Stand-up comics as bikini babes

Sarahsilverman The folks at Defamer used this photo of Sarah Silverman to promote her gig over the weekend in Los Angeles. Just when I thought it was safe to cancel my subscription to Rolling Stone. More importantly, though, the photo of Silverman reminded me of a note NYC comedian Heather Fink sent out to her friends via Facebook, MySpace and her email list. Fink told me after sending it that she received both complimentary and odd replies from people. Well, perhaps you should read the note yourselves…

Dear Comedy People,

I write this because I need you all to know my position, and I need you to stop asking. It happens too damn frequently and no it’s really not a compliment:
NO, I will not play a hot babe in your comedy video. I will not wear a bikini in your video. I will not get undressed in your video. I will not do comedy burlesque on your stages. I will not play a hot babe or a sexy chick in your comedy sketch. No I will not do bikini improv or the bikini babes standup comedy tour.

Exceptions: You are one of my good friends, and you are a smart comedian who I completely trust, and the joke you are making is worth it – or – I wrote it.

As for taking enough money- why would anyone pay me lots of money to be their hot babe? Get a model. That’s their job.

It’s not acceptable for you to ask me to be eye candy or an accessory in your comedy bit. I am a f***ing writer and a motherf***ing comedian, and you’re disrespecting my goddamn credibility. Write me some real lines and then we will talk.

Thank you,
Heather Fink

So for those of you looking for a bikini babe in your comedy video, ask Sarah Silverman first? On second thought, perhaps this is as good a time as any — not including whenever Vanity Fair (2007 edition; 2008 edition) or anyone else questions the credibility or female stand-up comedians — to wonder why we invariably have different standards for judging male and female comics. The more recent VF piece certainly suggested that today’s funny ladies also need to be attractive.

Why does it matter what a comedian looks like for one gender and not the other? And why does it seem acceptable for female comics to show skin or play up their looks, but when a male comic does it, it’s considered a crutch he uses compensate for a lack of material? And yet, getting back to Fink’s request, so many male comedians produce online videos featuring scantily-clad women, all in a shameless and desperate ploy for viewers. They usually get those increased views, but what does it say about their comedy?

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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2 thoughts on “Stand-up comics as bikini babes

  1. Thanks Sean for posting – I would like to say that I am not against scantilly clad women – when there is a funny part written for them, or the use of the bikini is actually funny or has a purpose – but it rarely ever does.
    Sarah looks awesome there. I do believe there is a time and a place to be bang-able.
    And also – this was more of a personal statement about my own boundaries and may or may not be how other women feel.

  2. who says it’s not considered a crutch when women do it? sarah has been doing the same jokes for 15 years. the only reason she still has heat is that she’s willing to do press with her 40 year old tits on display.

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