Make ‘Em Laugh, The Funny Business of America (PBS video and live preview in NYC)

On Jan. 14, 2009, PBS debuts a six-hour documentary look at the funny business in America called Make 'Em Laugh, hosted by Billy Crystal and narrated by Amy Sedaris. But you can get more than a live preview of the series this coming Sunday, Dec. 7, at the 92nd Street Y in New York CIty — Sedaris will join the documentary's writer/director/producer, Michael Kantor, co-writer Laurence Maslon, and comedian Richard Belzer for a discussion about what America laughs at and why and show clips from the upcoming series. Tickets for that panel are $27 (call 212-415-5500 or go to www.92y.org).

If you'd like to see why PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer is not hosting the documentary, watch this 30-second promo for the series (note: having talked to Lehrer before, I must add that the longtime newsman does have a sailor's salty way with language off-air that could lend itself to comedy, maybe, someday, or not).

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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