Kate Berlant learned early that doing standup wouldn't get her a boyfriend

NPR | By Sarah Handel,

Ailsa Chang, Kathryn Fink

Published October 16, 2026 at 4:41 PM EDT

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Kate Berlant about her new comedy special, Parmesan, and how being funny can affect women's romantic prospects.

Sarah Handel

Ailsa Chang

Ailsa Chang is an award-winning journalist and a host of NPR’s newsmagazine All Things Considered, as well as NPR’s daily news podcast Consider This.

See stories by Ailsa Chang

Kathryn Fink

Kathryn Fink is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.

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