A Movie Called Women Aren’t Funny Proves Women Are Funny

When you get funny people together in a room, pure magic can happen. That said, when you get two funny people on the phone together who happen to be married, well, you just sit back and listen to the antics ensue. That’s exactly what happened when we got Bonnie McFarlane and Rich Vos on the phone to discuss the incredible movie they made, Women Aren’t Funny. If you know anything about these two, their banter is for the ages (which they prove regularly on their popular podcast My Wife Hates Me) so, yes, this interview was the easiest we’ve ever done.

I loved, loved, LOVED Women Aren’t Funny, and I noticed that you asked people in the flick to name their top five female comics but you never covered yours. Let’s hear it.

Bonnie: Well, I have so many more than five, but I’ll go through some. Marina Franklin, Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Peretti…
Rich: For real? Chelsea Peretti?
Bonnie: Yeah, she’s hilarious. Oh god, now I’ve lost my train. Ummm…Morgan Murphy, Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman…who am I missing, Rich?
Rich: No one. You’ve named everyone.
Bonnie: No, I really haven’t.

I love Wendy Liebman. I pretty much credit her for making me fall in love with stand-up.

Bonnie: That’s one of Rich’s favorites! He puts her in his top five favorites all of the time.
Rich: I’m glad that I’m on this call. I mean, Bonnie still has 47 more to go…

Are you still here, Rich? Sorry, I forgot.

Rich: You know, I like Paula Poundstone, Rita Rudner, Sheryl Underwood is really funny, and what is that one comic’s name? Dominique or something? She’s a black comic, what is her name?
Bonnie: I don’t know, I don’t find black people funny. [Laughs.] That’s a whole other convo.
Rich: Aisha [Tyler] is funny too but really, how can you not love The Mary Tyler Moore Show?
Bonnie: How can you not say Amy Poehler too? Comediennes are really, really funny. You know people just get left off of the list like, this is it. The truth is, there are a ton of funny women and we shouldn’t have to keep proving it. That’s really why we made the movie, because it’s like, this is such a stupid argument.
Rich: Yeah, but I think you guys need to keep proving it because I think differently.
Bonnie: We have to keep proving it as individuals because that’s what comics do. I don’t think I have to prove it because of my gender.
Rich: But for me, you have to.
Bonnie: Well to you I have to because you never believed in me.
Rich: Right. Exactly. [Laughs.]

It’s so crazy because everyone is obsessed with your banter and it’s totally endearing but really, the jig is up. We know you two love each other’s work. I thought you two were going to do a reality show. What’s up with that?

Bonnie: We’re doing the pilot right now. We’ve got most of it filmed right now, we’ve just got some pickups left. We do have a network now but we just have to wait to see if they pick up the series.
Rich: I don’t know if we’re supposed to say the network, but it doesn’t matter. We have a network. It’s not like fucking Frank’s network either, it’s a real one.
Bonnie: You know like when you go to certain places and they don’t have Comedy Central? That’s weird. It’s not like that.
Rich: What the fuck are you trying to say?
Bonnie: I’m saying, this channel is everywhere.
Rich: Bonnie is riveting at times because she’s like, “This network I won’t tell you about will play wherever you live.”

Are either of you doing anything at the NY Comedy Festival?

Bonnie: I’m doing a panel at Carolines on November 6th. It’s actually called “Women Aren’t Funny: Debunking the Myth.” Did you know that, Rich?
Rich: I do now. I wish I was there to give my two cents.
Bonnie: I’ll read a statement from you if you want.
Rich: From who?
Bonnie: From you!
Rich: Oh, you want me to give you a statement now? I thought you already had one that I’ve already said.

Give one now so I have an exclusive.

Rich: Uhhh…I don’t know. My stomach hurts. I just want to do this interview and play Scrabble at the same time.

It’s so cute that you can’t spell but you play Scrabble.

Bonnie: [Laughs.] You gotta hand it to him though, he’s always practicing. You know what would be funny? To have Rich go onstage as a woman. It’d be sort of like an addendum to the movie.
Rich: Well, I guess I’ll fly back just for that little bit. I’ll be in North Carolina, but who knows, maybe I’ll get canceled and end up there.
Bonnie: Whatever. I’ll also be at the Roast Battle on Saturday at the festival.

I can’t wait for that one. Jeff Ross rules.

Bonnie: That’ll be awesome.
Rich: Oh god. This is turning into a real fucking blab-fest.

What. Ever. OK, last thing. You guys discussed Bonnie sleeping with Dane Cook in the movie. Did Dane really penetrate you?

Bonnie: No. Not at all. There was a point in the car on the way home though that Rich was like, was that true? Was that real? I was like, are you kidding?
Rich: I don’t remember saying that.
Bonnie: OK, whatever. Well it’s 100 percent true. You said that.

I was actually talking to Rich about the penetration anyway.

Bonnie: [Laughs.] Yes! Let’s get to the truth!
Rich: Well, he did face-fuck me.
Bonnie: That doesn’t count. I’ll allow that.

Check out Women Aren’t Funny on iTunes, catch Bonnie at Carolines on Broadway November 6, tune in to their podcast My Wife Hates Me on Riotcast, and follow them on Twitter @RichVos and @BonnieMcFarlane.