YuletideSnapper.com caught up with TheGLOC.net founder Glennis McCarthy to discuss the creation of GLOC and how she is prepping for its relaunch next month.
Q&A
GLOC was founded in 2010 and then had it’s official launch in January of last year. You are now prepping for a relaunch. Tell us about what led to the original idea of GLOC and what your relaunch signifies?
The original idea for GLOC was inspired by a few things: First and foremost I was planning a wedding so I thought what better time to start a huge, life-changing project?! It really was the best time. And by best I mean worst possible. That’s what we call “Standing in your own way.” But I did it and I’m glad I did. Really, and I hate to say this because it sort of goes against what I’m working toward–ladies unconditionally supporting ladies–but the idea originated from an overheard conversation from a group of women dogging on another female comedian outside of their circle. It felt awful to hear and stuck with me for a few days. My husband, Matt McCarthy is really into wrestling so there was this off-handed comment about GLOW, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, and it just struck me like a golden mallet: Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy. Boom.
The relaunch signifies a new logo, re-designed website and most importantly, a chance to throw a party. Truly I had to take some time to decide if this was something I wanted to pour my heart into and once I decided to move forward, my mind went crazy with ideas. I read a book called “Tribes” by Seth Godin about leading a movement and realized I needed a more focused mission and voice. I then set out to in search of inspirational figures. My first stop was, obviously, RuPaul; have you seen how I dress? After seeing a documentary on Gloria Steinem and the doc Paris is Burning, I had a more focused vision. So now I can gather a community of smart and hilarious women under the umbrella of GLOC to try and make some permanent change. Women are powerful; funny women are game-changers.
What’s been the overall reaction to GLOC as a female-driven comedy space?
The reaction is overwhelmingly positive. Women reach out all the time to say they love what I’m doing and to get involved. I could not do this with out each and every one of them climbing on board. Sure, there are those that don’t quite get what I’m trying to do or why there’s a need for it, but they’ll come around.
The best part about GLOC is the live events. Parties, mixers, shows, open mics. I’m trying to encourage more women to come out and see what happens when we focus on creating an environment of support. As my dear friend Luci, one of the smartest women I know, reminded me the other night, because early woman stayed home while the man hunted they created the community to keep from going insane. This is our community, let’s use it to our benefit.
There are other female-based comedy sites such as FunnyNotSlutty and Comediva. How is GLOC.net different and how do you feel about the competition.
I don’t look at them as competition at all. We need more sites out there with female-driven content! I wish there were 40 more websites you’d listen in your question. Those sites are incredible and so needed. Go on girls.
I think GLOC is different just in the simple fact that I have a different voice and different comedic sensibilities. I think, ultimately, we’re all trying to do the same thing.
Has it been helpful for women to have their own space to show off their humor? Does it change the comedy game at all? (as opposed to competing against 10 guys in a comedy competition or being the ‘funny female;
I hope it encourages more women to try stand-up. I love sketch, characters, improv and musical comedy, but I think getting up on stage and speaking your mind as yourself is really important. It’s also one of the most difficult things to do. Hell, I’m still trying to figure it out. But I keep noticing this strange occurrence at shows where I’ll speak with a woman before her set and get this general sense of badassery, and then her persona on stage is completely different and seems to come from out of left field. It’s not always a bad thing of course, but when it is it makes me kind of crazy. I would hope that we can all continue to be hilarious without painting ourselves as these drug-addled, sexually insecure bags of crazy. I mean, unless that’s who you really are in which case, work it out lady. We’re here for you. I don’t know, maybe we’re afraid of being too powerful so we dilute our voices? Maybe we’re catering to the head honchos in charge? Or maybe we need therapy (I’m a big proponent of therapy) but I hope it stops. I also hope I don’t offend anyone with that last paragraph. Tell me if I get preachy.
What are your hopes for GLOC in the coming year?
I hope GLOC becomes a resource center and community-builder for women in comedy across the US and eventually across the globe. The new site will have a strong networking feature where women can create profiles, post in message boards, create groups for their shows and more to facilitate this happening.
I hope to continue to produce shows and mixers involving more and more women. I try to get as many women involved with our live shows as possible. And I know it sounds cheesy, but if GLOC can get just one gal to get on stage and tell one joke that rings true to who she is then it’s all been worth it.
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