Lisa Lampanelli is the Queen of Mean and the Queen of Female Stand-Ups
It’s hard to make a name for yourself as a female comic. However, it’s even more difficult to make your name stand out from a long list of B-level comics who joke about sex, motherhood and man/woman differences. To her credit, Lisa Lampanelli has distinguished herself from the rest of the female “locker room” of comics by adopting a “Queen of Mean” act, borrowing the attitude of Don Rickles, the wit of Dean Martin and the friendly face of Ellen Degeneres.
Lisa Lampanelli is definitely not a mainstream act, but then again, that’s not why she’s built a reputation. She has gained fame and notoriety for raunchiness, racial humor, gay humor and insults. She talks about taboo topics and takes great delight in humbling celebrities and everyday audiences just the same. She is a mainstay of the Comedy Central Roast, having already played her part in trashing Chevy Chase, Pamela Anderson, Flavor Flav, William Shatner and David Hasselhoff. This is where you can see Lisa at her best (or worst, however you see it) as she fearlessly rants about failed celebrity careers, interracial sex stereotypes, and closeted gays. She has also appeared on The Howard Stern Show.
Nothing is sacred in a Lisa Lampanelli act, so leave your sensitivities at the door when you come see her in person. Despite her act of “mean”, Lampanelli actually has a kind heart and is often donating to charitable causes. She is a supporter of the LGBT community, and recently helped raise $50,000 for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, much to the chagrin of the Westboro Baptist Church, who inadvertently financed the campaign by protesting it.
As for all her racial offenses in her standup act, Lampanelli is the first to admit that she jokes about those she loves. She frequently makes black jokes but reveals that she mostly dates black men. Lampanelli gets to the truth of the matter, commenting that it’s not about what you say but your intentions behind it. “People sense when you have the least bit of anger or hate towards a group. That’s why you never make fun of people you don’t like.”
It’s all just an act, but it’s a drop dead funny act! Lampanelli has done the unthinkable in 2011. Not only has she broken all sorts of PC taboos, but she has also lifted herself far of above numerous other female stand ups, gladly embracing the role as “Queen of Mean.”
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Categorized in: Comedy
Tags: Comedy