'Daily Show' women defend program's diversity

[July 07, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The women of "The Daily Show" are refuting blogosphere complaints about the show's lack of gender diversity.

In an open letter posted Tuesday on the "Daily Show" website, 32 women who work on the Comedy Central program -- from producers to writers to production assistants -- denied any suggestion that "The Daily Show" is a "boy's club."

The letter was addressed to "People Who Don't Work Here" and referred only to "certain media outlets." The blog Jezebel.com recently claimed there is sexism at "The Daily Show" after speaking with several former female staffers.

But in a thoughtful and comical letter, the "Daily Show" women denounced "the bitter rantings of ex-employees." They said women make up 40 percent of the staff and "generate a significant portion of the show's creative content."

[Associated Press]

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