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Monday

To reach others in the deaf community, stand-up comedian D.J. Demers is often joined on stage by a sign language interpreter. Jennifer Lees (left) has interpreted many of his performances including the 2024 All Access Comedy Show in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Stand-up comedian D.J. Demers is hard of hearing. To reach others in the deaf community, his shows often include a sign language interpreter. Jennifer Lees (left) has interpreted many of his shows. Chris Smith/Halifax Comedy Fest hide caption

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Chris Smith/Halifax Comedy Fest

Culture

Comic D.J. Demers jokes a lot about hearing loss — but won't be 'the hearing aid guy'

Demers was diagnosed with hearing loss when he was 4 years old. As a kid, he saw nothing funny about it — but then he learned to make people laugh. He just dropped his fourth stand-up special.

Comic D.J. Demers jokes a lot about hearing loss — but won't be 'the hearing aid guy'

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Thursday

Why Rob Delaney loves failure: 'I smash it up into a powder and I snort it'

Rob Delaney on Wild Card Justin Tallis/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Tallis/Getty Images

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

Why Rob Delaney loves failure: 'I smash it up into a powder and I snort it'

Rob Delaney has experienced great success as a comedian and actor. He created and starred in the acclaimed TV series Catastrophe and he's been featured in blockbuster movies like this summer's Deadpool & Wolverine. But he's also experienced tragedy, including the death of his son. He talks to Rachel about loss, failure and why he kind of wants a meteor to hit his house.

Why Rob Delaney loves failure: 'I smash it up into a powder and I snort it'

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Saturday

Comedian Bob Newhart pretends to speak on an antique telephone at his home in the Bel Air Estates community of Los Angeles, June 25, 2003.

Comedian Bob Newhart pretends to speak on an antique telephone at his home in the Bel Air Estates community of Los Angeles, June 25, 2003. Jerome T. Nakagawa/AP hide caption

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Jerome T. Nakagawa/AP

Opinion

Simon Says

Opinion: Bob Newhart showed us the extraordinary in the ordinary

NPR's Scott Simon remembers understated comedian and actor Bob Newhart, who died this week at the age of 94.

Opinion: Bob Newhart showed us the extraordinary in the ordinary

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Thursday

Taylor Tomlinson's mom died young. This is how she stays connected to her memory

Taylor Tomlinson on Wild Card Monica Schipper/Getty hide caption

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Monica Schipper/Getty

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

Taylor Tomlinson's mom died young. This is how she stays connected to her memory

Taylor Tomlinson has found the kind of success many comedians dream about, with multiple Netflix specials and a late-night hosting gig — After Midnight on CBS. She tells Rachel that part of the secret to her success is fear. They also swap stories about their Christian upbringings, the search for validation and getting things stuck up their noses.

Taylor Tomlinson's mom died young. This is how she stays connected to her memory

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Wednesday

Why Jenny Slate sometimes feels like a 'terminal optimist'
NPR

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

Why Jenny Slate sometimes feels like a 'terminal optimist'

Welcome to Wild Card with Rachel Martin. In this first episode, Rachel talks to Jenny Slate, known for her roles in Obvious Child, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and Parks and Recreation. Jenny opens up about whether fate brought her to her husband, what she's sacrificed for motherhood and what's so special about margarine and white bread sandwiches.

Why Jenny Slate sometimes feels like a 'terminal optimist'

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Monday

Kevin Hart takes home his Mark Twain Prize for American humor

Kevin Hart received the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on March 24th, 2024. The Kennedy Center hide caption

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The Kennedy Center

Pop Culture

Kevin Hart takes home his Mark Twain Prize for American humor

Kevin Hart received the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center Sunday night. Fellow comedians Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld and Chelsea Handler were there to roast him.

Kevin Hart takes home his Mark Twain Prize for American humor

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Wednesday

They lampoon American corporate culture — and the internet is here for it

(From left) Nicole Daniels, DeAndre Brown and Lisa Beasley take a sharp and often satirical look at modern office culture, sharing their videos on TikTok, where these screenshots were taken. NPR hide caption

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NPR

Culture

They lampoon American corporate culture — and the internet is here for it

They have been dubbed "cubicle comedians" — and some of the top creators raking in the views and likes are Black. For Black humor experts, that's no coincidence.

They lampoon American corporate culture — and the internet is here for it

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Saturday

The Second City, named for its Chicago location, opens an outpost in New York

An outpost of The Second City has opened in Brooklyn. Above, the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan skyline are pictured at sunset. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Performing Arts

The Second City, named for its Chicago location, opens an outpost in New York

The improv and comedy organization that famously shuns New York City has just opened in Brooklyn — with a 200-seat mainstage, a 60-seat second stage, classrooms and a restaurant.

The Second City, named for its Chicago location, opens an outpost in New York

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Sunday

'Buffalo Fluffalo' has had enuffalo in this kids' bookalo
Illustrations © 2024 by Erin Kraan

Picture This

'Buffalo Fluffalo' has had enuffalo in this kids' bookalo

'Buffalo Fluffalo' may seem big and intimidating, but it's all puffery. He really just needs some snuggalos from his friends in this rhyming book from author Bess Kalb and illustrator Erin Kraan.

'Buffalo Fluffalo' has had enuffalo in this kids' bookalo

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Saturday

Comedian George Carlin appears at a news conference in 1978.

Comedian George Carlin appears at a news conference in 1978. Robbins/AP hide caption

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Robbins/AP

Opinion

Simon Says

Opinion: George Carlin wasn't predictable, unlike AI

Comedian George Carlin has been dead more than 15 years, but AI George Carlin is out with "new" material.

Opinion: George Carlin wasn't predictable, unlike AI

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Wednesday

Kel Mitchell tells NPR what to expect from the 'Good Burger' sequel

They're back and more burgery than ever. Vanessa Clifton/Nickelodeon/Paramount+ hide caption

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Vanessa Clifton/Nickelodeon/Paramount+

Interview highlights

Kel Mitchell tells NPR what to expect from the 'Good Burger' sequel

It's been more than 25 years since the '90s cult classic came out. Now, the burger-slinging duo is back.

Kel Mitchell tells NPR what to expect from the 'Good Burger' sequel

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Wednesday

Kevin Hart will receive the Mark Twain Prize — humor's highest honor

Kevin Hart has been named winner of the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Hart will be celebrated/roasted by fellow jokesters at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in March. Kevin Kwan/The Kennedy Center hide caption

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Kevin Kwan/The Kennedy Center

Culture

Kevin Hart will receive the Mark Twain Prize — humor's highest honor

The 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor will go to comedian, actor, writer and entrepreneur Kevin Hart. Past recipients include George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Carol Burnett and Adam Sandler.

Kevin Hart will receive the Mark Twain Prize — humor's highest honor

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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

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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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