Harrison and Tyler
Patty Harrison (born 1935)[1] and Robin Tyler (born April 8, 1942)[2] are a feminist comedy duo, noted as the first lesbian feminist comedy act. They came together during the 1970s, performing in small venues like colleges and using comedy as a tool to make fun of a system that oppresses.[3] They soon moved to even bigger opportunities with the American Broadcasting Company signing Harrison and Tyler to create a variety show. Unfortunately for them, they did not get picked up.[2] The duo then began to make appearances on the Krofft Komedy Hour and many feminist demonstrations. During one demonstration, they asked for more athletic scholarships for women after running onto the field at a Raiders versus Rams football game.[1] In 1972, Harrison and Tyler produced Maxine Feldman’s “Angry Atthis” and began to produce their own comedy albums, Try It, You'll Like It (1972) and Wonder Women (1973).[1][4]
Notes
- Love, Barbara J.; Cott, Nancy F., eds. (2015). Feminists Who Changed America, 1963-1975. University of Illinois Press. pp. 202–203, 469. ISBN 978-0-252-09747-8.
- Gianoulis, Tina (2008). "Tyler, Robin (b. 1942)" (PDF). glbtq: An Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture.
- "Harrison and Tyler Serious About Funny Business". Beaver County Times. June 14, 1972.
- Krefting, Rebecca (2014). All Joking Aside: American Humor and Its Discontents. JHU Press. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-4214-1429-4.