How have the women of Saturday Night Live helped shape contemporary comedy?

Abstract

This is an exploration of the female contribution to contemporary comedy specifically focusing on the women within Saturday Night Live (SNL). It will examine the inequalities and discrimination the women on the show have faced and how they have challenged this in recent years. It will look at the common misconception that women aren't funny and will identify the many funny women the show has produced and how they have succeeded in mainstream contemporary comedy. It will also examine the remarkable rise of fledgling female comedians within a patriarchal environment that is network television. This study will look at the rise of the women in Saturday Night Live and how they have created a chain reaction for the success of all women in comedy.