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Seg. 1: The Jokes Show. Seg. 2: Bibliofiles: Humor

Segment 1: If laughter is the best medicine, can a doctor write a prescription for a joke? 

In this conversation, we break down what makes a successful joke, and invite listeners to share a few wisecracks.

  • Dan Margolies, pun enthusiast, KCUR's health and legal affairs editor
  • Ameerah Sanders, stand-up comedian


Segment 2, beginning at 18:49: Books that tickle the funny bone.

The Ancient Greeks say comedy is one of the two pillars of storytelling; humor is still a big part of literature today. The Bibliofiles run through their list of recommendations of books that will make you LOL.

Kaite Stover

  • "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
  • "Honey, Hush: An Anthology of African American Women's Humor" edited by Daryl Cumber Dance
  • "Last Cattle Drive" by Robert Day
  • "New Hampshire" by Keith Jennison
  • "Bosspyants" by Tina Fe

Jeffrey Ann Goudie

  • "Today Will Be Different" by Maria Semple
  • "Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York" by Roz Chast
  • "Where'd You Go Bernadette" by Maria Semple

Mark Luce

  • "Naked" by David Sedaris
  • "Persuasion" by Jane Austen
  • "Mr. Phillips" by John Lanchester
  • "Veeck" as in Wreck by Bill Veeck
  • "Florida Road Kill" by Tim Dorsey


KCUR staff recommendations:

Matthew Long-Middleton

  • "Code of the Woosters" by P.G. Wodehouse

Dan Margolies

  • "Right Ho, Jeeves" by P.G. Wodehouse
  • Just about anything by David Sedaris

Michael Byars

  • "The Definitive Biography of P.D.Q. Bach" by Peter Schickele

Linda Sher

  • "Born A Crime" by Trevor Noah
  • "Just The Funny Parts" by Nell Scovell

Melody Rowell

  • "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by Mindy Kaling

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Gina’s background combines print and broadcast journalism, live event hosting and production, creative nonfiction writing and involvement in the arts. Early in her career, she followed a cultural beat for The Pitch, where she served as an editor and art writer in the early 2000s.
Melody Rowell