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Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America is a series of six one-hour episodes chronicling over 100 years of the funniest moments in the history of entertainment.  The series features the most popular routines, the most ingenious physical shtick, the snappiest wisecracks and the most incisive, biting satirical jokes to have come out of American culture. By melding comedy performances with biography and comedic history, it promises to both entertain and educate while exploring what has made people laugh, and why.

Each hour-long episode focuses on a different theme based on a uniquely American type of comedy and explores how comedy has mirrored American society via ethnic, gender and race relations, politics, mores and taboos. Exclusive interviews with comedians, writers and producers provide invaluable perspectives on American comedy, and those who created it.

Make ‘Em Laugh includes interviews with dozens of America’s favorite performers, including Sid Caesar, George Carlin, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Mort Sahl, the Smothers Brothers, Cheech Marin, Phyllis Diller, Carol Burnett, Robert Klein, Steve Martin, Jeff Foxworthy, Joan Rivers and Roseanne Barr.  Humorous, provocative, insightful, and compelling, Make ‘Em Laugh re-acquaints millions of viewers with the funny moments they have long cherished, while introducing new generations to some of the most daring pioneers in American cultural history.

Episode 1:    Would Ya Hit a Guy with Glasses? — Nerds, Jerks and Oddballs
Episode 2:    Honey, I’m Home! — Breadwinners and Homemakers
Episode 3:    Slip on a Banana Peel — The Knockabouts
Episode 4:    When I’m Bad, I’m Better — The Groundbreakers
Episode 5:    Never Give a Sucker An Even Break — The Wiseguys
Episode 6:    Sock It to Me? — Satire and Parody

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