Says Miranda Hart

Miranda Hart says comedy is going to be male-dominated for the ‘next 200 years’.

The BBC Two sitcom star says comedy audiences – including herself – are sexist and worry when a female stand-up takes to the stage.

In an interview with The Observer, she said: ‘There are some professions that culturally and sociologically take a long time to change, and because of that there's still sexism in comedy audiences.

‘We shouldn't blame them: I do it too. A woman comes on and I feel slightly anxious. I'm a woman in comedy, and I do that; I think everyone does. But it's getting much better all the time.

‘But it’s still obviously male-dominated. That's how it's going to be, certainly for the next 200 years.’

She added that women also find it more difficult on panel shows, because they stand out more from the male-dominated line-ups.

‘It can be as simple a thing as the quality of your voice,’ she said. ‘Because it's a different register, when you speak, everyone turns to look at you, so what you've got to say has to be even more pithy. It's hard to join in that rolling chatter. As it would be for a woman down the pub with ten male friends.’

The second series of Miranda starts at 8.30pm tomorrow night.

Published: 14 Nov 2010