Jeannene Hansen • Improviser, Comedienne
Jeannene Hansen
Improv • 1980-1988 •
Stand-up • 1982-1992
The Chronicle sponsors
1988 Comedy Celebration Day
Bottom Line: Jeannene is Funny
May 1985 · Contra Costa Times • Rich Friedman
Jeannene Hansen braces herself for a smirk. maybe even a wince or a heavy sigh. She’s heard the question hundreds-perhaps thousands- of times. Like, gee whiz Jeannene, what is it like being a woman comic? Afterall, female comedians are still as rare as Toyotas at a union picnic. Ok, admits Hansen. “I’m still thought of as a little bit of a freak show. Alot of men – and women- just want you to be coy or cute.” The bottom line is that Hansen’s funny; whether it’s as an improvisational group member or as a solo stand-up comic. She recently recieved notoreity, respect, not to mention enough money for a new typewriter by winning $1000 for the Don McLean Memorial Comedy Award.
Hansen isn’t naive; she knows the odds of big-time show business sucess. However, she quickly adds, “Maybe its my Midwestern background, but I feel if you apply yourself & keep working, your work will turn into something.” Because of her off-stage intelligence (she’s Phi Beta Kappa) Hansen has been accused of being smarter than her act suggests. It’s possible, she admits, though “Your advantage on stage is being at your best, while the comedy crowd works with the disadvantage of drunkeness. The trick, is to not compromise either party & still have a great time.
This press package served me well & got me hundreds of bookings.
Most comedy club producers across the country saw only resumes stapled to 8x10's.
• Reviews • Pull Quotes • Blurbs •
“My first time on stage at a workshop, I was supposed to be an ‘Expert’ on virginity so I quipped to the moderator, “Please be gentle, it’s my first time.” Everyone laughed and I was hooked.” ~ 1985
“Being a woman makes the task only slightly harder, people don’t want to laugh at women; it’s part of their socialization…but that’s changing. People are more willing to laugh at women, just like they’re more willing to put women into space.” ~ The San Ramon Valley Herald • 1984
‘“Last night at the Holy City Zoo a female heckler said to me, ‘You’re too pretty to do stand-up.’ I retorted, “I should be raising kids, right?” She agreed. I turned to my fellow comedians and asked, ‘Am I too pretty to do standup?” to which they unanimously responded, ‘NOOOOOOOOO!!'” ~Comedy Times • 1984
Quick Takes
Home Club
Cobb's Pub
This is a point of parental pride. Femprov, specifically Terry Sand, created the original Cobb’s Pub… built the stage, installed the lights, booked the first month, taught workshops, had regular nights, even weekends where we performed. Minutes from the GGBridge it qualified as a comic’s first-stop clubhouse that rivaled the Zoo.
First Gig
John & Kathy's
1982 - Frank Ergas did me a solid by booking me in a small room down the Peninsula to MC a show. More of a roadhouse bar than comedy club, nevertheless, the crowd was supportive and I had just enough material to carry me through the night. Thanks Frank for my big break.
Fave Room
The Country Store
The owner, Tony always knew how to mix my voice on the board, (pump the bass, turn down the treble) which gave me a distinct advantage in the room. I’ve been told my voice is naturally ‘sultry’, but these tweaks made it seem extra dreamy and lulled the audience into acquiescing with laughter.
Press
Comedy Times
A small [4.25 x8.5] publication felt like a huge labor of love. Editor Jean Teeter began publishing a free(!) newsprint magazine in 1984.
Bookers
Marc Hershon
Marc worked for Anne & John Fox, who booked The Punchline. He also wrote for their Just for Laughs newspaper. I’m sure he was also recruited to help with the annual Comedy Competition. Best of all, he joined us Yes!And…ers on Monday nights as a member/spy of The Comedy Underground
Best Joke
Loopholes of Love
My closer: Examples of rationales for infidelity then the audience joined in with the identifier.
“If your long distance phone bill is divisible by 12, it's permissable to reach out and touch someone cheaper. That would be another…”
[audience] “Loophole of Love”
Other Bay ARea Gigs of Note
FEmprov
The longest running improv group (at the time) that just happened to be women. As a springboard for solo stand-up, we fostered 11 gals throughout our nearly decade run, benefitting from each other’s gracious support on stages.
Pros From Dover
Led by John Elk, this crew of improvisers worked clubs in Amsterdam, throughout Germany and as far flung as a rock festival in Copenhagen. 3 tours in all, between 1986-1988, members could tag out to extend their travel to see sights outside of our itinerary.
Comedy Underground
Tuesday nights at The Punchline with a regular group that welcomed others to play along on an otherwise ‘dark’ night. There were a few prepared sketches, but mostly bar improv that we all practiced and perfected in other groups.
Everything elsewhere
