Laugh out loud to essential stand-up sets, shows & albums by female comedians

This Women’s History Month, celebrate women taking hold of the (open) mic with countless comedy specials. From laugh-out-loud one-liners to best-of compilations, don’t miss some of the funnest female comedians of today and yesterday; check out three of our favorites below and hear even more on the SXM App.

Perfect by Nikki Glaser

Perfect, a TV special performed by Nikki Glaser for Comedy Central in 2016, encapsulates the complexities of being an adult woman today navigating marriage, having a baby, aging and beyond. Despite the special being six years old, Glaser tackles the female experience with observations, punchlines and pro tips that withstand the test of time, such as how to fake hygiene habits with a new hookup and coping with your surname becoming your son’s bank account security question after getting married.

Showtime at the Apollo with Mo’Nique

Showtime at the Apollo gave rise to countless legends in comedy with a roster including Steve Harvey, Bill Burr, Tracy Morgan and beyond. And in 2002, Mo’Nique made history as the first female host of the celebrated variety show on the iconic Apollo Theater stage in Harlem, NY, and went on to be named hostess of the show for years. During her tenure, she offered hilarious cultural commentary on everything from Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction to divorcing her first (short) husband.

Live by Tig Notaro

Tig Notaro, praised for her deadpan comedy style, was diagnosed with stage-two cancer in both breasts in 2012. Four days after said diagnosis, Notaro performed a lauded set that would go on to be released as a comedy album, Live (pronounced “liv”). The deeply personal show at the Largo in Los Angeles contemplated life and mortality in the face of a cancer diagnosis, navigated people’s reactions and mused about surviving on Triscuits to live to hear more bad news. Live was praised as “instantly legendary,” and despite Notaro’s hesitance to release the show, the comedy world is much better for it.

What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most? by Joan Rivers

It’s impossible to discuss women in comedy without mentioning Joan Rivers. From her cutting red-carpet wit to legendary stand-up specials, Rivers paved the way for countless female voices in the space today. Her album What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most? received a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Comedy Album in 1984 and expertly showcased her ability to challenge taboos oft leveraged against women in comedy complete with jabs at Liz Taylor and Prince Charles.

Laugh along with even more Women’s History Month comedy specials featuring Whitney Cummings, Roseanne Barr and more across She’s So Funny (Ch. 771), Laugh USA (Ch. 98), Comedy Greats (Ch. 94), Raw Dog Comedy (Ch. 99) and Jeff & Larry’s Comedy Roundup (Ch. 97).