CANNES – Are women less funny that they should be paid less? Shelley Zalis, founder and CEO of The Girls’ Lounge moderated a panel that sought to address this issue among others with women who know their way around it.
The panel consisted of the chairman for advertising sales and client partnerships at NBC Universal, Linda Yaccarino, as well as a trio of veteran featured players on Saturday Night Live, namely Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant, and Vanessa Bayer.
Yaccarino began by stating that the commitment to women and diversity is her single biggest priority as one of the leaders of NBC. News Division has over 40% of female on-air talent, and it’s the same for people behind the camera.
Asked if they’ve noticed any differences by now having more women (seven) in the cast of the 41-year-old sketch comedy show than ever before, Strong replied in the affirmative. She and Bayer added that it always helps to have more diversity in general in a writing room. It will help your comedy.
For her part, Bryant shared that on SNL, all of the cast members write, alowing them to collaborate with different folks. She was particularly proud of the all-girl music videos that they’ve been able to shoot in recent seasons.
Citing one of their most popular regular sketches where they play former pornstars turned home shopping hosts, Strong said that instead of being overly sexualized roles, she and Bayer actually have the power in the sketch and that they have control. “We’re always pushing the male host when to come on, when to come off, noted Bayer.
Zalis asked the panel then what their opinion was of the current lack of TV shows with a female lead. To that, Strong responded that there’s an audience that wants to see female-led shows. She added that there’s a real opportunity for anyone who is fortunate enough to be in that role and that it’s a great time to make and create female-led shows. The ladies also noted that female-led dramas like Scandal and Blindspot are also more successful now.
Regarding the old saying that, ‘Women aren’t as funny as men,’ Bryant laughed it off by saying, “I can’t dignify that with a response because it’s so boring to me!”
The ladies tooted their own collective horn when they shared that there’s been a real creative resurgence on the show and it has a lot to do with the women.
Asked by Zalis what they advice was to the next generation of female comedians, Strong suggested, “Do things that scare you. Women don’t take as many chances. Do that, take some chances, fall sometimes.” For Bryant, she said, “You kind of fake it until you make it,” noting that she herself has been doing so this whole time. Meanwhile, Bayer advised to, “Trust your instincts. Every step of the way, you kind of have a sense. If you just look out for yourself. It just matters that you’re doing things that are right for you and trusting your instincts.”
In closing, Zalis asked why this conversation was so important in the first place. Bryant replied that, “It matters because it should be basic. We have to fight tooth and nail to get it to where it should have started.” Strong added that talking about gender equality, “makes us all better. All kids should have the same opportunities.”
