Women getting last laugh in comedy

Two generations ago, one of the most iconic jokes on American TV was Henny Youngman's marriage gag, "Take my wife — please!" That oft-repeated sentence suggested everyone agreed, "Aren't wives the worst?" and comedy consumers of a different era laughed.

Today, some male comedians still bash women, but two things changed. For one, a smaller percentage of male comedians do so, and when they do, their jokes are typically (not always) more nuanced relationship bits.

For another (and more importantly) women comedians have invaded the hallowed art of comedy (thanks largely to Netflix, YouTube and social media) — and as a result, they're attracting more female ticket-buyers to seated rooms.

"Women have only started consuming comedy on their own within the last couple of years," says comedian Iliza Shlesinger.

"Comedy is so much more acceptable," she says. "It doesn't have to be the ugly guy up there complaining about his wife. It doesn't have to be the ugly girl up there talking about dating. There are so many voices, it has provided variety."

Shlesinger is one of many comedians who have been headlining the all-female-comics "Lipshtick" series at The Venetian hotel for two years, along with seasoned veterans (such as Lisa Lampanelli and Joy Behar) and new faces (such as Natasha Leggero and Fortune Feimster). (Disclosure: The family of Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of The Venetian owner Las Vegas Sands Corp., bought the Las Vegas Review-Journal earlier this month.)

This Saturday, the "Lipshtick" headliner is Lampanelli (tickets: $50-$119).

"I'm so happy and proud" of the rise of female comedians, Lampanelli says.

Lampanelli points out that women comedians draw both men and women, as you'd expect in our slowly enlightening age.

"It used to be only women would come out to see women comics," but no longer, Lampanelli says. "You can be funny and actually have men go see you."

Years ago, stereotypes implied most women saw live comedy only on dates with men. Now, more women see comedy, and they go alone, with friends, or on dates with men or women.

"I've always sensed that there were women in the audience, but there weren't comedians there speaking to them," says comic Whitney Cummings (performing at "Lipshtick" Jan. 2).

"I remember going onstage and seeing tons of girls in the audience that were coming with their boyfriends, and then they just had to watch 10 male comedians get up and talk about how much they hated being married," Cumming says.

"I was like, 'That doesn't sound like a fun night out for the girls in the audience.'"

Shlesinger says "Lipshtick" attracts many women who come out for birthdays, bachelorette parties, dates with men and women, and there are also "a lot of old men — it really runs quite-the-colorful crowd."

"We have access to a much wider audience now than we ever have before, and Las Vegas is (part) of that," Shlesinger says.

By the way, if you're wondering why "Lipshtick" is for women comedians only, consider the inverse question that spawned "Lipshtick" in the first place: Why don't other venues hire more women comedians?

"The Venetian really took a risk, and it paid off," Lampanelli says. "I'll keep coming as long as they keep paying me."

"It's an opportunity to see women in Las Vegas performing with their clothes on," Cummings says, joking that "Lipshtick" is a good place for women to enjoy their night "if you don't want to see the Chippendales' weird (expletive) hanging out."

Directly after saying that, Cummings essentially apologized for mocking the men of "Chippendales."

"Don't get me wrong," she said. "Objectifying men — all of it. But it's important to have other options for girls if they want to go see entertainment."

Doug Elfman can be reached at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman. On Twitter: @VegasAnonymous.