Carole Montgomery is a national touring comedian.
You may recognize her from any of her three Showtime specials that showcase a demographic she has made her mission to shine light on: women of a certain age.
“When I turned 50, I saw the writing on the wall," she told BreakingAC in an interview before starting a stint the Borgata Comedy Club this weekend. "I was working three weekends a month. All of a sudden, I got older and nobody wanted to work with me anymore because of my age.”
Montgomery worked hard to overcome the stigma of being a female comedian, which is hard enough in this male dominated field.
Once she put the years in, it seemed like she was going to age out of the system. Once again, her career would have to overcome bias.
From that, "Funny Women of a Certain Age" was born.
Two great byproducts of this series, this movement really, is that the productions have all women on the show, which is rare on most comedy bills.
When is the last time you were at a comedy club and then entire line up was women?
Secondly, the live shows entertain an underserved sector of the community: audiences of a certain age.
“Old people have the money," according to Montgomery. "They are starving for entertainment."
There’s a rotating cast in her bullpen that include women all the way into their 70s. Local favorite and "America’s Got Talent" competitor Julia Scotti being one.
She appeared on the second special, "More Funny Women of a Certain Age."
It seems Montgomery is to female comedians what "Law and Order" was to actors trying to break into show business.
It may not have been what she set out to do in her career, but she certainly picked up the mantle.
“I don’t identify as a female comic. I just identify as a comic.”
Preach sister. Preach.
BreakingAC asked this comic a few questions about the current state of comedy and her particular style.
BreakingAC: What would you say is your style of comedy?
Carole Montgomery: Truthful and to the point. I don't suffer fools well.
BAC: What differentiates your act from other comics?
CM: Since I've been doing stand-up for over 40 years, I think the big difference is I'm very comfortable with who I am as a human and as a comic. That confidence is what the audience sees every time I take the stage.
BAC: Can you talk about some obvious situations of sexism/ageism you have encountered over the years where you felt passed over unfairly in favor of less talented comics?
CM: I've been a headliner for many years. As I got older, I was passed over many times for work. Mostly to young male comics who've been in the business less than a minute. There are still many people in this business who don't think women are funny. With social media as huge as it is, now everyone in the industry is looking at your "numbers," not if you're actually funny.
BAC: Where is comedy heading in the next 10 years?
CM: For me, I'm going to continue to lead the way for older female comics. There is a huge audience out there who are in their 60s, 70s and 80s who are starved for good entertainment. I plan on "Funny Women of a Certain Age" being one of the main options for them. Comedy in general will continue to expose the foibles of life. If people are offended, so be it.
BAC: What would the comedy world look like in a perfect world?
CM: Comics would be treated with respect and paid well.
BAC: What would have been your second choice as a career?
CM: I always thought I'd be a good spy!
The Borgata Comedy Club operates inside The Music Box venue. Tickets are available at the box office or HERE.
