http://www.theblackcomedyproject.com

There is some powerful insight into the world of comedy here.

Strangely enough, my roommate and I were just talking about the lack of women in comedy in general. We concluded the comedy world needed a female Chris Farley.

I think the fact there aren’t any women on the list speaks to the reality of comedy - few women ‘make’ it in comedy because it’s an ‘Old White Boys Club’.

Looking at the roots of comedy, one will find that women were not often seen as funny. Looking back at film in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s very few women were comedians, they were the love interests in movies. Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball have spoken out on the topic widely, but even at the height of their shows, men ran the ship. Whether it was in terms of final drafts of scripts, directing of stories and scenes, or marketing the show - the women’s roles are after thoughts.

While at Second City, alot was made of the fact that I was on scholarship through the Toronto Theatre Association Cross Cultural Scholarship agreement that they have/had with Second City. Many a late night was shared with other improvisers/sketch people talking about Visible Minorities in comedy, women in comedy, GLBT in comedy. One of the more frustrating things about being around Second City was seeing a new cast go up and realizing that the casting was being done through labels - the new fat guy, the neurotic woman, the person of colour, etc. Look at any mainstream show - SNL, Mad TV, Comedy Inc., it’s the reality of comedy.

I auditioned for CBC in Toronto and I guess the guy wanted me to, “…be more Indian…” and that was the last time I hoped for mainstream comedy success. I just want to do my work and be left alone - if success finds me it’ll be because people “get it.” That’s all I can hope for.

I am happy to report that there are some things happening on this front. There is a small festival being talked about in San Fransisco that features Minorities in Comedy. When I heard that I called down there and shared my festival business plan with them - sent it to them for free. I’ve had a business plan/proposal together for years now for a festival called “COMEDY IN ‘A’ MINOR - A MARGINALLY FUNNY COMEDY FESTIVAL”. All people are funny, and all people need to represent themselves.

I am particularly concerned with the lack of women on the list of active comedians. Michaela Washburn is a wildly talented writer/actor that was doing some standup, but I understand she’s doing great things in theatre lately. Also, Dawn Dumont started doing standup a couple of years ago and I understand she was doing some great things in New York City. For me, The Turtle Gals are really pushing comedic boundaries with there last show, “The Only Good Indian”, and to me, what they do is amongst the funniest, smartest, socio-politcal statements I’ve ever seen made onstage.

I hope there are dozens of Native people that I’ve missed, haven’t heard of, etc. That would be a real relief.

In general though, as I stated in the interview, Native Comedians are now JUST breaking into the mainstream scene. Charlie Hill, who, really broke through in the ’70’s while doing Carson and later being one of the head writers for Roseanne, rarely does comedy club appearences or festivals. Having only ever talked to him a handful of times and not really having the chance to get into great depth with him on the topic, he’s reached an age that Comedy Central or the Comedy Network won’t look at. He does tour with George Lopez and he is a huge name in the US. I read an interview that featured George Lopez and he said that Charlie was easily among the top 10 funny people he’d ever seen and parallels were drawn between Pryor and Charlie Hill. It doesn’t get bigger than that.

I suppose that with any list there are going to be exclusions and qualifications required. To me, this list seems like a great talking point. And, to the uninitiated outsider at least, your definition of “comedian” appears sound.

How do you feel about the fact that there are no women on the list? Does this speak to a trend within standup? Or something else?

And in looking at the 10 names on that list, do you see anything that’s common to these comedians aside from them all being members of First Nations communities?

Tara? Thoughts?

Ian

don kelly
don burnstick
gerry barrett
charlie hill
james and ernie
jim ruel
craig lauzon
mark yaffee
drew lacapa
myself

there are a handful of ‘other’ performers that do some form of comedy, and i’d consider them to be more on the side of theatre practitioners (herbie, michaela, darrell).

Yep. Not just stranger than fiction, also funnier.

Thanks for the awesome interview dude.