Women in Comedy

AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHA AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHA AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAStory by Libby Williams | Illustrations by Sara Roach | Design by Katie Jo StewartHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Loretta Mary Aiken of North Carolina joined the vaudeville circuit as a comedian at just 14 years old. She took on the stage name “Moms Mabley,” for being viewed as a mentor and having a maternal persona. She became the first woman to perform at the Apollo Theater, and was featured on many variety shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." On stage, Mabley would dress as an old woman in “a housedress, floppy shoes, and knit cap,” according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Her costumes were meant to be commentary on stereotypes and bigotry against African Americans. Mabley was openly lesbian and in her daily life liked to wear clothes typically worn by her fellow male performers. JACKIE “MOMS” MABLEY 1894 - 1975 Star of the hit series "I Love Lucy," Lucille Ball paved the way and became an icon for women in comedy. Her success was hard earned, however. Ball was told by acting teachers that she lacked talent, and had difficulty finding work in Hollywood in the '30s. She met her husband, Desi Arnaz, on a movie set in 1940. The relationship inspired the television show, which was an overnight sensation, winning over 20 awards, including five Emmys. The couple started a production company, Desilu Productions. When they separated in 1960, Arnaz sold his share of the company to Ball, making her the first woman to own a major studio. LUCILLE BALL 1911 - 1989 HAHAHAHA “You know, Carol, variety is a man’s game.” That’s what CBS told Burnett when she pitched the idea for The Carol Burnett Show. By 1971, it was one of the networks highest rated shows, and her slapstick humor and over-the-top silliness was beloved by viewers across the country. Burnett went on to perform in a number of films and other television shows. A six-time Emmy winner, she was also the inaugural recipient of the Golden Globes’ Carol Burnett Award, recognizing her lifetime achievement in television and entertainment. Women in “It's no disgrace to be old. But damn if it isn't inconvenient.” -Moms Mabley

“Luck? I don’t know anything about luck. I’ve never banked on it and I’m afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: hard work- and realizing what opportunity is and what isn’t.” -Lucille Ball

HAHAHHAHAHAH AHAHA ENTERTAINMENT CAROL BURNETT 1933 - PRESENT “When I was little I would always stand in front of a mirror and cross my eyes. Then my mother would come in and say, ‘Stop that, nothing will ever come of it!” -Carol Burnett Information sourced from britannica.com, biography.com, womeninhistory.org and nmaahc.si.edu 48 SUMMER 2021

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AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA Elizabeth Stamatina “Tina” Fey has established herself as one of the top comedians of her time, especially through her work on "Saturday Night Live." She was the show’s first female head writer, and made her cast member debut in 2000 on the “Weekend Update” segment. She went on to write the screenplay for Mean Girls in 2004, and created the hit show 30-Rock based on her time at SNL. She continues to act, write and produce for many movies and television shows. TINA FEY 1970 - PRESENT Actress, comedian and writer Mindy Kaling has been wildly successful in her field since she began in the 2000s. After graduating from Dartmouth College, she co-wrote the infotainment satire "Matt & Ben" about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The play had a successful two-year run off-Broadway. When writer and producer Greg Daniels saw the play, he recruited Kaling in 2004 to write for the American version of "The Office," where she also portrayed the character Kelly Kapoor. She directed several episodes and served as executive producer in 2008. She went on to create The Mindy Project in 2012, which had a successful run until 2017. She continues to write, act and produce for shows and movies, securing her place as one of the most successful female comedians of the decade. MINDY KALING 1979 - PRESENT Kate McKinnon graduated from Columbia University with a degree in theatre, and went on to perform on "The Big Gay Sketch Show" before joining the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 2012. Some of her more popular impressions for the show include Ellen DeGeneres, Ann Romney, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Shakira, and most notably, Hillary Clinton. Her success has paved the way to roles in multiple hit movies and personal projects. McKinnon has already won multiple awards for her career, including two Emmys. KATE MCKINNON 1984 - PRESENT Comedy “Do your thing and don’t care if they like it.” -Tina Fey, BOSSYPANTS “I will leave you with one last piece Of advice, which is: if you’ve got it, flaunt it. And if you don’t got it? Flaunt it. ‘Cause what are we even doing here if we’re not flaunting it? -Mindy Kaling, WHY NOT ME?

AHAHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHA HAHHAHAAH “Comedy is a tool of togetherness. It’s a way of putting your arm around someone, pointing at something, and saying, ‘Isn’t it funny when we do that?’ It’s a way of reaching out.” -Kate McKinnon SUMMER 2021 49