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Dark Side of Comedy
Dark Side of Comedy

Dark Side of Comedy

—Featuring different comics and their personal journeys while exploring the internal battles, unexpected fame and societal pressures in the comedy world.
2 seasonsDocumentary, BiographyTV-14
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  • Robin Williams' suicide shocked the world; while he was a successful comedian, he struggled privately with crushing health and psychological issues.

  • Sam Kinison revolutionizes comedy with a vulgar, sexist act, but his appetite for cocaine and chaos leads to a downfall at the height of his success.

  • Joan Rivers' insults make her a comedy icon, but the pressures of a male-dominated industry leads to eating disorders, self-loathing, and an addiction to plastic surgery.

  • Carlos Mencia was a big comic in America until accusations of joke theft led to his downfall.

  • Phil Hartman is a beloved "SNL" and "Simpsons" cast member, but his squeaky clean image is at odds with a toxic marriage that descends into a murder-suicide.

  • Tracy Morgan survived drug-dealing, hyper-competitive "SNL," and substance abuse, but a brutal car accident and two-week coma made him finally confront his childhood demons.

  • "Family Matters" is a wholesome sitcom of the 90s, but the success of the show led to issues for many cast members who still deal with trauma and addiction.

  • Ellen DeGeneres revolutionized TV with her own brand of positive humor, but behind the scenes, controversy was brewing, one that would tarnish her image.

  • Norm MacDonald becomes known for his fearless comedy, but his controversial persona conceals a gambling problem and a secret that he takes to his grave.

  • Gilda Radner was "SNL"'s first female star; but her pioneering success was plagued by trauma, eating disorders, heartbreak and cancer, all of which she turned into comedy material.

Record to Watch Later

9 episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks

    Tracy Morgan
    Family Matters
    Norm MacDonald
    Sam Kinison
    Joan Rivers
    Maria Bamford
    Robin Williams
    Gilda Radner
    Ellen DeGeneres
  • Tracy Morgan

    Tracy Morgan survived drug-dealing, hyper-competitive "SNL," and substance abuse, but a brutal car accident and two-week coma made him finally confront his childhood demons.
    Upcoming
  • Family Matters

    "Family Matters" is a wholesome sitcom of the 90s, but the success of the show led to issues for many cast members who still deal with trauma and addiction.
    Upcoming
  • Norm MacDonald

    Norm MacDonald becomes known for his fearless comedy, but his controversial persona conceals a gambling problem and a secret that he takes to his grave.
    Upcoming
  • Sam Kinison

    Sam Kinison revolutionizes comedy with a vulgar, sexist act, but his appetite for cocaine and chaos leads to a downfall at the height of his success.
    Upcoming
  • Joan Rivers

    Joan Rivers' insults make her a comedy icon, but the pressures of a male-dominated industry leads to eating disorders, self-loathing, and an addiction to plastic surgery.
    Upcoming
  • Maria Bamford

    How Maria Bamford channels her mental illness into comedy, and encourages others to do the same.
    Upcoming
Dark Side of Comedy

More about Dark Side of Comedy

Featuring different comics and their personal journeys while exploring the internal battles, unexpected fame and societal pressures in the comedy world.

Starring

Kliph Nesteroff, Melissa Melottey, Patton Oswalt

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