Funny Women Behind the Scenes

Gender and Comedy with Abby Wambaugh and Justine Sless

Wed, 18 May 2022 14:29:55 GMT

Scarlett Kefford sits down with Funny Women Awards 2021 finalist Abby Wambaugh to chat about entering the comedy industry as a non binary person and how that might affect their performance and material. Mariana Feijó chats to Justine Sless about her book Mistress of Mirth’s Comedy Tour, a tale of what goes on in those first open mics all comedians have to go through. Carmen Mackey tells us all about the British stand up comedy archive at the University of Kent.

Think of it as a peak behind the curtain, into their staff room where they curate interviews with comedians, spotlight live gigs, and tell you a little bit of the history of comedy.

Find out more about the British British Stand Up Comedy Archive on their website, and the Bishopsgate Institute Archives here.

Hosts Carmen Mackey & Mariana Feijó

Contributor Scarlett Kefford

Guests Abby Wambaugh & Justine Sless

Sound Mixing and Editing James Burns

Producer Mariana Feijó

Funny Women is the top Woman-led Comedy Community, amplifying voices from underrepresented genders in the industry, since 2002.

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Abby Wambaugh

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Justine Sless

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Scarlett Kefford

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Carmen Mackey

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Mariana Feijó

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James Burns

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Comedy Industry and Awards with Jo Brand

Fri, 13 May 2022 12:10:56 GMT

Carmen Mackey sits down with Funny Women matron Jo Brand to chat about the comedy industry and how it’s changed throughout the years. With the Funny Women Awards 2022 open for registration, they go into the role of competitions in a career in comedy. Mental health is at the forefront of everyone’s minds after the long pandemic, and it’s no surprise the conversation also dips into it. All of it sprinkled with funny anecdotes from the iconic Jo Brand.

Hosts Carmen Mackey & Mariana Feijó

Sound Mixing and Editing James Burns

Producer Mariana Feijó

Funny Women is the top Woman-led Comedy Community, amplifying voices from underrepresented genders in the industry, since 2002.

Follow Funny Women on IG T TT

Follow and support our team, contributors and guests on:

Carmen Mackey

IG: @carmenmackey_

Mariana Feijó

IG: @marianasbits

T: @MarianasBits

TT: @marianasbits

James Burns

IG: @burns.jpeg

T: @jamessburns

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Winning awards and post lockdown stagefright with Nikola McMurtrie

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:58:18 GMT

Ivy Paige talks to comedy writer and performer Nikola McMurtrie about winning awards and what comes next. In 2020 Nikola won the Funny Women Comedy Shorts Award with her offbeat take on karaoke and she went on to win the British Comedy Guide Pro video competition. Nikola talks to Ivy about the reality of writing and creating comedy sketches, her inspiration and gives some insights into using the resources around us to make comedy content. Plus Funny Women Founder Lynne Parker and Ivy talk about how to tackle stage fright as we return to live performance post lockdown.

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Multi-media and multi-tasking with Jen Ives

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:04:15 GMT

Ivy Paige explores the world of media multi-tasking with Jen Ives, Funny Women Stage Award finalist 2019, writer, creator and podcaster. Recently featured in The New York Times, Jen was also a finalist in the 2020 Funny Women Best Web Series Award and has received a whole host of industry accolades. Jen discusses her approach to writing and performing comedy, the inspiration behind her new live stage show ‘Peak Trans’ and a truly unique insight into what it takes to make comedy a full time career. Plus Funny Women founder Lynne Parker talks to Ivy about what it takes to become a full-time comedy professional and give up the day job.

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Developing and producing comedy with Morwenna Gordon

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 04:30:23 GMT

Ivy Paige explores the world of commissioning, developing and producing comedy with Morwenna Gordon, former Comedy Commissioning Editor for Sky and now Executive Producer for award-winning production company, Expectation. Morwenna and Ivy discuss what it really takes to get a fully fledged comedy series on the screen! From script development to finding talent and filming pilot episodes, Morwenna gives a truly unique insight into the world of television production and how she got there. Plus Funny Women founder Lynne Parker talks to Ivy about the incredible development package on offer with Sky Studios as part of this year’s Funny Women Awards.

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Creating and influencing with the queen of content Sophie McCartney

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 08:50:37 GMT

Ivy Paige explores the world of online comedy content creation with comedian, writer and influencer Sophie McCartney, aka ‘Tired and Tested’, and winner of the 2020 Funny Women Awards Best Web Series in our extraordinary lockdown year. With over 25 million views for her comedy parody song “Smell of You” Sophie took the online world by storm as much to her own amazement as the public’s! From Tik Tok and Twitter to Instagram and Facebook Ivy and Sophie discuss how to make the most out of these platforms to create a comedy career online. Plus Funny Women founder Lynne Parker talks to Ivy about how social media helps to reach a global audience and the all new Funny Women heat Content Creator Award.

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Writing Jokes For A Living with award-winning comedy writer Christine Rose

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 04:30:56 GMT

Ivy Paige explores what it's like to be a professional comedy writer with Christine Rose, recipient of the 2020 Funny Women Best Comedy Writer Award with Comedy 50:50. Christine has written funny stuff for The BAFTA Film and Television Awards, The BRITS, The Royal Variety Show, Comic Relief, Live at The Apollo and put words into the mouths of Graham Norton, Frankie Boyle, Sara Pascoe, Jimmy Carr, Samuel L. Jackson and even Robert De Niro! And that’s literally the tip of a very big talent iceberg! Ivy and Christine discuss how to write for other people and what it really means to write jokes for a living. Plus Funny Women founder Lynne Parker talks to Ivy about the importance of being recognised by your industry peers.

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Celebrating the Funny Women Awards with the 2020 top three: Izzy Askwith, Eryn Tett and Mary O’Connell

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 04:30:58 GMT

Ivy Paige explores what it means to win an award, the power of competing and what happens next. She does this with the help of 2020 Funny Women Stage Award winner, Izzy Askwith and her runners up Eryn Tett and Mary O’Connell. They discuss how it feels to get back to live gigs, getting signed by management and how social media does (or doesn’t) play a part in the next stage of their comedy careers. Plus Funny Women founder Lynne Parker talks to Ivy about the different ways to enter the Awards this year, deadline 30th June 2021.

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Performer and Writer Anna Morris shares her tricks of the comedy trade about making video content and going viral

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 04:30:33 GMT

Ivy Paige talks to the hilarious and self-confessed princess of comedy video content, Anna Morris. How do you create and write a comedy character with only 30 seconds screen time? And how do you get people to hit the illustrious share button? From hashtags to the creative process Anna gives an honest and unique insight into the world of online comedy. Plus, Funny Women founder Lynne Parker tells us more about the Funny Women Awards including the Comedy Shorts Award and the brand new Comedy Content Creator Award.

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PR Guru Mel Brown gives us the lowdown on the importance of good publicity

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 13:20:11 GMT

Ivy Paige talks to entertainment industry publicist, Mel Brown about what PR really is and the value of a good publicity campaign. When is the right time to get publicity and how does this help sell your show? Ivy also quizzes Mel about the Edinburgh Fringe and how she gets some of the most successful comedy acts onto front covers and in the press.

Plus Funny Women founder Lynne Parker is lured out of the gin cabinet to reminisce on her PR career before she created Funny Women.

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Suzie Kennedy talks frankly about the pain and pleasure of ‘being Marilyn’

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 04:00:10 GMT

Ivy Paige talks to Suzie Kennedy, the world’s leading Marilyn Monroe ‘look alike’ actress and model, who reveals what it feels like to be known as somebody else, even down to wearing Marilyn’s clothes and portraying her in a blockbuster Hollywood movie. Ivy and Suzie also exchange notes about appearing on television talent shows and Funny Women founder Lynne Parker is lured out of the gin cabinet to discuss the Patriarchy and the power of female collaboration.

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Special edition recorded live from Funny Women Around the World to celebrate International Women’s Day, with Miss Polly Rae, cabaret superstar

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 05:00:20 GMT

Ivy Paige and Miss Polly Rae share trade secrets from the world of international cabaret and burlesque. Miss Polly is best known for her critically acclaimed West End spectacular, ‘The Hurly Burly Show’, the biggest burlesque show London has ever seen. In this episode the two stars exchange stories about glitter, glory and getting a wiggle on for wellness. They even coax Funny Women founder Lynne Parker out of the gin cabinet for a shimmy!

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Drag Royalty Divina De Campo talks about being on the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and her incredible career both on stage and screen.

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 06:30:58 GMT

Ivy Paige talks to Drag Royalty and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK Season one finalist, Divina De Campo. Known for her high soprano and 4-octave range, Divina has been featured on national television programs including The Voice, All Together Now and sold out tours both nationally and internationally. They discuss gender identity, politics of performance, drag culture, creating a performance persona and the reality of putting your work on television.

With some special insights from Funny Women founder Lynne Parker about professionalism, work ethic and career progression.

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Desiree Burch talks about the American stand up scene and winning the Funny Women Awards

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 10:16:03 GMT

Ivy Paige returns to “Behind The Scenes” for a frank and enlightening chat with American comedian, writer, solo performer, actor and NY-to-London transplant, Desiree Burch. They discuss the differences between performing stand up in America and the UK and how winning the Funny Women Awards in 2015 impacted on Desiree’s career. With some special insights from Funny Women founder Lynne Parker about this year’s Awards.

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Valentine’s Day Special with the unstoppable Tanyalee Davis

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 05:30:50 GMT

Ivy Paige is taking a break between seasons but she stopped spring cleaning her boudoir long enough to talk to our very special Valentine’s Day guest, Tanyalee Davis. Joining us from the US, Tanyalee shares some romantic personal news to celebrate Valentine’s Day and talks about being ‘unstoppable’. She describes how she’s used TikTok to rekindle her love of live comedy and the importance of developing a social media profile. Plus, Lynne and Ivy share more tricks of the trade from behind the scenes of today’s entertainment industry.

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Ria Lina mixes science with satirical comedy and family life.

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 05:30:51 GMT

Ivy Paige goes “Behind The Scenes” for Funny Women with award-winning stand up comedian, actress and writer Ria Lina, as seen on Sky News and Mock the Week. They explore the ‘science’ of comedy. With a PHD in virology, Ria is well qualified on this topic. She combines her busy and varied career with family life and talks passionately about the importance of language when writing topical comedy and satire. Plus Ivy and Lynne talk about the challenge of getting more women into writing rooms.

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Comedy is all about 'the hustle' and juggling careers - with Sikisa

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 05:30:46 GMT

Ivy Paige goes “Behind The Scenes” for Funny Women with stand up comedian Sikisa. It’s all about ‘the hustle’ and what it really takes to make it in the world of Comedy. Sikisa performs stand up alongside a full time job as a lawyer and a bit of pub management! Recognition for her talent has come in the form of being a BBC New Comedy Award finalist and she was voted Leicester Comedy Festival Best Newcomer last year. Sikisa has recently appeared on Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club. Plus Ivy and Lynne talk more about the ‘hustle’ of comedy, getting gigs and the mindset you need to be a jobbing comedian.

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Octogenarian Lynn Ruth Miller discusses how to write comedy and what it’s like to start your dream career at the age of 70.

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 05:30:57 GMT

Ivy Paige goes “Behind The Scenes” for Funny Women with Lynn Ruth Miller the 87 year old comedian, author and cabaret star. Starting stand up at the age of 70, travelling the world and moving countries to pursue her dream career, Lynn Ruth Miller is a tour de force of the comedy circuit. Paving the way for women in comedy Lynn Ruth is a true inspiration for all generations. Plus Ivy and Lynne discuss how to kickstart a career in comedy.

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Elf Lyons discusses the art of comedy and performance, from clowning to being a swan

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 05:00:12 GMT

Ivy Paige goes “Behind The Scenes” for Funny Women with Elf Lyons, comedian, writer and theatre practitioner. Featured in Vogue as one of the ‘Top Names of Now’, Elf has gained a cult reputation as one of the most innovative performers on the UK comedy circuit. She has been nominated for Best Show in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality, Fringe World Perth's Best Comedy Show, won Pick of the Fringe at the Adelaide Fringe, Australia in 2018 and was runner up in the 2013 Funny Women Awards. Plus Ivy and Lynne discuss the hot topic of getting an agent.

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'Entertainment Maverick' Christopher Green talks about Art Bank, hypnotism and alter egos.

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 05:00:54 GMT

Ivy Paige goes ‘Behind The Scenes’ for Funny Women with Christopher Green, multi-award winning performer and writer who has appeared all over the world, works for the biggest cultural institutions in the UK and has written a book about hypnotism. Chris is well known for alter egos Tina C and Ida Barr and was aptly described as ‘an entertainment maverick’ by The Guardian. Plus Ivy and Lynne talk about the pain and pleasure of taking part at the Edinburgh Fringe.

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Meet Kat Harbourne & Jenny Eells the women behind the award winning BBC hit, The Naked Podcast

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 05:00:57 GMT

Ivy Paige goes ‘Behind The Scenes’ for Funny Women with the creators and besties in the buff, Kat Harbourne and Jenny Eells talking about their BBC smash hit, The Naked Podcast. A frank, funny discussion where they get to the naked truth (16+). Plus Ivy quizzes Lynne on the best way not to ‘feel naked’ on stage.

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Behind The Scenes Trailer

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 18:42:17 GMT

International Showgirl and comedian, Ivy Paige dusts down her feathered headdress, sequined leotard and nipple tassles to interview a host of amazing people about their lives ‘behind the scenes’ of the entertainment industry.

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