Watch along here — https://youtu.be/iAS3OK1poxk
Ever struck up a conversation with someone who’s able to beautifully articulate a random observation at supersonic speed? Wit. We’ve all heard that word but more importantly, we all know how it makes us feel. It’s an attribute commonly associated with comedians, wordsmiths, even rappers. There’s Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Lee Mack, Josh Johnson to name a few. But if I asked you who is the wittiest woman to ever do it, what answer would you give me? The unfortunate truth is that a lot of people consider women to be humourless. You only need to scroll through the comment section of any female comedy video on YouTube to understand what I’m talking about. While Amy Schumer is one of the most successful female comedians out there, she is consistently demonized for being awful and at times, even being a joke thief. It’s 2023 and it’s hard out there for female comedians, but this wasn’t always the case. There was a time when female comedians and television personalities were respected and rightfully so. One of these women is to me, probably the wittiest chic I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. While she wasn’t an outright comedian, her legendary retorts and comebacks have cemented her legacy as one of the GOATs of classic television and she goes by the name of Arlene Francis.
Arlene Francis was Born in 1907, in Boston, a city that has produced some of the finest stand-up comedians of recent memory. Her father, Aram Kazanjian was Armenian who studied art in Paris before later turning his attention to photography. His affinity for art no doubt played a major influence on Arlene down the road. Francis would later attend Finch College, an undergraduate women’s college in Manhattan before turning her attention to the stage, radio and eventually television. She was the host of Blind Date in 1943 (which would later become a readapted mainstay on British television hosted by national treasure Cilla Black) and later What’s My Line? in 1950.
Arlene’s witty replies as a panellist on the famous game show is undoubtedly what people remember the most when they think about her, but of course you cannot talk about Arlene’s wit without talking about that golden voice. Delivery is everything, just ask any comedian, or rapper. When it comes to matters of the voice, intonation is everything.
Arlene always spoke in a very clear, concise manner. She articulated words perfectly and spoke with unwavering confidence. To me, Arlene’s voice is what I imagine when I think about old black and white shows from the 50s but the truth is that even back then, her voice was spectacular and unique. When you package a perfect voice, copious amounts of charisma and a charming personality you’re on to a winning formula, just ask Dave Chappelle.
It wasn’t just her voice and wit though. Even though Arlene wasn’t a stand up comedian she had mastered the art of call-backs, something every comedian must learn in order to prosper. Her comebacks not only had the rest of the panellists laughing, but also the audience too. Anyone who’s ever been on stage knows that once you win over the crowd, you’re pretty much home free. Audience laughter is what every entertainer craves. Bill Burr and even Adam Sandler have touched on this very thing.
Arlene’s comedic talent didn’t just stop at call-backs either. She was able to set people up for the layup or in other words, she was able to allow other people to take centre stage no matter how peculiar.
Arlene Francis was a brilliant woman. While she was not a traditional comedienne in the vein of Carol Burnett, she was very funny in her own right. She held her own on a panel full of men apart from Dorothy Killgallen and she did it with pure unadulterated charm. Women are funny and they always have been, we merely need to scroll a few chapters back in time to see.
