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  Program: Make 'em Laugh: The Funny Business of America
  

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pbs.org/makeemlaugh

For MAKE 'EM LAUGH, young Web comedians created this "PSA" on the unknown dangers of the Internet and featuring comedians to appear in the seventh episode, Chelsea Peretti, Gabe and Jenny, Ben Schwartz, Amy Schumer, and Lee Camp. Guys, be careful when you go surfing those Webs!

PBS presents MAKE 'EM LAUGH: THE FUNNY BUSINESS OF AMERICA, a six-hour comedy epic showcasing the most hilarious men, women and moments in American entertainment and why they made us laugh. Hosted by funnyman Billy Crystal and narrated by Amy Sedaris, the documentary explores the currents of American comedy throughout a century of social and political change. Wednesdays, starting January 14th, 2009 at 8/7C (check local listings).

"Teh Internets," the online exclusive episode of MAKE 'EM LAUGH, seeks to academically understand the popularity of different content online, identifying common themes such as absurdist humor, cuteness, and a Dada-esque ability to recontextualize traditional media for comedy's sake. The conversation seeks to build upon the first six episodes of Make 'Em Laugh series by identifying Internet humor as the next step in the rich history of comedy. We hope to show that our current comedic trends online are still just standing on the shoulders of giants -- the comedic greats of the last century.

• comedians
• comedy
• history
• Internet
• pbs
• technology

Post Date: January 6, 2009