logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
27m 9s

What Makes A Good Race Joke?

NPR
About this episode
When a comedian of color makes a joke, is it always about race, even if it's not about race? Code Switch talks to comedians Aparna Nancherla, Brian Bahe and Maz Jobrani about how and why race makes an appearance in their jokes. Plus, one of our own reveals her early-career dabbling in comedy.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Aug 20
How Trump's D.C. takeover criminalizes homelessness
On August 11, President Trump announced his intention to "rescue" the nation's capital. A central feature of his plan involved using federal officials to remove people experiencing homelessness from the city — people that he listed alongside "violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals ... Show More
39m 27s
Aug 13
Statelessness, but make it funny
Mo Amer is the creator and star of the hit Netflix comedy series Mo. It's a first-of-its kind Palestinian-American sitcom with a fraught plot line about the American immigration system and the hope to return, at least for a visit, to his family's homeland. We talk to Mo Amer what ... Show More
30m 42s
Aug 5
Hot weather kills. Who gets protected?
The heat disproportionately kills poor, elderly and people of color. So on this episode we're focusing on the lives of those impacted, from roofers in Florida to prisoners who live and die in cells that feel more like ovens in Texas. We’re asking why so many people are dying from ... Show More
32 m
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2015
Episode 12: Humor
This week on Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam looks at what we find funny and what, well, crosses the line. Comedian Bill Burr joins us to talk about why race, gender and Caitlin Jenner can be so funny. 
19m 33s
Mar 2022
Comedian SUED Over Jokes: Vir Das
0:00 -start 9:00 - Marvel is just Bollywood movies for Americans 13:30 - When Vir started doing stand up in India 19:30 - Why comics are going to JAIL for jokes 56:30 - where does comedy go in India in the future? 1:09:16 - on a flight where someone has died 1:30:00 - American Ca ... Show More
1h 45m
Nov 2021
What Makes a Joke Offensive
Dave Chappelle's new Netflix special "The Closer" unleashed a cultural firestorm over transgender comments. Is it offensive? What makes a joke offensive? Comedian Jeff Maurer joins to discuss. Friday Release Valve (comedy podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friday-rele ... Show More
1h 11m
Dec 2020
John Mulaney visited by the Secret Service?
Dave Chappelle has Youtube's Top Trending video of 2000. Jamie Masada of the Laugh Factory says one could tell Chappelle had talent as soon as he walked on stage. John Mulaney told Jimmy Kimmel a story about being visited by a government service that is secret. I point out Mulane ... Show More
6m 52s
Mar 2022
Episode 1318 - Guy Torry
Comedian Guy Torry spent 13 years creating and running the most famous all-black comedy night in America at The Comedy Store. And now Guy just spent another 13 years making a documentary about that influential weekly comedy show, Phat Tuesdays. Guy and Marc talk about the limited ... Show More
1h 34m
Aug 2018
Race
Yamaneika Saunders joins the crew. They talk race, Rachel Dolezal, and how everyone’s a little bit racist. They also play Black History with Keith and Pound It or Pass on Loni Anderson (back in the day and now). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
38 m
May 2022
Curry and The Goat (Ft. Andre D Thompson)
**Please excuse the audio issues this week we had a mic go bad during recording** This week the Brilliant Idiots had special guest and comedian Andre Thompson, with the first discussion speaking on the difference between fat people and being plus size, after Schulz announced his ... Show More
1h 44m
Sep 2016
Color Contrast
THU 9/8 - Comedian Gary Owen stops by The Breakfast Club to talk about his new reality show on BET (yes, Black Entertainment Television), how he handles today's racial climate with a multi-racial family, why he had to readjust his stance on the Kaepernick-Flag fiasco and why he t ... Show More
1h 11m
Aug 2016
Race Matters. It’s Time to Listen.
What is Race/Related? Editors Marc Lacey and Damien Cave and reporter Rachel Swarns discuss a new Times newsletter on racial issues. Susan Lehman is host. 
19m 35s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami