.  Bernie is just someone you want to be friends with because of her outright honesty.  If I were dating someone my mom didn’t like, I wouldn’t care, but if Bernadette Pauley didn’t like him, I’d listen.  You should want her approval, because she is saying what every one is thinking, and it’s hilarious.

@BerniePauley

7. Marina Franklin

Marina is one of those hilarious comics who makes comedy look way too easy.  The best comedy is when you think, oh, I should have thought of that.  So simple, and so funny.  But the simplicity is the illusion from lots of hard work.

Twitter: @marinayfranklin

9. Rachel Feinstein

I love comics who can not only do original characters, but also write great bits about them.  When a comic can do this, it puts them on a whole other level.  This is why Rachel Feinstein is so much fun to watch.

Twitter: @RachelFeinstein

10. Jessica Kirson

It is impossible for me to watch Jessica and not laugh.  Jess is like a force of comedy when she’s on stage.  I really don’t have much to say about Jessica here, except that you have to go see her.  Really.  Go.  Jessica’s comedy is just one of those things you have to see.

Twitter: @JessicaKirson