comedy

FUDS, a complete encyclofoodia, is by Kelly Hudson, Dan Klein and Arthur Meyer writing as the fictional Mizretti twins.

Straight Out Of Brooklyn: 'Encyclofoodia' Pokes Fun At Foodies

6:21pm May 08, 2015

by NPR Staff

Comics posing as chefs have written a book with sensational recipes and explanations of essential tools like the "spankler." It's designed to "spank the food if it does anything wrong."

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Arts

To Change People's Minds, First Make Them Laugh

12:31pm April 13, 2015

by NPR Staff

In this week's "For the Record," NPR's Rachel Martin talks with three Muslim comics — Adil Ray, Negin Farsad and Ahmed Ahmed — about the motivations and challenges of using humor to change minds.

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Comedian Jesse Appell performs at a club in Beijing. Appell won a scholarship in 2012 to study comedy in China and has been performing on the country's small but growing stand-up comedy circuit.

World News

So An American Comic Walks Into A Chinese Bar ...

9:28am February 17, 2015

by Anthony Kuhn

American comics are taking the stage in China's small but growing stand-up comedy circuit. Their bicultural, and often bilingual, shows are a new form of cultural exchange.

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Think of human relationships as entanglements. How do they bind you; how do they reveal who you really are?

By Impersonating Her Mom, A Comedian Grows Closer To Her

9:24am February 02, 2015

by Alix Spiegel

Human relationships are entanglements, and those connections often aren't clear to us at all. When Maria Bamford impersonated her mom, she realized what she loved about her — and about herself.

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Desiree Akhavan plays Shirin in Appropriate Behavior. Akhavan says she chose the name Shirin because it means sweet in Farsi. "Even though she's insane, she has a sweetness," says Akhavan.

Arts

Iranian-American Filmmaker Breaks Out Of Boxes, Into The Box Office

4:25pm January 17, 2015

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

Desiree Akhavan wrote, directed and stars in the new comedy Appropriate Behavior. It's informed by her life as a bisexual Brooklynite, but the film, like its maker, defies easy categorization.

Comedian Andrea Martin performs at New York's 54 Below in 2012. She published her memoir Lady Parts in September.

Books
Arts

Comedian Andrea Martin: 'I Don't Think Age Has Anything To Do With It'

6:54pm December 27, 2014

by NPR Staff

Now in her late 60s, Martin says she's still "excited and enthusiastic" about her work and doesn't have any intention of retiring. She published a memoir in September called Lady Parts.

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Cameron Esposito has appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, IFC's Maron and E!'s Chelsea Lately.

Arts

Hugs For Hecklers: Cameron Esposito On Life As A Lesbian Comedian

6:54pm October 11, 2014

by NPR Staff

Esposito discusses her new album, Same Sex Symbol, and tells NPR's Arun Rath she feels concern for the people who heckle her about her sexuality: "I just wonder, what's up with your life? Are you OK?"

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Arts

Comedian JJ Johnson Loves To Make People Laugh

2:11pm August 15, 2013

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Arts

Comedian Hari Kondabolu On Diversity, Race And Burger King

3:20pm July 18, 2013

by Elizabeth Blair

An Indian-American comedian unafraid to joke politely about race and politics, Hari Kondabolu regularly challenges long-standing beliefs with his material. While his comedy is about being treated like an outsider, the jokes offer a sense of community.

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Arts

Hilarious Comedy, and That's No Nonsense

8:33am July 15, 2013

by David Ford

Comedians Pat McLeod and Eric Trundy “don't get no respect”—especially from each other, as you'll hear. They're the co-creators of No Nonsense Comedy at The Idiot Box in Greensboro. No-Nonsense is a stand-up comedy show featuring some of the best comedians in North Carolina.

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