Why We Laugh: Funny Women

Mar 21, 2013

1h 27m

★ 7.2

Personal, bold and extremely funny stories from the courageous women of comedy.

Overview

An uncensored look into the lives of the female stand-up comedian. Featuring interviews and live performance footage from some of today's most prominent female voices in stand-up comedy and entertainment, this revealing documentary sheds light on the legacy of the female comedian and the dedication, courage and passion that is required to be successful in the male dominated stand-up comedy business.

Genres

Documentary

Comedy

Production Companies

Codeblack Films

Why We Laugh: Funny Women Trailers

Cast

Self

Joan Rivers

Self

Kathy Griffin

Self

Whoopi Goldberg

Self

Kathy Najimy

Self

Lily Tomlin

Self

Aisha Tyler

Self

Brett Butler

Self

Sandra Bernhard

Self

Paula Poundstone

Self

Janeane Garofalo

Self

Amy Hill

Self

Jane Leeves

In her first stand-up special filmed at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles native and rising star Tiffany Haddish tackles subjects ranging from her early days in foster care and being bullied on the playground to getting revenge on ex-boyfriends and introducing Will and Jada Pinkett Smith to Groupon.

6.0

Christina P: Mother Inferior

Oct 10, 2017

Christina Pazsitzky hits Seattle with a biting dose of reality, telling truths about her childhood, getting older and the horrors of giving birth.

7.1

Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady

Dec 2, 2017

Comedian Michelle Wolf stars in her first HBO special — an hour of stand-up featuring her observations on feminism, dating, and other social issues.

7.1

Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now

Jun 25, 2003

Comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres brings her honesty and off-the-wall wit to this stand-up special taped live at NYC's Beacon Theater.

5.5

Lynne Koplitz: Hormonal Beast

Aug 22, 2017

Unabashed comedian Lynne Koplitz offers a woman's take on being crazy, the benefits of childlessness and the three things all men really want.

6.6

Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats

Jun 13, 2014

Standup special filmed live at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

6.8

Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning

Jul 23, 2000

Ellen shares her humorous observations on daily life, including remembering names, clothing, the need for approval, and making personal videos in this post-coming-out performance, fully acknowledges Ellen DeGeneres's status as America's most famous lesbian.

7.6

Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me

Oct 10, 2009

Smart. Outspoken. Opinionated. Three-time Emmy Award winner Wanda Sykes is back! Reigning over everything from television sitcoms to feature films, this comedienne extraordinaire has returned in her second solo HBO comedy special, I’MA BE ME. Live from Washington, D.C. and edgier than ever, Wanda holds nothing back as she riffs on the perks of having a Black president, coming out, getting married, motherhood, aging, and twenty-first century pirates. With her trademark wit, Wanda shocks and astonishes at every turn in this feature-length special.

8.0

Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired

Oct 14, 2006

Wanda Sykes has been called "one of the funniest stand up comics" by her peers and ranks among Entertainment Weekly's 25 Funniest People in America. She won an Emmy in 2003 for her work on Inside the NFL and was showcased for 5 years on HBO's The Chis Rock Show and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Now catch her hilarious stand up skills in this side-splitting program where she serves up comic truth and turns common sense into thought-provoking humor.

5.9

Chelsea Handler: Uganda Be Kidding Me Live

Oct 10, 2014

A culmination of Chelsea Handler's stand-up comedy tour in support of her fourth New York Times #1 Bestseller, Uganda Be Kidding Me.

6.3

Tig Notaro: Happy to Be Here

May 22, 2018

Comedian Tig Notaro unleashes her inner prankster in a playful stand-up special packed with funny anecdotes, parenting confessions and more.

7.2

Love, Gilda

Apr 18, 2018

Diaries, audiotapes, videotapes and testimonials from friends and colleagues offer insight into the life and career of Gilda Radner -- the beloved comic and actress who became an icon on Saturday Night Live.

5.2

Malena Pichot: Estupidez compleja

Mar 2, 2018

This funnywoman champions feminism while explaining while walking down the street eating a banana is an extreme sport.

7.0

Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial

Jul 24, 2018

Filmed February 23, 2018, aboard the USS Hornet, comedian Iliza Shlesinger brings an ‘elder millennial’ perspective to her audience. Recently engaged, she dives into undeniable truths about life at age 35. Looking back at the insanity of the road traveled and what’s to come, Iliza talks first apartments, a woman's inner she dragon, peacock mating calls, and her newfound urge to squeeze a chubby baby leg.

6.4

Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable

Dec 18, 2018

In her first special since 2003, Ellen revisits her road to stardom and details the heartfelt -- and hilarious -- lessons she's learned along the way.

8.0

Phyllis Diller: Not Just Another Pretty Face

Jan 30, 2007

Phyllis Diller’s brand of comedy is as timeless today as it was in the 1960s, when she became a regular on popular variety and talk shows. From her outrageous costumes to wildly teased hair, Diller was a pioneer among female comediennes, paving the way for future stars. Who can forget her hilarious housekeeping and marriage tips, her beleaguered husband Fang, her cackling laugh and self-deprecating sense of humor? Phyllis Diller: Not Just Another Pretty Face highlights some of her best routines. Special guest stars such as Don Rickles and Dean Martin make this a fun trip back in time.

5.4

Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied

Jan 10, 2003

Wanda Sykes talks relationships, politics and strip clubs in her second stand-up special.

7.2

Tig

Apr 23, 2015

An intimate documentary that follows Tig Notaro, a Los Angeles based comedian, who just days after being diagnosed with invasive stage II breast cancer changed the course of her career with a poignant stand-up set that became legendary overnight. It explores Tig's extraordinary journey as her career ignites and as her life unfolds in grand and unexpected ways, all the while continuing to battle a life-threatening illness and falling in love.

6.7

Iliza Shlesinger: Freezing Hot

Jan 23, 2015

Smart and brazen comedian Iliza Shlesinger shares her unflinchingly honest observations on the differences between men and women. Filled with hashtag-able catch phrases, this is a laugh-out-loud revelation exposing some of women’s best kept - and ugliest - secrets, including truths about first date attire, fantasy break-ups and the tireless pursuit of not being cold while still looking hot.

7.3

Betty White: First Lady of Television

Aug 18, 2018

The definitive look at Betty White's life and career. As the only authorized documentary on Betty ever made, this film is packed with hilarious clips from her long career. Plus comments from friends and co-stars.