Comic Relief

Funny women are revitalizing TV sitcoms. Shows like 30 Rock, The Sarah Silverman Program, and The New Adventures of Old Christine all star women who got their start in comedy - showing that women are not being relegated to the role of best friend or wacky neighbor. Word of Mouth host Virginia Prescott spoke with Bambi Haggins, who teaches television history and popular culture at the University of Michigan, about the migration from comedy and improv stages to television. She wrote about the topic for Ms. Magazine. We also look at how the role of women in the workplace has changed since the 1970s by comparing "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "30 Rock."

Watch clips from 30 Rock

Watch a clip from The Mary Tyler Moore Show

For the full article by Bambi Haggins, see the Winter 2008 issue of Ms. Magazine