LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - November 24, 2008) - Hosted by Billy Crystal and narrated by Amy
Sedaris, "Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America" is a documentary
series chronicling more than a century of the funniest moments in American
entertainment. On January 13, Rhino Entertainment (
www.rhinorecords.com)
will release the six-hour series as a three-DVD collection available for a
suggested list price of $34.95. Recorded in high definition, the set also
includes exclusive bonus footage. The following day, January 14, and for
the following two Wednesdays, the series will premiere on PBS; check local
listings for exact broadcast times.
Produced by Thirteen/WNET and Ghost Light Films, in association with Rhino
Entertainment and BBC, "Make 'Em Laugh" is produced and directed by Michael
Kantor and cowritten by Kantor and Laurence Maslon. It melds performances,
biographical portraits, and American history to illustrate how comedy has
mirrored the political and social changes in American society. Each
hour-long episode focuses on a different genre of comedy, from slapstick
and satire to stand-up and sitcoms.
"Make 'Em Laugh" compiles the most popular routines, the most ingenious
physical shtick, the snappiest wisecracks, and the most incisive, biting
satirical jokes to have come out of American culture. The list of
influential comedic talent featured and/or interviewed for the series
includes: Charlie Chaplin, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Sid
Caesar, Judd Apatow, Woody Allen, Larry Wilmore, George Carlin, Richard
Pryor, Richard Lewis, Jon Stewart, and many others.
Episode titles include: "Would Ya Hit A Guy With Glasses?: Nerds, Jerks &
Oddballs"; "Slip On A Banana Peel: The Knockabouts"; "Sock it to Me?:
Satire and Parody"; "When I'm Bad, I'm Better: The Groundbreakers"; "Never
Give A Sucker An Even Break: The Wiseguys" and "Honey, I'm Home!:
Breadwinners and Homemakers." The DVD extras feature interviews with
comedians discussing comedy, including Roseanne Barr on sitcoms versus
stand-up; James L. Brooks on "The Simpsons"; Carol Burnett on Lucille Ball;
Joan Rivers on Bill Cosby; Cheech Marin on Lenny Bruce; as well as
appearances by George Carlin, Richard Lewis, and more.
For further information regarding "Make 'Em Laugh" DVD, please contact
Christoph Buerger in the Rhino Records Media Relations Department at (818)
238-6248 or
christoph.buerger@wmg.com.
DVD 1:
Episode One: Would Ya Hit A Guy With Glasses? Nerds, Jerks & Oddballs
*Includes Bonus Content
Episode Two: Honey I'm Home! Breadwinners and Homemakers
*Includes Bonus Content
DVD 2:
Episode Three: Slip On A Banana Peel -- The Knockabouts
*Includes Bonus Content
Episode Four: When I'm Bad, I'm Better -- The Groundbreakers
*Includes Bonus Content
DVD 3:
Episode Five: Never Give A Sucker An Even Break -- The Wiseguys
*Includes Bonus Content
Episode Six: Sock It To Me? -- Satire and Parody
*Includes Bonus Content
Contact Information: DVD CONTACT:
CHRISTOPH BUERGER
PHONE: (818) 238-6248
EMAIL:
ARTWORK: www.rhino.com/media
FOR THE PBS BROADCAST:
LYNNE HOPPE
THIRTEEN/WNET
PHONE: 212-560-3025
EMAIL:
LISA BATCHELDER
THIRTEEN/WNET
PHONE: 212-560-2074
EMAIL: