We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
422
December 17, 2010

Comedians of Christmas Comedy Special

The holidays are stressful so we booked a seasonal pick-me-up: an hour of comedy. Including comedians Wyatt Cenac, Mike Birbiglia, Julian McCullough, Jenny Slate, Gabe Liedman and Edith Zimmerman. Musical guests: Dave Hill and Doug Gillard.

  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript
Image by Alden Ford. From the stage at Littlefield, the club in Brooklyn where we taped the show.

Prologue

Ira Glass plays Christmas jokes told by third graders, collected by producer Jonathan Menjivar. It turns out there really aren't many holiday jokes (although see our blog post for more), but kids are happy to invent them. (5 1/2 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Jesus Has Prison

Wyatt Cenac tells this story about spreading Christmas cheer in Texas. Wyatt is a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. (13 minutes)

By

Wyatt Cenac
Act Two

Stocking Stuffers

Two very, very short stories by Edith Zimmerman. Edith is the editor of TheHairpin.com. (2 1/2 minutes)

By

Edith Zimmerman
Act Three

Little Altar Boy

Despite our nation's attempts to make Christmas all about toys and shopping, it is still a religious holiday. Mike Birbiglia tells this story about Catholicism and his mother. Mike is author of the memoir Sleepwalk With Me. (8 1/2 minutes)

By

Mike Birbiglia
Act Four

One Lord A-Leaping

Comedy duo Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate disagree about the awesomeness of Hanukkah... and about the nature of their relationship. Gabe contributes to videogum.com. Jenny appears in the HBO series Bored to Death. Together they host a comedy show in Brooklyn, NY called Big Terrific. (6 minutes)

By

Gabe Liedman
Jenny Slate
Act Five

The Fight Before Christmas

Stand-up comedian Julian McCullough tells this story about heading to someone else's home for the holidays. You can watch Julian's Comedy Central Presents special at his website, julianmccullough.com. (16 minutes)

By

Julian McCullough
Act Six

The Best Christmas Song Ever, By Dave Hill

We end our program with an original song by comedian Dave Hill. Dave is backed up on guitar by Doug Gillard of the bands Guided by Voices and Nada Surf. You can download the song here. (4 minutes)

By

Dave Hill
Listener Jokes

Holiday Cheer

We posited that there aren't that many holiday jokes. We stand corrected.
Episode Extra

Photos From Our Holiday Comedy Show

At Littlefield in Brooklyn.

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
305: The This American Life Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 23, 2005

Act Five: Christmas At Valley Forge

A brand new Christmas carol gets its world premiere: A song about both Christmas and American history.
321: Sink or Swim
Dec. 1, 2006

Act Three: If This Ark Is A Rockin', Don't Come A Knockin'

Jonathan Goldstein retells the original sink-or-swim story, the one about Noah and the flood.
482: Lights, Camera, Christmas! (2012)
Dec. 21, 2012

Act One: Christmas in 3-D

Maya Gurantz tells the story of Glenn and Laurie Mutchler, who go further than most parents to create a magical Christmas for their kids, Colin, Erica and Adam.

Staff Recommendations

View all
490
Mar. 22, 2013

Trends With Benefits

The startling rise of the number of people on disability in America.

560
July 3, 2015

Abdi and the Golden Ticket

A story about someone who's desperately trying – against long odds – to make it to the United States and become an American.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email