Twenty-first century fumerist : Bridget Christie and the backlash against feminist comedy

This article engages with the work of comedian Bridget Christie in relation to definitions of feminist and post-feminist comedy. The year 2013 was a highpoint in coverage and acclaim for feminist comedy and this article will explore how, at a time when the majority of female comedians operate from a post-feminist standpoint, Christie’s work seeks to politicise and galvanise her audience. The evolution of Christie’s work is explored in relation to the changes in her delivery style and the implications this has on the accessibility of her material to wider audiences. Additionally, the response of the wider U.K. comedy industry to the higher profile of feminist comedy and the reassertion of patriarchal masculinity in comedy is considered.