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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

Wednesday

Comedian Neal Brennan's New Show Centers On The Ways He Feels Unacceptable

"Neal Brennan: Unacceptable" will run in New York City through November. Matt Murphy hide caption

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Matt Murphy

Culture

Comedian Neal Brennan's New Show Centers On The Ways He Feels Unacceptable

Brennan is best known for his creative partnership with comedian Dave Chappelle. Now, his new one-man show, Neal Brennan: Unacceptable, addresses feelings of self-criticism and mental health.

Comedian Neal Brennan's New Show Centers On The Ways He Feels Unacceptable

Listen · 7:07
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Friday

Maya Rudolph Once Struggled With Identity And Belonging. Now It's Her Inspiration

Maya Rudolph attends the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration at Rockefeller Plaza on Feb. 15, 2015, in New York City. Larry Busacca/Getty Images hide caption

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Larry Busacca/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Maya Rudolph Once Struggled With Identity And Belonging. Now It's Her Inspiration

Maya Rudolph has had a successful career, spanning decades as a Saturday Night Live cast member and well-loved actor and entertainer. She chats with Sam about her recent Emmy nominations, her approach to comedy, and the importance of having strong role models.

Maya Rudolph Once Struggled With Identity And Belonging. Now It's Her Inspiration

Listen · 26:50
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Tuesday

Jon Stewart And Pete Davidson Are Doing A 9/11 Anniversary Comedy Show For Charity

Jon Stewart and Pete Davidson sit court-side at a New York Knicks game on April 21, 2021 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. They will hold a comedy special to benefit 9/11 charities there in September. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images hide caption

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Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Pop Culture

Jon Stewart And Pete Davidson Are Doing A 9/11 Anniversary Comedy Show For Charity

A day after the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a star-studded roster of comedians will perform at a benefit to raise money for victims and their families.

Monday

Chappelle Fans Flock To D.C. Live Events As New Mask Mandate Is Announced

Dave Chappelle: This Time This Place chronicles Chappelle's efforts to entertain audiences during the pandemic with a series of outdoor shows. He's pictured above in North Charleston, S.C., on Jan. 30, 2020. Sean Rayford/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Performing Arts

Chappelle Fans Flock To D.C. Live Events As New Mask Mandate Is Announced

Dave Chappelle drew sold-out crowds to his live, indoor appearances in Washington, D.C. — 3,500 attended his show at the concert venue The Anthem and more than 2,000 came to the Kennedy Center.

Sunday