2 Dope Queens ' Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams Are Changing Comedy in the Best Way Possible

Maybe you noticed there's a big cultural shift happening in comedy right now? New, more diverse talent is rising up and gaining influence, while established male comedians like Louis C.K. and T.J. Miller are taking career hits after sexual misconduct allegations have come to light. Of course, the same men then launch their comeback tours in a matter of months—Rome wasn't built in a day, I guess—but the point here is that the new guard is now in a better position to call them out and shine a light on the bullshit.

An example of this happened just last week, after Phoebe Robinson shared on Instagram that she left a New York comedy club when she learned a comedian accused of sexual misconduct was added to the lineup with her. "It’s weird because stand-up comedy is sort of all over the place," Robinson, a comedian and cohost with Jessica Williams of the 2 Dope Queens podcast and HBO special, told Glamour at a Sundance event. "The rules that might apply at other workplaces don’t really apply there for whatever reason."

Robinson says she was excited to do the show—but when the comic accused of sexual misconduct dropped in, she thought, Oh, this guy's bad news. So "I just left," she says. "I just really don’t want to be on the same stage as these predators, as these abusers. I think it’s really disgusting and terrible that other comics are being forced into that position. It sucks that audience members have to be like, 'Do I get up and leave now?' Like, 'I didn’t pay to see this person perform.'"

The reaction to her Instagram post, Robinson says, has been nice so far. "I think there’s always going to be that faction of like, 'Just get over it!' Or, 'You’re just jealous that this guy’s famous.' And I’m like, 'No, it’s bigger than comedy.' I just don’t want to do a show with an alleged rapist. I just don’t."

Robinson hopes that as more queer people, people of color, and women gain power, more people will come around to her perspective. Her costar Williams echoes this, telling Glamour, "I want to see more stories from people different from a cis, straight, white male. I want to see more stories of people of color and queer people. I really want new, innovative stories."

The culture shift might not be happening as fast as we'd like, but Robinson and Williams are doing their part to keep pushing. "Whatever I can do in my power, I will," Robinson says. "I really do want to figure out a way that all of us comics can come to some sort of agreement, where we can really make some active change. Right now the thing that I can do is just walk out."

2 Dope Queens returns to HBO for a second series of four one-hour-long specials on February 8.

Anna Moeslein is a senior editor at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @annamoeslein.