"Kohen assembles more than 150 interviews from America's most prominent comediennes (and the writers, producers, nightclub owners, and colleagues who revolved around them) to piece together the revolution that happened to (and by) women in American comedy"--Provided by publisher. An oral history tracing the careers and achievements of comediennes from the past half century challenges opinions about why women cannot be effective comedic entertainers and includes coverage of celebrities ranging from Joan Rivers and Lily Tomlin to Mary Tyler Moore and Tina Fey.

Mothers of invention -- Lily of the underground -- Primetime -- Saturday night live : the boys' club -- I am woman -- The boom years -- Janeane Garofalo and friends -- Saturday night live : the girls' club -- Comic rising.