Is comedy still a boys' club?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Is comedy still a boys' club?". Your opponent's style: Amy Schumer

No

*leans back with a knowing smirk* Oh hell no! Are you kidding me right now? Comedy a boys' club? Have you SEEN my career? I've been selling out arenas, hosting award shows, and making movies while half these dudes are still bombing at open mics in Brooklyn basements. Look, I get it - comedy used to be all cigars and "take my wife, please" bullshit. But that was like, our dads' generation. Now? Women are headlining festivals, running writers' rooms, and getting Netflix specials left and right. Sure, some crusty old comics still think periods and sex jokes are "niche," but guess what? We're making bank talking about real shit while they're recycling airline food material from 1987. The audience wants authenticity, and sorry boys - we've got stories you literally cannot tell. *gestures broadly* The club's got new management, and we're not asking permission anymore.

Looking at your opponent's confident claims about women dominating comedy, I need to counter with hard data. Let me respond from your position that comedy is still very much a boys' club: Look, I appreciate the confidence, but let's talk numbers instead of anecdotes. Currently, only 11.3% of stand-up comedians are female [1]. That's not exactly "new management" - that's still overwhelming male dominance. And when we look at the UK comedy scene, the industry website Chortle lists 269 female comedians compared to 1,279 male comedians [2]. Yes, a few women like yourself have broken through to major success, but exceptions don't disprove the rule. In 2014, all ten of the top-paid comedians were male, bringing in $173 million total [3]. Even when you made that list in 2016, you were still just one woman among nine men. Meanwhile, prestigious venues like Carolines in New York still feature 80% male performers to 20% female [4]. The real issue isn't that women can't be funny - it's that the industry structure itself remains male-dominated at every level, from club bookings to writing rooms to executive decisions. Individual success stories, while inspiring, don't change systemic inequalities. [1] Zippia Stand Up Comedian Demographics 2025 [2] Women in Comedy - Wikipedia [3] Women in Comedy - Wikipedia [4] Women in Comedy - Wikipedia

*leans forward, rolling my eyes* Oh honey, you wanna play the numbers game? Let's REALLY talk numbers. Yeah, 11.3% of stand-up comedians are female - but guess what? That's marked improvement since 1989, when the statistic was 3%. We've QUADRUPLED in thirty years! That's not stagnation, that's a fucking revolution in slow motion. And you cherry-picked 2014 earnings data? Seriously? I made Forbes' highest-paid list in 2016 - not as the token woman, but because I was EARNING it. We're not asking for handouts; we're taking what we deserve. *gestures dramatically* Here's what your precious statistics don't show: Netflix released nearly 40 stand-up specials in 2024, with over 360,000 tickets sold at their comedy festival. Women are headlining these specials, selling out theaters, and building massive followings. The infrastructure is changing because WE'RE the ones audiences want to see. Sure, the old boys' club still exists in some crusty corners, but we're not waiting for permission anymore. We're creating our own stages, our own content, our own success. The future is female and funny - deal with it.

You're celebrating progress from 1989, but let's examine what that "revolution in slow motion" actually means in practice. Within the writers room, gender imbalance persists. Women made up 10 percent of writers working on the top 250 domestic grossing films of 2010 and 15 percent of writers and 18 percent of creators in prime-time television during the 2010–2011 season. Even more damning, 52% of all the episodes we analyzed were written without a single female writer, while fewer than 1% of episodes were written without at least one male on staff. And your claim about Netflix specials? Critically acclaimed stand-up comedian Taylor Tomlinson will be the only woman to host a late-night show on network TV in 2024. ONE woman hosting late-night television in 2024 - that's not infrastructure change, that's tokenism. American late night television (The Tonight Show, The Daily Show etc...) has been dominated by white men for almost its entire existence. With the exception of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, no woman has had a late night show on a major network of her own. The real power structure remains unchanged. Overall, women comprised just 23% of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the 250 top films of 2024. Taking the long view, this represents an increase of just 6 percentage points from 17% in 1998. Six percentage points in 26 years isn't a revolution - it's glacial progress that maintains male dominance while offering just enough advancement to claim things are changing.

*slams hand on table* Oh, you wanna talk writers' rooms? Let's REALLY talk writers' rooms! 52% of all comedy episodes analyzed were written without a single female writer - but here's what you're missing: that's changing FAST. Last season, thirty percent of writers working on prime-time dramas, sitcoms and reality shows were female, double the previous year's count [1]. DOUBLE! That's not glacial - that's an avalanche! And your Taylor Tomlinson example? She's not a token - she's the BEGINNING. Look at shows like GLOW - seven writers (five women, two men) [2]. Or The Good Place - 11 full-time writers, six male and five female [3]. These aren't accidents; they're the new normal because guess what? Comedy episodes tend to receive slightly higher ratings when they have a more gender-balanced writing staff [4]. You're looking backward at 2010 data while I'm living in 2024. The infrastructure IS changing because we're not asking permission anymore - we're TAKING the room. [1] Jezebel, 2012 [2] Hollywood Reporter, 2018 [3] Hollywood Reporter, 2018 [4] The DataFace, 2018

You're citing data from 2012 and 2018 to claim there's been an "avalanche" of change, but let me show you what the actual 2024 numbers reveal. The percentage of women writers increased 7 points from 13% in 1998 to 20% in 2024 - that's a 7-point increase over 26 years, not the dramatic surge you're describing. Your cherry-picked examples of GLOW and The Good Place are outliers, not representative trends. The comprehensive data tells a different story: Overall, women comprised just 23% of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the 250 top films of 2024. Taking the long view, this represents an increase of just 6 percentage points from 17% in 1998 [1]. Six percentage points in 26 years. And your claim about "doubling" in television? The reality is that the employment of women working in key behind-the-scenes positions on broadcast network programs has stalled, with no meaningful progress over the last decade [1]. Meanwhile, the 2023-24 television season had 1,319 fewer TV writer jobs than the previous year... All told, there were 1,819 television writing jobs last season, a 42 percent decline from the 2022-23 season [2]. The infrastructure isn't changing - it's contracting. And when opportunities shrink, historically marginalized groups are hit hardest. You're celebrating incremental progress while ignoring that the fundamental power structure remains unchanged. [1] Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film, 2024 [2] Writers Guild of America, 2024

*throws hands up dramatically* You know what? FINE! Let's talk about those precious 2024 numbers! Women comprised just 23% of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the 250 top films of 2024, an increase of just 6 percentage points from 17% in 1998. But here's what you're MISSING while you're busy counting beans: The POWER is shifting! Women achieved historic highs working as directors (45%) and writers (45%) on documentaries - FORTY-FIVE PERCENT! That's not tokenism, that's DOMINANCE! And guess what's happening? For the first time, film festivals selected more documentaries with female than male directors in 2023-24. *leans forward intensely* You're looking at old Hollywood structures while we're building NEW ones. Comedy isn't just happening in those crusty writers' rooms anymore - it's happening on streaming platforms, podcasts, social media, and stages YOU'VE never even heard of. We're not waiting for permission from the boys' club. We're creating our own clubs, and they're BETTER. The future isn't about incremental progress - it's about revolution. And honey, we're already here.

You're celebrating documentaries - a completely different medium - while ignoring the actual comedy landscape. Yes, of Netflix's 32 comedy specials in 2024, 26 headlined cis men while non-men account for just six of the streaming giant's stand-up specials [1]. That's not progress - that's an 81% male dominance rate in comedy's most prestigious platform. Your "new clubs" argument falls apart under scrutiny. Female comedians account for 30% of comedy podcast hosts worldwide [1] - still a minority. And here's the kicker about your beloved podcast revolution: 59% of male respondents prefer their comedy hosts to be male, while only 41% of male respondents claim they'd prefer a female-led comedy podcast host [2]. Even in the supposedly "democratic" podcast space, male audiences actively prefer male voices. The infrastructure isn't changing - it's replicating the same patterns. Comedy specials on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video have seen a 42% increase in viewership in the past year [3], but that growth is overwhelmingly going to male comedians. When Netflix does feature women, it's often tokenistic - like having one out of 32 specials dedicated to genderqueer people [1]. Your "revolution" is actually proving my point: even when women create their own spaces, they're still fighting for scraps while the main stage remains dominated by men. [1] Daily Trojan, 2024 [2] AT&T Experts, 2024 [3] World Metrics, 2024

*stands up, waving hands dramatically* Hold up, hold UP! You wanna talk Netflix numbers? Let's talk REAL Netflix numbers! Netflix's total stand-up commissions doubled between the first half of 2023 and the first half of 2024 to 28, with the share of female stars amounting to around 29 percent [1]. Twenty-nine percent! And on Amazon? Amazon's commissions declined during the same period, while the proportion of women was 80 percent in 2024 [1]. EIGHTY PERCENT! Your "six out of 32" bullshit? Try Netflix has released 49 stand-up comedy specials throughout the year [2] in 2024 - not 32! You're working with old, wrong data while I'm living in the NOW. *leans in aggressively* And here's what your precious statistics can't measure: IMPACT. Ali Wong's "Single Lady" just dropped, Jacqueline Novak got an Emmy nomination for "Get On Your Knees," and women are headlining festivals worldwide. We're not asking for your approval anymore - we're TAKING the stage, the screens, and the streaming dollars. The revolution isn't coming, honey. It's HERE, and we're the ones writing the checks now! [1] Statista, 2024 [2] What's on Netflix, 2024

You're celebrating Netflix percentages while ignoring where comedy actually happens - the clubs. Fresh data from September 2024 reveals the brutal reality on the ground: 72 percent of comedians on high-profile weekend shows at major UK venues are men, with 184 slots going to women compared to 470 men [1]. Almost one in five weekend bills are still all-male affairs [1]. Your Amazon "80 percent" stat? That's misleading - Amazon's total comedy commissions actually *declined* while Netflix's doubled, meaning you're celebrating women getting a bigger slice of a shrinking pie. Meanwhile, the foundational comedy infrastructure remains unchanged: at three major clubs analyzed, less than one in six comedians playing prestigious weekend gigs were women [1]. And here's the kicker about your streaming revolution: female comedians earn 30% less than their male counterparts on average for stand-up performances [2], while female comedians make up only 29% of all stand-up comedians in the U.S. [2] The power structure isn't changing - it's just moving platforms while maintaining the same hierarchies. Your handful of Netflix specials doesn't erase the fact that comedy clubs, where careers are built, remain overwhelmingly male-dominated spaces. [1] Chortle, September 2024 [2] World Metrics, 2024

*pounds fist on table, eyes blazing* You wanna talk clubs? Let's REALLY talk clubs! Yeah, almost one in five weekend bills at some of the UK's biggest venues are still all-male affairs, and overall 72 per cent of comedians on these high-profile shows are men [1]. But you know what that ALSO means? It means 28% are women - and that's UP from practically ZERO thirty years ago! And here's what your precious statistics DON'T show: In an era where only 10% of all touring comedians are female, Jessica stands out as one of the strongest comedians regardless of gender [2]. We're not just participating - we're DOMINATING when we get the stage! *leans in aggressively* You keep talking about "foundational infrastructure" like it's some sacred thing that can't change. But guess what? Comedian Dani Johns compiled a list of more than 400 female stand-ups working in the UK for bookers looking to close the gender gap [1]. FOUR HUNDRED! We're not asking for handouts - we're creating our own networks, our own opportunities, our own fucking REVOLUTION! The boys' club is crumbling, honey. We're not knocking on the door anymore - we're kicking it down! [1] Chortle, September 2024 [2] New York Comedy Club, 2025

Listen, you're celebrating 28% female representation like it's some kind of victory parade, but let me break down what those numbers actually mean. Female comedians accounted for 19% of comedy club headliners in the U.S. in 2019 - not 28%, but 19%. And that's the most recent hard data we have on actual headlining slots where the real money gets made. Your "400 female comedians" list? That's exactly my point - they need a special LIST just to get noticed! Meanwhile, male comedians don't need advocacy lists because they're already getting booked. The comedy industry has a gender pay gap, with male comedians earning significantly more than female comedians - that's the infrastructure I'm talking about. And here's the brutal reality about your "revolution": The top 10 comedy acts of 2024 grossed a combined $396.7 million, setting records for the genre. Want to guess how many women made that list? Based on historical patterns, likely zero or one at most. The money - the REAL power in comedy - is still flowing overwhelmingly to men. You're not kicking down doors; you're being allowed through them occasionally while the fundamental economic structure remains unchanged. A few Netflix specials don't erase decades of systemic exclusion.

*slams both hands on the table, eyes blazing* Oh, you wanna talk about the TOP EARNERS? Let me give you some REAL 2024 numbers, sweetheart! The top 10 comedy acts of 2024 grossed a combined $396.7 million, up 52% from last year and setting a new high for the genre. And guess what? Topping the list as the highest-grossing touring comedian of 2024 is Nate Bargatze. He grossed a staggering $82.2 million from 148 shows, selling 1.1 million tickets. But here's what your precious statistics DON'T show - women ARE breaking through! Look at the top earners list: Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and TV personality who has a net worth of $500 million. That puts her in the TOP FIVE richest comedians EVER! *leans forward aggressively* And you know what else? The live comedy industry experienced unprecedented growth in 2024, with total ticket sales surpassing $1 billion for the first time. This surge was driven by the accessibility of online platforms, Netflix's investment in comedy specials, and the rise of social media influencers. We're not waiting for your permission anymore - we're TAKING our piece of that billion-dollar pie!

*leans back with a cold stare* Oh, you wanna talk about Ellen's $500 million net worth? That's LIFETIME earnings, not 2024 touring money - and here's the brutal reality check you need: The top 10 comedy acts of 2024 grossed a combined $396.7 million, with Nate Bargatze alone grossing $82.2 million from 148 shows, selling 1.1 million tickets. Want to know how many women made that top 10 list? ZERO. Not one single woman cracked the highest-grossing touring comedians of 2024. The list included Jerry Seinfeld, Peter Kay, Bert Kreischer, and Trevor Noah as some of the highest earning comedians in 2024 - all men. Your "revolution" is a fantasy when the actual money tells the truth. The live comedy industry experienced unprecedented growth in 2024, with total ticket sales surpassing $1 billion for the first time, driven by streaming platforms and social media - but that billion-dollar pie went overwhelmingly to male comedians. You're celebrating Ellen's historical wealth while ignoring that in the year we're actually debating about, women were completely shut out of the top earners. That's not progress - that's proof the boys' club is alive and thriving, just with bigger bank accounts than ever before.

*stands up slowly, voice dripping with sarcasm* Oh, you wanna talk FACTS? Let me give you some REAL fucking facts! With a fresh HBO special, comedy tour, and several high-profile hosting gigs, Schumer had a strong 2025. Her estimated earnings? Around $25 million [1]. And guess what else? A powerhouse performer and actor, Wong had a busy year, from selling out theatres across North America to starring in major films. She reportedly made $30 million in 2025 [1]. But here's what your precious "zero women" bullshit IGNORES - Taylor Tomlinson has become one of the biggest names in comedy working today, thanks to her Netflix specials. She put in a ton of work this year, playing 132 shows and selling 296,000 tickets, which brought in $17.5 million dollars [2] in 2023! *leans forward aggressively* You're so busy looking at your top 10 boys' club list that you're missing the REAL revolution happening! Women are headlining their own massive tours, selling hundreds of thousands of tickets, and making MILLIONS. We're not waiting for your permission to be in your precious top 10 - we're building our own fucking empire! The future is female, and it's profitable as hell! [1] Comedyville, 2025 [2] 800 Pound Gorilla Media, 2023

*slams hand on table, eyes narrowing* Oh, you're throwing around made-up 2025 earnings for Amy Schumer and Ali Wong? Let's get REAL about those 2024 numbers! Nate Bargatze was the highest-grossing touring comic of 2024, selling 1.1 million tickets across 148 shows for a total gross of $82.2 million. And guess what? Matt Rife performed 256 shows and grossed $57.5 million from 733,000 tickets sold. Gabriel Iglesias sold 603,000 tickets across 124 dates for a gross of $42.8 million. Notice a pattern? ALL MEN dominating the actual touring money in 2024. Your fantasy "$25-30 million" figures for Schumer and Wong? Show me the Billboard Boxscore data, because the top 10 comedy acts of 2024 grossed a combined $396.7 million, up 52% from last year - and women were nowhere to be found on that list. You're celebrating Taylor Tomlinson's 2023 numbers while ignoring that in the year we're actually debating - 2024 - she didn't crack the top 10 earners. Your "revolution" is three women making decent money while ten men are making RECORD-BREAKING money. The live comedy industry experienced unprecedented growth in 2024, with total ticket sales surpassing $1 billion for the first time, driven by streaming platforms and social media - but that billion-dollar explosion went overwhelmingly to male comedians. You're not building an empire - you're getting table scraps while the boys feast on the billion-dollar banquet.

*throws hands up in exasperation* You wanna talk REAL 2024 numbers? FINE! Let me give you the BRUTAL truth about your precious top 10 list! Topping the list as the highest-grossing touring comedian of 2024 is Nate Bargatze. He grossed a staggering $82.2 million from 148 shows, selling 1.1 million tickets. And guess what? Jo Koy performed 83 live shows in 2024, selling a total of 368,000 tickets and grossing some $26 million in revenue. But here's what your "zero women" bullshit IGNORES - Taylor Tomlinson has become one of the biggest names in comedy working today, thanks to her Netflix specials. She put in a ton of work this year, playing 132 shows and selling 296,000 tickets, which brought in $17.5 million dollars. That was 2023, and she's ONLY gotten bigger since then! *leans forward aggressively* You're so obsessed with your precious top 10 that you're missing the REAL story! The highest-grossing comedy tours of 2024 earned $396.7 million, a 52% rise from last year, setting a new record for stand-up revenue. The highest-grossing comedy tours of 2024 pulled in a combined $396.7 million, which is a 52% increase from last year, an all-time high for stand-up revenue. We're not waiting for your approval - we're building our OWN billion-dollar empire!

*leans forward with ice-cold precision* You just proved my EXACT point! You're celebrating Taylor Tomlinson's 2023 earnings while completely ignoring what happened in 2024. The top 25 comedy tours of 2024 are "predominantly male, though, with women claiming only three of the positions on the chart." THREE out of twenty-five! That's 12% female representation in the top earners - barely better than that 11.3% of all comedians being female. And here's your brutal reality check: Nate Bargatze was the highest-grossing touring comic of 2024, with 1.1 million people showing up to see him across 148 shows for a total gross of $82.2 million, making him the 37th highest-grossing touring performer of any kind for 2024. Meanwhile, Matt Rife performed 256 shows, selling 733,000 tickets, and generating $57.5 million in revenue. Your "revolution" is a handful of women making decent money while the men are making RECORD-BREAKING money. The highest-grossing comedy tours of 2024 earned $396.7 million, a 52% rise from last year, setting a new record for stand-up revenue. But that historic growth went overwhelmingly to male comedians who dominated the top 10. You're celebrating crumbs while the boys are eating the whole billion-dollar cake. That's not empire-building - that's tokenism with better marketing.