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A CNN Original Series exploring what makes us laugh, why and how that's influenced our social and political landscape throughout history.
SEINFELD -- "The Mango" Episode 1 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes, Jerry Seinfeld as Himself (Photo by Monty Brinton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
• Gallery Gallery
Monty Brinton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Gallery Groundbreaking women in American comedy
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• Video 1:22
CNN
Video The troubled pioneer of stand-up improv comedy 1:22
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• Video 1:30
Video The news according to Johnny Carson 1:30
Phoebe Robinson
Phoebe Robinson could be your new BFF
Comedian Chris Rock speaks onstage during An Evening of Music, Art, Mischief and Performance to benefit Raising Malawi presented by Madonna at Faena Forum on December 2, 2016 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bulgari)
• Video 1:24
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Bulgari
How comedians are inspired by their kids 1:24
20180810-StandupComedy-diversity
alberto mier/cnn
Comedian: Funny isn’t just by and for white guys
Melissa Villasenor
CNN
Melissa Villaseñor’s extraordinary impersonations help her be herself
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• Video 3:16
Video How ‘SNL’ star creates celebrity impressions 3:16
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NBC/Getty Images
How Gilda Radner changed comedy and helped make ‘SNL’ a cultural treasure
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• Video 1:07
Video Gilda Radner tells how the women’s movement changed comedy 1:07
Yvonne Orji
CNN
Yvonne Orji prayed for an answer and thank God she listened
Yvonne Orji
• Video 3:38
CNN
Video Stand-up comedy still scares ‘Insecure’ actress (2018) 3:38
Cameron Esposito
• Video 3:07
CNN
Video Cameron Esposito has jokes but no apologies 3:07
Cameron Esposito
CNN
Cameron Esposito mixes hilarious and poignant with ‘Rape Jokes’
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• Video 0:42
Video She did something ‘no other woman had before’ 0:42
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• Video 0:50
Video The power of Moms Mabley 0:50
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• Video 1:18
Video How World War II changed comedy forever 1:18
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• Video 1:18
Video The single most talented performer … ever? 1:18
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• Video 1:44
NBC/Broadway Video
Larry David: ‘You can just wing it’ 1:44
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• Video 1:35
The comic genius of ‘Ren & Stimpy’ 1:35
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• Video 1:26
Gone too soon: Mitch Hedberg 1:26
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• Video 1:24
How George Carlin’s ‘filthy words’ changed America 1:24
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• Video 0:52
Mae West: A ‘History of Comedy’ pioneer 0:52
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• Video 1:36
George Lopez and Keenen Ivory Wayans back in the day 1:36
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• Video 1:23
Did Abbott and Costello write the iconic ‘Who’s on First’ routine? 1:23
A still from U.S. sitcom "Friends."
• Video 1:33
AFP/Getty Images
Classic scenes in sitcom history 1:33