Bonnie McFarlane

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Bonnie McFarlane was born on March 28, 1969, in Cold Lake, Alberta, and was raised as the youngest of four daughters on her family's rural farm. Her early life in Northern Canada provided a distinctive backdrop that would later subtly inform her comedic perspective. McFarlane began her comedy career in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she performed at her first open mic night. Encouraged by a club manager, she entered and won the contest 'The Search for Canada's Funniest New Comic,' a victory that provided crucial early validation. This success prompted her move to New York City to pursue comedy professionally, where she secured representation. She also spent significant time in Los Angeles honing her stand-up craft and developing her skills as a writer, laying the groundwork for a career spanning performance, writing, and directing.

Stand-up Comedy and Television Appearances

McFarlane's stand-up career quickly gained momentum with appearances on major late-night talk shows, a key benchmark for comedians. She performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman (making three appearances), and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. Her television profile expanded significantly in 2004 when she was cast in the second season of the NBC reality competition Last Comic Standing, though she was the first contestant eliminated. Beyond stand-up spots, McFarlane became a familiar face on comedy panel shows, serving as a panelist on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and appearing frequently on Fox News's Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld. She also had a recurring role as a patient on the animated series Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. In subsequent years, she became a regular cast panelist on Comedy Central's The Nightly Show starring Larry Wilmore and appeared on TruTV's How To Be A Grown Up. Her radio work included guest spots and regular appearances on the Opie and Anthony and Opie and Jim Norton shows, as well as The Howard Stern Show.

Bonnie McFarlane's major television credits include appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. She has been a panelist on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld. McFarlane appeared on the second season of the NBC reality show Last Comic Standing. She has also been a regular cast panelist on Comedy Central's The Nightly Show starring Larry Willmore and a cast member on Tru TV's How To Be A Grown Up.

• Last Comic Standing (Season 2, 2004) as a contestant.
• Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn as a panelist.
• Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld as a frequent guest.
• How To Be A Grown Up on TruTV as a cast member.
• NickMom Night Out on Nickelodeon as a host.
• Comedy.tv as a host.

Comedy Specials and Headlining Career

Bonnie McFarlane cemented her status as a national headlining comedian with two major televised comedy specials. In 2005, she taped her own HBO One Night Stand special, providing a platform for her material to a wide audience. This was followed in 2008 by a half-hour Comedy Central Presents special, further presenting her sly and inventive style. Described by critics as edgy and fearless, her comedy often tackles observational humour and sharp crowd work, which The Huffington Post once called 'the best in the biz.' She continues to tour extensively across North America, with scheduled performances at venues like the Toronto Comedy Club and the Emmaus Theatre noted into 2026. Her ongoing tour dates confirm her enduring popularity and relevance in the live comedy scene, and she is listed among the top acts in the comedy world for 2026 by ticket vendors like Vivid Seats.

Film, Writing, and Directing Projects

Beyond stand-up, McFarlane has built a substantial body of work as a writer and director. Her most notable project is the documentary feature Women Aren't Funny, which she wrote and directed. The film, which explores the challenges and perceptions of women in comedy, premiered at Caroline's on Broadway in November 2012 and was released widely in August 2014. It features interviews with comedy legends and contemporaries including Joan Rivers, Rosie O'Donnell, Sarah Silverman, and Maria Bamford. The film is available on iTunes and Netflix. In 2016, McFarlane published a memoir titled You're Better Than Me through HarperCollins, recounting her upbringing and career in comedy. She has also acted in television and film, with credits including the 2020 film The King of Staten Island and the web series Cop Show starring Colin Quinn and Jerry Seinfeld. Her recent acting work includes an appearance at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in 2025, and she is also known for her role in the 2018 film Anything Boys Can Do.

Bonnie McFarlane wrote and directed the documentary film Women Aren't Funny, which was previewed in 2012 and released in 2014. She authored a memoir titled You're Better Than Me, which was published by HarperCollins in 2016. Her film work includes acting in The King of Staten Island and the web series Cop Show. She also created her own HBO One Night Stand special in 2005 and a Comedy Central Presents half-hour special in 2008.

• Women Aren't Funny (2014): A documentary feature film she wrote and directed.
• You're Better Than Me (2016): A memoir published by HarperCollins.
• The King of Staten Island (2020): A film in which she acted.
• Cop Show (web series): An acclaimed web series where she acted alongside Colin Quinn and Jerry Seinfeld.
• Anything Boys Can Do (2018): A film in which she acted.
• 82nd Golden Globe Awards (2025): A televised awards ceremony where she made an appearance.

Podcast and Radio Work

A significant and enduring part of McFarlane's career is her collaboration with her husband, comedian Rich Vos. The podcast's success led to a national radio show on SiriusXM satellite radio, also called My Wife Hates Me, which they co-host. The podcast has been critically acclaimed, named one of the top ten best comedy podcasts by Paste Magazine . This venture has created a dedicated fanbase and represents a major pillar of her work, allowing for a more intimate and long-form connection with her audience alongside her stand-up and television appearances. The podcast is distributed by Riotcast.com and remains a central part of her public profile.

Recognition and Media Profile

Throughout her career, Bonnie McFarlane has received consistent recognition from media outlets for her contributions to comedy. The Huffington Post listed her as the number one funniest female comedian audiences should know. Marie Claire Magazine included her in their list of the 50 Funniest Women Right Now. Her active and engaging presence on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram has also been noted, with several online publications singling her out as a top personality to follow. These accolades highlight her impact and the respect she commands within the comedy industry. Her work continues to be celebrated for its originality and fearless approach to contemporary topics, and her material on subjects like environmental consciousness has been featured on The Tonight Show.

Bonnie McFarlane was listed by The Huffington Post as the number one funniest female you should know. Marie Claire Magazine named her one of the 50 Funniest Women Right Now. Paste Magazine chose the podcast she co-hosts with her husband, My Wife Hates Me, as one of the Top Ten best comedy podcasts. Her crowd work has been described by Huffpo as the best in the business.

• Named the #1 funniest female you should know by The Huffington Post.
• Included in Marie Claire Magazine's list of the 50 Funniest Women Right Now.
• Her podcast My Wife Hates Me chosen as one of the Top Ten best comedy podcasts by Paste Magazine.
• Recognized as one of the top people to follow on Twitter by several online publications.
• Her crowd work described as 'the best in the biz' by The Huffington Post.
• Featured in the FX documentary series Hysterical about women in stand-up comedy.

Selected Filmography and Credits

Bonnie McFarlane's screen work spans stand-up specials, television series, and film roles. Her television appearances range from late-night talk shows to panel shows like Red Eye and The Nightly Show. She has performed in stand-up specials for both HBO and Comedy Central. Her film roles include appearances in projects like The King of Staten Island and her own documentary, Women Aren't Funny.

This body of work demonstrates her versatility across stand-up comedy, television, film, writing, and directing. Her career has been sustained for over two decades, beginning with her first open mic in Vancouver. She has maintained activity through national headlining tours, regular television appearances, and successful podcasting. Her work continues with scheduled tour dates into 2026.

Questions about Bonnie McFarlane

What is Bonnie McFarlane best known for?

Bonnie McFarlane is best known for two primary achievements. First, she gained widespread recognition as a contestant on the second season of the NBC reality competition Last Comic Standing in 2004. Second, she co-hosts the highly popular podcast and SiriusXM radio show My Wife Hates Me with her husband, comedian Rich Vos. She is also renowned for her HBO and Comedy Central stand-up specials.

Where is Bonnie McFarlane from?

Bonnie McFarlane is from Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. She was born there on March 28, 1969 and was raised as the youngest of four daughters on her parents' rural farm outside the town. Her early life in this Northern Canadian setting is a noted part of her personal history. She later began her comedy career by doing her first open mic in Vancouver, British Columbia before moving to New York to pursue comedy professionally.

Is Bonnie McFarlane married?

Yes, Bonnie McFarlane is married to fellow comedian Rich Vos. Their relationship is a central feature of their work together, most notably as co-hosts of the popular podcast My Wife Hates Me. The success of this podcast also led to them hosting a national radio show on Sirius XM based on the same concept. Their partnership blends their personal and professional lives as a source of comedic material.

What documentary did Bonnie McFarlane make?

Bonnie McFarlane wrote and directed the documentary film Women Aren't Funny. The film was previewed at Caroline's on Broadway in November 2012 and was officially released in August 2014. It is an award winning feature that explores the topic of women in comedy, featuring interviews with prominent comedians like Joan Rivers, Rosie O'Donnell, Sarah Silverman, and Maria Bamford. The documentary is available for streaming on platforms such as Netflix and iTunes.

Has Bonnie McFarlane written a book?

Yes, Bonnie McFarlane has written a book. Her memoir is titled You're Better Than Me and it was published by HarperCollins on February 23, 2016. The book recounts her upbringing on a farm in Alberta and details her comedic career. It was published through Anthony Bourdain's imprint. In the memoir, she shares stories from her personal life and her journey in the entertainment industry.

Sources and further reading

• Bonnie McFarlane (Wikipedia)
• Bonnie McFarlane, Comedians (thecomedystore.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.