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.

6.6

Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats

Jun 13, 2014

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

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.

6.6

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.

7.1

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.

6.8

Jen Kirkman: I'm Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine)

May 22, 2015

Jen Kirkman's Netflix produced stand-up special as performed at the North Door in Austin, Texas.

7.2

Love, Gilda

Apr 18, 2018

Diaries, audiotapes, videotapes and testimonies 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.

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.

6.9

Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife

May 13, 2018

Pregnant again, Ali Wong returns to Netflix in her second original stand-up comedy special and gets real on why having kids is not all it's cracked up to be.

6.0

Gilda Live

Mar 28, 1980

Gilda Radner is recorded during a live comedy concert. Radner's classic characters are seen in sketches that are sometimes more risque than when they appeared on television. During her breaks, the character Father Guido Sarducci takes the stage.

5.9

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.