Why should men have all the fun? Along with the comedy, that’s the question, women will be seen asking on the upcoming television show, Queens of Comedy on TLC. It will provide a unique platform to the talented comediennes to compete with the best and prove that when it comes to being funny, they can give the men a run for their money!
Actress Richa Chadha, funnyman Rohan Joshi and comedienne Kaneez Surka are on board as judges. Considering the situation in Indian comedy scene where men dress up as women for comedy, the show aims to bring about a change in perception about lack of female comedians.
Rohan Joshi, who is “looking forward to the idea of seeing eight comics on stage and having a front row seat to that experience,” is excited to judge the show. “As comedians, we are judged all the time. I have been in that position on stage where the eyes are on me and as a result, I have a knack of it now. Because I know that one bad joke doesn’t mean a bad comic.” He is prepared to judge the show and believes in constructive criticism when it comes to judging someone else’s performances on stage.
Judgement time
He elaborated on his judging methodology, “More than anything, I will do more of a constructive criticism where we will figure the areas to work upon together. Looking for those qualities and attitudes that can be further developed.”
Kaneez adds, “We have all been there where we have been criticised unabashedly. I won’t do that. I mean who knows how personally you take the criticism as a comic. ” She admits that criticism keeps a comic awake at night.
Hearing these words come from Kaneez and Rohan makes one realise why comedy industry is seen as a well-connected fraternity.
Rohan doesn’t think of himself as a male being brought to add variety to the show. He considers himself as a comic “who has been brought on to evaluate and mentor other comics.”
On stereotypes being the food for comic content, Rohan states, “In comedy, stereotype sells. If we want to reach big audience, stereotypes will continue to feed our content. There will be a small mass of comics who will rise above that. However, there will still be a chunk of comedians who will dish out stereotypical jokes. As long as comedy is there in the world, stereotypical jokes are going to make people laugh. People also receive them well and laugh.”
The show will go into production in August and will be on air from September 23.
