Female Humor

In my research on why moms blog, I've come across some of the funniest material I've ever seen.

This makes me happy for so many reasons.  So many of the movies and TV shows and, yes, commercials that are supposed to be "hilarious" can't even get a harrumph out of me.    (With the exception of Nurse Jackie which is just pure brilliance.)

I have also been studying humor writing.   And one of the things that makes material funny is that it strikes us as true.   I suspect that's why I enjoy so many humor blogs written by women.    There's just this sense of "I have SO totally been there."   

Which is why I'm writing this with a sore nose.  Snapple Diet Peach Iced Tea was not meant to flow through one's nasal passages.  But that's what happened when I read the following post by one of my humor blogging heroes Anna Lefler.

Hair:  The Non-Musical.

I had the honor to interview some of the top female humor bloggers at BlogHer this summer.  I asked the panel if they thought humor was affected by gender, or whether it is universal.  Most thought humor was universal.   

I think there is some humor that is universal.  But I also think what a teenage boy finds funny may not be what a 40-something woman finds funny.

So I'm curious.  Do you think Anna's piece is funny?   And could you identify whether you're a male or female?   Just a quick little experiment.

Thanks for participating.

Comments

[Lisa Rae @ smacksy]

This is a brilliantly funny piece of writing.
I am a woman.

[Tug]

Anna always cracks me up, & I'll never forget the tennis ball analogy!

[Joy Fitch]

Very funny!

[KimmyDarling]

You know, I wanted to think it was funny, because I knew you did, and I respect your work, and usually agree with you when I read your articles, but I didn't. Almost quit reading it, actually, after the third "BZZZZZZZZZ." The comments that followed it made me wonder where my sense of humor went, because I had just (unknowingly) read comedy gold!

But, OK, I'm not 40. I'm 39. "Still Larva," as my friend, Jill Conner Browne says. But I can identify with the peach-fuzz cheeks, because I have them, and my mom had them, and, yeah, it's weird when you first notice it, blah-blah-blah. But I guess I couldn't relate to the struggle with it. When I think about it, I use a hair trimmer and buzz my face, but it's no big whoop. (Maybe because it's blonde, so barely noticeable? I don't know.) I just don't care about it enough to be able to identify with it being a struggle of any kind.

Is this where I turn in my Grown Woman Card? ;)

[Jason Moreau]

I am a 33 year old male and while the writing was technically great (descriptive, unique voice, etc.) it didn't make me laugh.

Maybe it's because I've been dealing with facial hair since junior high. Or maybe, as a first-time reader, I can't place this one event within the context of the author's other observations (Jack Benny, Irma Bombeck, Dave Barry, Bill Cosby, to name a few, are all funnier when you hear/read more of their material. I think you calibrate to their wavelength so to speak.)

As an aside, my wife and I watch "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town" and think they're both very funny. Each show has great writing from different female perspectives.

[CR]

Thanks for introducing me to the humor of Anna Lefler.
That was so very funny, because it is true. Comforting to know I am not the only woman who noticed her own fuzzy face and in a vain attempt to remain youthful and attractive subjected myself to the piercing tiny pains as the upper lip hair is ripped from it's pore!

It was another delight to see parts of my face break out from irritation and ingrown hairs. Just call me Fuzzy Bear....it is staying put!

[Mary]

I'm a 62-year-old female, and I thought it was hysterical. I laughed 'til I cried. Anna makes me laugh often. Adore reading her stuff.

[Margaret]

Nope. Didn't make me laugh. 59 yo woman

[Pixie Stevenson]

I didn't laugh but I did smile. If it doesn't have to be a blog, the funniest book full of female humor is Brett Paesel's, "Mommys Who Drink."

[Pixie Stevenson]

Correct, Mommies Who Drink.

[Holly Buchanan]

Fascinating - thanks to all for responding.

I wonder if Jason hasn't hit on something with his remark about "calibrating to your wavelength." I know the first few times I watched Ugly Betty, I did not get it. But after I watched it for a while, I started to understand the "tone" and that's when it got funny for me.

I also think it goes back to - humor works when we feel it is true, when you can picture yourself in that situation. I'll never foget the scene in Fried Green Tomatoes when Kathy Bates repeatedly slams her car into the car of the two young brats, crying "I may be older, but I have more insurance." I just felt like, who hasn't been there? I've wanted to do that so many times.

Great feedback folks. Keep it coming.

[Tom Wanek]

I thought the piece was funny and exceptionally well-written.

I am a 38 year-old male.

[Hypnotic Dreams]

I rarely find hyperbole to be funny, and I didn't laugh at this.

[becca]

That was not funny. I am female. 22 yrs old.

[Gregflewelling]

I loved it. I'm 47, male, married, w/ 2 grown kids. 5 years ago I had a similar experience involving a hair monster in my ears. Trust me when I say removing it is NOT a job for Nair.

[Virtual Office]

That was refreshingly fantastic. I'm a female too!

- Jill

[flowers tea Anne]

I had fun reading your post. :) Nurse Jackie is my fave as well. I'm a female 35 yo.

[Patricia]

Tameka Tallie Posted on Go ahead cousin! Do your thang! I am so proud of you! Keep up the good work. I've been htiitng the gym lately 5 days a week, 3 days I do an hour cardio and burn anywhere from 870-1000 calories. The other 2 days I do 30 minutes. Now its time that I go back to strength training. It really makes a BIG difference. Cardio and strength training (along with healthy eating habits..which is VITAL)go hand-in-hand. I enjoy all of your posts!