Funny women

As Niamh Horan talks to comic Jennifer Zamparelli (see Page 10), Pat Fitzpatrick has a look at some other women who make us laugh out loud

PAULINE McLYNN She’s best remembered for her part in a show famous for daft plots, drink and ham acting. But enough about EastEnders. Strangely enough, there was no criticism from the Vatican over the way the Church in Ireland was portrayed in Father Ted. Maybe they thought it was a documentary. The Ted legacy is a small army of nerdy fans who wet themselves at the thought of the phrase, “That would be an ecumenical matter”. You will regret starting a conversation with these people. You will, you will, you will.

MIRANDA HART

Miranda is a regular on the couch with Graham Norton. Fair play to her. That’s a hard gig to get if you’re not a jet-lagged Hollywood star with a really boring story about the last time you were in London. (Is it time for the Red Chair yet?, says you, struggling to stay awake after your Friday wine.) Miranda announced last year that her popular character, Chummy, would be leaving the BBC show, Call the Midwife. There was a huge push to get her back. (Sorry.)

SHARON HORGAN

Attention, all couples out there. There is no need to waste money on contraception. Just watch Sharon’s Channel 4 comedy, Catastrophe, revealing the effect that a newborn kids can have on your relationship. Let’s just say she didn’t call the show A Blessing. Sharon likes to be considered Irish, even though she was born in London. There’s a number that increased by four million after Brexit, says you, never missing a chance to taunt the Brits.

AMY SCHUMER

The US comedian wasn’t happy that she featured in Glamour magazine’s ‘Chic At Any Size’ edition. (Some translate “chic at any size” as “not bad for a big lady”, but not us.) On social media, Amy said she’s no size 16, and shouldn’t be included on a list with other plus-sized women, such as Adele. We’ll probably never know how Adele took this. She’s just not the type to bottle up her anger and let it out in an album of passive-aggressive ditties. Or is she?

LENA DUNHAM

Lena’s character in Girls symbolises the malaise of 20-somethings around the world. Because who in their right mind would want to lounge around New York all day, taking drugs and having sex with strangers? (It’s a rhetorical question, put down your hand and stop making an eejit of yourself.) Lena recently slammed Kanye West for his latest video, showing him asleep in bed with some talented celebrities. And his wife, Kim.