Sky sets air date for The History Of Comedy | Eight-part series kicks off with female comics

Sky sets air date for The History Of Comedy

Eight-part series kicks off with female comics

Sky Arts has announced a launch date for American TV series The History Of Comedy.

The eight-part documentary originally aired on the CNN news channel in the States in February – and will now be coming to the UK from October 12.

Each episode tackles a different theme, with the first devoted to female comics and featuring the likes of Kathy Griffin, Betty White and Sarah Silverman.

This was actually episode two when the series originally aired, following an episode about ribaldry and raunchiness in stand-up.

Other episodes look at political humour, comedy drawn from real life, and the psychology of the tormented comics such as  Robin Williams, exploring the ‘tears of a clown’  image.

When The History of Comedy launched, the New York Times praised its ‘wealth of vintage clips’– which it combines with contemporary interviews with comedy legends such as Patton Oswalt, Carol Burnett and Larry David ‘to find out how comedians’ minds work’.

Those interviewed include  Judd Apatow, Samantha Bee, Jimmy Kimmel and Patton Oswal

Episode one airs at 9pm on October 12, and will then be available via NOW TV.

Published: 20 Sep 2017

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