His True-Crime Podcast Stood Up for Victims. Now, He’s Accused of Abuse

The Twin Cities Comedy Scene From The View Of Women Comics

Female comedians in Minneapolis share their perspectives on the comedy scene.

Four years ago, BBC News published an article titled "Men are funnier than women, study claims." It referenced researchers who found that 63 percent of men were funnier than women. 

The stereotype that women are not funny existed before this research was published, but that hasn't blocked out women from the comedy scene in the Twin Cities. Stereotypes about female comedians present them with a few more challenges than their male counterparts. 

Comedians often perform at night which, for many female-presenting individuals, is a worrisome time. Before becoming a company member at Acme Comedy in Minneapolis, Elise Cole first started performing stand-up at a bar in Big Lake, Minn. The audience was mostly men and the bar was in the middle of nowhere. 

Cole heard male comics talk about these types of shows, with their main complaint being that smaller audiences make it harder to do a full-length set, but Cole was more worried about her safety. 

Being a comedian, Cole took this feeling and made a joke out of it. She would talk about how when new male comics started they would get a lot of advice based on comedy. The punchline was when Cole told a fellow female comic that she would be headlining in a more remote place, her advice was a bit different. 

"She was like, 'Oh my god! Congratulations! I'm really happy for you! You should get a gun,'" Cole said. 

Comedian Lucy Beers Shenk elaborated on the negative parts of being a woman comic. 

"It can be harder for a woman to seem likable on stage," Shenk said. 

Male comics often don't have to worry about their appearance when they get on stage. The same is not true for women in the comedy scene. 

Cianna Violet performing at the Monday Night Comedy Show. (Image by Cianna Violet (courtesy))

Comedian Lisa Evanson, who recently returned to the Twin Cities comedy scene, shared she has come to realize that audiences will sometimes act differently based on how she dresses. Once when she dressed up for a performance, she described that it was more of an uphill battle to engage the audience than when she dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans. Evanson added this is an experience that she has heard about from other women comedians. 

Minneapolis-born comedian Cianna Violet said sometimes in more rural areas it can feel impossible to make a crowd laugh. 

"There definitely are times where the crowd just isn't open to the idea that a woman should be a comedian," Violet said. 

While being a woman in the comedy scene can have its difficulties, all of the women interviewed by the Minnesota Daily mentioned there is a connection with the women they encounter, both in audiences and other women comedians.

Cole is an older comedian with a partner, kids and a house. She has found her jokes often resonate with women between the ages of 35 and 65 because her jokes are often about marriage, being a parent, and balancing work and home life. Cole has had audience members come up to her and tell her that her jokes have resonated with them because her comedy allowed other women to laugh about life events that are typically a point of stress for them. 

Shenk has been doing comedy for about two years but has already "made some amazing friends and … get to be around who I really respect [for] their comedy writing," Shenk said. 

Cole also has a mostly positive attitude about being a woman in comedy, attributing it to the fact that she focuses on her goals as a comic. Cole said if she has been overlooked because she is a woman, it would be news to her. 

Many of the comedians made the point that the fear of being a woman in a male-dominated scene shouldn't get in the way of trying stand-up comedy. 

"If there are any women out there who want to try it and are unsure about it, they should definitely just do it," Violet said. 

While being a woman in the comedy industry has its struggles, many of the women interviewed agree comedians who succeed in the scene are the ones who care more about the craft of comedy than the demographics.

Could Matthew Perry's Legacy BE Any Sweeter?

But they weren't just jokes, they expressed character, not just by dialogue but through Perry's sarcastically elastic face, flexible forehead and physical comedy worthy of Buster Keaton — impulsive lunges and expert pratfalls (some unintended but so funny directors left them in). Chandler sometimes resembled a puppet whose strings were jerked by his own neurosis.

A cynic who yearns to be proven wrong about humanity, he's sympathetic to his friends — but not to the point of emotional risk. When Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) is upset because Joey's in love with her, she can't reciprocate and she doesn't know what to do, Chandler says, "I'm not great at the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?" He tells a baby, "I'm your uncle Chandler. Funny is all I have." "What's wrong with me?" Chandler once asked. "Ooh, don't open that door!"

Entertainment

Ancestry

30% off a 1-year subscription

See more Entertainment offers >

{"hideCategory":false,"useAlternateLanguage":false,"headlineIconAltText":"","listItems":[{"categoryTitle":"Entertainment","categoryUrl":"/membership/benefits/entertainment/","categoryDeeplinkParam":"entertainment","isLimitedTimeOffer":false,"offerJson":{"dbr_offer_id":"b270af1fb49dd39e9cfbdbf986c1f0ed","source_name":"Ancestry","offer_title":"30% off an All Access or World Explorer Subscription","offer_description":"\u003cp\u003eMembers save 30% on the first year of an All Access or a World Explorer subscription and get access to records and online tools to search, save and share their family history.\u0026nbsp; If you're new to Ancestry, you'll receive the discount on the first year of your subscription only. If you already have an Ancestry account, you'll receive the discount when you renew your subscription for a year.\u003c/p\u003e","offer_short_description":"30% off a 1-year subscription","category_list":"entertainment","subcategory_list":"","tags":[{"tagID":"dbr:entertainment","title":"Entertainment","name":"entertainment","deeplink_url":"/membership/benefits/entertainment/","deeplink_param_value":"entertainment","get_offers_url":"/etc/aarp/dbr/ws.Api/offers/entertainment.Json","sub_tags":[]}],"vertical_image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/258x334-ancestry-two-men-smiling-multi-generational-tablet-feb-2020.Jpg","image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/1140x641-ancestry-three-men-smiling-multi-generational-tablet-feb-2020.Jpg","advertisement_flag":"","advertisement_sort_order":"","merchant_phone":"1-800-514-4645","merchant_phone_label":"or, call Ancestry at","howto_redeem":"Learn More","howto_redeem_url":"https://www.Ancestry.Com/s123495/t47308/rd.Ashx?","howto_redeem_expired":"Renew to Learn More","howto_redeem_expired_link":"https://appsec.Aarp.Org/mem/renew","howto_redeem_non_member":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_non_member_link":"https://secure.Aarp.Org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.Action?AppName\u003daccount","howto_redeem_anonymous":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_anonymous_link":"https://appsec.Aarp.Org/mem/join?Campaignid\u003dUASMBP1\u0026intcmp\u003dEWHERE-MBCHAE-LP-MMA-JOIN","howto_redeem_desc":"Enter your AARP membership number on the Ancestry website, or mention it by phone.","member_exclusive_flag":"no","offer_type":"EverGreen","hideLeavingAARP":"false","interstitial_desc":"You\u0027ll leave AARP.Org and go to the website of a trusted provider. The provider\u0027s terms, conditions, and policies apply.","dbr_offer_type":"discount","restrictions":"\u003cp\u003eAARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs an AARP member, if you sign up for an Ancestry membership through a special AARP members-only offer, you agree to the \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.Ancestry.Com/cs/legal/termsandconditions#disputes\" data-overlay-msg\u003d\"AARP.Everywhere.LeavingModal.DrawOverlay(this,\u0027\u0027,/mnt/overlay/wcm/core/content/sites/properties.Html,\u0027\u0027,\u0027You are now leaving AARP.Org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.\u0027);return false;\"\u003eAncestry Terms and Conditions\u003c/a\u003e (the "Terms"), including the dispute resolution procedures set forth in the Terms. In addition to those procedures, you also have the option to initiate arbitration through the American Arbitration Association (AAA). If you so choose, the following applies:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting Ancestry customer service. If any dispute between us is not resolved within 30 days after contacting us, then you and Ancestry agree that we will resolve it through final and binding arbitration. The term "dispute" is intended to be as broad as legally permissible and includes, but is not limited to, all disputes between you and any other person on whose behalf you have interacted with Ancestry, on the one hand, and Ancestry, including any of its parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, assigns, or affiliates, on the other, that arise out of or relate in any way to the Terms, this arbitration agreement, or your interactions or relationship with Ancestry, with the following three exceptions:\u003c/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003eYou and Ancestry shall each have the option to resolve any dispute, if it qualifies, in the small claims court with jurisdiction over your place of residence. To the extent any dispute involves claims for both (1) monetary damages or relief and (2) equitable or injunctive relief, to the extent the small claims court with jurisdiction will not resolve claims for equitable or injunctive relief, you and Ancestry shall each have the option to resolve the claims for monetary relief or damages in small claims court, and any claim for equitable or injunctive relief shall be resolved in arbitration pursuant to this agreement. \u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBoth you and Ancestry may bring a suit in court in the state of Utah only for a claim of infringement or other misuse of intellectual property rights. In this case, we both waive any right to a jury trial.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eIf it qualifies, you may bring a claim to the attention of a relevant federal, state, or local agency that may seek relief against us on your behalf.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eArbitration Rules:\u003c/b\u003e This arbitration agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.). Arbitration will be conducted by AAA in accordance with the then-applicable AAA rules, excluding any rules or procedures governing or permitting class actions. Where no disclosed claims or counterclaims exceed $25,000, the dispute shall be resolved by the submission of documents only/desk arbitration pursuant to AAA Consumer Arbitration Rule 29 (or the then-applicable AAA Consumer Arbitration Rule governing documents-only arbitration procedures). Either party may file dispositive motions in arbitration, including without limitation a motion to dismiss and/or a motion for summary judgment, and the arbitrator will apply the standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrator, and not any federal, state, or local court or agency, shall have exclusive authority to resolve all disputes arising out of or relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement, the Terms, or the \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.Ancestry.Com/cs/legal/privacystatement\"\u003eAncestry Privacy Statement\u003c/a\u003e, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this arbitration agreement, the Terms or Privacy Statement is void or voidable, whether a claim is subject to arbitration, or the question of waiver by litigation conduct. The arbitrator shall be empowered to grant whatever relief would be available in a court under law or in equity. The arbitrator's award shall be written and shall be binding on the parties and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo initiate an arbitration proceeding through AAA, you must send a certified letter describing your claim and requesting arbitration to Ancestry Legal Department, Ancestry.Com Operations Inc., 1300 W Traverse Parkway, Lehi, UT 84043. You must also send a copy of this demand to the AAA at the same time the demand is sent to Ancestry and follow all required procedures under the then-applicable AAA rule governing starting an arbitration under an arbitration agreement in a contract. The arbitration will be conducted by AAA under its \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.Adr.Org/Rules\"\u003erules\u003c/a\u003e, as modified by the Terms (collectively, \u0026quot;AAA Rules\u0026quot;). The AAA Rules and costs are available online at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.Adr.Org/\"\u003ewww.Adr.Org\u003c/a\u003e or by calling the AAA at 1-800-778-7879.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe parties shall select the arbitrator by mutual agreement. If the parties are unable to mutually select an arbitrator, the arbitrator shall be selected as follows: AAA will give each party a list of nine (9) arbitrators drawn from its panel of arbitrators. Each party will have ten (10) calendar days to strike all names on the list it deems unacceptable. If only one common name remains on the lists of all parties, that individual will be designated as the arbitrator. If more than one common name remains on the lists of all parties, the parties will strike names alternately from the list of common names by telephone conference administered by AAA, with the claimant to strike first until only one remains. If no common name remains on the lists of all parties, AAA will furnish an additional list of nine (9) arbitrators from which the parties will strike alternately by telephone conference administered by AAA, with the claimant to strike first, until only one name remains. That person will be designated as the arbitrator. If the individual selected cannot serve, AAA will issue another list of nine (9) arbitrators and repeat the alternate striking selection process.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArbitration may take place in the county where you reside at the time of filing. You and Ancestry further agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of any federal or state court in San Francisco County, California in order to compel arbitration, to stay proceedings pending arbitration, or to confirm, modify, vacate, or enter judgment on the award entered by the arbitrator.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFees: \u003c/b\u003eYou will be required to pay $200—or the amount otherwise required under the then-applicable AAA rules—to initiate an arbitration against us. If the arbitrator finds the arbitration to be non-frivolous, Ancestry will pay all other fees invoiced by AAA, including filing fees and arbitrator and hearing expenses. You are responsible for your own attorneys' fees unless the arbitration rules and/or applicable law provide otherwise.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eClass, Representative and Consolidated Action Waiver. \u003c/b\u003e There will be no right or authority for any dispute to be brought, heard or arbitrated as a class, representative and/or consolidated action (the "\u003ci\u003eClass Action Waiver\u003c/i\u003e"). Nor shall any arbitrator have the authority to hear or arbitrate any such dispute, regardless of any other language in this arbitration agreement, or any provision of any of the rules or procedures of the AAA that might otherwise apply including, without limitation, the AAA Supplemental Rules for Class Action Arbitration. This Class Action Waiver shall be severable from this arbitration agreement if there is a final judicial determination that the Class Action Waiver is invalid, unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable. In such instances, the class, representative or consolidated action must be litigated in the courts of the State of Utah—not in arbitration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeverability. \u003c/b\u003eOther than as set forth in the Class Action Waiver, if any provision of this arbitration agreement is adjudged to be invalid, unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable, in whole or in part, such adjudication will not affect the validity of the rest of the arbitration agreement. All remaining provisions will remain in effect.\u003c/p\u003e","lto_daysleft_start_control":30,"is_redeemable_in_person":"false","is_redeemable_only_in_person":false,"state_blacklist":[],"offer_timing":"anytime","line_of_business":"ASI discounts","asi_category":"ASI Shopping","analytics_brand":"Ancestry","analytics_offerid":"ancestry-10074","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon":"Member Log In","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_link":"https://login.Aarp.Org/online-community/loginform.Action","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember":"Link your membership","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_link":"https://secure.Aarp.Org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.Action?AppName\u003daccount","offer_keywords":["ancestry discount","ancestry subscription discount"," aarp benefits","aarp discounts"],"offer_keywords_spanish":["Ancestry","hogar","familia","historia","búsqueda","beneficios","socios","descuentos","Ancestry","historia familiar","ancestry.Com","beneficio de ancestry","descuento de ancestry","búsqueda de familia","genealogía","ahorros en ancestry","descuentos de ancestry","ofertas de ancestry","world explorer","membresía","suscripción","hogar y familia","descuentos para el hogar","beneficios para el hogar","ahorros para la familia","beneficios para la familia","herramientas genealógicas"],"provider_logo":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/ancestry-logo-jan-2023.Png","provider_logo_alt_text":"ancestry logo","provider_logo_cdn_uri":"https://cdn.Aarp.Net/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/ancestry-logo-jan-2023.Imgcache.Revf5c18e2b2bd93f24d406af271c536d72.Png","provider_logo_width":"640","provider_logo_height":"114","enable_utm_parameters":"","append_aid_paramter":"","lto_model_heading":"Limited Time Member Offers","lto_advertisement":"Member Exclusive Advertisement","ty_socialMissionFlag":"true","deeplink_param_value":"ancestry-10074","pixel_learn_more_value":"","howto_redeem_2":"Learn More","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_label":"Already a member?","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_label":"Already a member?","image_alt_text":"","image_title":"Three smiling men looking at table","image_cdn_uri":"https://cdn.Aarp.Net/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ancestry/1140x641-ancestry-three-men-smiling-multi-generational-tablet-feb-2020.Imgcache.Revb030d83b47d0d1bf2713a936a9a4091b.Jpg","tab_label_offer_details":"Details","tab_label_restrictions":"Disclosures","geoloc_tab_label":"Locations","disclaimer_label":"","geoloc_provider_legal_info":"","geoloc_miles_label_text":"Miles","geoloc_show_results_within_label_text":"Show results within","geoloc_see_more_button_text":"See More","geoloc_find_location_label":"Find a Location","geoloc_total_results_label":"Result(s)","geoloc_no_results_view_message":"There are no locations within a 100 mile radius. Please try another location","geoloc_tab_hint_text":"Enter an address, city, or ZIP","geoloc_mobile_list_cta":"LIST VIEW","geoloc_mobile_list_cta_url":"","geoloc_mobile_map_cta":"MAP VIEW","geoloc_mobile_map_cta_url":"","geoloc_provider_link_cta_url":"","geoloc_experience_type":"","ty_ctaText":"Continue","geoloc_hide_tab":"true","ty_interstitialText":"Thanks for visiting aarp.Org! Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","howto_redeem_label":"How to Access","ty_interstitialDesc":"Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","ty_cancelText":"Cancel","ty_interstitialTitle":"Thanks for visiting aarp.Org!","lto_daysleft":"Days Left","provider_logo_title":"ancestry logo","geoloc_hide_see_more_button":"false","geoloc_provider_link_cta":"","offer_page_path":"/benefits-discounts/all/ancestry-10074/","redemption_content":"","show_phone_number_above_cta":"","restrictions_label":"Disclosures","show_state_availability":"","state_availability_text":"SEE AVAILABILITY IN YOUR STATE","hideRestrictionsTab":"","ltos":[]},"parentOfferJson":{}}]}

(Left to right) Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry.

Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

There was plenty of Matthew Perry in Chandler Bing

"This was the only guy to play him," Friends cocreator Marta Kauffman said in the 2021 reunion special. AARP contributor Dana Kennedy, who interviewed Perry in 2002, wrote, "In person, Mr. Perry is often disarmingly like Chandler Bing, the sarcastic yet sweet-natured guy he plays on Friends." Perry told her, "It's no accident that Chandler is a guy who is trying to deter his own human emotional feelings with laughter. That's what I did for years."

Today, Kennedy says, "I expected to really like Perry, since he was so likable on the show. Instead I found him tense and awkward. He was perfectly cordial to me, but I sensed an anger and a self-loathing. Truly a mystery to me why he was quite so unhappy for so long."

Self-sabotaged romance was one reason for Chandler's unhappiness — and Perry's

All the Friends had tumultuous love troubles, but Chandler's were in a class of their own. Chandler says, "Until I was 25, I thought that the only response to 'I love you' was 'Oh, crap!' " He has a hilariously long off-and-on relationship with his pre-Monica girlfriend Janice (Maggie Wheeler, who wrote of Perry, "The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.").

Chandler decides to make a "preemptive strike" on their relationship, but instead of breaking up with her like a man, he pretends he's being transferred to Yemen. On another occasion, when he gets panicky and suggests that they live together, she panics and flees, and he blurts, "I've said too much. I'm hopeless and awkward and desperate for love!"

Chandler is terrified he'll wind up dying spouseless like his late, elderly neighbor, living in "Bittertown! Aloneville! Hermit Junction! What if I never find somebody? Or worse, what if I already found her but I dumped her because she pronounces it 'Supposably?' "

Kennedy: Former TV Anchor Mike Dunne Is King Of 'the Comics House'

Something went wrong!

Zephr received the request but the origin did not respond.

Why did this happen?

The request to the origin server timed out and as a result the requested page cannot be displayed.

What can I do? As a visitor

Please wait and try again soon.

As the owner of the site

Check your site has been configured correctly and Zephr's connections are not being blocked.

---