The Smithsonian Institution and the National Comedy Center hold unparalleled collections of objects that illustrate the vitality and importance of comedy in American life, from 19th century vaudeville, minstrel, and puppet shows to stand-up comedians, television satire, and internet memes. Now, for the first time, these incredible collections will be shown in vibrant photographs and illuminating essays that tell the story of how comedy shaped American history.
This accessible, comprehensive history-written by historians from Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Comedy Center-transports readers behind the scenes to see beloved and rarely exhibited artifacts while learning the stories of famous, infamous, and unknown comics and their influence on the nation’s culture. Perfect for comedy fans, pop culture aficionados, history lovers, and anyone who has ever laughed at a viral video, this dynamic work offers a new perspective on American history and who we are as a nation through the lens of comedy.
Contents
Foreword by Mel Brooks
Director’s Note by Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center
Director’s Note by Anthea Hartig, National Museum of American History
Introduction
Chapter 1: Comedy Shapes How We See Each Other
Petroleum Vesuvius Nasby
Pipps Among the Wide Awakes
Bret Harte
Hari Kondabolu
Vaudeville
Andy Bumatai
Marx Brothers
Blackface minstrelsy
Brownface/brownvoice
Amos ‘n’ Andy
Comedy albums
The Beverly Hillbillies
Phyllis Diller
Bob Hope
Martha Raye
Tootsie and 9 to 5
Ellen and Will & Grace
Chapter 2: Comedy Creates American Identity
Mark Twain
Will Rogers
W. C. Fields
Charlie Chaplin
Buster Keaton
Harold Lloyd
Bert Williams
Cartoon Comedy
Comedy Duos
Burns & Allen
Nichols & May
Butterbeans & Susie
Bob & Ray
Stiller & Meara
Martin & Lewis
Patsy Kelly & Thelma Todd
Laurel & Hardy
Abbott & Costello
Smith & Dale
Bert & Ernie
Minnie Pearl
Bob Newhart
Saturday Night Live
In Living Color
Happy Days
Cheech & Chong
The Tonight Show
The Muppets
Carol Burnett
Comedy Films
Seinfeld
Chapter 3: Comedy Provokes Conversations
Mae West
Lucille Ball
Desi Arnaz
Lenny Bruce
Rusty Warren
Moms Mabley
Joan Rivers
The Smothers Brothers and Laugh-In
Lily Tomlin
Pat Paulsen
Dick Gregory
Richard Pryor
Charlie Hill
All in the Family
George Carlin
M*A*S*H
Chico and the Man
The Daily Show
Sex in the City, Mary Tyler Moore, and That Girl
Chapter 4: Comedy Breaks the Mold
Broadway comedy
Avenue Q
Kinky Boots
Abie’s Irish Rose
Neil Simon
Harvey Fierstein
Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy
Jack Benny
Allan Sherman
Lyrical Laughter – Comedy songs
Stand-up/comedy clubs
Ernie Kovacs
Your Show of Shows
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Improv
The Harlem Globetrotters
Andy Kaufman
America’s Funniest Home Videos to YouTube
Margaret Cho
The Big Bang Theory and The Guild
Latinx comedy
Traumedy and folk humor
Chapter 5: Comedy Brings Family Together
American Dream
Supernatural Sitcoms
Blended Families
Good Times and The Jeffersons
Latinx Family Sitcoms
The Simpsons
Ali Wong
Conclusion, Laura LaPlaca, National Comedy Center
Conclusion, Ryan Lintelman, National Museum of American History
Acknowledgments
Notes
Notes on Contributors
Index
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