History of the Joke

• 2008
• Documentary, Comedy
• TVPG

• Watchlist

Comedian Lewis Black explores the elements of a great joke by examining examples from prominent comics, including George Carlin, Shelley Berman, Robin Williams, Robert Klein, Kathleen Madigan, Penn and Teller, Kathy Griffin, and Dave Attell; and interviewing rising comics. Among the topics are why comedians choose their field; improv; dirty jokes; and truth in comedy.