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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

Listen · 7:38
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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

Listen · 2:29
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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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