The History of Comedy

2017 - Present

3 Seasons

Documentary

Entertainment

Comedy

List

Reviews

CNN Original Series examines the historic influence of comedy in an eight-part documentary. Archival footage and contemporary interviews with comedy legends, scholars and current stars combine to explore what makes people laugh and how comedy has affected history's social and political landscape. Judd Apatow, Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, Jimmy Kimmel, Kathy Griffin, George Lopez, Keegan-Michael Key, Conan O'Brien, Patton Oswalt and Dick Cavett are among those interviewed. The series begins by profiling "blue" comics like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce. Subsequent episodes detail women in comedy, political humor, parody and satire, comedy ripped from the headlines, the dark side of comedy, comedy in race and culture, and comedy found in everyday life.

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Premiered Jan 16

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Miniseries

2017

Details

Season 2

Details

Season 2

2018

Details

Kliph Nesteroff

Self

Robert B. Weide

Self

Elayne Boosler

Self

Patton Oswalt

Self

W. Kamau Bell

Self

Judd Apatow

Self

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Synopsis

CNN Original Series examines the historic influence of comedy in an eight-part documentary. Archival footage and contemporary interviews with comedy legends, scholars and current stars combine to explore what makes people laugh and how comedy has affected history's social and political landscape. Judd Apatow, Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, Jimmy Kimmel, Kathy Griffin, George Lopez, Keegan-Michael Key, Conan O'Brien, Patton Oswalt and Dick Cavett are among those interviewed. The series begins by profiling "blue" comics like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce. Subsequent episodes detail women in comedy, political humor, parody and satire, comedy ripped from the headlines, the dark side of comedy, comedy in race and culture, and comedy found in everyday life.

Executive Producer: Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, Mark Herzog, Christopher G. Cowen
Network: CNN
Genre: Documentary, Entertainment, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date: Feb 9, 2017