Series synopsis
The History of Comedy is an American documentary comedy television series that premiered on CNN on February 9, 2017. It ended on August 19, 2018. It stars Ali Wong, Rain Pryor, Gilbert Gottfried and David Zucker.
Explore what makes us laugh, why, and how that's influenced our social and political landscape throughout history.
Premise
Explore what makes us laugh, why, and how that's influenced our social and political landscape throughout history.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Ali Wong as Self
- Rain Pryor as Self
- Gilbert Gottfried as Self
- David Zucker as Self
- Kent Alterman as Self
- Rob Reiner as Self
- Anne Beatts as Self
- Betty White as Self
Supporting cast
- Todd Boyd as Self
- Patton Oswalt as Self
- Judd Apatow as Self
- Cindy Chupack as Self
- Bobcat Goldthwait as Self
- Bob Mankoff as Self
- Lewis Black as Self
- Larry Charles as Self
- Jim Jefferies as Self
- Arsenio Hall as Self
- Jerry Zucker as Self
- Craig Ferguson as Self
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 14 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | February 9, 2017 | August 13, 2017 |
| Season 2 | 6 | July 15, 2018 | August 19, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
F***ing Funny The evolution of inappropriate humor throughout history is traced, showcasing the work from groundbreaking comedians who risked their careers, prison sentences and even their lives as they fought against censorship. |
February 9, 2017 |
| 2 |
The Funnier Sex A look at the greatest female comedians and how they were able to succeed in every genre where humor is found despite rampant sexism and prejudice. |
February 16, 2017 |
| 3 |
The Comedy of Real Life A look at how comedians find humor in the simple, daily experiences most people share. |
February 23, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Carnal Knowledge How sexual humor, one of the oldest forms of comedy, pushes the limits of both comfort and political correctness. |
July 15, 2018 |
| 2 |
Sketch & Improv Exploring the history of sketch and improv comedy and how it evolved into a significant part of comedic talent today. |
July 22, 2018 |
| 3 |
Drawn To Be Funny The history between animation and comedy. |
July 29, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CNN |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 9, 2017 |
| Last aired | August 19, 2018 |
| Runtime | 45 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 22:00:00 |