Making Pompano Laugh: Carole Montgomery and “Funny Women of a Certain Age”

Everyone needs a little laughter in their lives—enter Carole Montgomery, veteran of the standup comedy scene nationwide and creator of the hit special Funny Women of a Certain Age. Her show has been brought to both stage and screen countless times, and this weekend, it’s headed to Pompano Beach Cultural Center for the next stop on its national tour. South Florida Theater Magazine caught up with this iconic comic to get all the details on the show and on Carole Montgomery’s remarkable career as a woman in comedy.

When asked about how Funny Women of a Certain Age first came to life, Montgomery said that the idea began with a single question: “Why isn’t there a show about female comics?” By 2017, when the show was first created, she had already been hosting a podcast, where she’d bring on other female comedians as guests. Upon further reflection, she realized that very few comedy specials had women in the field at their helm. Before long, Funny Women of a Certain Age was born, sparking a years-long residency, multiple television specials (which are now streaming on platforms like SHOWTIME and Comedy Dynamics), and an ongoing national tour. 

Funny Women of a Certain Age is headed by Montgomery and a rotating cast of renowned comedians, including Fran Drescher, Teri Hatcher, Luenell, Janeane Garofolo, Caroline Rhea, Thea Vidale, Jane Condon, Kerri Louise, Carol Leifer, Julia Scotti, Tammy Pescatelli, Felicia Michaels, Cathy Ladman, Vanessa Hollingshead, Wendy Liebman, Monique Marvez, Leighann Lord, and so many more. (In Pompano, Montgomery will be sharing the stage with Julia Scotti and Leighann Lord.) With this star-studded group of women, and a show packed with “evergreen material,” Carole Montgomery believes that there will be something for everyone to enjoy. “If you don’t like me, you’ll like someone else,” she joked. She also spotlighted the show’s appeal to a wide audience. “The show is fun for all ages,” she said, praising it as a place for any audience member to simply have a good time and share some laughs with their loved ones. After all, in her words, “Laughter is the best thing ever.” 

Better yet, the cast has just as much fun behind the scenes—their camaraderie is clear both onstage and off, and Montgomery is thrilled to star in a show with her greatest friends. One of her fondest backstage memories highlights the strength of the cast’s bond; minutes before the first television special would film, Montgomery looked at herself in the mirror and expressed disappointment under her breath and the way her hairstyle looked. Without her realizing, several of her costars had heard her, and immediately swooped in with hairspray and a comb to fix things. In a moment where she didn’t feel her best, her friends were at her side to uplift her and help her shine.

While Funny Women of a Certain Age is humorous and lighthearted at its core, the show also carries important messages, particularly for the women in its audience. Montgomery wants them to know that “aging isn’t a crime,” pushing back against the rhetoric that when a woman reaches a certain age, she becomes “invisible” in the eyes of society. She aimed to carve out a space where she could “give women more access to being seen.” “I was told nobody would want to see a show about female comics,” she reflected, speaking of the male-dominated nature of the standup comedy world, and how women, particularly women who might be considered “older,” may get overlooked. Yet, ever since she created the show at 59 years old, it has seen immense success. In general, Montgomery also believes that the acclaim of Funny Women of a Certain Age can inspire anyone to pursue their passions, whether those lie in the arts or somewhere else entirely. “You’re never too old to do anything,” she said. Her key piece of advice? “Do what you love.” 

Carole Montgomery has certainly taken her own advice, since she has been doing what she loves—comedy—for as long as she can remember. Montgomery’s childhood was reminiscent of an episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; she grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and her father, a teacher, spent his summers off from school bartending in the Borscht Belt. There, Montgomery was introduced to Catskills comedy legends, including names like Rodney Dangerfield and Jackie Mason. Her enjoyment of comedy only grew over the years, leading to her officially beginning work in the standup world at age 21. Montgomery believes that this passion for her craft has been instrumental to her decades-long career in the field: “When you’re a creative, you have to be obsessed with what you’re doing.” Fame may be fleeting, coming and going over time, but when someone is doing what they enjoy, their success will endure no matter what.

Funny Women of a Certain Age is only in South Florida for two shows—there’s no time to waste! Whether you choose an evening performance or a matinee (Montgomery’s personal favorite), don’t hesitate to see these powerhouse women in action. 

Parts of this interview were edited or condensed for clarity.

Funny Women of a Certain Age is playing at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center on March 15 and 16. Purchase your tickets here.