As I scroll through Netflix’s eternal black abyss of content, I quickly go to watch one of America’s favorite modern comedians, Louis C.K. It is then, in that banal moment, that somewhat of an epiphany poofs into my mind, and I can’t help but ask, “Where are all the female comedians?” Absolutely they exist, but why am I able to name three male comedians in a split second, yet it takes one hundred mini-me’s scrambling through file drawers like a scene in Spongebob for me to spat out one female comedian I know, “Amy Schumer?”

Female comedians exist. Female comedians aren’t a myth. Female comedians are not not funny, but I constantly find peers, media, or my own mind simply not seeing them there and appreciating their craft. Next time you go to watch Bo Burnham or Louis C.K., instead watch an hour of Iliza Shlesinger, laugh until your roaring cackles turn into those painful silent cries for help, and appreciate that female comedians do exist, and they can be just as funny as a man.

From Shlesinger forward, I began an obsession with finding new female comedians to die over. Ali Wong to Chelsea Peretti, Jen Kirkman and even Sofia Nino de Rivera (comedy is much different in a different language by the way). Lately, I just can’t get enough, but it was Shlesinger who unveiled this world, and she remains at the top of my list.

Shlesinger won the show, “Last Comic Standing” in 2008, has three Netflix specials, has hosted two television shows, and yet I never heard her name like I think I should.

On the topic of women, there are plenty of things to discuss. Though Shlesinger’s stand-ups revolve around feminine topics such as digging through your purse when drunk, taking the walk of shame and overall being “white girl wasted,” she makes it enjoyable for both sexes. These feminine topics may be 60 percent of her stand-ups and the other 40 percent over general topics that young people can relate to, such as being a millennial.

Shlesinger will take a simple stereotype of a woman, run with it, and keep running. She ends up making her point through the most ridiculous way that, in the end, women are cheering because they can relate, and men are yelling because they know these women struggles all too well.

Take fall for example. Ah, the sweet aroma of pumpkin spice everything. A normal person will call a Pumpkin Spice Latte “basic,” but in Shlesinger’s Netflix special, “Freezing Hot,” she will portray a wild female in fall convulsing at the sight of the smallest leaf turning orange, and then shame us for being happy a tree is dying. Her jokes are seemingly superficial, but she is so clever in her portrayal.

This girl commits to her jokes. Her humor, like other comedians, can come partly by her delivery through voice, but she uses everything she’s got to explain a joke. One of her most notable comic device used is when she dives into a deep, masculine voice in contrast with her own high voice. Though it happens often, it’s a bit that makes the crowd go wild. She will make her face, her voice and her body hit every level of humor. This is especially obvious in her ongoing bit of the “party goblin.”

She will teach you all about your party goblin, how everybody has one, and how this special little goblin unleashes herself once you’ve had one too many drinks. She’s the one who makes you puke out of a driving car window or take a 10th shot. In and out of her show, Shlesinger will curl her spine, smush her lips, twitch her eyes and lift a brow, then a witchy soprano voice creeps out to portray this goblin, and in the next moment, she is back to herself.

She embodies this character of the “party goblin” with no fear. She simply calls women out on what they do on such a ridiculous level. She takes what you should be ashamed about and makes you so excited that you can relate to them, then you have to celebrate those shames.

What truly got me to love Shlesinger’s stand-ups were the points in the hour where I’d have to ask myself, “is this a stand-up or a motivational speech?” Though some jokes are cliché topics about women, she will always make it clear that a woman does not have to be this nor that. She will call out society for titling it the “walk of shame” and celebrate it instead, cheering on women for getting laid when they want. She empowers you. And, while on the surface it seems like her jokes may sometimes be attacking millennials or attacking women, they are truly meant for the purpose of making you feel empowered and respected and strong.

“Confirmed Kills,” is Shlesinger’s third and most recent Netflix special which was released Sept. 23. Filmed in Chicago makes me love it more, but by far, it is Shlesinger’s best work with Netflix yet.
Though male stand-ups continue to outnumber females when it comes to Netflix, there is no lack of these female comedians. You just need to know who to look for.