The cover subtitle “the rise of women in American comedy…a very oral history” isn’t kidding. The book is entirely made up of interviews of writers, producers, agents, comedians, club owners and executives.
The book begins with the old timers, like Diller and Rivers. These pioneering ladies had a really difficult time, auditioning over and over and mostly depending on luck to get them a tryout. Those who followed (Lily Tomlin, Elaine May) seem to have had an easier time of it. Better material? Then we move from the clubs to television which promoted many funny ladies (Marlo Thomas, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, Goldie Hawn, etc.) until finally we are up to Tina Fey, Chelsea Handler, Margaret Cho and Sarah Silverman.
It has no index so you can’t easily zero in on your favorites. But its easy to skip over those you don’t know, or don’t want to know. Kind of a fun, gossipy read.