Women Dominate the Comedy Album Grammy Nominations

The Grammy Nominations are in, and for the first time ever in the history of the Grammy Awards, three women have been nominated for Best Comedy Album. Margaret Cho’s American Myth, Tig Notaro Boyish Girl Interrupted, and Amy Schumer Live at the Apollo all received Grammy nominations this year along with Patton Oswalt, for his album One Hand Clapping, and David Cross for …America…Great.

The field for both Grammy wins and nominations is heavily male dominated throughout the 47 year history of the comedy award at the Grammys. In fact, in that 47 years, only 5 women have taken home the Grammy for best comedy album or performance- most recently Kathy Griffin in 2014, and before her, not since Whoopi Goldberg in 1986 has a woman won the Grammy. Lily Tomlin grabbed the honor in 1972, and before that, Elaine May and Jo Stafford each won a Grammy along with their respective comedy partners. It’s not unusual to have a woman nominated for Best Comedy Album, but it is very unusual to see more than one female nominee, and never before have there been more female nominees than male in the category.

This is Tig’s second comedy nomination, she was also nominated in 2014 for her album, Live. Cho has been nominated three times before- in 2002, 2004, and 2011 for I’m the One that I Want, and Revolution and Cho Dependent. This is Amy Schumer’s first time being nominated for a Grammy.

This is Patton Oswalt’s fourth nomination and although he’s yet to take home the win, his album Talking For Clapping may be the favorite this year after taking home an Emmy for the correlating special. Patton was first nominated in 2010 for My Weakness is Strong, again in 2012 for Finest Hour and then in 2013 for Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time, losing out to Colbert, Louis C.K. and Weird Al Yankovic. David Cross was nominated once before in 2004 for Shut Up You Fucking Baby!, losing the Grammy to Weird Al as well.

Congratulations to all of this year’s comedy nominees.  The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will air on February 12, 2017, at 8:00 PM PST.

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