This dissertation investigates the perception and representation of female comics on the stand-up circuit and their audiences. It begins with a review of various theories of humour examining three major strands of thought: theories on repression, release and incongruity.
It goes on to give an historical overview of British stand-up comedy, covering the Music Hall/Variety tradition, the Working Men’s Club tradition and the Alternative Comedy tradition examining the cultural attitudes of the time alongside these various stages of British comedy and the place women found within them.
Concluding with a case study on Bridget Christie and her success at navigating the patriarchal world of comedy, an investigation of current panel show figures and their representation of female comics and interview responses from current women stand-ups on the circuit. Illustrating that audiences may no longer perpetuate these long held stereotypes, but instead the industry ‘gatekeepers’, the bookers, promoters and producers within the comedy business are limiting aspiring female comedians from garnering mass exposure.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Chapter One
- General and Gendered theories of humour
- Chapter Two
- A History of Women in Comedy
- Chapter Three
- Bridget Christie: A Bic for Her
- Mocking the Week?
- The Ladies at Laughing Labia
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation examines the perception and representation of female stand-up comedians on the stand-up circuit and their audiences. It aims to explore the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in stand-up comedy, considering both industry factors and societal stereotypes. The dissertation will analyze the historical context of women in comedy, drawing on theories of humor and examining the influence of gender roles and the feminist movement. It will investigate the impact of these factors on the portrayal of female comedians in popular entertainment, including panel shows and open-mic circuits.
- The historical and cultural context of women in stand-up comedy
- The influence of gender roles and stereotypes on the perception of female comedians
- The impact of the feminist movement on the representation of women in comedy
- The role of industry gatekeepers in shaping the success of female comedians
- The relationship between audiences, performers, and the industry in shaping the portrayal of female comics
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of the research topic, outlining the dissertation's aims and objectives. It highlights the underrepresentation of women in stand-up comedy and explores potential explanations for this phenomenon. The chapter will also introduce key concepts and theories that will be explored throughout the dissertation.
Chapter One delves into general and gendered theories of humor, examining different perspectives on humor and its relationship to gender. It will explore various theoretical frameworks, such as theories of repression, release, and incongruity, to understand how humor is perceived and interpreted. This chapter will provide a foundation for analyzing the specific challenges and opportunities faced by female comedians.
Chapter Two traces the history of women in comedy, examining their roles and experiences in different eras. It will explore the evolution of stand-up comedy, from its roots in music hall and working men's clubs to the emergence of alternative comedy. This chapter will shed light on the historical context of gender roles in comedy and the evolving perceptions of female comedians.
Chapter Three focuses on contemporary examples of female comedians, including Bridget Christie and female stand-ups on the open-mic circuit. It will analyze the success of Bridget Christie in navigating the patriarchal world of comedy and examine the representation of female comics on panel shows such as Mock the Week. This chapter will provide insights into the current state of the industry and the challenges faced by female comedians in gaining recognition and success.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The dissertation focuses on the perception and representation of female comedians, exploring themes of gender, humor, and the entertainment industry. Key concepts include gender roles, stereotypes, feminist theory, stand-up comedy, panel shows, open-mic circuits, audience reception, and industry gatekeepers. The research examines the historical and cultural context of women in comedy, analyzing the influence of societal expectations and the impact of the feminist movement on the portrayal of female comedians.
- Quote paper
- Leah Dennison (Author), 2014, Do I Look Funny In This?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/279624
