"Why aren't female comedians funny?"

Hussah Alzamil
“Why aren’t female comedians funny?” 
            I was scrolling through the internet one day, mindlessly jumping from one newspaper article to the next when I found an article that intrigued me on The Guardian’s website. The title “why aren’t female comedians funny?” reeled me in, and I decided I had to read it.
            In the article Ayesha Hazerika, a comedian as well as a reporter, gives a full explanation as to why people believe female comedians are not “funny”. She stresses on the point that women are allowed to be funny, but in controlled numbers, and I have to say I agree. Nowadays, when someone says “female comedian” the word is associated with “feminine jokes” about periods, shopping, or just guy trouble. It’s sad to think that in a developed society, gender roles are still prominent. Women are expected to be pretty, while men are expected to be funny. And the reason why women are allowed to be funny in controlled numbers is because men feel threatened. They don’t like it when a woman one-ups them, which is, frankly, pitiful.
            Another point I want to raise, is that different people find different things funny. There isn’t a rule that says a person should act a certain way to be considered funny. As long as a female comedian has an audience who laughs at her jokes, who has the right to say they’re not funny? But in a misogynistic society, people don’t care if you’re a funny woman they just see your material as bland. Why? Because women aren’t supposed to be funnier than men. And in a world where women are fighting for gender equality, these misogynistic ideas have to go.  
            Ayesha’s article helped me understand that I don’t have to tone down my “funniness” because it makes men uncomfortable. Men should learn to be more accepting of women comedians. Only then will the comedy industry reach its full potential and flourish.


Hazarika, A. (2017, February 1). Why aren’t female comedians funny? You asked Google – here’s the answer. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/01/why-arent-female-comedians-funny-google



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