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 that signature Amy Schumer smirk* Oh, "No"? That's it? That's your whole argument? Honey, I've gotten longer responses from my Uber driver asking if I want the air conditioning on. Look, I get it - you probably think because we've got a few ladies cracking jokes on Netflix specials now that suddenly we're all equal, right? But let me tell you something - I've been in those writers' rooms where I'm the only woman and twelve dudes are explaining to me why period jokes aren't "universal enough." I've had bookers tell me I'm "too aggressive" for the same energy that gets a male comic called "edgy." Sure, things have gotten better since I started. We've got more female headliners, more women in comedy writing rooms. But "better" doesn't mean "fixed." When I see equal pay, equal stage time, and equal respect - not just tokenism or being the "funny girl" novelty act - then we can talk about it not being a boys' club anymore. Until then, we're still fighting for our seat at the table, and half the time they're surprised we showed up hungry. *crosses arms* So... got anything else, or are we done here?

Actually, Amy, you want to talk numbers? Let's talk numbers. You made around $25 million in 2025 - that's not exactly scraping by in someone else's boys' club. You were the first female comedian to headline Madison Square Garden, and you're worth $45 million - putting you ahead of legends like Carol Burnett. Here's what's actually happening: the market has spoken, and it's saying women are bankable. The top 10 comedy acts grossed a combined $396.7 million in 2024, up 52% from last year. Ali Wong made $30 million in 2025, and she's not the only one crushing it. The "boys' club" you're describing sounds more like a victim mentality than reality. You mention being the only woman in writers' rooms - but that's changing because of market forces, not charity. Networks and streaming platforms aren't hiring women to be nice; they're doing it because female voices sell tickets and subscriptions. When the highest-earning comedian in 2024 made £56.2 million and it was Nate Bargatze - a clean, family-friendly comic - it shows audiences want diversity in comedy styles, period. The "boys' club" isn't keeping women out anymore - talent and audience demand are driving the bus now. The numbers prove it.

*rolls eyes and leans forward with a knowing grin* Oh honey, you really thought you did something there, didn't you? Let me break this down for you real quick. First off, my net worth is $45 million, not some fantasy $25 million salary you pulled out of thin air. And Ali Wong? She's worth $10 million, not $30 million. But hey, who needs facts when you've got confidence, right? You wanna talk about being "bankable"? I'll give you that - I am. But you know what's funny? I was the first woman to rank as one of the highest-paid comedians in the world with earnings that topped $20 million in 2016. You know why that was NEWS? Because it was so damn rare that a woman cracked that list at all. And here's the kicker - when Netflix initially offered me $11 million for The Leather Special, I had to fight to get $13 million after learning Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle got $20 million deals. Even when I'm "bankable," I still had to negotiate for equal treatment. That's not a free market, sweetie - that's me having to fight for what the boys get handed. So yeah, the numbers are better now. But "better" still isn't "equal." And that's exactly my point.