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Miniseries – The History of Comedy

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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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The History of Comedy — Miniseries

Critics Reviews

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Neil Genzlinger New York Times The CNN program would be enjoyable just for its wealth of vintage clips...To watch this series is to remember - or, depending on your age, to be introduced to - earlier comics who were incendiary in their own way, in much less permissive times. Feb 9, 2017 Full Review Verne Gay Newsday To its credit, History of Comedy does appear determined to cover every foot of this vast waterfront. Rated: B Feb 9, 2017 Full Review Frazier Moore Associated Press What History of Comedy does within that hour is to bring what are often viewed as isolated incidents into context. Feb 9, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Entertaining (if biased) history of comedy from CNN. Touches social justice topics a bit too much in my opinion. The hosts and interviewees on the show all seem to lean far to the left but we don't get any word from those leaning to the right, it would have been more entertaining if it wasn't so heavy handed and off topic at times. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The History of Comedy — Miniseries

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Cast & Crew

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Elayne Boosler

Self

Judd Apatow

Self

Louie Anderson

Self

Maria Bamford

Self

Kenya Barris

Self

Jimmy Kimmel

Self

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 9, 2017 F...ing Funny A look at groundbreaking comics, including George Carlin, Dick Gregory and Lenny Bruce, who embraced the risqué side of comedy and risked careers, prison, and even their lives to fight censorship. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 16, 2017 The Funnier Sex Exploring and celebrating the greatest female comedians of all time and how they were able to succeed in every genre where humor is found despite rampant sexism and prejudice. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 23, 2017 The Comedy of Real Life Examining how comedians find humor in the simple daily experiences we all share to make us laugh. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 30, 2017 Parody and Satire Demonstrating how effective and funny it can be when one looks at something serious and just twists it ever so slightly. Details Episode 5 Aired Jul 16, 2017 Cultural Divide Exploring the evolution of racial humor; how comedy can cross cultural barriers to unite people. Details Episode 6 Aired Jul 23, 2017 Ripped From the Headlines Tracing the origins of topical humor from the invention of the monologue to the fake news shows of today. Details Episode 7 Aired Jul 30, 2017 Spark of Madness Exploring the fascinating mind of the comedian and the difficult road that many seem destined to take -- where mental illness and substance abuse are remarkably common. Details Episode 8 Aired Aug 6, 2017 Making Fun Demonstrating how effective and funny it is when something serious is twisted slightly. Details Episode 9 Aired Aug 13, 2017 Politics Aside Examining the many different ways that comedy has lampooned and influenced politics over the years. Details

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The History of Comedy — Miniseries

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Season Info

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