What do you think?
Rate this book
Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26The Smithsonian Institution and the National Comedy Center hold unparalleled collections of objects that illustrate the vitality and importance of comedy in American life, from 19th century vaudeville, minstrel, and puppet shows to stand-up comedians, television satire, and internet memes. Now, for the first time, these incredible collections will be shown in vibrant photographs and illuminating essays that tell the story of how comedy shaped American history.
This accessible, comprehensive history—written by historians from Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Comedy Center—transports readers behind the scenes to see beloved and rarely exhibited artifacts while learning the stories of famous, infamous, and unknown comics and their influence on the nation’s culture. Perfect for comedy fans, pop culture aficionados, history lovers, and anyone who has ever laughed at a viral video, this dynamic work offers a new perspective on American history and who we are as a nation through the lens of comedy.
This accessible, comprehensive history—written by historians from Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Comedy Center—transports readers behind the scenes to see beloved and rarely exhibited artifacts while learning the stories of famous, infamous, and unknown comics and their influence on the nation’s culture. Perfect for comedy fans, pop culture aficionados, history lovers, and anyone who has ever laughed at a viral video, this dynamic work offers a new perspective on American history and who we are as a nation through the lens of comedy.
358 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 12, 2026
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Edited by Laura LaPlaca and Ryan Lintelman, with a Foreword by Mel Brooks, Funny Stuff How Comedy Shaped American History, Rutgers University Press, May 2026.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
A wealth of information is encapsulated in this absorbing narrative with its accessible prose and an occasional comic moment brought to life, which gives ‘funny stuff’ its place in American history. The foreword which introduces the themes, which are then recounted in detail in the many articles that follow, is descriptive, enlightening, and engaging. In addition, it introduces many of the characters and manifestations of the comic works that follow in the detailed pieces, giving characters, ideas, and events some familiarity. Of course, many of them are recognisable from experience – for me, the Marx Brothers and Seinfeld in particular, and who has not at least heard of I Love Lucy or the Muppets? The book works well in covering a plethora of comedy types some historical, familiar, some new. In addition to the expected figures, Joe Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, George H. Bush, and George W. Bush appear. Where does the feminist Helen Gurley Brown fit? Or The Feminist Mystique and Betty Freidan? Social Commentary? And historical events?
Some of the material will strike a chord; other themes will be newly enlightening. Readers will probably recall at least some of the comedy events, characters and television series or films. However, one appeal of this collection of essays with its excellent foreword is in its fresh perspectives on the role of comedy and American history. As well, most readers will enjoy the opportunity to become immersed in new aspects of the comedy with which they are familiar - the wide world that makes up American ‘funny stuff.’
Chapter headings such as Comedy Shapes How We See Each Other, Comedy Creates American Identity, Comedy Provokes Conversations, Comedy Breaks the Mold, are enticing, and the material within them lives up to the expectations they raise. There is enough comedy amongst the insightful social commentary and discussion of what comedy does and has done in American history to keep the seeker of information about that field content. For those who want to place comedy in a social and political context the interpretation and analysis is ideal.
Short descriptions of the contributors, describing their work and roles at the Smithsonian or in relevant fields, notes for each chapter, an index, and a list of illustrations (they are fascinating) complete a thoroughly satisfying examination of comedy and American history.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
A wealth of information is encapsulated in this absorbing narrative with its accessible prose and an occasional comic moment brought to life, which gives ‘funny stuff’ its place in American history. The foreword which introduces the themes, which are then recounted in detail in the many articles that follow, is descriptive, enlightening, and engaging. In addition, it introduces many of the characters and manifestations of the comic works that follow in the detailed pieces, giving characters, ideas, and events some familiarity. Of course, many of them are recognisable from experience – for me, the Marx Brothers and Seinfeld in particular, and who has not at least heard of I Love Lucy or the Muppets? The book works well in covering a plethora of comedy types some historical, familiar, some new. In addition to the expected figures, Joe Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, George H. Bush, and George W. Bush appear. Where does the feminist Helen Gurley Brown fit? Or The Feminist Mystique and Betty Freidan? Social Commentary? And historical events?
Some of the material will strike a chord; other themes will be newly enlightening. Readers will probably recall at least some of the comedy events, characters and television series or films. However, one appeal of this collection of essays with its excellent foreword is in its fresh perspectives on the role of comedy and American history. As well, most readers will enjoy the opportunity to become immersed in new aspects of the comedy with which they are familiar - the wide world that makes up American ‘funny stuff.’
Chapter headings such as Comedy Shapes How We See Each Other, Comedy Creates American Identity, Comedy Provokes Conversations, Comedy Breaks the Mold, are enticing, and the material within them lives up to the expectations they raise. There is enough comedy amongst the insightful social commentary and discussion of what comedy does and has done in American history to keep the seeker of information about that field content. For those who want to place comedy in a social and political context the interpretation and analysis is ideal.
Short descriptions of the contributors, describing their work and roles at the Smithsonian or in relevant fields, notes for each chapter, an index, and a list of illustrations (they are fascinating) complete a thoroughly satisfying examination of comedy and American history.
November 18, 2025
As the subtitle suggests, this book explores the nexus between American History and comedy across many, varied media (i.e. writing, theater, standup, improv, radio, television, movies, etc.) It's an interesting book, but I don't know that it has the right title. Considering the title, a reader might expect a fuller coverage of American History, drawing on whatever humorous outlets existed at the time (e.g. op-eds and satirical articles.) This book is more of a history of comedic content in the US with a substantial discussion of how comedy addressed / participated in changing views on sex, race, and sexuality and with occasional mention of how comedy was involved in other social issues, such as changing views on free speech and expression. You're not going to learn how comedic writers addressed Smoot-Hawley or the Sinking of the Maine. (i.e. The book leads with comedic content and leans the discussion toward societal influence [rarely toward policy influence.] It does not lead with historical events and draw on appropriate comedic content.)
The book covers a lot of the same ground as Kliph Nesteroff's The Comedians, though with quite different emphases. Nesteroff focuses on the gritty underside of comedy and the oft unseen dark side of comedians, while this book focuses on comedy as a factor in changing views on race and sex [as well as on the changing technological outlets for comedy.] Funny Stuff does spend a little more time on pre-20th century America than does Nesteroff, but not much more. Both books are heavily weighted toward the late 20th century to present. To be fair, there is much more volume of comedic output in this period. (That said, there were artists I expected coverage of, e.g. Josh Billings, that weren't included. That's where the book seems more like a history of comedy and its varied outlets.)
If you're interested in the development of comedy in America, and its influence on social issues -- most extensively attitudes towards race -- I'd recommend this book.
The book covers a lot of the same ground as Kliph Nesteroff's The Comedians, though with quite different emphases. Nesteroff focuses on the gritty underside of comedy and the oft unseen dark side of comedians, while this book focuses on comedy as a factor in changing views on race and sex [as well as on the changing technological outlets for comedy.] Funny Stuff does spend a little more time on pre-20th century America than does Nesteroff, but not much more. Both books are heavily weighted toward the late 20th century to present. To be fair, there is much more volume of comedic output in this period. (That said, there were artists I expected coverage of, e.g. Josh Billings, that weren't included. That's where the book seems more like a history of comedy and its varied outlets.)
If you're interested in the development of comedy in America, and its influence on social issues -- most extensively attitudes towards race -- I'd recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The subtitle, How Comedy Shaped American History, is a bit of a misnomer since the book really shows how comedy and American history shaped each other; I suppose that's not as catchy a title.
The book is composed of many short essays on a plethora of comedic content and its intersection with history, and is liberally illustrated with photos.
Be aware that this is not a book to make you laugh: it is a history book about the serious business of comedy. I would recommend it for people interested specifically in the history of comedy and who are interested in niche topics of American history.
Three and a half stars.
Received via NetGalley.
The book is composed of many short essays on a plethora of comedic content and its intersection with history, and is liberally illustrated with photos.
Be aware that this is not a book to make you laugh: it is a history book about the serious business of comedy. I would recommend it for people interested specifically in the history of comedy and who are interested in niche topics of American history.
Three and a half stars.
Received via NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews