You know it’s a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in Burbank, California when the smell of barbecue overpowers and masks the usual combined Burbank stench of of smog and Glendale.
And while most people were enjoying food and drink in their backyards, (or stuck in traffic on the nearby I-5 because of a car fire in the center lane), comedians at Flappers Comedy Club were engaged in the battle of funny.
It wasn’t your usual fare of comedians; bitter, mostly white men sporting jackets on their torsos and five-o’clocks on their cheeks, flinging jokes about their ex’s, smoking too much weed or being broke.
This was a special breed of comic; a women’s-only club of comics, all competing for the prize of “California’s Funniest Female.”
I’ve argued that I think women can be feminine while still being funny in this business.
That’s why I am so proud to announce that one of my top students—Pauline Yasuda—just won the California’s Funniest Female Comedy Competition (www.funniestfemale.com) last night at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, CA!
California’s Funniest Female Competition is produced by Bill Word, a veteran comedian and comedy producer in Orange County and boasts a line up of over 90 female comedians who compete for cash and prizes.
Even though the competition has the word “California” in it, there are no residential requirements so comedians have come from as far away as Ireland and Australia to compete.
One of the mantras I express in my classes is “Do the work.” I say that a lot.
If you have a grasp of the concept of structure and an understanding of the psychological laughter triggers, you can fill your writing—whether it be jokes, stories or your entire set—with triggered laugh points and engaging content, thus making your act not only laugh-filled but memorable as well.
And most of these competitions, where real judges are present, (as with this one), are not only about funny, but also about memorability.
If you’re a smart comic (and I know you are if you’re one of the 4 people who read my blog), then you will write that down, (“funny and memorability”).
Because, in her act, Pauline applies both.
Pauline is one of those comedians that gets it. She writes, re-writes, tests and re-writes again. Her work paid off and she took this competition by storm.
One of the judges commented to Pauline afterward and said, “To me, you were the clear winner! Great job!” Then he said to me, “Her comedy is unique, risky and memorable, without being crass or relying on profanity or pure shock to get laughs.”
That’s because Pauline understands that comedy is about surprise and recognition. She applies that in her writing while still staying true to herself and the ultimate understanding of the concept that the audience needs to identify and empathize with the comedian and his or HER comedic persona.
Those of you who have followed my blog and have been in my seminars, you know that I’m a big fan of women in comedy. This business craves funny women and the trend has proved that to be true with funny females now being scooped up to star in sitcoms and movies.
Bridesmaids is a perfect example of this as being one of the first all-female cast comedy hits to hit the big screen and have enduring allure in video and streaming video.
The business is ripe.
So ladies, if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines because you don’t think you’re cut out for comedy or that women are not accepted in comedy, think again and jump in.
Pauline did and she’s now the Funniest Female in California!
Congratulations Pauline!
If you’ve thought about doing comedy or are interested in investigating the concepts of comedy and human laughter with a smarter and completely unique approach, then sign up for my free newsletter. You’ll receive free tips and lessons on creating material that gets response and hell, may even help you to win your next competition.
