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It is a testament to the talent of Katherine Ryan, Judi Love, and Rosie Jones that their first real encounter was when they were all part of a lineup at Wembley in 2019 for a Comic Relief event. While their paths may have crossed professionally due to the small world of female comedians, they had not spent much time together socially. Each of them was occupied with their own individual projects, and Ryan and Love also have children. They share a laugh at each other’s jokes, say their goodbyes with a hug, and make sure not to talk over one another – giving the impression that they have been close friends for years. However, this is not the case as Covid-19 happened shortly after they first met, according to Jones. Additionally, on most TV panel shows, there is still a lack of female representation, resulting in fewer opportunities for all three of them to appear on the same show.

Now, finally, they are working together properly (and have become great friends in the process) on new Comedy Central show Out of Order. Jones hosts, Ryan and Love are team captains, and it’s all based round a group of members of the public, known as “Rosie’s Regulars”, being ranked from least to most likely across a number of categories. If this sounds basic on the page, imagine Love getting up close to examine a man with four nipples, or a four-times-married regular explaining where her relationships went wrong.

Love explains that forming a bond with the regulars was a positive aspect, as the show tackles stereotypes and preconceived notions in a lighthearted manner. Ryan adds that the experience also revealed their own prejudices. He admits, “I was not as skilled at judging others as I believed. People truly surprised me and taught me the importance of not jumping to conclusions, as most of my initial judgments were inaccurate.”

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The regulars, who are eccentric, hilarious, and interesting, are seen as equal to the celebrity guests. Jones explains that they are a crucial part of the show’s success, as they represent a diverse range of individuals from various backgrounds and locations, all coming together to have a good time.

She explains that although the show was chaotic, dirty, and humorous, the overall sentiment was one of empathy. Despite the potential to mock and make fun of the regulars, she emphasizes that they were genuinely loved. As she looks at Jones during a meeting with The Guardian, Ryan realizes that the panel of comedians and regulars curated by Jones were mostly from minority backgrounds and may have experienced discrimination in some form, such as ableism, sexism, or racism. This inclusion of diverse perspectives shifted the tone of the show. While some comedians and podcast hosts may complain about not being able to say certain things anymore, Ryan clarifies that they said everything on the show, but with the intention of bringing joy, humor, and kindness.

The three comic artists are well aware that this type of representation is not common in comedy. Ryan, who is from Canada, recalls that when she first came to the UK and watched comedy panel shows, she didn’t immediately notice that they were predominantly composed of male, privately educated, and mostly white individuals with similar perspectives. However, as time went on, it became more apparent and now she recognizes that this is not an accurate reflection of the diverse population in the UK.

Initially, she was grateful for any chance to appear on television, having put in effort at open mic nights. However, it wasn’t until she was in the studio and surrounded by people she admired or wanted to collaborate with that she questioned if she belonged there. It was important for her to see representation of women in the industry, which made this show particularly empowering for her. The three individuals clearly have a strong bond and admiration for each other and the show. Ryan expresses hope that this will be evident to viewers, and also adds with a grin, “It may also upset the right people.”

Jones shares that she receives abuse whenever she appears on TV. Ryan adds that he only truly understood the extent of the abuse when he was tagged in numerous things with Jones on social media. Love also admits her naivety in not realizing the amount of abuse that is directed towards public figures. She personally chooses to ignore the abuse, but acknowledges its impact on her.

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Jones admits that the situation is upsetting, but she is grateful for her amazing group of supportive friends, family, and colleagues. She acknowledges the need for resilience and is able to tune out social media when she appears on TV. Instead, she chooses to focus on the positive feedback she receives from those who appreciate her portrayal of disability. She is especially touched when individuals with disabilities approach her and express gratitude for making them feel recognized and valued.

When asked to take on the role of hosting and given decision-making power, Jones expressed her desire for diversity and inclusivity in the production of the show. She did not want the show to simply be seen as “progressive” for having a gay, disabled woman as the host, but rather wanted to see diversity represented in all aspects of the show, including the production team, regulars, and guests. To promote diversity and provide opportunities for underrepresented individuals, a trainee program was implemented, with Jones herself having started in the TV industry as a researcher before becoming a comedian. This program included two trainees with disabilities, giving them their first opportunity in the television industry, which was personally meaningful to Jones who understands the challenges of starting out with a disability in this field.

Jones is well-versed in the challenges that disabled performers face when navigating TV sets. She has firsthand experience of managing on sets, but acknowledges that if her disability were different or more severe, it could present even more difficulties. Therefore, when given the opportunity to contribute to the set design for Out of Order, she made sure it was fully accessible. However, she emphasizes that this is only the beginning. She also highlights the importance of addressing working conditions, as filming often requires long days.

“I am worried that if a TV show were to feature a person with a disability who stated, ‘I can only work four hours a day,’ it may be difficult for them to accommodate. This could potentially lead to individuals pushing themselves past their limits and experiencing exhaustion and burnout.”

Nevertheless, she has observed a greater sense of understanding and inclusivity. “During the production of Out of Order, the studio days were quite long. However, when I expressed that I could only do two days in a row, they took that into consideration and made adjustments. Now, I am more established. However, I wonder if [TV companies] would be able to offer the same accommodations for a newer comedian. It’s a widespread issue – we, as individuals with disabilities, must navigate a world that is not designed for us. I often find myself using a lot of my time and energy trying to fit into a non-disabled world, which can be incredibly exhausting over time.”

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Love and Ryan were her first choice of team captains. “I didn’t know you, but I thought you were incredible, and that opinion has just grown,” she says, looking at them both. It wasn’t deliberate to create a female-led show, she says, but that’s what happened – the production team is also women-dominated, and did change the atmosphere, thinks Jones: “For me, definitely, there was a level of care that I’ve not felt on another panel show. They got it.”

Love concurs. “There are certain things that we understand, and in those moments we tend to be more nurturing, so you don’t have to worry about me being the strict mom on the panel who asks, ‘What time will this end?’ because I have childcare arrangements.” She found the experience to be inspiring. “What I really loved was that each of us had our own unique voices. It was electric, wild, and fun. We could be our true, amazing selves without feeling like we needed to hold back just because we were the only women in the room. That was amazing.” Ryan also agrees that it was an emotional experience. “And it’s even more special to feel those emotions right after Rosie finished twerking on the ground,” she adds with a chuckle.

The stakes are even higher for Jones. What would it have meant to her to see someone like herself on TV while she was growing up? She explains, “It would have meant everything. Seeing a physically disabled woman on TV who was happy, comfortable, and proud of her body would have given me confidence in my career ambitions and personal life. If one person can watch me and think, ‘If Rosie can do it, I can too,’ then all the abuse I’ve faced will be worth it.”

The premiere of Out of Order will take place on February 26th on Comedy Central.

Source: theguardian.com