Inside PBS Blog
Insights into PBS programming and personalities
Asking Make 'Em Laugh's Amy Sedaris
Best known for her work on Comedy Central's Strangers With Candy, actress, comedian, and author Amy Sedaris is probably not the first person that comes to mind when you think about public broadcasting. But her stint narrating Make 'Em Laugh (premiering tonight on most PBS stations) and hosting the program's exclusive online episode is actually not the first time she's been on PBS: she also made a guest appearance on Sesame Street back in 2006, playing a flustered Snow White who keeps losing her dwarves.
We asked Ms. Sedaris to answer a few questions for us while she was working on Make ‘Em Laugh, and we hope they make you laugh a little.
Best known for her work on Comedy Central's Strangers With Candy, actress, comedian, and author Amy Sedaris is probably not the first person that comes to mind when you think about public broadcasting. But her stint narrating Make 'Em Laugh (premiering tonight on most PBS stations) and hosting the program's exclusive online episode is actually not the first time she's been on PBS: she also made a guest appearance on Sesame Street back in 2006, playing a flustered Snow White who keeps losing her dwarves.
We asked Ms. Sedaris to answer a few questions for us while she was working on Make 'Em Laugh, and we hope they make you laugh a little.
What is your favorite PBS program?
I can't pick a favorite-but I will say I [looked] forward to Prime Suspect on MASTERPIECE.
What is the best joke you've ever heard?
The one I can't remember.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Stuart Little, that little mouse.
What are you thinking right now?
I think you know.
What is your theme song?
"The Streetbeater" (Sanford & Son theme) .
What is your motto?
It's better to apologize than ask permission.
What is the word or phrase you most overuse?
Fish!
What is your favorite gadget?
Green bean frencher.
Do you have any other questions you'd like to ask Amy Sedaris? Leave your questions for her in the comments, and we'll do our best to gather her responses - if she's not too busy baking cupcakes, that is.
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Question for Amy Sedaris
"Does life imitate art; or does it really mirror comedy?"
To quote Woody Allen: " LIfe
To quote Woody Allen: " LIfe doesn't imitate art; it imitates bad televison".
Crafting
I chatted with you at a booksigning a while ago. What, I wonder, is your favorite craft-beaver gift to give?
Laughing
Who makes you laugh hardest?
Strangers with Candy
Is Jerri Blank gone forever? I hope not.
make 'em laugh
I have only seen the first 2 installments..but I hope that SOME information will be included about the early burlesque scenes, and comediens, who were part and parcel of the early comedy scene in America.
susan mills
(mrs. steve mills)
Vaudeville & Burlesque
Thanks for your comment Mrs. Mills,
There is a great history of comedy section on the Make 'Em Laugh web site that you may enjoy.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/makeemlaugh/episodes/history/vaudeville-and-broa...
Amy - PBS Engage
If U Seek Amy
What female comedians/comedic personalities did you admire now or when you were growing up?
P.S. I admire you now, and while I'm still growing up.
Censorship
I just saw the episode on censorship and thought it was great.
Funny thing though, I posted a comment few days ago which, I admit, contained a very mild profanity and was removed without explanation. It also may have seemed off topic, criticizing Lord Kitchener as it did.
Do you think it is ironic that my comment, which gently poked fun at the guidelines, was removed.
Where are the truly great comedians
First, I must say that I am enjoying your "Make em Laugh"
series on PBS. One reason that I enjoy public television is that I would not see this type of series on the networks. I am a history and pop cutlure buff, and I made sure that I told my friends to watch.
One small issue that I have so far with the program. I have seen and enjoyed the first few programs in which you feature heavily on the counter-culture comedians like George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, The The Smothers Brothers, etc. Very interesting and funny,( also very angry, at times) but I would like to see you focus on the comedians who might be called the true "Legend of Comedy" like Bob Hope, argueably the greatest and most successful entertainer of all time. Hope was successful in every single medium; Vaudville, radio, stage, screen, televison and personal appearences, one of the few entertainers to do that too. He practically invented the '"stand up", machine-gun style of comedy ( you can see that style on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno) His work with the America G.I.'s for over 50 years is of course, legendary. Without a doubt, he should have a segment on your progrram
I also would like to see more of the likes of Milton Berle, the first great TV star. Uncle Miltie surely should have a segment. So should Jack Benny, Red Skelton, Johnny Carson, Jack Paar, Sid Ceasar, Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby, etc. For the most part, these comedians had no hidden agenda, political or social message. They just wanted you to laugh, laugh, laugh!
Now granted, I missed the first half-hour of the first few show, You may have feaatured some of these people. I not, please start thinking about making, "Make 'em Laugh" II.
Sincerely,
Mike LLoyd
Make 'Em Laugh
Regarding Make 'em laugh:What gives with this show, how many parts to it is there?
I thought there was at least four parts,but I haven't found more than three. I keep waiting for Harold Lloyd to be discussed,but he was barely mentioned(1st part I think),which is so unfair,considering how popular he was.
I Love You Amy!
I am a HUGE fan of Amy! She is one of the funniest women that I have ever seen. Keep making us laugh Amy.