Lior Schleien Discusses Women in Comedy and Politics
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Comedian Lior Schleien debated the perception of women in stand-up comedy with interviewer Ben Ben Baruch, arguing fewer women perform professionally rather than fewer being funny. Schleien also discussed his own potential political future, revealing he has received feelers about entering politics but currently finds his current work more significant. He also mentioned a satirical creative project about religion that he had to pause due to other commitments.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Lior Schleien argued that fewer women perform stand-up comedy professionally, not that fewer women are inherently funny.
- Schleien stated he has received feelers about entering politics but feels his current work is more significant.
- The comedian praised fellow performers Rotem Abuhav and Einav Galili during the interview.
- Schleien is developing a satirical creative project about religion that is currently on hold.
- He has been asked about a potential political future for 15 years.
Comedian and satirist Lior Schleien engaged in a debate about women in stand-up comedy during an interview with Ben Ben Baruch. The discussion began when Ben Baruch complimented Einav Galili, a former colleague of Schleien's, calling her a "truly funny woman." Schleien immediately challenged the phrasing, suggesting it implied fewer women are genuinely funny than men. Ben Baruch pressed the point, asking if it wasn't a fact that fewer women are funny than men. Schleien countered that there are fewer women who make a living from stand-up comedy, not necessarily fewer funny women overall, citing many funny women who do not perform stand-up.
Schleien also praised Rotem Abuhav, with whom he worked on "The Nation's Belly," calling her one of the funniest women he knows and commending her stand-up show. The interview also touched upon Schleien's potential political future. When asked if he could see himself as prime minister in 15 years, Schleien noted he's been asked this for years and believes real change comes from within the system. He mentioned that while his partner, Merav Michaeli, served as a Knesset member and minister, he did not consider entering politics himself. Schleien revealed he has received feelers about entering politics, including a recent "beginning of an inquiry," but did not specify the source or party. He stated that he feels his current work is more significant and that he doesn't feel an urgent need to enter politics, viewing a Knesset seat as a means, not an end.
Schleien also discussed a creative project he had to put on hold due to his intensive work on the "Free Israel" initiative. He was in the advanced stages of writing a fictional, satirical work about religion itself, not just the statements of religious politicians. He is undecided whether this project will become a film, series, or book, though he leans towards a film.