WOMEN DISRUPTING LATE-NIGHT COMEDY: FEMALE VOICES AND THEIR ROLE IN LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOWS

Late-night television talk-shows are highly popular, potentially due to their addressing of current affairs, which emphasises their relevance within society and public discussion, as well as their humorous tone. These two aspects turn the programmes in a well-reputed and successful infotainment format as well as a safe bet for the audience and producers. Nonetheless, the combination of these factors presents a double challenge for women to be present in relevant roles. This paper reviews the genre itself along with key notorious female figures throughout its history, comediennes who disrupt traditional gender roles in this privileged time slot.