This program was originally held in person at the Center for Jewish History on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, at 6:30 pm Eastern.
Comedian Judy Gold interviewed author Grace Kessler Overbeke on her latest book, First Lady of Laughs: The Forgotten Story of Jean Carroll, America’s First Jewish Female Stand-up Comedian. The Larry and Kathy Kanter Lecture Series sponsored the evening.
Judy Gold and Grace Kessler Overbeke discussed Jean Carroll’s style of comedy. Characterized by an intimate, direct address to the audience as a glamorous, relatable, middle-class Jewish woman, she broke the mold from previous performers who relied on exaggerated characters. Whereas other solo comedic female performers before her depicted themselves as foolish, ignorant, and lower-class, Jean Carroll commanded the stage as a clever and witty performer, often scolding audiences for not keeping pace. Throughout the discussion, Overbeke shared archival footage of Jean’s performances and noted distinct choices, style, and jokes that were trailblazing and unique to her. Comedian Judy Gold shared how her own contemporary work has elements of Carroll’s style – the tendency to scold the audience, and the nature of her own direct address. Gold shares her own experience of female comedian’s needing to de-sexualize themselves or code themselves as visually “male” in order to be accepted in the business, only recently have more femme and glamorous comics found acceptance and success. Further highlighting Carroll’s remarkable accomplishments.
Jean released a wildly successful comedy album, “Girl in a Hot Steam Bath.” She had a sitcom on ABC and made 29 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Lily Tomlin, Joan Rivers, and Joy Behar credit Jean Carroll for inspiring them at a time when men almost exclusively dominated the televised comedy scene. Jean Carroll’s life and career inspired the titular character in the popular series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and actress Rachel Brosnahan reportedly studied archival footage of Carroll to prepare for the role. Jean began a life of performing to support her family, and ultimately left her career once she was financially secure, in favor of spending time with her family. Her personal scrapbooks contain articles of her accomplishments, as well as those of her children and grandchildren.
Topics covered in this discussion: Female stand-up comedians, history of comedy, Moms Mabley, Phyllis Diller, Sophie Tucker, The Ed Sullivan Show, Toast of the Town, Vaudeville, borscht belt, Hays Code, Jewish comedian, Jewish comics, UK comedy scene, Marty May, writing comedy, business of comedy.
