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Tuesday

Writer, actor and comedian Zainab Johnson is one of 13 siblings who grew up in a Muslim family in Harlem. She jokes about all of it in her new Prime Video special Hijabs Off.

Writer, actor and comedian Zainab Johnson is one of 13 siblings who grew up in a Muslim family in Harlem. She jokes about all of it in her new Prime Video special Hijabs Off. Matthew Misisco/Zainab Johnson hide caption

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Matthew Misisco/Zainab Johnson

Culture

With 12 siblings, comic Zainab Johnson has plenty to joke about in new special

Comedian, writer and actor Zainab Johnson turns personal chaos into comedy. In her new special, Hijabs Off, she talks about being a Black Muslim, growing up in Harlem, having 12 siblings, and dating.

With 12 siblings, comic Zainab Johnson has plenty to joke about in new special

Listen · 5:20
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Wednesday

Thursday

At a 'Gente Funny' show, only bilingual audience members are in on the joke

Angelo Colina is starting a Spanish comedy circuit. He's pictured above performing at Room 808 in Washington, D.C., on April 30. Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR hide caption

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Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR

Pop Culture

At a 'Gente Funny' show, only bilingual audience members are in on the joke

Latinx comedians with non-English routines have largely been relegated to restaurants, bars and other spaces where Spanish already dominates. But a new generation is changing that, one show at a time.

At a 'Gente Funny' show, only bilingual audience members are in on the joke

Listen · 4:52
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Friday

Roy Wood Jr. wants laughs from White House Correspondents' speech — and reparations

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. is the latest Daily Show correspondent to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. Aude Guerrucci/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Aude Guerrucci/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

Roy Wood Jr. wants laughs from White House Correspondents' speech — and reparations

Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. is hosting the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. He spoke with Morning Edition's Leila Fadel about his approach and what he wants to accomplish.

Roy Wood Jr. wants laughs from White House Correspondents' speech — and reparations

Listen · 7:14
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Tuesday

His poem polarized India. Now comedian Vir Das is telling his side

Vir Das attends the International Emmy Awards in 2021 in New York City. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images hide caption

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Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Asia

His poem polarized India. Now comedian Vir Das is telling his side

"Don't ever let anyone tell you how to love your own country," Vir Das says in his new comedy special.

His poem polarized India. Now comedian Vir Das is telling his side

Listen · 6:56
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Tuesday

Adam Sandler wins the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Adam Sandler is the winner of this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Sandler will receive the award at a gala performance at the Kennedy Center on March 19th, 2023. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic hide caption

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Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Culture

Adam Sandler wins the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

The Kennedy Center has announced Adam Sandler as the winner of this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Sandler's credits include SNL, Happy Gilmore, Grown Ups, The Wedding Singer and Hustle.

Saturday

Gallagher the watermelon-smashing comedian has died at 76

Comedian Gallagher smashes strawberry syrup and flour at the end of his performance at the Five Flags Theater in Dubuque, Iowa, on Nov. 18, 2006. Jeremy Portje/Telegraph Herald via AP, File hide caption

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Jeremy Portje/Telegraph Herald via AP, File

Culture

Gallagher the watermelon-smashing comedian has died at 76

The man born Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr. built a nationwide following in the 1970s and '80s. He became increasingly controversial in recent years, chastised for racist and homophobic remarks.

Wednesday

What makes a good race joke?

Comedians Brian Bahe, Maz Jobrani and Aparna Nancherla. Brian Bahe, Storm Santos and Aparna Nancherla hide caption

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Brian Bahe, Storm Santos and Aparna Nancherla

Code Switch

What makes a good race joke?

When a comedian of color makes a joke, is it always about race, even if it's not about race? In part two of our comedians episodes, Code Switch talks to comedians Aparna Nancherla, Brian Bahe and Maz Jobrani about how and why race makes an appearance in their jokes.

What makes a good race joke?

Listen · 27:48
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Wednesday

Three comedians share their thoughts on what makes a great joke about race

Comedians Ziwe, Joel Kim Booster and Anjelah Johnson-Reyes. Myles Loftin/SHOWTIME, Taylor Miller and East 2 West Collective hide caption

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Myles Loftin/SHOWTIME, Taylor Miller and East 2 West Collective

Code Switch

Three comedians share their thoughts on what makes a great joke about race

What makes a great joke about race? In the first of two episodes, Code Switch talks to comedians Ziwe, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes and Joel Kim Booster about their favorite race joke they tell: What's its origin story? Why is it so funny? And what does it say about race in America?

Three comedians share their thoughts on what makes a great joke about race

Listen · 31:48
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Tuesday

Joyful protests and funny rituals with Reservation Dogs' Dallas Goldtooth

Dallas Goldtooth as Spirit in Reservation Dogs Shane Brown/FX hide caption

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Shane Brown/FX

It's Been a Minute

Joyful protests and funny rituals with Reservation Dogs' Dallas Goldtooth

In FX's Reservation Dogs, Dallas Goldtooth plays the character "Spirit" — a Native American warrior in feathers and buckskin who curses and makes dirty jokes. Dallas also brings his irreverence to the frontlines of protests against oil pipelines. He talks to guest host Tracie Hunte about merging his passions for comedy and organizing, and how he's changing stereotypes with heaps of joy.

Joyful protests and funny rituals with Reservation Dogs' Dallas Goldtooth

Listen · 23:18
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Friday

Boyd Holbrook (left) as Ty Shaw and B.J. Novak as Ben Manalowitz are pictured in a still from the movie Vengeance, which marks Novak's directorial debut.

Boyd Holbrook (left) as Ty Shaw and B.J. Novak as Ben Manalowitz are pictured in a still from the movie Vengeance, which marks Novak's directorial debut. Patti Perret/Focus Features hide caption

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Patti Perret/Focus Features

Movies

B.J. Novak learned a lot about himself — and Texas — while working on 'Vengeance'

Novak wrote, directed and starred in the new movie, which he says is all about breaking down false assumptions. He told Morning Edition about what surprised him on set and behind the scenes.

B.J. Novak learned a lot about himself — and Texas — while working on 'Vengeance'

Listen · 7:15
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Saturday

Opinion: For comedians, safety is a growing concern

Dave Chappelle looks on during UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stacy Revere/Getty Images hide caption

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Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Opinion

Simon Says

Opinion: For comedians, safety is a growing concern

NPR's Scott Simon wonders if comedians are at increased risk for assault these days, given Will Smith's slap of Chris Rock and an incident this week involving Dave Chappelle.

Opinion: For comedians, safety is a growing concern

Listen · 2:15
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Wednesday

Saturday

Opinion: Zelenskyy's comedy background is ever-present in his approach to nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures as he speaks during a press conference in Kyiv on March 3, 2022. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Opinion

Simon Says

Opinion: Zelenskyy's comedy background is ever-present in his approach to nations

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the communication skills Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a comedian and actor, is using to lead his country.

Opinion: Zelenskyy's comedy background is ever-present in his approach to nations

Listen · 2:36
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Thursday