A couple of weeks ago, Tim brought home a copy of Vanity Fair's April 2008 issue. On the cover are images of Sarah Silverman, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler with an article entitled, "Who Says Women Aren't Funny?" My interest was piqued. Are women not funny? And who is the unfunny motherfucker who said we aren't funny? Imagine my distinct surprise when I discovered that this article was written in reference to Christopher Hitchens' article from the January 2007 issue entitled, "Why Women Aren't Funny."

Now, I'm fond of Hitchens. I like the fact that he is not only in your face about his arguments, but he can back up his arguments with history and research in a way that leaves you scratching your head for a response. That being said, he can mess with the religious folks all he wants, when he trespassed into my territory- a different story. Yes, I'm selfish. I can't help it. I'm a woman.

Here is a link to Hitchens' story from Vanity Fair. "Why Women Aren't Funny."

Like I said, I found myself trying to debate his points. And I think as usual, Hitchens writes in a way that is meant to offend. We can't blame him. He is a man. Regardless, I think he makes some interesting and valid points. Not all of them hold up, but some good talking points.

For one, he speaks about humor as being part of relationships. So, women look for men with a good sense of humor and men look for women with a good sense of exercise. He does also mention the societal expectations placed upon men and women. So, men feel the necessity to hone this craft over the years- to not only pick up women, but also to compete with other primates (oops, I meant men). Women, on the other hand, have learned over the years that being funny is threatening to men. So, they do not spend time on this craft in fear running off the men-folk if they do make a joke. Particularly if the joke is at his expense.

Here is one line I particularly enjoy: "Whereas women, bless their tender hearts, would prefer that life be fair, and even sweet, rather than the sordid mess it actually is." I just don't even know where he is gathering this data, not from the women I know. Fuck, the idea that life is fair and sweet, that ship sailed long ago.

Hitchens also remarks that women, for some reason (really?), "do not find their own physical decay to be riotously amusing." I question, why should we? When merely several paragraphs before you informed me that this is my worth in society? If my worth is based on my physical body, why would I laugh at this decline? Perhaps this is equivalent to us (and it pains me to even get into "us" and "them") saying your jokes aren't funny anymore. Or I've heard that one before. "I don't know, his jokes just seem sort of flat and he isn't really working on them anymore, perhaps I should find a newer model."

Much of this article speaks to women being sacred earth mothers. Part of motherhood is what makes them so damn unfunny. Though Hitchens does start to turn his argument around in saying that it is the nature of this societal relationship where women learn not to be funny. He isn't saying it is a biological deficiency, but rather to keep him around, she must learn to keep this humor to herself. Laugh at his jokes. It is all a farce that we must put on as women. Talk about second shift.

I could go on and on about Hitchens' article, but there is also the issue of Alessandra Stanley's article in response. Stanley's article didn't feel like a response to me and shouldn't have necessarily been sold that way. I read on some blog a moment ago a fella remarking how "not" funny this article was, as well as how it took her 14 months to craft her unfunny response. I wonder if the world of publishing had anything to do with the time lapse. I do have to say that I didn't really care for the article. It focused more on modern day comedy, speaking to the fact that women to be successful in the humor business, must be both sexy and funny. I just didn't feel that Stanley adequately responsed or tore Hitchens a new one as I so anxiously hoped she would.

Before I read the articles, I immediately thought...okay, so after cleaning the house, cleaning up after you and the kids, struggling for a comparable wage in our workplace, and ignoring the catcalls while we walk down the street- we obviously forgot to work on our humor. Damn those women, Lazy bitches. Then I started thinking about what is humor? Perhaps there are different standards? Perhaps humor is a luxury. Something you need the time and privilege and prestige to develop or find appreciation in? Just some initial thoughts.

After reading both articles and mentally digesting them, I started to think about women I find funny. The first women that came into my head were the women from the classic video The Queens of Comedy. And that was when I realized, both articles in Vanity Fair presented a world of mostly white humor. They did bring up the issue of Jewish humor, which according to Hitchens is predominately a masculine humor. The article on women threw in Maya Rudolph and Wanda Sykes amongst the world of whiteness. One has to wonder about women of color. Perhaps being doubly disadvantaged makes you less funny? Could it be that being paid even less in the workplace makes you have less and less time for cracking jokes?

Then I also wondered about Hitchens argument about relationships. This was quite heterosexist. One wonders about gay and lesbian couples. Apparently all gay couples sit around joking constantly, while lesbian couples sit around completely devoid of humor. I'm trying to understand how this historical development of men and women might affect anyone other than white, heterosexual men and women who are trying to get it on.

And yes, I'm painfully aware how unfunny this entire blog is. Time and place.

Here is one of my favorite parts of The Queens of Comedy video. The language is filthy (which is a surprise because a (sweet, precious earth mother) woman is speaking) and so I urge you to watch this at home or with headphones.

Maybe this is what Hitchens was afraid of? I'm pretty sure he wears dress socks.