Entertainment | 09/29/2009 4:15 pm

Kings to Queens: 16 Women Who've Stolen the Comedy Crown (Photos)

In the race to the punch line, women are taking the lead. wOw presents its list of 16 favorite funny ladies, created with the help of Liz Smith, Marlo Thomas and Jane Wagner.

Photo Essay

Johnny Carson, Charlie Chaplin, John Belushi, Jack Benny … It used to be that comedy was a man’s world, but before long funny women began bursting onto the scene, the stage and the screen. With ground broken by ladies like Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Phyllis Diller, stand-up lineups are as likely to feature the gals as they are the guys these days. wOw recently got to talking about the women that have left us in stitches over time, and here we pay tribute to these comediennes whose names came up in conversation. Our Gossip Girl Liz Smith, Peabody-winning Jane Wagner and “That Girl” Marlo Thomas – who all know from comedy – weigh in with a few of their favorite funny women. And let’s be realistic: It’s not always about the last laugh – it’s about the biggest laugh.

Click here for more from the wOw Women on their favorite comediennes.

12 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I can just hear Desi , saying," Luci… you got some ‘splainin to do!!" Some many wonderful scenes to hold dear… like the grape stomping episode. Whoopi in " Ghost". The movie would not have the hit it was without her. Tina channeling Sarah Palin brought tears to the eyes of so many. Tina as Sarah during the " debate" with Biden…. getting out her flute and asking merrily, " Is it time now for the talent competition ?? ( big wink) Lily Tomlin ( Ernestine) at her famous switch board! One ringy-dingy!

This is a wonderful selection of very talented women. There are even more who have not been mentioned ( Goldie Hawn on Laugh In) and those who are waiting in the wings. A loud round of applause for each one.

By Maggie W on 09/29/2009 3:55 pm

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Gilda Radner should have been mentioned too.

By Laura Ward on 09/29/2009 4:39 pm

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I was just a pre-teen when Gilda Radner was on SNL. I would stay up with my older sister to watch her and how I would laugh, I imagined myself up there, having the courage to do all the silly things I did at home, only in front of people and making money to boot! Then many years later I read her book "it’s always something" and I again I thought of her courage. Gilda Radner touched my life in so many ways and I just know she is making everyone laugh in her life beyond life…

By Jane Rogers on 10/02/2009 3:43 pm

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G-rated comedy is still the best.

By Laura Ward on 10/02/2009 8:46 pm

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Imogene Coca and Elaine May

By Sally K on 09/29/2009 7:04 pm

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I was reading the list, and up comes a commercial for olay, it was so rude, it cut Rosanne Barr out of the list. Please use less invasive advertising.

By kathy eldridge on 09/29/2009 7:33 pm

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Gilda Radner should have been on the list; and (dating myself here) the late Totie Fields. She (like Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers) was one of the first to do self depreciating humor.

Roseanne Barr has had her problems…but wow…her early ‘Domestic Goddess’ material was hysterical; great delivery and not afraid to make fun of herself. She (like many comedians) has had some issues she had to work thru.

I agree Kathy, the ad placement was wonky at best.

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 10/01/2009 10:05 am

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"…women are taking the lead" Are you on drugs? Half the people you list are either dead or haven’t said or done anything notable in years. I include hosting a formulaic talk show in that statement. It isn’t "taking the lead" to depend on blue language. And being a comic actor who does skits of other people’s material doesn’t put you in the lead either. Neither does assuming an air of smug "oh I’m so hip."

By Gerry Schwartz on 09/30/2009 10:28 am

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I used to agree with you about Whoopi Goldberg until this week. I admired her for a variety of reasons, loved her on "Star Trek" and thought highly of her overall. But this week, all that changed. Her comments about Roman Polanski were horrible. "It wasn’t rape-rape"? A grown man drugged a 13 yr old child and raped her. How is that not rape?!?! Goodbye Whoopi, you just lost a fan of 20+ years.

By Trene' Elliott on 10/01/2009 12:55 pm

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I watched the clip. I’m not sure Whoopi expressed anything other than she did not know enough about it to form an opinion. Her statement that other countrys do not view things the way we do is true, and that in no way defends nor excuses what he did. Actually, child predictors are let out of jail and loosly monitored these days. They are fairly free to go on doing pretty much exactly as they did before, except they’re not suppose to hand out Halloween candy or work in schools or day care situations. Should Polanski pay some price for the crime - sure. But don’t think the penalty amounts to much. Check any child predator tracking web site. Search your zip code. It’s a pretty good bet there’s one living within 50 miles of where you live. If you are in a metropolitan area, you probably have a few living within a block of your house.

By B Clark on 10/01/2009 1:45 pm

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Jane Curtin - SNL, 3rd Rock from the Sun, etc.

Roseanne Barr ("I’ll get excited when Sears builds a vaccuum cleaner I can ride".)

By B Clark on 10/01/2009 1:23 pm

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I think it’s unfair to down grade Whoopi, she is always just making sure the public gets the facts straight and not just believe the rumors. I have always been a fan of Whoopi and now since watching her on The View, I respect her more. Whoopi is a very intelligent woman, so listen to what she is saying before you judge. That is unless your perfect!

A Whoopi fan for life.

By Debbie Teschner on 10/01/2009 8:57 pm