Jean Carroll (Stand-up Comedy)

Jean Carroll was the first famous female standup comic. She died in 2011 at age 98. Until now, video of her has not been available. I got this from a collector, and hope that it will be of interest to students and fans of standup comedy.

[@deokidokiza]

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel brought me here.

[@albarivera-peterson2044]

Same 😅

[@bozthebuzzman]

Me too,

[@andrearamos990]

Thank you so much everyone. Your comments about my grandmother made me cry. We miss her so much. She was as funny at 98 as we was always. ❤️ Jean was the first stand up female solo act. She is a legend and we are so proud

[@arielsky1907]

No way!

[@cyrusprime7037]

Andrea Ramos May peace be with her

[@MichaelTaylor-rz4wm]

Thanks for sharing Andrea. Beautiful story!

[@toby-jeanne_almy]

How beautiful. I'm listening to her transatlantic accent to learn the trade! What an inspiration!

[@TheInfiniteVoid]

I knew she had to be among the first female stand up, and that is Great.

[@KevinHandydfw]

To anyone who says this isn't funny they're not listening. This woman was BRILLIANT. Think of the time she did this comedy in and the fact that normally women comedians had a foil - otherwise people would think she was too uppity, too pushy. This women didn't demean herself - she came onstage in an evening gown, diamonds and furs - others played dowdy or otherwise frail characters so that they would be accepted. She simply saw the humor in everyday life. What I like about this time is that she didn't do "blue". Today everything is "f" this and "f" that - that type of humor, as contemporary Phyllis Diller said, "is easy". She said, "it's easy doing blue because you don't have to think." Jean Carroll was a rare comedian who had poise, timing, taste - and notice how she adjusts her act to the audience - an excellent communicator. She's someone anyone that wants to relate to the "public" can learn from.

[@Dealtoth]

@Nuch Manigat Yeah and today Humor is full of cursing and racial statements yeah Today's humor is just AMAZING! LOL Please, troll somewhere else she is funny as shit!

[@johnerwin9024]

@@Dealtoth dude, lots of stuff today isn't funny, just plays for nervous laughs-raw, in-the-gutter stuff. Lot of the young comedians (dismiss)

[@alfredhutchinson3713]

Well😁🙃🤔👋🏿said❗👌🏿 Feb9Tu2021 B🇧🇧 dos

[@TheInfiniteVoid]

I dont think its funny, but i can picture a time it was, and despite me not thinking its funny, i do respect the fact she is a lady, and for the time this was taking place i think that's just wonderful. A big part of stand up though is relatability, for me a 23 year old, this is just taking place in a time i never experience's therefore, its not relatable to me, which is exactly the reason I don't find it funny, that is Its funny " but you had to be there"

[@numoherisson1656]

Kevin Handy - She was all class, and she killed!

[@djtgmusicchannel]

holy cow a lady comedian in the 50's this is so rare. she was so ahead of her time. wow and some edgy jokes.

[@DreamPierre]

yep!

[@Mssilverbelle]

Rachel B ( Ms. Maisel) said she originally watched everything by Jean Carroll she could find on the web.. I'm such a huge MMM fan... so here I am ~ amazed by the real deal.

[@bozthebuzzman]

Me too. SO amazed! I'm old enough to have seen her on the Ed Sullivan shows in their first airings, but I was so young at the time I don't quite remember her. I'm hoping that the films of the old Sullivan shows featuring her will be available on channels like MeTV soon - if they're not already.

[@susanchatzky9]

Thank you so much for finding this! This is my grandmother and I lost my DVD of her in a move. This is great!

[@paleobc65]

Wow how did our grnadmother get into standup comedy?

[@susanchatzky9]

I think many female comedians were influenced by her. She was the first one to break through into a mans world. She kind of created a path. Thank you so much for posting this. I love finding her here and there! :)

[@LilyBlackBand]

❤️

[@fotofeary6]

The actress on the new amazon show Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (created by the Palladino’s who did Gilmore Girls, about a housewife turn stand up in the 50s) said Jean Carroll and Joan Rivers were some of her inspirations for the part. Such a good show too!

[@DreamPierre]

how cool...

[@ljthomas3201]

I loved this woman! It was always a treat to see her perform on the ES Show when I was a little kid, and I've never stopped remembering her jokes since. So happy to find this clip and enjoy this nostalgic moment. Rest in peace, dear lady, and thanks for all the laughs!

[@arbitraryvegetarian9881]

Discussing Joan Rivers, we Googled early female standups. I did stand up back when and was unaware of Ms Carroll. Great lines, delivery and LOVE her acknowledgement pauses. Added so much to her rhythm. Will try to find more of her. Thank you for sharing this!

[@TheMtswana]

Yes, those pauses to acknowledge the crowd's response with a slight nod and laugh

[@stephaniesingleton2416]

"One woman came in with a silver fox down to her knees and a bald headed wolf up to her chin." LMAO!!! Thanks for posting.

[@islapanorama]

this is brilliant and ahead of it's time

[@Historian212]

Why do people say things like this about people who were very much OF their time? Jean Carroll was a trailblazer, yes. But trailblazers are always reflective of their time. Her success meant that the people were starting to be able to hear her, or she wouldn’t have succeeded. It’s more accurate to say that her time had come, as evidenced by the women who began to follow her. They had it tough, and it took another 50 years or so for the numbers of female comics to be significant. But Carroll reflected her time. She talked about marriage, children, the PTA - not about trying to become a senator or climb Mt. Everest. She appealed to women who were focused on housekeeping and childrearing, because that was considered appropriate for women of the time. She reflected her time, and pushed at the door of success by doing so.

[@sureyeahwhynotamiright8226]

She is delightful! Absolutely love this style of comedy, so simple but absolutely brilliant and creative!

[@user-dz7bn8dh8y]

"I couldn't wait to send her to camp." Lol this was SO ahead of its time!

[@claudiac6660]

How fun it was to watch this today, and what a great comedian she was! Lily Tomlin mentioned her in an interview, and I'm glad to have found this video of one of her performances. I miss clever, entertaining television with lots of laughs!!!

[@primefamous]

"Honey wake up it's your wife" "Quick hide me!" LMAO

[@_R0NEL]

The real marvelous Mrs maisel? I bet the show runners got some inspiration from this.

[@kelb6073]

Yes they did. Also Joan Rivers.

[@Historian212]

According to Amy Sherman-Palladino, Midge Maisel is based on Joan Rivers. And if you follow Midge’s timeline and career trajectory, it follows Rivers’ very closely. No doubt, Rivers was heavily influenced by Carroll, but Midge’s more risqué style is very much Rivers. Down to Rivers’ friendship with Lenny Bruce, her start in Greenwich Village, her attendance at a top college (Rivers graduated from Barnard at the top of her class), and much more. Rivers even played strip clubs. In fact, Midge’s ambition to appear on the Tonight Show clone is a hint, because Rivers said that she knew she was a success when she got onto the Tonight Show for the first time. And that it changed her life. And it is clear from the end of season four, that that is where Midge is heading. She’s a version of Joan Rivers.

[@bozthebuzzman]

@@Historian212 According to the article that brought me here, yes, ASP based the show mainly on Joan Rivers's career and her memories of stories she'd heard from her father who was a comic in NYC in that era before moving to LA. Rachel Brosnahan has said she based her own pacing, mannerisms, etc. for the character Midge on the videos she could find of Jean Caroll's performances. It was a case of magic synergy, for sure.

[@chevydude658]

Holy Cow! This woman is hilarious! She's doing some really good material. Very funny.

[@hellofbeijing]

Now THAT is original, sweet, charming and one hellafa sense of humor. For those times, these jokes must have exploded.

[@LV-ei1ce]

Oh my god this is amazing, thank you for the upload

[@medusaa6478]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful rare footage! She is terrific and why does nobody remember her?

[@Historian212]

As the description states, there are almost no videos of her that survive. Women comedians who know their roots sometimes mention her. But without film or video, people have nothing to judge her comedy by. This is the only one of her I’ve ever seen, and I’m in my 60s. Just as virtually no one mentions Totie Fields, one of Carroll’s successors of the same generation as Phyllis Diller. But few clips of Fields survive, and she died in the 1980s.

[@melalejog]

This is actually really good haha I wish I had a time machine. The old days are so much better

[@kevinbland]

She is one of the inspirations for Mrs. Maisel on Amazon.

[@Historian212]

Jean Carroll’s birth name was Celine Zeigman. She was one of many Jewish comedians who started in vaudeville. Arguably, Carroll and “Moms” Mabley were the first women standups who broke through in the 1950s. Due to segregation, Mabley succeeded first on the Chitlin’ Circuit, then attained wider success as white audiences started to see her in the 60s.

[@lukethomas658]

Her pacing is amazing! Still funny

[@DanPat121]

Great to finally see some of her work on here.

[@LoveFlatfootin1]

How refreshing! Comedy without any vulgarity. Thanks for sharing this.

[@comic7799]

So great! Thank you for introducing me to her!

[@S0nyToprano]

"It would have been a belt" okay that made me laugh pretty good. Oh dear me, you boomers had such innocent, wholesome comedy back then. Oy vey.

[@markxxx21]

She was HIGH-LARRY-US. I love her rapid pace of delivery. "But to my kid I wouldn't say 'no'' cause she hits."LOL

[@joshuasmarcus]

I was looking at some marketing material from the Goldman's Hotel in the NJ from the 1950s. The material mentioned Jean Carroll (Celine Zeigman). Wow! She is terrific. Amazing. The press has made it seem that Joan Rivers broke new ground. Jean Carroll broke the mold.

[@jakebrown3822]

Thanks for sharing this footage. Hilarious!

[@kevinbland]

Gracie Allen was before all of them with the fast clever New York Jewish humor that raised your intellect as you caught on to the quick jokes and wordplay.

[@doro626]

Since she's a woman, you know she was probably writing all her own jokes. Not stealing them , like those who will not be named. The audience missed two of her jokes. her pace is fast, but that was the style back then , I'm sure.

[@Historian212]

She started in vaudeville, like most comedians of her generation (like Moms Mabley). She partnered with her husband at that time, according to Wikipedia. She may or may not have written her own material, you can’t assume from this clip.

[@CineRocco]

That was great. Thanks for posting it.

[@TryMyMartini]

So Good!!!

[@heksen800]

So amazing that something this old is still funny and even to me, someone who is 21 from the Netherlands. When was this recorded?

[@craiglachman1379]

Someone mentioned it was from the Ed Sullivan show circa 1960. Seems about right.

[@tamaflake8668]

First I heard of her, she brilliant!

[@jefroukos]

Lightening fast!

[@MichaelTaylor-rz4wm]

Brilliant!!!

[@poojathapa3598]

I see Marvelous Mrs Massels...

[@Historian212]

Joan Rivers. Carroll was a former vaudevillian, older generation, didn’t talk like Midge. Showrunners have stated Midge is based on Rivers.

[@livelifefully2day]

After seeing the same 'clip' somewhere else on the 'tube. I (think) this was from the Ed Sullivan show circa 1960. Cheers!

[@MountTheodore72]

She was funny. Never heard of her till now.

[@themoronnextdoor6548]

Her New York accent makes it all the funnier.

[@fizban690]

Her timing is sooooo much like Josn Rivers. Amazing.

[@Esmio06]

They need a movie, not documentary, about her and about Moms Mabley

[@poochillipickles8525]

The marvelous mrs maisel

[@Historian212]

Midge Maisel is the early Joan Rivers. Almost point-for-point. Carroll came earlier, was a vaudevillian, older generation, would never have talked like Midge. The showrunners have confirmed that Midge is closely based on Rivers.

[@4hotpink10]

the OG Midge Maisel

[@Historian212]

Nope. Midge is Joan Rivers (who was influenced by Carroll). As per show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino.

[@romanpalanque9375]

actually moms mabley was the first famous female stand up

[@2Brian]

Research Sophie Tucker.

[@2Brian]

and Fanny Brice

[@BTURNER1961]

For most of their careers, they would not have played the same places at all nor intersected. They both did records but Moms preceded Jean by about a decade, and played the chitlin circuit.She was unable to play in white clubs, while Jean played traditional vaudeville. Of course Jean got an actual shot at a national tv show in the 1950's and that would never have been offered to Moms.

[@poofapatatono.924]

2020?

[@cyrusprime7037]

I as a young man find jean Carrol very funny she is the first female comedian to make me laugh lol 😂

[@SuperGuitarDude7]

Now she is hilarious!

[@DavidPatersonPortraits]

Great material, timings a little off. But she was great.

[@Purpledy1]

when was this filmed?

[@qqrk1372]

FUNNY STUFF!

[@poochillipickles8525]

What year is this

[@livelifefully2day]

LOL... You are so right. Mz Carroll must have gone too the, "Henny Youngman" school of joke telling. (Though come to think of it, his tended to be more like one line zingers. Take my wife... plz.) Cheers!

[@rijekarastocine]

Does anyone see the similarity in the styles between this woman and Ellen?

[@stephenstrang590]

That is remarkably true.

[@marklentine8793]

Funny!

[@ratakaio3802]

one minute in and no joke about her menstrual blood o0

[@nevinharrison6038]

Her stand up comedy is alot like Wendy Leiberman. I think this is where Wendy. got her comedy style from.

[@naviitaramro3474]

Daum I wish the audience weren't laughing too hard and much because I could barely hear some of her jokes 😭 and she seems funny

[@raymondgallardo576]

All rights go to Andrew Solt and SOFA Entertainment

[@paulmendez3405]

Lol better than amy schumer

[@Mary-ws8zh]

My cat is better than Amy Schumer.

[@claudiaperez-valdez9367]

This inspired ms maisel

[@Historian212]

Nope. Joan Rivers. Carroll was a former vaudevillian, older generation, didn’t talk like Midge. Showrunners have stated Midge is based on Rivers. Midge’s life closely parallels Rivers’ early career. Rivers even knew Lenny Bruce, and started out in Greenwich Village. Rivers’ father was a doctor, Midge’s a professor; Rivers’ mother’s family was wealthy (back in Russia, not in the US)/Midge’s mother’s family has wealth but her mother loses hers; Rivers attended Barnard, a prominent women’s college/Midge attended Bryn Mawr, another prominent women’s college. Rivers became famous when she did the Carson show for the first time, in ‘65 or ‘66/Midge is aiming for the Carson-like show at the end of season 4. And on and on.

[@angelia497]

similar to how bianca del rio delivers jokes

[@johnerwin9024]

how many of you all out there miss people dressing up in public(women dresses & men ties)? To me, looked more respectable. Anyway, man, my two cents-

[@johnanthonycafe2993]

Snappier than Joan Rivers - ahead of her time

[@medusaa6478]

Reminds me some of Gracie Allen with a more treacherous wit!

[@djtgmusicchannel]

they grow up out of town

[@johnb.8687]

Hey that’s my grandma! Not

[@novastar3990]

Laugh tracks got annoying, some of the jokes were funny. 6/10

[@darksharkrafa1]

shite

[@spideraxis]

This is funny?