Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy
Before he was America's favorite philosopher comic, he was just another comedian out on tour. And she was the journalist he wanted to meet.
comedy
A collection of 27 issues
Wrestling With Andy Kaufman
The hoax at the Andy Kaufman Award show led to speculation the notorious comic faked his death—a joke that wouldn’t have been out of character. When a fresh-faced Glamour editor mingled with him the year before he died, Andy talked about disappearing.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Wed
To wed or not to wed? There’s the rub. Revisiting Tom Stoppard’s classic in the era of gay marriage.
I Shall Be Heard
Andy Kaufman performed for more than just laughs—in fact, his goal often seemed to be something entirely different. A budding comic chases Andy’s ineffable comedy.
Here's the Thing About Silver Linings
The Oscars are consistently irrational, but we wanted more for David O. Russell's fantastic Silver Linings Playbook. Film critics David Haglund, Pasha Malla, and Michelle Orange discuss why the movie so divided critical opinion, and became such a hit with audiences.
Dark Material
There is a brand of humor with an inherent meaning so dark that, even though we may wish we hadn’t laughed, we’re programmed to think it’s funny. An explanation of a joke about a pedophile.
Standup Comity
If a person tells a joke in a forest and doesn’t get a laugh—that’s how you know he or she’s a true comic. A report from the 2011 International Society for Humor Studies Conference, where so-called experts of comedy submit themselves to professionals to be critiqued.
The Funny Man
When asked, focus groups describe the funny man as "untalented, successful, bad husband and father." He had been at the top, but is now heading toward the bottom. An excerpt from John Warner's forthcoming novel, The Funny Man, published by Soho Press.
What's On?
With more than 70 TV show premieres this fall, who has time to watch them all? Or even know what any of them are about? With no prior knowledge of the shows' premises, here are some guesses.
Cosa Nostalgia
How Hyman Roth's quip in The Godfather: Part II picks up on a cinematic pastime, and exposits layer upon layer of information about his character.
Situation: Comedy
Language students rely on local television shows for vocabulary and instruction. But not all Three’s Company remakes should be trusted. Surveying Israeli TV from Orthodox Jewish sitcoms to comedy that equally offends Jews, Arabs, and sheep.
Erogenous Gaps
Humor happens when an audience fills in the gaps--at its best, those gaps are packed layers deep with meaning. An explanation of an 18-word Mitch Hedberg joke.
Six Cabs to Superior Understanding
Foreign correspondents love to interview local cab drivers for their political opinions. Or sometimes just to hear the best jokes.
Travels With Nathan
To our knowledge, Ezra Pound never saw a donkey show. Here's updated cantos for drunk backpackers in Madrid and jerks on the Dead Sea.
Movement for a Standstill
Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity is bad for America, except for the America that buys or sells advertising time on Comedy Central.
You Are the Best Audience Ever
A live studio audience is one part mosh pit, two parts Godot. A Glendale taping becomes a hostage situation.
Queens of the Scatological Age
Next month, one book will be crowned America’s funniest. Reviewing this year’s candidates for the Thurber Prize for American Humor, and tiptoeing through the doo-doo.
Jewish Like Me
To be Jewish in America can be a gefilte fish served with wasabi and a dollop of paranoia. And things get even more complicated when you don't look the part.
Of Thee I Zing
In the two weeks since she became John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin has made her mark--most notably for her aggressive joke-telling. Since the Democrats are unwilling to jibe back, here are some punchlines.
Misery Loves Comedy
Grief takes on many forms, though it’s rare to hear about a sudden addiction to comedy clubs and Seth Meyers’s political impersonations.
The Confession of an American Jew
Everybody wants to know, but nobody wants to ask: Why are Jews funny? A journey far from the roads of good intentions.
Big in Finland
Conan O'Brien's recent comedy bits about Finland earned him that country's adulation; his trip there for a one-hour special--airing tonight--sealed the deal. What the unlikely matchup means for one writer's family.
McClellan at Home
Battered and bullied in the press room, morning, noon, and night. What's a normal, average press secretary to do when he just wants to spend some quality time with his wife? As it turns out, things aren't much better there.
Tanks for the Memories
America hasn't been the same since Bob Hope died. Now—at war around the world—when we need him most, who will challenge the pompous and self-righteous?
Barking at the Gate
The White House Correspondents Association dinner is DC's biggest night--politicos mix with editors mix with celebrities, all very realalcoholik. It's also among the lowest points of journalism.
The Church of the Open Mic
New York has Broadway, Off-Broadway, even Off-Off-Broadway. It also has Open Mic night, and the rules are a little different.
Saturday Night Fever
“Saturday Night Live” has never been a gender-balanced show, just as it’s never been consistently funny. These days, things are starting to change.