The Women Who Made Me Funnier
(And Why They Deserve More Than a Month)
Danny Browning March 2025 - NEWS4U Evansville
This time of year is incredible.
The excitement of March Madness, the debauchery of St. Patrick's Day, and the sweet relief of giving up on my New Year's resolutions. I mean, Good Lawd. A man can only stomach so many blueberry-spinach smoothies before his body starts producing what I describe as purple shamrocks.
It's also Women's History Month! In that spirit, I'm dedicating this month's column to a few of the talented female comedians who have shaped my humor, influenced my writing, and inspired me to be funnier.
Wendy Liebman - Hands down, she's my number one on the list. When I was a kid discovering comedy, Wendy was one of the first comedians to make me laugh out loud at the television. I didn't know anything about joke structure or performance, but I knew she was one of the best. Years later, I finally had the honor of working with her in Knoxville, Tennessee, and she was incredible. Her writing was still razor-sharp, and she was just as kind offstage as she was funny onstage.
Laurie Kilmartin - I love elite joke writers, and few are better than Laurie Kilmartin. She consistently generates new material for her act, is a published author, spent years writing for Conan O'Brien, and is a writer for this year's Academy Awards. During the pandemic, she was kind enough to do one of my virtual shows, which was a thrill for the other comedians and me, and of course, she was hilarious.
Christine Stedman - A true road comic, Christine Stedman was the first female comedian I ever watched live in a comedy club. She had a way of making everyone relate to her jokes, especially middle-aged women. I remember watching her and thinking, "How do I do that?" Also, she was super friendly and even helped me get opportunities in other comedy clubs. Her best comedy trait is her ability to remain completely authentic. She delivers her material in a hilariously unapologetic way, and all these years later, she's still just as funny.
Tina Fey - Tina Fey isn't a stand-up comedian, but she is certainly one of the best comedy writers of all time. She was brilliant on SNL, especially with Weekend Update, and went on to create 30 Rock, which is still one of the best-written sitcoms ever. Back in the day, I spent countless hours studying her techniques, trying to figure out how to duplicate her genius. Her ability to craft smart, fast-paced comedy with perfectly timed absurdity is something I've always admired. She makes it look effortless, but that level of brilliance takes serious skill.
So, as I sit here sipping another green beer and avoiding my evil elliptical, I thank these special comedians. Their talent, wit, and fearlessness have not only shaped my comedy but made the entire industry sharper, smarter, and funnier.
If that's not worth celebrating this March, I don't know what is.
The excitement of March Madness, the debauchery of St. Patrick's Day, and the sweet relief of giving up on my New Year's resolutions. I mean, Good Lawd. A man can only stomach so many blueberry-spinach smoothies before his body starts producing what I describe as purple shamrocks.
It's also Women's History Month! In that spirit, I'm dedicating this month's column to a few of the talented female comedians who have shaped my humor, influenced my writing, and inspired me to be funnier.
Wendy Liebman - Hands down, she's my number one on the list. When I was a kid discovering comedy, Wendy was one of the first comedians to make me laugh out loud at the television. I didn't know anything about joke structure or performance, but I knew she was one of the best. Years later, I finally had the honor of working with her in Knoxville, Tennessee, and she was incredible. Her writing was still razor-sharp, and she was just as kind offstage as she was funny onstage.
Laurie Kilmartin - I love elite joke writers, and few are better than Laurie Kilmartin. She consistently generates new material for her act, is a published author, spent years writing for Conan O'Brien, and is a writer for this year's Academy Awards. During the pandemic, she was kind enough to do one of my virtual shows, which was a thrill for the other comedians and me, and of course, she was hilarious.
Christine Stedman - A true road comic, Christine Stedman was the first female comedian I ever watched live in a comedy club. She had a way of making everyone relate to her jokes, especially middle-aged women. I remember watching her and thinking, "How do I do that?" Also, she was super friendly and even helped me get opportunities in other comedy clubs. Her best comedy trait is her ability to remain completely authentic. She delivers her material in a hilariously unapologetic way, and all these years later, she's still just as funny.
Tina Fey - Tina Fey isn't a stand-up comedian, but she is certainly one of the best comedy writers of all time. She was brilliant on SNL, especially with Weekend Update, and went on to create 30 Rock, which is still one of the best-written sitcoms ever. Back in the day, I spent countless hours studying her techniques, trying to figure out how to duplicate her genius. Her ability to craft smart, fast-paced comedy with perfectly timed absurdity is something I've always admired. She makes it look effortless, but that level of brilliance takes serious skill.
So, as I sit here sipping another green beer and avoiding my evil elliptical, I thank these special comedians. Their talent, wit, and fearlessness have not only shaped my comedy but made the entire industry sharper, smarter, and funnier.
If that's not worth celebrating this March, I don't know what is.
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Danny Browning is a nationally touring stand-up comedian, clean corporate entertainer, and monthly humor columnist for News4U Evansville. Based in Southern Indiana, he has performed at comedy clubs, corporate galas, and nonprofit fundraisers across Indianapolis, Louisville, Evansville, Cincinnati, and beyond, including the Improv, the Funny Bone, and stages alongside Norm MacDonald, Jim Norton, and Jennifer Coolidge. Comedy & Curiosities is his attempt to be funny without a microphone. It's going okay.
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Danny Browning | Comedian, Humorist & Monthly Troublemaker for News4U Evansville