Women and Comedy in Solo Performance

This work examines the dramatic changes in America women''s comedy performance in the years 1955-1995.The study focuses on the standup of Phyllis Diller and Roseanne andon the character comedy of Lily Tomlin. As the historical arc of women''s comedy unfolds, it outlines a change from the traditional vaudevillian style of standup, as represented by Diller (50s-70s), to a more satiric comedy represe...