2 Parts Funny: Chocolate Babies and the Chunky Funklers
03 June 2008 by 180|360
Continuing on...
So yesterday we established that my first intro to comedy was with SNL and I still continue to watch it year after year, cast upon cast. Some are good, some not so good- but I am loyal and I flow with the good and the bad. Naturally, the first lady of SNL that comes to mind is Gilda Radner. I mean, who didn't like her? All I can say is, what a tragedy that she was taken so early in life!
Then while I was in junior high, I discovered Lucille Ball. I remember writing a paper about her in school and because we were cable-less at my house in Alaska, I had to rent a bunch of I Love Lucy videos and quickly found myself smitten with her zaniness, her beauty, and the physical comedy she tirelessly performed. She also acted in some great films with Bob Hope that are totally worth checking out.
Later I discovered Goldie Hawn, whose addition may surprise you. But she had a period of time where she embodied that same "ditzy but clever" type of character that I seem to be drawn to. I loved her in Seems Like Old Times and Foul Play with Chevy Chase, and in Housesitter with Steve Martin.
Along those same lines, I fell in love with Gracie Allen. Are you familiar with "Burns and Allen" by any chance? Burns, being George Burns and his wife, Gracie Allen. They had a vaudeville act in the 20's that started out on the road, eventually went to radio and then subsequently onto tv and film. This quote from the Museum of Broadcast Communications summed them up perfectly:
During my home-film-schooling days, I (naturally) went through a Woody Allen phase. I thought Diane Keaton was divine in movies like "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall." With Woody's trademark dialogue combined with a little more seriousness and drama than his previous films, "Annie Hall" embodied the classic romantic comedy of the seventies. And a quirky, clumsy singer and photographer? Hmm... that sounds sort of familiar.
And let's not leave out one of my all-time favorite actresses: Parker Posey. I'll admit, I had a slightly unhealthy obsession with her for awhile. Not only was she hip and trendy, she was also hilarious. I must've watched "Dazed and Confused" and "Party Girl" at least 100 times. But when she joined forces with the "Christopher Guest Repertory Troupe" in 1997 for "Waiting for Guffman," I think her career as a comedic actress really began. And speaking of Christopher Guest, I should really give props to Catherine O'Hara, who is also amazingly talented and hilarious. She really should be on this list, too! If for some reason you have not watched "This is Spinal Tap" or any of Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, you simply have not lived.
Right around the time of my Posey infatuation, I watched Seinfeld for the first time. I thought "Elaine" was the perfect mixture of zany but intelligent neuroticism. I could totally relate to her character, as the only girl amongst a group of funny guys. I'd rather not mention the fact that a few people have actually said I dance like her- which is NOT funny, but I really enjoyed watching her back then.
And finally in full circle fashion, we return to SNL. There have been so many great female cast members like Jane Curtin, Joan Cusack, Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer and Maya Rudolph. But the most influential for me would have to be Janeane Garofalo, Molly Shannon and Tina Fey.
Even though Janeane's SNL stint was short-lived, her observative style of stand-up, mixed with her grungy, dry sensibility made her
a clear 1990's influence for me.
But let's not forget the formidable Molly Shannon, who actually replaced Garofalo and eventually outlasted all the other female cast-members on SNL. I adored all of the different characters she played from Sally O'Malley to Mary Katherine Gallagher to her "Joyologist" and NPR characters. She was a consummate versatile character actress.
But Tina, oh Tina. I think the fact that she was a writer first and foremost makes her even cooler than she already is. Its been fun to see her come out from behind the scenes over the years. It's not surprising that the girl has been getting so much press and love lately. She's sexy and a bit awkward, but clearly so clever and talented! If for some reason you have not watched 30 Rock yet, please start right now.
So there you have it... my top female comedic influences. But I have to say, there's a lot of new chicks out there that I've just discovered from Walking Punchline like Maria Bamford, Jen Kirkman, Tig Notaro, Andi Smith and Natasha Leggero. I highly recommend you check them out, too!
It's always good to keep things fresh.
WORD.
So yesterday we established that my first intro to comedy was with SNL and I still continue to watch it year after year, cast upon cast. Some are good, some not so good- but I am loyal and I flow with the good and the bad. Naturally, the first lady of SNL that comes to mind is Gilda Radner. I mean, who didn't like her? All I can say is, what a tragedy that she was taken so early in life!
Then while I was in junior high, I discovered Lucille Ball. I remember writing a paper about her in school and because we were cable-less at my house in Alaska, I had to rent a bunch of I Love Lucy videos and quickly found myself smitten with her zaniness, her beauty, and the physical comedy she tirelessly performed. She also acted in some great films with Bob Hope that are totally worth checking out.
Later I discovered Goldie Hawn, whose addition may surprise you. But she had a period of time where she embodied that same "ditzy but clever" type of character that I seem to be drawn to. I loved her in Seems Like Old Times and Foul Play with Chevy Chase, and in Housesitter with Steve Martin.
Along those same lines, I fell in love with Gracie Allen. Are you familiar with "Burns and Allen" by any chance? Burns, being George Burns and his wife, Gracie Allen. They had a vaudeville act in the 20's that started out on the road, eventually went to radio and then subsequently onto tv and film. This quote from the Museum of Broadcast Communications summed them up perfectly:
"Allen acted as the comedian of the two, creating chaos through her misunderstandings of the world about her, while Burns served as her straight man."
"The program was playful and sophisticated, relying more on linguistic than on physical humor. Although the character of Gracie was dumb in many ways, she never lost the respect and affection of her fellow cast members, particularly not of her husband. Her mistakes were never unkind, and her dumbness was in its own way brilliant."
Many of their radio shows are available online and if you can ever find their videos, I'd highly recommend the short "Fit to be Tied."
During my home-film-schooling days, I (naturally) went through a Woody Allen phase. I thought Diane Keaton was divine in movies like "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall." With Woody's trademark dialogue combined with a little more seriousness and drama than his previous films, "Annie Hall" embodied the classic romantic comedy of the seventies. And a quirky, clumsy singer and photographer? Hmm... that sounds sort of familiar. 
And let's not leave out one of my all-time favorite actresses: Parker Posey. I'll admit, I had a slightly unhealthy obsession with her for awhile. Not only was she hip and trendy, she was also hilarious. I must've watched "Dazed and Confused" and "Party Girl" at least 100 times. But when she joined forces with the "Christopher Guest Repertory Troupe" in 1997 for "Waiting for Guffman," I think her career as a comedic actress really began. And speaking of Christopher Guest, I should really give props to Catherine O'Hara, who is also amazingly talented and hilarious. She really should be on this list, too! If for some reason you have not watched "This is Spinal Tap" or any of Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, you simply have not lived.
Right around the time of my Posey infatuation, I watched Seinfeld for the first time. I thought "Elaine" was the perfect mixture of zany but intelligent neuroticism. I could totally relate to her character, as the only girl amongst a group of funny guys. I'd rather not mention the fact that a few people have actually said I dance like her- which is NOT funny, but I really enjoyed watching her back then.
And finally in full circle fashion, we return to SNL. There have been so many great female cast members like Jane Curtin, Joan Cusack, Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer and Maya Rudolph. But the most influential for me would have to be Janeane Garofalo, Molly Shannon and Tina Fey.
Even though Janeane's SNL stint was short-lived, her observative style of stand-up, mixed with her grungy, dry sensibility made her
a clear 1990's influence for me.
But let's not forget the formidable Molly Shannon, who actually replaced Garofalo and eventually outlasted all the other female cast-members on SNL. I adored all of the different characters she played from Sally O'Malley to Mary Katherine Gallagher to her "Joyologist" and NPR characters. She was a consummate versatile character actress.
But Tina, oh Tina. I think the fact that she was a writer first and foremost makes her even cooler than she already is. Its been fun to see her come out from behind the scenes over the years. It's not surprising that the girl has been getting so much press and love lately. She's sexy and a bit awkward, but clearly so clever and talented! If for some reason you have not watched 30 Rock yet, please start right now.
So there you have it... my top female comedic influences. But I have to say, there's a lot of new chicks out there that I've just discovered from Walking Punchline like Maria Bamford, Jen Kirkman, Tig Notaro, Andi Smith and Natasha Leggero. I highly recommend you check them out, too!It's always good to keep things fresh.
WORD.
Posts
That was an awesome compilation. So thorough and descriptive!
I actually read Gilda Radner's book "It's Always Something" and that was kind of my introduction to her.
And I spent a lot of time home from school with various sicknesses as a kid, Lucy filled my days. I loved her!
Oh... and I loved that you included a Mitch Hedburg quote on yesterday's post. My husband and I really enjoy putting comedy CD's on when we're traveling.
Great list! Don't tell my wife, but I've got a bit of a crush on Tina Fey...actually, I think my wife has a crush on her too, so..whatever. I don't watch much TV these days, but one of the two shows that I NEED to watch every week, is 30 Rock. it's f-ing brilliant.
The only funny woman I would add to this list if it were mine is Ellen DeGeneres. I think she's been an important inspiration for many, and--in my humble opinion--she's one of the funniest people alive.
That picture of Gracie Allen looks so much like your "Dive into the Drama" photo montage!
I love Lucy (pun intended). My favorite episode was the vitameatavedemin commercial... when she gets loaded after drinking the liquid vitamin take after take.
And I'm with AlphaDaddy... Ellen DeGeneres' stand-up is some of the funniest I've seen.
Unrelated: The word verification I'm looking at is unumwmtm. I give up!
Wow. Viva la funny femmes. BTW, that fishtank full of SNL heads in your last post almost made me pee my pants.
I absolutely LOVE Gilda Radner. And a Liz loves SNL trufax, I have a crush on old school Chevy Chase. I know. I'm weird.
I used to say I was related to Lucille Ball when growing up. My maiden name is Ball by the way. Try living with that name.
One name you didn't mention, maybe for good reason is Carol Burnett.
I loved the Carol Burnett show. At five, I had decided I was going to grow up to be her. I was obsessed.
This was great, Kim. I have not seen as wide of a spectrum as you have, but I agree with you on Tina Fey.
She's the bomb :)
All great choices, I loved Ms. Garofolo in the Larry Sanders show and the short-lived Ben Stiller show.
I just recently discovered Maria Bamford via another blog- love.
She's allegedly coming to Mpls/St. Paul soon, I'll hopefully be in the audience.
And, I don't watch much TV, but I am hooked on 30 Rock like it was made of vodka and chocolate.
I love this post!
You've totally put me in the mood to watch some classic comedies- its been way too long since I've seen Annie Hall. One of the best old school female comedians is Joan Rivers. You wouldn't know it now, but she was a total badass in her heyday.
Tina Fey is my current hero. As a bonus to her incredible talent- I heard one of heard one of the writers of 30 Rock saying that she is one of the smartest, nicest, hardest working people in showbiz.
Jill- I read that book too!
Alphadaddy- You know what is sad? I don't think I've ever seen Ellen's stand up! I'm going to have to fix that.
LVGurl- I actually had that photo on here and then thought it was a bit presumptuous and took it off. Oddly enough, t looks like a good combination of all of those ladies.
WhatLizSaid- I have a huge crush on old Chevy, too! ;)
Gorillabuns- Sadly, I've never really watched Carol Burnett either. Another not having cable issue.
Punchline- I haven't seen old Joan either! Man, I have a lot to check out now.
Thanks everyone for more suggestions!
I love all of those ladies! I had an obsession with Parker Posey for a while too. That one movie with Hope Davis- The Daytrippers- was great. And don't forget her short stint on Will & Grace. Classic!
Whenever I do that My Heritage thing they always tell me I look like Janeane Garofalo. LOVE. We have tickets to her show but she postponed and has not rescheduled. Janeane- hurry the hell up already!
GREAT list. I love most of these, and I would add Carol Burnett!
Joan Cusak is one of my faves!