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5 Stand-Up Comedy Specials For Your Feminist Soul
They say “comedy is tragedy plus time”. If that equation is true, and if comedy does, in fact, manifest from tragedy, then people who say women can’t be stand-up comedians are just fooling themselves. If all the tragic incidents in a woman’s life could be turned into funny anecdotes, then that would make every woman a potential stand-up comedian.
Tired of watching male stand-up comedians hogging your Instagram and YouTube feed with the same old repetitive content? How about some female stand-up specials?
For those who think women can’t be funny, here is a list of female comedians who will make you laugh till your jaws drop, stomach aches, and will leave you struggling for air.
1. ‘Big fat Indian wedding’ by Neeti Palta –
“Weddings are to us Punjabis what the full moon is to a werewolf. Something happens to us.”
If you have ever been to an Indian wedding, especially if a north Indian one, this stand-up special is going to blow your mind. You’ll find yourself relating to every single thing she mentions, saying “been there done that” to every joke she cracks.
For instance, talking about the older people at Indian weddings, Palta says, “Then come the above 70-year-olds who go to weddings to give blessings and take offence.” And let’s face it, we have all seen them complaining about the food, decorations, brides makeup and literally everything else they can possibly complain about at a wedding they are attending. If you like watching stand-ups by Punjabi comedians, then this one’s a definite in your list!
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o_GAZMnmuM
2. ‘Baby Cobra’ by Ali Wong –
Women are funny, but pregnant women are the funniest and Ali Wong is here to prove that!
Netflix describes her as “Fierce, filthy, and very pregnant” and that’s precisely what Wong is all about in ‘Baby Cobra’. She is pregnant enough to open her stand-up special by saying, “We have to get this thing over with because I have to pee in like 10 minutes.” Pregnant women with zero bladder control will relate to this. From resenting and being jealous of 18-years olds, to finding the love of her life and getting pregnant, Wong opens up about everything that an average 30 something woman goes through, and it will leave you in splits!
Throughout her performance, Wong is brutally real. For instance, talking about her husband, who happens to be an Asian, Wong says, “Asian American men are very underrated. I don’t know why people don’t go for them. They are the sexiest. They got no hair from the neck down. It’s like making love to a dolphin.” If that’s not funny, what is?
3. ‘Nanette’ by Hannah Gabsby:
In case you still haven’t watched it, leave whatever it is that you are doing and start with this, especially since half the world has already experienced the magic that is “Nanette”.
Hannah Gadsby, an Australian female comic, has been a prominent name in the field of stand-up comedy for over a decade now. She recently hogged the headlines for her Netflix special that came out in 2018.
‘Nanette’ is not your typical comedy special, it much more than that. While it starts with a few punchlines here and there, Gadsby quickly makes it about some very serious issues that need to be discussed at a public platform. For instance, homophobia, toxic culture, and the negative effects of making self-deprecating jokes.
While the subject matter might be heavy, it never hits you hard, Gabsby makes sure of it. She gently holds your hand and ushers you into her word and lets you live all that she went through growing up, all the while giving you small but strong doses of laughter.
4. The Honeymoon Stand-Up Special by Natasha Leggero:
Yet another pregnant woman absolutely stealing the show with her remarkable comic timing. Married comics Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher are a treat to watch, as they share the stage and treat the audience with an absolute laugh riot! Talk about being hit by couple goals when you are least expecting.
While Moshe Kasher has a charming on-stage presence, it’s Natasha Leggero who makes this stand-up special totally worth adding to your must-watch list, ASAP! The Netflix comedy special is divided into three-parts. The first part features Natasha’s performance. Her husband Moshe performs in the second part. And the last part features the two performing together as a couple. Needless to say, they are a hoot together.
Natasha’s stand-up routine is NOT for people who are easily offended. For instance, she kicks off her routine by saying, “I waited a long time to have kids. I was going to adopt, but then I was like… Well, if their parents don’t want them…”
Talking about her pregnancy, she goes on to say, “It so overwhelming when I realize that it’s gonna be five more months before I do drugs again. I really need a joint. Does anyone have, I just want a puff. Okay, let’s just say I have a toke. Let’s say the kid has a few glitches. The bar’s already been set so low. It could still grow up and become the president of the United States.”
While it is the highlight of her performance, there is so much more to this stand-up than the mind-blowingly hilarious pregnancy jokes. You would need to watch the full thing to really feel it!
5. Glitter Room by Katherine Ryan:
“I don’t have a boyfriend and I don’t want a boyfriend. I love men but I feel that men are like dolphins, in that they should be enjoyed on holidays. And they are very intelligent, almost as smart as people.” Yes, that’s how she decides to open her stand-up routine. Isn’t that convincing?
Being single and fabulous in your 30s, is what this stand-up comedy special is all about and women in their 30’s should definitely watch it. Younger ones who too, because let’s face it. We are all going to be thirty and miserable someday. Why not take some lessons?
She also talks at length about her 9-year-old daughter Hannah and the content is something that all mothers would relate to. Brownie points for making mothers laugh, lord knows they deserve it!
She also enlightens you about the term “revenge body.” You might want to go and watch the stand up to find out more about that term. It will change your life. For good.
Finding something worth speaking about, something that would have an impact on the audience, and then carefully wrapping it with layers and layers of jokes, jibes and funny anecdotes, is an art that comedians are blessed with. And art does not differentiate between men and women. Add these stand-up specials to your watch list and experience comedy at its absolute best. This list is especially recommended for people who think women can’t be comedians. Be ready to be amazed.
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