The First Woman

Sasheer Zamata’s sophomore stand-up special stands out for its blend of conversational ease and oddball historical research. Moving past typical sketch-comedy pacing, Zamata leans into a more deliberate, relaxed delivery on a stage decorated with jungle plants. She provides a funny, slightly nerdy crash course on everything from the logistics of silicone menstrual cups to the overlooked legacy of Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world.

Filmed at Union Stage in Washington, D.C., and released independently through 800 Pound Gorilla Media in 2023, the hour represents a pivot toward self-produced work. At this point in her career, Zamata was balancing a busy acting schedule, including roles in ABC’s Home Economics and Hulu’s Woke, alongside her casting in the Marvel series Agatha All Along.

Zamata takes aim at corporate feminism and recounts the agonizing etiquette of trying to report a case of public indecency. The set thrives on highly specific moments of discomfort, like her text messages to a massage therapist after a potential COVID exposure. She links these modern anxieties with historical quirks, comparing early female aviators to historical witches to build an absurd yet grounded perspective on being a woman in America.