# 'Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History'

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/connections-podcast-736335/funny-stuff-how-comedy-shaped-american-history
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/connections-podcast-736335/funny-stuff-how-comedy-shaped-american-history.md
Podcast: [Connections Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/connections-podcast-736335)
Published: 2026-06-15T18:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://play.prx.org/listen?ge=prx_11479_70d3f747-a292-4645-9813-b77f3c2db153&uf=https%3A%2F%2Fpublicfeeds.net%2Ff%2F11479%2Ffeed-rss.xml
Audio file: https://dovetail.prxu.org/11479/70d3f747-a292-4645-9813-b77f3c2db153/Connections-Monday-Hr2-6.15.26.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/connections-podcast-736335/episodes/funny-stuff-how-comedy-shaped-american-history
Duration seconds: 3062

## Resource

What are the some of the most culturally significant pieces of comedy in American history? A Marx Brothers film? A Carol Burnett sketch? An infamous puffy shirt? The initial question inspires further questions: what qualifies as an important reflection of our society; how well known does the material need to be; does staying power matter? From vaudeville performers to satirists like Mark Twain to sitcoms like "Seinfeld," a new book explores the way comedy shapes how we see each other as humans and as Americans. "Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History" is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the National Comedy Center. This hour, we discuss some of the best comedy of all time — and its impact — with center director Journey Gunderson. Our guest: Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center --- Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding. --- Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email , Facebook or Twitter . Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here . --- Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections .

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## Transcript

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