Print Version - Click here to return to the normal view. Print it!

Funniest Mom finalists announced

Nick has announced the 13 moms who will compete for the title of Funniest Mom:

Vicki Barbolak, Vista, CA
Brent Burgess, Burlington, NC
Pat Candaras, Brooklyn, NY
Jan Davidson, Santa Monica, CA
Kim DeShields, Amherst, MA
Janine Hayes (INTERNET PICK), Haverhill, MA
Andrea Henry, Norton, MA
Angela Hoover, Las Vegas, NV
Emily J, Roy, UT
Cathy Ladman, Santa Monica, CA
Ms. Pat (Patricia Lee), Riverdale, GA
Stephanie McHugh, Westminster, CO
Carol Montgomery, New York, NY

One contestant is described thusly:

…a relative rookie in the comedy world who decided just months ago that it was time for her to pursue her life-long dream of being a stand-up comedian.

Let’s see if we understand correctly: There are not enough women in America and Canada who have given birth and also done standup to the point where they can headline? Why would the producers put up rookies for Funniest Mom? How might that eventually benefit the show and the cable outlet? Wouldn’t they benefit the most from stocking the show with 13 accomplished comedians? That way, the winner could be pumped through the casinos and comedy clubs for a full year to promote the next season. Or at least that’s the theory. (Has anyone heard from the past winners?) To our knowledge, the only 20-year pros on the list are Ladman and Montgomery.

It’ll be hosted by Roseanne Barr with celebrity judges Hal Sparks and Kim Coles. It will debut on Tuesday, April 10 and wrap up on Mother’s Day which, this year, falls on May 13.

Perhaps it’s time that shows like this one (shows about standup comedy) hire comedians to produce the show and coordinate the talent, rather than just hire comedians as celebrity judges.