Funny Feminists/Women

[mirialis]

Life's been a bit tough of late and I've found that listening to funny women has been really uplifting while I've been alone and having to plough through some difficult stuff.

I've been using audible and netflix for this. A couple of audible books I've listened to have been good - though Susan Calman's was about depression there were light moments in it - but I listened to one by Luisa someone and the "I love giving blow jobs" bit got tiresome, same with Amy Schumer in Netflix who spent quite a long time on that theme. Lynne Koplitz also spent quite a long time on that theme, though from the very opposite viewpoint!

So far I've discovered (except BC who I'd listened to before) and enjoyed:

Bridget Christie
Sarah Silverman
Jen Kirkman
Someone else who's name I can't remember and I can't can't access it on Netflix now to find out as watched it whilst abroad and she doesn't seem to be on UK Netflix. A black American woman.

Was wondering if anyone had some good recommendations of films, books, stand up routines, series etc. with funny female/feminist leads/themes?

I quite like Katherine Ryan too.

Thanks cansu - I think I started listening to a minute or so of her routine on Netflix and wasn't finding it that funny but I have found her funny on other things so will give her a chance to warm up.

Ditto Katherine Ryan
Theres a show of hers on Netflix I think.
Also not strictly feminist but Grace and Frankie on netflix very funny.

I liked Amy Poehler's memoir on audible.

Great thanks - I didn't know that was on there and will try that as I like her.

Have also enjoyed Grace and Frankie!

Not podcasts, but in case you'd watch tv shows, funny women for me include Tina Fey in 30 Rock, Amy Poehler in Parks and Recreation, and recently the general female characters in the Fabulous Mrs Maisel on Amazon Prime?

I like Shappi Khorsandi, and quite enjoyed Ruby Wax’s audiobook - a mindfulness guide for the frazzled, although I think she has a new one out now.

Grace and Frankie is excellent, crazy ex girlfriend is also brilliant for making me smile (mostly).

The Fortunately podcast with Jane Garvey and Fi Glover is great. It’s not specifically feminist or specifically comedy but it’s funny and entertaining and they often talk about women’s issues

I love Crazy ex girlfriend too, although it's getting very dark.

Depending on your personal lib/rad fem balance, you may like Sara Pascoe's book or the guilty feminist podcast.

Julia Davis is a comedy god I absolutely love her. You must watch Nighty Night.

Thank you - all of these are new suggestions for me so I will definitely be trying them all.

This is Sarah Kendall who's the Aussi in Claire in the Community, doing live show.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08gxx7p

Following, sounds like a great idea!

Portlandia - Feminist book shop

Will be moving onto all your other suggestions and still very happy to hear any more.... so far gave Katherine Ryan's Netflix another shot and yes it was worth it. Also, the Fortunately podcast has turned out to be lovely listening and exactly what was needed when ploughing through difficult stuff on my own.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix is excellent - very funny and lots of feminist themes (including a vicious take-down of identity politics and choice feminism in series 2).

Thank you - I will take a look. Think I saw a trailer and didn't quite get it so never watched the first series but that's sounds good!

I love Raised by Wolves, written by Caitlen Moran. The characters are fantastic. You can get it on Channel Four catch up.

I will look into that - have been a bit ambivalent about Caitlin Moran up until now but she's obviously very popular so will give it a go.

I am really appreciating all suggestions, not only because I've found these funny women have really helped keep my spirits up through a relatively difficult time but because I know that the most go-to reference of my generation (late 30s) for funny females would have been French & Saunders in the past because growing up we weren't really exposed to funny women, and there are just so out there these days. I hugely recommend this to anyone else having to deal with tough stuff if they have the time/audio space - it really does lift your spirits.

Sara Pascoe has had a Radio 4 series recently- the modern monkey. A variety of topics but often with a feminist perspective. All available to listen currently:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09t9sjj/episodes/player

Also would recommend ‘Derry girls’ on channel 4 catch up. A very female centric comedy about teenagers in 90s Northern Ireland.

I realise you may mainly be looking for things to watch, but I'd like to recommend Tina Fey's autobiography, because it's hilarious.

I always think Germaine Greer is funny in interviews.