How Phyllis Diller broke down the doors for female comics

On September 19, 2007, Phyllis Diller reflected on how her comedy was a response to years of “take my wife” jokes. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).

Chapters:

00:00 Comedy’s need for tragedy and how that translates to physical appearance
02:20 Looking to fashion to build the elements of Diller’s famous clown get-up
04:37 Self-deprecation as a means to provide a feminine perspective in comedy
08:47 Finding a mentor and ally in her idol Bob Hope
10:37 The sweet science of comedic timing

The American Masters Digital Archive includes over 1,000 hours of never-before-seen, raw interviews: a treasure trove of the movers and shakers of American culture, including Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, Patti Smith, Mel Brooks, Carol Burnett, Matthew Broderick, Carl Reiner, Joan Rivers, Dionne Warwick, Lee Grant, Sidney Lumet, Betty White and many others.

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