PBS Gets In The Comedy Business With “Make ‘Em Laugh”

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Known primarily for presenting news and commenting on culture, society and world events in a decidedly serious manner (most of the time) PBS is out to prove it does have a funny bone.

In January the public service network will air a six-part documentary, spread out over three weeks, that traces the history of comedy in the 20th century, with a heavy slant (naturally) on television’s contributions.

With Billy Crystal pulling hosting duties, Make ‘Em Laugh features interviews with over 90 comedians, writers, producers, and historians including The Smothers Brothers, Larry David, Cheech Marin, Chris Rock and Will Ferrell.

Looking over the list of episodes, it appears that comedy is in for the usual PBS treatment with titles like “Would Ya Hit a Guy with Glasses?: Nerds, Jerks, & Oddballs” and “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break: The Wiseguys.”

In fact, it looks like the series will have something for every student of comedy, from novice to scholar. Here’s the blurb on the PBS site for the January 28th episode “Sock it to Me?: Satire and Parody“:

“Americans have always loved to make fun of the world around them using the slings and arrows of parody and satire. Whether it was Will Rogers, Johnny Carson, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert poking a finger in the eye of the government, or Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks and the “Saturday Night Live” gang lampooning the latest blockbuster, generations have reveled in the anarchic tradition of mocking American life, politics and preoccupations.”

PBS should know what they’re talking about, since they haven’t been immune to some serious mocking themselves. But it’s doubtful we’ll be seeing even a snippet from this clip, an SNL take on a National Public Radio segment that may have gotten past the censors:

Hopefully PBS gives as good as they get.

Don’t miss the new documentary “Make ‘Em Laugh” when it premieres on January 14, at 8 PM on your local PBS station.

You can bet we’ll be watching on Fancast.