Comedy

Maysoon Zayid. Brown woman in grey patterned dress with black hair smiles in front of black-and-white photos of comedians on brown wood wall above black siding
Sameer Rao  Oct 29, 2018 5:11PM EDT

Maysoon Zayid Uses Comedy to Fight Ableism and Islamophobia

“I want to get out there and be the image of the American you don’t think is American, and the Muslim you don’t think of when you think of a Muslim.”
Black man in grey suit with light blue shirt and navy tie hold black microphone in front of red curtain
Sameer Rao  Mar 3, 2017 11:16AM EST

Two Dave Chappelle Stand-up Specials Will Hit Netflix March 21

The comedian signed a three-special deal with the company soon after his “Saturday Night “Live” episode last November.
Black man with black afro in black jacket and blue-and-red-dotted shirt against gold background
Sameer Rao  Jan 26, 2017 11:05AM EST

ABC Orders Pilot for Daveed Diggs-Produced Comedy on Rapper-Turned-Mayor

The still-untitled project focuses on a rapper who successfully runs for mayor as a publicity stunt. 
Black woman in light pink shirt and brown-grey cardigan holding black microphone against purple background; Black woman in white t-shirt and light pink blazer holding black microphone against blue light background
Sameer Rao  Jan 18, 2017 2:19PM EST

ABC Developing Comedy From Zainab Johnson, Wanda Sykes

The still-untitled project focuses on a Muslim model forced to move in with her brothers.
Black man in black leather jacket with white shirt against orange-yellow background; Black man in black suit with white shirt and black tie against white background
Sameer Rao  Jan 10, 2017 10:39AM EST

Showtime Greenlights Jamie Foxx-Created Jay Pharoah Vehicle, 'White Famous'

The half-hour comedy series is based on Foxx’s experiences rising through the entertainment ranks.
Brown woman in blue cardigan, multicolored dress and black jeans near black stool against black background
Sameer Rao  Dec 15, 2016 2:25PM EST

Aparna Nancherla Implores Fellow Comedians to Move Beyond Easy Trump Jokes

“As comedians, it is up to us to overturn and shake and deconstruct and weigh every system that governs life,” the comedian wrote in a new Village Voice essay.
Kenrya Rankin  Nov 21, 2016 3:49PM EST

Dave Chappelle to Release 3 Comedy Specials Via Netflix

The stand-up specials will stream in 2017.
Black woman in multi-colored cardigan and white t-shirt with orange and black logo, holding black clipboard
Sameer Rao  Oct 11, 2016 10:24AM EDT

Watch the First Episode of Issa Rae's 'Insecure' for Free

The “Awkward Black Girl” creator’s HBO comedy officially debuted on Sunday. For those without HBO, Rae made the first episode available for free via her YouTube page.
Jay Pharoah in black t-shirt on stage with purple-hued background
Sameer Rao  Aug 12, 2016 12:58PM EDT

Jay Pharoah Aims to Get 'White Famous' in Upcoming Showtime Series

The actor and comedian, who suddenly departed from “Saturday Night Live” earlier this week, will star in the comedy series as a comedian balancing autheniticity with skyrocketing fame.
Man in light blue shirt with brown city buildings in background and white text in foreground
Sameer Rao  Aug 11, 2016 6:00AM EDT

Web Series Finds Comedy in Washington Heights' Gentrification Woes

The team behind “Guap” took to Kickstarter to fund the series’ pilot.
Donald Glover in black t-shirt against blue-gray background
Sameer Rao  Aug 10, 2016 3:07PM EDT

Donald Glover's 'Atlanta' Aims to Depict 'How It Feels To Be Black'

The multihyphenate’s surrealist FX show premieres on September 6.
Issa Rae in multicolored cardigan sweater
Sameer Rao  Jun 24, 2016 1:50PM EDT

WATCH: Hilarious, Too Real Debut Teaser for Issa Rae's 'Insecure'

The “Awkward Black Girl” creator and star’s new series premieres on HBO this fall.
Comedian Hari Kondabolu in brown shirt with purple/pink background
Sameer Rao  Jun 2, 2016 10:47AM EDT

WATCH: Hari Kondabolu Discusses Iconic 'Roots' Scene in This Smart Joke

With the History Channel’s ”Roots” reboot airing this week, the timing of this new video couldn’t be more appropriate.
Sameer Rao  May 11, 2016 3:31PM EDT

TruTV Greenlights Feature-Length Documentary and Pilot From Hari Kondabolu

The documentary will focus on “Apu,” a controversial character from “The Simpsons.”
Sameer Rao  Apr 20, 2016 5:54PM EDT

W. Kamau Bell Shows Us How to Fight Hate, One Awkward Conversation at a Time

With a new CNN docu-series, “United Shades of America,” and Showtime stand-up special, “Semi-Prominent Negro,” Bell continues to serve up his unique brand of race talk through the lens of never-mean jokes.
Sameer Rao  Apr 4, 2016 1:44PM EDT

'Breaking' Presents: Dwayne Kennedy, a Seasoned Comedian Emerging From the Trenches

Kennedy, whose work spans nearly three decades, released his first live stand-up album, “Oh No, It’s Dwayne Kennedy!” in February.
Sameer Rao  Mar 9, 2016 6:17PM EST

Comedian Wyatt Cenac Talks New Projects, Painful Jokes and Being the Only Black Guy in the Room

The former “Daily Show” correspondent and writer’s got a new stand-up album, two new TV shows, and plenty to say about showbiz racism and power. 
Sameer Rao  Feb 26, 2016 11:38AM EST

#FundraiserFriday: This Comic's Dying Wish? To Film a Comedy Special

Quincy Jones hustles for stage time, even as he deals with the intensity of chemotherapy. 
Sameer Rao  Feb 15, 2016 4:19PM EST

A Chat With the Creators of 'White Flight,' The Hilarious Web Series You Should Be Watching

Matt Braunger and Kevin Avery’s web series imagines America in 2042, when White people are the minority.
Sameer Rao  Feb 11, 2016 12:34PM EST

New FOX Pilot to Star Nasim Pedrad as a Teenage Boy

Pedrad, who is Iranian-American, is an “Saturday Night Live” alumna.