10.27.2006
10.26.2006
The Humor Issue
Or, "Why are we making humor an issue?"
In case you're unaware, our show was mentioned during the roundtable discussion in Time Out's Humor Issue.
The point of contention is whether or not our show is "marginalizing."
My question is: marginalizing to whom? The 80+ comics who do our show on a regular basis? Many of whom have huge credits and all of whom are wonderfully talented? Or the men who come to our show every week (and perform occasionally when we have special events) and have a truly great time? I'm not sure.
Nichelle and I both know our show is "controversial." Some people don't like the name. I can understand that. Some people love it. I understand that, too. What I don't understand is a leading question about a show that aims to do no more than create a community in which good times are the rule.
That sounds pretty awesome to me.
Yes, our show exhibits female comedians. No, we're not a "troupe." Chicks and Giggles is a weekly showcase of some of the best up-and-coming and professional comedians in New York. That's what it is. There's nothing that binds the women who perform on the show comedically - they come from all backgrounds (stand-up, music, improv, sketch) and they all have different styles: some dry, some intellectual, some wild, some absurd. Much like the women you might find studying at a women's college, the women who do this show are not running from men or trying to find a "safe space" to perform. They are celebrating who they are in a joyous way collectively. In today's climate, that seems pretty dangerous to me.
I can only speak for myself in saying that as much as I love my show, I love ALL the shows I perform on in New York because I love comedy and the people who create it. Especially the ones with balls.
In closing, come to our show. Have a few cheap beers and a lot of laughs. We love you.
In case you're unaware, our show was mentioned during the roundtable discussion in Time Out's Humor Issue.
The point of contention is whether or not our show is "marginalizing."
My question is: marginalizing to whom? The 80+ comics who do our show on a regular basis? Many of whom have huge credits and all of whom are wonderfully talented? Or the men who come to our show every week (and perform occasionally when we have special events) and have a truly great time? I'm not sure.
Nichelle and I both know our show is "controversial." Some people don't like the name. I can understand that. Some people love it. I understand that, too. What I don't understand is a leading question about a show that aims to do no more than create a community in which good times are the rule.
That sounds pretty awesome to me.
Yes, our show exhibits female comedians. No, we're not a "troupe." Chicks and Giggles is a weekly showcase of some of the best up-and-coming and professional comedians in New York. That's what it is. There's nothing that binds the women who perform on the show comedically - they come from all backgrounds (stand-up, music, improv, sketch) and they all have different styles: some dry, some intellectual, some wild, some absurd. Much like the women you might find studying at a women's college, the women who do this show are not running from men or trying to find a "safe space" to perform. They are celebrating who they are in a joyous way collectively. In today's climate, that seems pretty dangerous to me.
I can only speak for myself in saying that as much as I love my show, I love ALL the shows I perform on in New York because I love comedy and the people who create it. Especially the ones with balls.
In closing, come to our show. Have a few cheap beers and a lot of laughs. We love you.
10.15.2006
10.09.2006
Chicks and Giggles Presents: Corkscrew Comedy
curlygurls
Originally uploaded by Undiscovered Superstar.
We had a show where all the female performers had curly hair. It was a niche within a niche.
Brandy Barber
Michelle Buteau
Molly Reisner
Carla Rhodes
Erin and Her Cello
Adira Amram
Hosted Carolyn Castiglia
9.23.2006
Funny Female Facts
I was walking by the Laugh Factory yesterday and I saw that the poster in their window featured pictures of 36 big name comics that had performed at the club. The first thing I noticed was a shirtless-Dane-Cook-with-guitar dead center, and the second thing I noticed was that out of 36 comics, only two were women. Two. That's 5%. And they were Roseanne Barr and Wanda Sykes, probably two of the top three or four most recognizable female comedians working now including Ellen DeGeneres and Joan Rivers (the old dame still does it every week here in NYC!).
Which led me to remember a conversation I'd had with someone not that long ago about how many truly big name female stand-up comedians there are. I'm talking household names. I'm talking names my mother would recognize. Let's see:
Two of them are on the same talk show right now: Joy Behar (still does stand-up, but achieved notoriety through The View) and Rosie O'Donnell (hasn't done stand-up in forever but obviously she counts). Then rounding-out the old school list is Paula Poundstone (just put out a book and does a lot of radio work) and Brett Butler (she's back with the Southern Belles of Comedy). Then there's Kathy Griffin, Margaret Cho and Sarah Silverman - and Sarah might even be a stretch (despite her popularity) in the household name division. (Obviously that depends on the household.) You could say the same for gals like Judy Gold and Rita Rudner.
Sure there are lots of other women who have had big success in the business (especially if you include sketch performers and comedic actresses) and even plenty of ladies we know that make a psuedo-living performing and doing various film/TV/writing projects, but I think that's really it as far as top bill stand-ups go. Anybody have any names to add? Besides, of course, Mo'Nique...
This is obviously not to say that these are the only women deserving of household status - that's of course my point. Amy Poehler (as our girls at Hello, Hilarious also pointed out) has a great interview in BUST this issue about women in comedy. Here's my favorite exchange:
Which led me to remember a conversation I'd had with someone not that long ago about how many truly big name female stand-up comedians there are. I'm talking household names. I'm talking names my mother would recognize. Let's see:
Two of them are on the same talk show right now: Joy Behar (still does stand-up, but achieved notoriety through The View) and Rosie O'Donnell (hasn't done stand-up in forever but obviously she counts). Then rounding-out the old school list is Paula Poundstone (just put out a book and does a lot of radio work) and Brett Butler (she's back with the Southern Belles of Comedy). Then there's Kathy Griffin, Margaret Cho and Sarah Silverman - and Sarah might even be a stretch (despite her popularity) in the household name division. (Obviously that depends on the household.) You could say the same for gals like Judy Gold and Rita Rudner.
Sure there are lots of other women who have had big success in the business (especially if you include sketch performers and comedic actresses) and even plenty of ladies we know that make a psuedo-living performing and doing various film/TV/writing projects, but I think that's really it as far as top bill stand-ups go. Anybody have any names to add? Besides, of course, Mo'Nique...
This is obviously not to say that these are the only women deserving of household status - that's of course my point. Amy Poehler (as our girls at Hello, Hilarious also pointed out) has a great interview in BUST this issue about women in comedy. Here's my favorite exchange:
Amy Poehler: I was watching the MTV Movie Awards, and when they announced the nominees for Best Comedic Performance, I don't think there was one chick in there.Check. So I say, bush it up, Laugh Factory! Bush it up!
Jill Soloway: Right. It was probably Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller, Jack Black-
AP: Right. And they are deserving of their success, but it felt a little thin, if you will. It felt a little-
JS: Like a tiny pubic mustache?
AP: [laughs] Right! I want female comedies to be like full, giant '70s bushes right now, not tiny little pubic mustaches.
9.11.2006
Underground But Not Underdogs
Tomorrow, Tuesday September 12, Chicks and Giggles will be performing a kick ass show for the New York Underground Comedy Festival.
8.29.2006
Two Words To Describe Each Performer
Um, can you say packed? I can't, cuz there's not enough room in here for me to say it that's how packed the show was tonight. Here are two words to describe each fabulous performer:
Becky Yamamoto - Historical Fantasy.
Catie Lazarus - Father Fucker.
Lianne Stokes - "I Did."
Jacqueline Novak - Register First.
Anne Altman - Fun Variety.
If you weren't there you can't appreciate the genius of these women and their two word tags, so next time, grow up and show up before I throw up, okay?!*
*That article of immaturity brought to you by our Sept. 5th back-to-school show, "Class Clowns and Teacher's Pets."
Men Won't Watch This
'Men Won't Watch This'...the trailer!
Check out this hilarious video starring Michelle Buteau, Ann Carr, Becky Donohue, Kimmy Gatewood, and other Chicks and Giggles alums.
Check out this hilarious video starring Michelle Buteau, Ann Carr, Becky Donohue, Kimmy Gatewood, and other Chicks and Giggles alums.
8.23.2006
Chicks And Giggles on ABC
"Chicks Love Rejection" was a smashing success, and was to our great fortune featured on the ABC Nightly News with Charles Gibson! Take a look:
Many thanks to Jon Friedman for his stellar-ness.
Many thanks to Jon Friedman for his stellar-ness.
8.15.2006
Spiegeltent Recap
Despite a noisy AC, the show at the Spiegeltent was a great success. The venue is so beautiful, the technicians very talented and the beer readily available. You should definitely try to check out another show before the circus leaves town in September...
The show also featured fantastic stand-up from Michelle Buteau, Rachel Feinstein and Jess Wood. Once again, I enjoyed the shit out of rapping up the show freestyle with Miss Adira droppin' the beats. Thank you to everyone who showed Spiegelove!
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