The History of Comedy Season 1 Episode 6 One Nation, Under Comedy

In season 1, episode 6 of The History of Comedy, titled "One Nation, Under Comedy," viewers are taken on a journey through the history of political satire in American comedy. From the early days of satire in colonial America to the present day, the episode explores how comedians have used their craft to comment on politics and government.

The episode begins by examining the work of early political satirists like Benjamin Franklin, who used his wit to skewer British rule in America. The episode then moves on to the 20th century, when political satire became a staple of American comedy. The episode features interviews with comedians like Dick Gregory, who discusses his groundbreaking work as a Black comedian in the 1960s, and Jon Stewart, who talks about how The Daily Show became a source of news and commentary for a whole generation of viewers.

The episode also examines the role of political satire in times of crisis, like the aftermath of the September 11th attacks and the Trump presidency. Comedians like Stephen Colbert and Samantha Bee discuss how they use humor to address the political climate and cope with their own feelings of anger and despair.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to clips from classic political comedy shows like Saturday Night Live and The Colbert Report, as well as interviews with contemporary comedians like Hasan Minhaj and Michelle Wolf. Overall, "One Nation, Under Comedy" is a fascinating exploration of the power of humor to communicate truth and challenge authority.