We recently connected with Carole Montgomery and have shared our conversation below.

Carole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

As a woman in comedy there was rarely more than one woman on a show. One day, while on a podcast with other woman comedians I had this thought….what if there was a show that featured only female comedians over the age of 50? And that’s how Women of a Certain Age was born! Our first special was Showtime’s highest rated comedy special. It also made history as the first comedy special to feature 6 women over the age of 50. Two more specials followed. The last one filmed during the global pandemic. In March of 2025 all three specials were rereleased by Comedy Dynamics. All of them are now available to stream on most networks.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been a stand up comedian since 1979. Friends of mine kept pushing me to get on stage. Back then no one even really knew what a stand up was. It’s not like now where it seems like EVERYONE is a comic.
I’ve always been the type of person who helps people and I’m still that way even to this day. The joy I get from knowing I am helping older women be seen and heard in an industry that tosses us aside after 40 is immense.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Around 10 years ago I was feeling the ageism that is prevalent in my industry. I wasn’t getting the work I used to so I made the move and worked behind the scenes as an agent. At the same time my MIL was recovering from a stroke and I was her primary caregiver so it made sense to stay close and not go on the road. I did that for around 6 months and I learned a ton about the business side of comedy.
After 6 months, I thought to myself, “If I’m going to work this hard, might as well do this for me” And I went back to standup. A few months later I came up with Women of a Certain Age.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want older women comics to be seen and heard.
Just because I’m in my 60’s doesn’t mean I’m feeble and frail.
Like I say on stage,
“I’m incontinent, not incompetent.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://funnywomenofacertainage.com
• Instagram: @funnywomenofacertainage
• Facebook: Carole Montgomery
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-montgomery-2068265/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CAROLEMONTGOMERY
• Yelp: NY
• Soundcloud: NY

Image Credits

First photo Melanie Wesslock