While the lines in comedy are changing at the moment, not everyone is feeling limited by these new rules. As with much of the media landscape, women of color are severely underrepresented on stand-up and improv stages. But as the barriers to entry shift, some are finding their voices heard in a way that seemed impossible five or ten years ago. As part of a new series, The Takeaway is going to explore this complicated moment in comedy. We’ll speak to some of the women of color stand-ups and sketch comedy stars who shaped the comedy world into what it is today. And we’ll hear from younger comics on what the landscape looks like for them. One question at the center of it all: whose moment is it in comedy today?

Headlining the Biggest Sketch Comedy Shows of the 90s

The Takeaway speaks with comedians Ellen Cleghorne and T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh about breaking out on Saturday Night Live and In Living Color.

Margaret Cho on Pushing the Boundaries of the Comedy World

Margaret Cho joins The Takeaway to discuss the comedy scene and the lonely moments as the “only Asian American woman out there.” 

Cristela Alonzo on Finding Her Voice Through Comedy

Stand-up comedian and actress Cristela Alonzo is the latest guest in our series on women of color in comedy. 

What Does the Comedy World Look Like for Young Women of Color?

Karen Chee and Ayo Edebiri are up-and-coming comedians. They represent the future of comedy.