Suzanne Westenhoefer
Encyclopedia
Suzanne Westenhoefer is an out lesbian
stand-up comedian. She starred as a panelist on GSN
's 2006 remake of I've Got a Secret
, which featured a panel of gay celebrities who had to guess the various guests' 'secrets' through a series of timed questions. Her comedy special and documentary, A Bottom on Top, aired on LOGO Television in the fall of 2007. In 2004 she was featured in the film Laughing Matters along with Kate Clinton
, Marga Gomez
and Karen Williams.
After accepting a dare, she began her career delivering gay-themed material to straight audiences in mainstream comedy clubs in New York City in the early 1990s. She became the first openly lesbian comic ever to appear on television in 1991 on an episode of Sally Jesse Raphael entitled "Breaking the Lesbian Stereotype...Lesbians Who Don't Look Like Lesbians." In 1991 and 1992, her stand-up comedy appeared on Comedy Central
's Short Attention Span Theater
and Stand-up Stand-up. She went on to become the first openly gay comic to host her own HBO Comedy Special in 1994 (which earned her a Cable Ace Award nomination) and to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2003. Suzanne's current US tour is entitled Totally Inappropriate.
Suzanne’s recent tour, “Finally legal… in a few states,” was a headlining act on the recent Sweet
Caribbean cruise. Her latest venture, a starring role in the popular online web drama “We Have To Stop Now” is about to enter its second season, with the first soon available on DVD from Wolfe Video
. Her GLAMA award-winning specials “Nothing in my Closet but my Clothes,” “I’m Not Cindy Brady” and “Guaranteed Fresh” are all available on DVD, as are her most recent televised specials, “Live from the Village” and “A Bottom on Top.”
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
stand-up comedian. She starred as a panelist on GSN
Game Show Network
The Game Show Network is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite channel dedicated to game shows and casino game shows. The channel was launched on December 1, 1994. Its current slogan is "The World Needs More Winners"...
's 2006 remake of I've Got a Secret
I've Got a Secret
I've Got a Secret is a panel game show produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman for CBS television. Created by comedy writers Allan Sherman and Howard Merrill, it was a derivative of Goodson-Todman's own panel show What's My Line?...
, which featured a panel of gay celebrities who had to guess the various guests' 'secrets' through a series of timed questions. Her comedy special and documentary, A Bottom on Top, aired on LOGO Television in the fall of 2007. In 2004 she was featured in the film Laughing Matters along with Kate Clinton
Kate Clinton
Kate Clinton is a American comedian specializing in political commentary from a gay/lesbian point of view.-Early life:...
, Marga Gomez
Marga Gomez
Marga Gomez is a Puerto Rican/Cuban-American comedian, playwright, and humorist. She is openly lesbian....
and Karen Williams.
After accepting a dare, she began her career delivering gay-themed material to straight audiences in mainstream comedy clubs in New York City in the early 1990s. She became the first openly lesbian comic ever to appear on television in 1991 on an episode of Sally Jesse Raphael entitled "Breaking the Lesbian Stereotype...Lesbians Who Don't Look Like Lesbians." In 1991 and 1992, her stand-up comedy appeared on Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
's Short Attention Span Theater
Short Attention Span Theater
Short Attention Span Theater, which ran on Comedy Central from 1989–1994, was a pastiche of various comedians and clips from movies airing on HBO and Cinemax that month along with entertainment news and commentary from the show's host. Various celebrity guests also appeared on occasion....
and Stand-up Stand-up. She went on to become the first openly gay comic to host her own HBO Comedy Special in 1994 (which earned her a Cable Ace Award nomination) and to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2003. Suzanne's current US tour is entitled Totally Inappropriate.
Suzanne’s recent tour, “Finally legal… in a few states,” was a headlining act on the recent Sweet
Sweet (company)
Sweet is an United States travel company founded in January 2008, which markets travel packages and tours to the lesbian community. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sweet's mission is to offer vacations that empower and motivate guests to achieve their personal, professional and philanthropic...
Caribbean cruise. Her latest venture, a starring role in the popular online web drama “We Have To Stop Now” is about to enter its second season, with the first soon available on DVD from Wolfe Video
Wolfe Video
Wolfe Video is the oldest and largest exclusive distributor of gay and lesbian films in North America.Founded in 1985 in New Almaden by Kathy Wolfe, the company began as a consumer mail order distribution company for lesbian VHS videos but has evolved over the years to become a full-service...
. Her GLAMA award-winning specials “Nothing in my Closet but my Clothes,” “I’m Not Cindy Brady” and “Guaranteed Fresh” are all available on DVD, as are her most recent televised specials, “Live from the Village” and “A Bottom on Top.”
Discography
- HBO Comedy Half Hour (1994): Nominated for a Cable Ace Award
- Nothing in my Closet but my Clothes (1999): Gay and Lesbian American Music Award (GLAMA) winner for best comedy CD
- I’m Not Cindy Brady (2000): GLAMA winner for best comedy CD
- Guaranteed Fresh (2003) : GLAMA winner for best comedy CD
- Live at the Village (2006)
- A Bottom on Top (2007)
External links
- Official site
- Interview with Suzanne Westenhoefer from PhillyGayCalendar.com