Greatest Female Comedienne of all time.

[Bear]

Who is your favorite female comedienne of all time?

My vote is for Carol Burnett.

http://timstvshowcase.com/carolb.jpg

[Agent Helix]

There are male comediennes?

[Rob on the Job]

Joan Rivers, in her heyday.

She was a force of nature.

[Grazzt]

Nikki Payne.

"This is the only job where I can hump things and not get fired. I used to be a Wal-Mart greeter."

[Bear]

There are male comediennes?


http://www.blogwaybaby.com/uploaded_images/Dame_Edna_Back_With_A_Vengeance-732730.jpg

I rest my case.

[Rob on the Job]

From Joan Rivers:

"I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes -- and six months later you have to start all over again."

[on Madonna] "She's so hairy - when she lifted up her arm I thought it was Tina Turner in her armpit."

"I don't think I'm good in bed. My husband never said anything, but after we made love he'd take a piece of chalk and outline my body."

[Puma]

Nevermind.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/webpics/Gilda_Radner.jpg

[Sean Walsh]

From what I've heard, Phyllis Diller's standup acts are INCREDIBLY funny. So why not vote for Phyllis! :p

[king mob]

Joan Rivers, in her heyday.

She was a force of nature.



Totally. Rivers was, and is, miles ahead of most comedians of her era.

[howyadoin]

Nevermind.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/webpics/Gilda_Radner.jpgShe was my choice, too. I really miss her.

[Novaya Havoc]

Oh, I voted for La Lucy. She never manages to not be hilarious, even a half-century out. :)

Although Margaret Cho had a wonderful streak, until she went pretty sour.

[Paul McEnery]

Ooh, a list that's all Americans. Shocker.

Some better suggestions:

Sue Perkins
Sandy Toksvig
Jenny Eclair
Jo Caulfield
Rhona Cameron
Jo Brand
French & Saunders
Doon Mackichan
Lucy Porter
Ronnie Ancona
Josie Lawrence
Victoria Wood
Eleanor Bron
Hudson & Pepperdine

With my clear winner being Linda Smith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Smith_(comedian)).

[Rob Imes]

Hudson & Pepperdine

I just learned of them from their most recent shows on Radio 4. I'm usually not a fan of British comedy -- the humor flies over my head most of my time -- but I found their show quite funny. One of my favorite bits was when Vicki arrived late for the show and Mel assumed she had died, so Mel read out a eulogy, saying thiings like, "Men were not drawn to Vicki. She would have ascribed this to her sometimes clumsily-expressed feminist views. I'd say it was more a matter of looks. Of course, being her friend I never would have said it to her face. (pause) Could barely stand to look at it."

[Nate C.]

Ooh, a list that's all Americans. Shocker.

Some better suggestions:




ooh, a list from Paul that dismisses Americans. Shocker.

This is me going, "phbbbbttttttttptptptthhttttt."

My choice is clearly for Carol Burnette.

[Grazzt]

Josie Lawrence

Josie Lawrence is one of my favourite improv-ers of all time. It's a shame that she didn't get to be on the American cast of Who's Line Is It Anyway?. She was far better at coming up with funny songs than Wayne Brady was.

[rick]

ooh, a list from Paul that dismisses Americans. Shocker.

This is me going, "phbbbbttttttttptptptthhttttt."

My choice is clearly for Carol Burnette.


Well said.

Carol almost got my vote, but in the end, I guess it's that I just love Lucy a little bit more.

[Nate C.]

Well said.

Carol almost got my vote, but in the end, I guess it's that I just love Lucy a little bit more.


and I love Paul. It's just that this kind of stuff is a blind spot for him. He can make eloquent points in the Atheist thread about everybody creating their own numinous experience through personal narrative, and then promptly forget all that when he sees an opportunity to take a tag at America or her children. He forgets that by "best", most people just mean, "that which I know, grew up with and find comfort in remembering."

In no way do I think Carol Burnette is the best comediane ever. (well, okay, I do) but that I have the most fond memories of watching the Carol Burnette show as a kid.

[Bear]

I've always thought Vicki Lawrence was pretty funny as "Mama."

http://www.televisionhits.com/mamasfamily/pics/lawrence.jpg

[Frodo-X]

Carol Burnette. Her show produced many classic skits.

[Bear]

Ooh, a list that's all Americans. Shocker.

Some better suggestions:

Sue Perkins
Sandy Toksvig
Jenny Eclair
Jo Caulfield
Rhona Cameron
Jo Brand
French & Saunders
Doon Mackichan
Lucy Porter
Ronnie Ancona
Josie Lawrence
Victoria Wood
Eleanor Bron
Hudson & Pepperdine

With my clear winner being Linda Smith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Smith_(comedian)).

Sorry, honestly: I've never heard of any of these people.

I just learned of them from their most recent shows on Radio 4. I'm usually not a fan of British comedy -- the humor flies over my head most of my time -- but I found their show quite funny.

If by British comedy you mean: "Keeping up Appearances" or "As Time Goes by" or "Fawlty Towers," frankly you shouldn't insult yourself.

In Literature, we are taught from a very early age to revere the English as the very ideal of dramaticists, authors, and playwrights; but as far as comedy is concerned, I argue that in the way of British television, at least, there is little something to be admired.

And I guess what pisses me off most of all: is how when after an hour or so of an honest attempt on my part, at enjoying myself, I still don't laugh; but yet--as in one final act of conceit--the talent is most always described to me, as being "above my head" somehow.

"B.S." afterall, is not just a degree in Literature these people have.

Eddie Izzard is a pisser though--and that's why we love him in the USA. If I may say so: Eddie Izzard is "thoughtful" comedy. Maybe its just that his delivery is better than the average Brit TV show, I'm not certain. But he is known because he deserves to be known as a real talent; unlike some of those other hacks.

[Subotai]

Tough call. Rivers had great one-liners, but her abrasive personality loses as many points. I had one of her comedy albums back in the day, the one where they have a picture of the royal wedding and she's holding a blender. The old-timers were all pretty strong.

As a huge SCTV fan, I love Andrea Martin and Catherine O'Hara. O'Hara's a Christopher Guest regular, while Martin is pretty invisible these days.

[Nikita]

Who is your favorite female comedienne of all time?

My vote is for Carol Burnett.

http://timstvshowcase.com/carolb.jpg


I have to say, I really loved her show growing up. But Gilda Radner comes a close second. She and Bill Murray would crack each other up sometimes in SNL skits together, and that was the best.

[Rob Imes]

Nathan wrote:

and I love Paul. It's just that this kind of stuff is a blind spot for him. He can make eloquent points in the Atheist thread about everybody creating their own numinous experience through personal narrative, and then promptly forget all that when he sees an opportunity to take a tag at America or her children. He forgets that by "best", most people just mean, "that which I know, grew up with and find comfort in remembering."


Not to get in the middle of all this, but I don't think Paul was saying any of that, or "forgetting" anything. He comes across a post presenting a list of best comediennes which must have struck him as having a "blind spot," the lack of any British comedians. So, he presented a list of British comedienes as a corrective to that. And if he finds them "better" (as he said), maybe he finds them "best" in the way that you state above.

Bear wrote:

If by British comedy you mean: "Keeping up Appearances" or "As Time Goes by" or "Fawlty Towers," frankly you shouldn't insult yourself.


I've seen very little of those TV shows. I was actually thinking of some of the classic BBC radio comedies like "The Goon Show." It's considered a classic show, and my favorite band The Beatles were huge fans of it, but I personally find the humor kind of childish. I suspect that it's off-beat sense of humor was an influence on Monty Python and I have very much enjoyed episodes of that TV series. So, maybe British comedy is an acquired taste. The more I listen to British comedy, the more I seem to warm up to it, though.

One of my favorite comedies recently was an episode of BBC Radio's "15 Minute Musical," an episode titled "George W Formby Does It Again," which was a parody of both George W Bush and the old-time ukelele player George Formby. At the time I listened to it, though, I had never heard of George Formby, but I still found the episode hysterical, and have listened to it over and over. I played it for a friend, though, and she didn't laugh once. At one point she asked, "Do you understand what they're saying?" as if it were in a foreign language. I think maybe the more exposure to it, the funnier it gets, even if one doesn't understand all the cultural references.

Eddie Izzard is a pisser though--and that's why we love him in the USA.

I never heard of him, so I looked up his entry on wikipedia and see that he became popular in America because he had a show run on HBO. See, to me that's a kind of elitism or B.S. of its own -- when we like something simply because it's exposed to us in a way that we are familiar with, having it come to us on our terms instead of going out of our way to experience it in its original form. If it hasn't "crossed the Atlantic" on some hip American channel that we already watch, then we don't know and don't care. Richie Webb, star of the aformentioned 15 Minute Musical, is one of my current favorite comedians, really talented, but unless his work is transplanted into the American entertainment scene (appearing on American shows, American TV channels, etc.) then he will remain completely unknown in the USA. And I don't see that as just desserts; I see that as a darn shame. But maybe it's that way in other countries as well, this resistance to foreign entertainment.

My own list of favorite comediennes would include more performers from the pre-TV era, such as Fanny Brice. But then most people here probably don't know who she is either.

[Jack Zodiac]

From what I've heard, Phyllis Diller's standup acts are INCREDIBLY funny. So why not vote for Phyllis! :p

It was. And even now, for an old woman, she's hysterical.

I prefer modern comics, though, so I'd have to say either Sarah Silverman or Kathleen Madigan. Silverman's more up my alley, though, 'cause she's at least as dirty as most male comedians, and she doesn't center her act on being female, like a lot of female comedians.

[Paul McEnery]

snip

Cheers, big ears.

You are, of course, correct.

BTW, Richie Webb worked the Hudson and Pepperdine show.

Oh, and without a shadow of a doubt: Better, better, better.

Everyone Bear came up with is tedious because way too old school.

And in any case left out Rita Rudner, who puts all of those American comedians to shame.

Oh, and our gals kick your gals arses. It's just a done deal.

[Jeff Brady]

And in any case left out Rita Rudner, who puts all of those American comedians to shame.

Rita's great. Pretty much anyone or anything named Rita is guaranteed to be awesome.

Josie Lawrence is really fantastic. I remember when Comedy Central used to rerun the original Whose Line. Everything she touched was gold. (I miss Tony Slattery, Greg Proops, and Mike McShane, too.)

Gilda Radner's special was so good. Her speech to the journalist graduates, the rock star bit...such excellence in comedy. We're poorer without her.

I have fond memories of Carol Burnette, Vicki Lawrence, and Phyllis Diller.

[Fenris]

Lucille Ball. Though I'd like to give an honorary vote to Gracie Allen.

õ
Long-ago though she was!

[dingo]

Dawn French.

[Cam63]

Carol Burnett with Ann Coulter in second place.

[king mob]

Sorry, honestly: I've never heard of any of these people.


Victoria Wood is one of the greatest comic genius's ever to walk this earth, French & Saunders are still consistantly funny (Vicar Of Dibley and Ab Fab being exceptions to this rule) and Jo Brand still raises a laugh or two. The rest listed contain some great comic actors (Doon Mackichan, Josie Lawrence), some who are alright if you catch them in a good mood (step up Sue Perkins and Jenny Eclair) and the rest are ok in their own right. Quite a few are worth searching out.


If by British comedy you mean: "Keeping up Appearances" or "As Time Goes by" or "Fawlty Towers," frankly you shouldn't insult yourself.

In Literature, we are taught from a very early age to revere the English as the very ideal of dramaticists, authors, and playwrights; but as far as comedy is concerned, I argue that in the way of British television, at least, there is little something to be admired.

And I guess what pisses me off most of all: is how when after an hour or so of an honest attempt on my part, at enjoying myself, I still don't laugh; but yet--as in one final act of conceit--the talent is most always described to me, as being "above my head" somehow.

There's a lot of British humour you just won't get, not because it's bad but probably because you don't understand the references or style of humour. And yes, Keeping Up Appearances is not a great example but nobody claims it is. It's a standard mainstream sitcom which is no better or worse than dozens of others over the years. Knocking this type of comedy is too easy and lazy, unless you're Ricky Gervais and then it's cutting edge satire.

Fawlty Towers is still bloody genius though.



Eddie Izzard is a pisser though--and that's why we love him in the USA. If I may say so: Eddie Izzard is "thoughtful" comedy. Maybe its just that his delivery is better than the average Brit TV show, I'm not certain. But he is known because he deserves to be known as a real talent; unlike some of those other hacks.


I don't find Izzard funny. I've seen him live three times, each time i've found him desperately clever but hugely unfunny. Now does this mean he's rubbish? No, i still admire how he tries to be clever and different but it's not to my taste because his humour is lost in all of this.

[Tages]

Most English humor seems to use embarassment as its main theme to my American eyes and ears.

Who was it that said "There is nothing an Englishman fears more than humiliation?"

[gary bolt]

Andrea Martin from SCTV has busted my gut more than any other Comedienne. She came from improv and stand-up and backed it up with great talents in the singing, dancing and acting departments. Some of you might even remember her from appearances on Sesame Street as Edith Prickley.

http://images.wikia.com/muppet/images/8/82/AndreaMartin.jpg

[king mob]

I've seen very little of those TV shows. I was actually thinking of some of the classic BBC radio comedies like "The Goon Show." It's considered a classic show, and my favorite band The Beatles were huge fans of it, but I personally find the humor kind of childish. I suspect that it's off-beat sense of humor was an influence on Monty Python and I have very much enjoyed episodes of that TV series. So, maybe British comedy is an acquired taste. The more I listen to British comedy, the more I seem to warm up to it, though.

The Goons was absurd humour coming partly from Music Hall and partly from Spike Milligan's insanity. It's a very British thing and America never got The Goons or Milligan but they got Monty Python, which in some ways is a watered down version of Milligan's Q series.

One of my favorite comedies recently was an episode of BBC Radio's "15 Minute Musical," an episode titled "George W Formby Does It Again," which was a parody of both George W Bush and the old-time ukelele player George Formby. At the time I listened to it, though, I had never heard of George Formby, but I still found the episode hysterical, and have listened to it over and over. I played it for a friend, though, and she didn't laugh once. At one point she asked, "Do you understand what they're saying?" as if it were in a foreign language. I think maybe the more exposure to it, the funnier it gets, even if one doesn't understand all the cultural references.

Radio 4 is one of the last strongholds of comedy that isn't rubbish. It's worth keeping up with their output as much of it is quality. As for the cultural references it can be hard from someone from another country to pick these up (one reason why in recent years only the best American imports have been successful over here) but you pick them up if you expose yourself to enough comedy.

[Davideaux]

In a few years, Amy Poehler will be on this list.

[Paradox]

My vote went to Carol Burnett the second I saw the thread title. For sheer versatility alone, she beats out Lucy for me. Getting me to consistantly laugh OUT LOUD at her PG rated antics gets even more points for me. The woman was classy and crude all at the same time, and always with a wink at the audience (no, not an ear tug, that's for her mom!). Her show was probably the last variety show that I'd consider a success.

[Bear]

My own list of favorite comediennes would include more performers from the pre-TV era, such as Fanny Brice. But then most people here probably don't know who she is either.

Baby Snooks right? A radio program character. My grandparents used to listen to that.

But maybe it's that way in other countries as well, this resistance to foreign entertainment.

I don't think that's true. I for one will confess myself here and now: I'm a closet Masterpiece Theatre fan. And as I've said: British drama is top notch; but I just won't accept the insult of "oh you just can't understand it."

Bull@#$%

Spitting Image was funny. All you had to know was that they were puppets of political figures at the time (ca. 1988). To know that it was in-fact a Margaret Thatcher puppet headbutting everyone that disagreed with her was an added bonus. Personally, the Reagan puppet was ten times funnier--because they made him senile. And British talent is what made it happen.

Now, of course, can anyone get angry at me for merely being unaware of other talent across the globe. I should hope not. You are correct in assuming that my first exposure to Eddie Izzard was on HBO; though I have since looked for his other videos.

Exposure IS what makes people take notice. But can I help that it is mostly in the US that many a career in entertainment are honed? My country can't do much of anything else anymore; let us have that one claim to fame damn it. Can't build a decent car anymore; our industry is shot. But the one thing we've always been good at it, it seems, is making stars.

If I travelled back in time far enough, other nations would be the focus of my attention. The fact is a lot of good talent presently go to the United States to get the most notice. John Candy, Martin Short and the SCTV folks for example are all from Canada--and we love them too!

Is it fair? No I don't think so either. Quite frankly, I'm sure that there are a great many that never get noticed that truly deserve it. Vocalist Helmut Lotti for example. I just don't understand why he hasn't been around as much.

[rick]

French & Saunders are still consistantly funny (Vicar Of Dibley and Ab Fab being exceptions to this rule.


I live in a house full of women and when they watch Absolutly Fabulous, they snort and belly laugh like a bunch of frat boys watching Caddyshack for the first time.

So the show definitly has something going for it.

[Bear]

There's a lot of British humour you just won't get, not because it's bad but probably because you don't understand the references or style of humour. And yes, Keeping Up Appearances is not a great example but nobody claims it is. It's a standard mainstream sitcom which is no better or worse than dozens of others over the years. Knocking this type of comedy is too easy and lazy, unless you're Ricky Gervais and then it's cutting edge satire.

I've given it a try; I truly have. But aside from Onslow...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Onslow.jpg

...I don't find the play on words "Bucket versus Bouquet" (and come to think of it: you'll pardon my cramped American spelling habits throughout this entire thread) as being very funny at all.

To me: it's just grasping at straws.

Fawlty Towers is still bloody genius though.

I don't find Izzard funny. I've seen him live three times, each time i've found him desperately clever but hugely unfunny. Now does this mean he's rubbish? No, i still admire how he tries to be clever and different but it's not to my taste because his humour is lost in all of this.

James Mason as GOD...and President Kennedy--can a bit get funnier? I submit that it cannot!

Or how about Dr. Heimlich, in developing his eponymous maneuver?

Make your face fall off funny stuff.

[i_mmmchocolate]

My favorite female comedians wouldn't even be considered 'greatest of all time' material'. I've always found Ellen Degeneres (especially her stand-up stuff) and Wanda Sykes (particularly when she's on Curb Your Enthusiasm and stand-up as well) hilarious.

Also, bear, you're totally wrong on British humor. You obviously don't watch enough of it to have an educated opinion of it.

Off the top of my head, I find Karen Dunbar (especially on Chewin' the Fat) hilarious. Actually, the entire show is hilarious. Again, she wouldn't be considered 'greatest of all time material'-- but she's damn funny regardless.

Both Fawlty Towers and Black Adder are hilarious as well.

[Bear]

Also, bear, you're totally wrong on British humor. You obviously don't watch enough of it to have an educated opinion of it.

Off the top of my head, I find Karen Dunbar (especially on Chewin' the Fat) hilarious. Actually, the entire show is hilarious. Again, she wouldn't be considered 'greatest of all time material'-- but she's damn funny regardless.

Both Fawlty Towers and Black Adder are hilarious as well.

Mister Bean was funny. John Cleese cannot clinch his teeth tight enough EVER to make me laugh at that show; although I can't dislike him either.

I've seen more British Comedy than most Americans, I think. Monty Python's Holy Grail was funny only at the parts were the knight gets his arms and legs cut off, and still wants to fight; or were the "bloody" bunny comes out of the cave and massacres some of the band of men.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/27/1118418304632.jpg/180px-1118418304632.jpg

Debra Wilson I neglected to mention also, but she is definitely funny.

[the4thpip]

She was my choice, too. I really miss her.

I believe there is something deeply wrong with people who don't miss Gilda Radner.

:(

[Drew Van T.]

French & Saunders are still consistantly funny (Vicar Of Dibley and Ab Fab being exceptions to this rule)

I confess to a substantial degree of ignorance when it comes to female Anglo-saxon comedy...but what do I know would have me pick the double-team of French and Saunders, too.

[Spackling Compound]

I wonder why Whoopi Goldberg didn't make the list? She's an all time A list comedienne and certainly has done anything from R-rated to family fare humor.

I don't think she's the best by any means but from the list you presented, she is a glaring omission. Whoopi does out-rank a Roseanne Barr by a mile. If she was more lesbian, she'd have the DeGeneres slot taken care of and Gilda Radner? Phhhhft. If Gilda Radner weren't dead, she'd be Lorraine Newman.

But you did ask for personal favorite of all time. So, that being said, I'm saying Jenny McCarthy.
http://www.student.nada.kth.se/~d95-cot/pix/skalman/jenny.jpg

[Spackling Compound]

I believe there is something deeply wrong with people who don't miss Gilda Radner.

:(

I think there's something deeply wrong with people who have to punctuate their dissatisfaction with a frown-face smiley.

[Michael P]

But you did ask for personal favorite of all time. So, that being said, I'm saying Jenny McCarthy.


They have to be intentionally funny, Spack.

[rick]

I wonder why Whoopi Goldberg didn't make the list? She's an all time A list comedienne and certainly has done anything from R-rated to family fare humor.

I've got to be honest and say that I have never found Whoopi to be all that funny. I did sort of like a couple of the real early bits she did back on Mike Nesmiths Televison Parts, but really she mostly leaves me cold as a comedienne.

[Spackling Compound]

They have to be intentionally funny, Spack.

Actually, she is intentionally funny. I don't know..I think it's her sex-kitten good looks that sort of don't prepare you for her screwball faces, the filth that falls from her mouth and some of the crazy ass stuff she pulls.

She cracks me up.

[Spackling Compound]

I've got to be honest and say that I have never found Whoopi to be all that funny. I did sort of like a couple of the real early bits she did back on Mike Nesmiths Televison Parts, but really she mostly leaves me cold as a comedienne.

To be honest, I never thought Roseanne Barr, Gilda Radner or Ellen DeGeneres to be funny either. But Whoopi has some successes and was host to the Comedy Relief Effort as the sole woman comedian in the early days.

Just thought she needed a mention. But not my choice.
No one made me laugh like Jenny McCarthy...Phyllis Diller,Lilly Tomlin and Ruth Buzzi clock in next.

[king mob]

I don't think that's true. I for one will confess myself here and now: I'm a closet Masterpiece Theatre fan. And as I've said: British drama is top notch; but I just won't accept the insult of "oh you just can't understand it."

If you don't get the references in comedy then you won't find it funny. There's gags in The Simpsons that leave me cold while American friends are in hysterics and there's gags in stuff like Father Ted which they don't get while i'm laughing up a lung.




Exposure IS what makes people take notice. But can I help that it is mostly in the US that many a career in entertainment are honed? My country can't do much of anything else anymore; let us have that one claim to fame damn it. Can't build a decent car anymore; our industry is shot. But the one thing we've always been good at it, it seems, is making stars.

Britain was a training ground for American comedians in the 80's and 90's-Bill Hicks being the best example of an American comic who was more successful here than he ever did in his home country. However the likes of Garry Shandling, Emo Philips and Sam Kinison went back to the US and became big in a way they wouldn't have been had they stayed doing clubs and tv over here.
There used to be a mutual relationship between American and British comedy which is all but dead now. That's a pity as we're all missing out on some good talent.

[king mob]

I live in a house full of women and when they watch Absolutly Fabulous, they snort and belly laugh like a bunch of frat boys watching Caddyshack for the first time.

So the show definitly has something going for it.

The first couple of series are great but it turns into a parody of itself after that and it lost me at that point.

[king mob]

I've given it a try; I truly have. But aside from Onslow...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Onslow.jpg

...I don't find the play on words "Bucket versus Bouquet" (and come to think of it: you'll pardon my cramped American spelling habits throughout this entire thread) as being very funny at all.

To me: it's just grasping at straws.

It's just taking the piss out of a particular type of person who is obsessed by class. It's not especially funny but it's not especially that good a sitcom.