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A LANDMARK YEAR FOR COMEDY IN JAMESTOWN
There is no place quite like Jamestown, New York. Home to the National Comedy Center, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, and the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, the city offers an experience unlike any other for comedy fans. In 2026, that story reaches new milestones as Jamestown celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, the 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy, and the 30th
anniversary of the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.
It has been an extraordinary year for the National Comedy Center. Named the nation’s #1 Best Pop Culture Museum by USA Today readers, the Center continues to strengthen its role as the country’s official cultural institution dedicated to comedy. Just weeks ago, comedy legend Mel Brooks selected the National Comedy Center as the home for his career archive, adding one of the most significant collections in entertainment history to the museum’s ever-growing archive preserving the artists, stories, and creative legacies that helped shape comedy and America itself.
That same spirit of preservation is reflected in the National Comedy Center’s new book, Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History. Co-edited by the Center’s Vice President of Archives, Dr. Laura LaPlaca, and featuring a foreword by Mel Brooks, it brings together, for the first time, artifacts and stories from the collections of the National Comedy Center and the Smithsonian Institution, revealing comedy’s enduring influence on American life and culture.
The National Comedy Center is also demonstrating comedy’s impact beyond the stage. Its free monthly Memory Café program, designed for individuals living with memory loss, caregivers, and loved ones, earned two Gold Anthem Awards,
an international honor recognizing excellence in social impact and community engagement. Through comedy, the program sparks memories, builds community, and creates meaningful moments for participants and their families.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy, the groundbreaking television series that forever changed the landscape of comedy and popular culture. Premiering in 1951, the show redefined the television sitcom, pioneered production techniques still used today, and inspired generations of comedians, writers, and performers. Visitors can experience that legacy at the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival continues to welcome some of comedy’s most celebrated performers to Jamestown. Jerry Seinfeld returns for the first time since performing during the National Comedy Center’s groundbreaking celebration weekend in 2015. He is joined by Bert Kreischer, one of comedy’s most successful touring comedians, Seth Meyers, the Emmy Award-winning host of NBC’s Late Night, and acclaimed comedian, writer, and producer Carol Leifer. Together with stand-up showcases, late-night comedy, and dozens of additional events, this year’s festival celebrates the remarkable breadth, creativity, and influence of today’s comedy landscape. Beyond the live performances, the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum invite visitors to explore comedy’s remarkable story through immersive exhibits, rare artifacts, interactive experiences, and the lives and careers of the performers who transformed American entertainment. With new exhibits, expanding collections, and fresh experiences added throughout the year, every visit offers something new to discover.
Whether you’re visiting for the festival, the museums, or both, 2026 offers a remarkable opportunity to experience comedy’s past, present, and future in the hometown of Lucille Ball. If it’s been a while since your last visit – or even if you were here just last year – we invite you to come back and experience what’s new.
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LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL RETURNS BIGGER THAN EVER
SEINFELD, KREISCHER & MEYERS HEADLINE 35TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION FEATURING MORE THAN 50 LIVE EVENTS ACROSS FOUR DAYS
For 35 years, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival has brought the biggest names in comedy to Lucille Ball’s hometown. This summer, the festival reaches a new milestone with its biggest lineup yet, welcoming Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer and Seth Meyers to headline more than 50 live events across four days in Jamestown.
Returning Aug. 6–9, the festival once again transforms downtown Jamestown into one of the country’s premier destinations for comedy fans. Five major theater and arena performances anchor the weekend, complemented by standup showcases, Comedy Late Night, foutdoor block parties, live music, Lucy celebration events, museum experiences and family activities that together create an unforgettable celebration of comedy’s greatest voices—past, present and future.
Drawing more than 15,000 ticket buyers from over 40 states each year, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival has evolved into one of the nation’s premier comedy events. Anchored by the National Comedy Center—recently named the #1 Best Pop Culture Museum in the Country by USA Today—and the Lucy Desi Museum, the festival offers visitors a one-of-akind opportunity to experience today’s biggest comedy stars while exploring the history of the art form in Lucille Ball’s hometown.
This year’s festival also arrives during a landmark year as fans celebrate the 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy, the groundbreaking television series that forever changed television comedy and introduced generations of viewers to one of the most beloved comedians of all time.
Festival headlining performances include:
• Thursday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m. – Jerry Seinfeld (Northwest Arena)
• Thursday, Aug. 6, 2 p.m – Carol Leifer in Conversation (National Comedy Center)
• Friday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m. – Stand-Up Showcase (Reg Lenna Center for The Arts)
“The National Comedy Center’s museum and archive were established to celebrate the art form’s distinct voices and contributions throughout time, and this year’s festival brings together artists who represent distinct approaches to the craft. I love that audiences can experience the best of live comedy while connecting it to the larger story we preserve and share every day in Jamestown,” said Journey Gunderson, Executive Director.
“Our festival has grown into one of the premier comedy events in the country, and this year’s lineup reflects that momentum,” said Malachi Livermore, Vice President of Programming & Guest Experiences. “With three of today’s top artists and an expanded slate of performances across the city, anchored by the award-winning museum, the multi-day experience brings audiences closer to comedy’s biggest stars and rising talent.”
Seinfeld Takes Center Stage
Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy career took off after his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1981. Eight years later, he teamed up with fellow comedian Larry David to create what was to become the most successful comedy series in the history of television: Seinfeld. The show ran on NBC for nine seasons, winning numerous Emmys, Golden Globes and People’s Choice awards, was named the greatest television show of all time in 2009 by TV Guide, and in 2012 was identified as the best sitcom ever in a 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll.
His latest Emmy-nominated Netflix projects include Jerry Before Seinfeld and 23 Hours to Kill, along with the highly acclaimed web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Seinfeld has also starred in, written and produced films (Comedian, Bee Movie), directed and produced a Broadway hit (Colin Quinn: Long Story Short), and written three best-selling books (Is This Anything?, The Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book and Seinlanguage) and a children’s book (Halloween). He stars in the Emmy-nominated comedy film Unfrosted, which he directed, co-wrote and produced.
Seinfeld continues to perform nationally and internationally and returns to Jamestown for the first time since his acclaimed appearance at the 2015 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.
Kreischer Brings the Party
Bert Kreischer’s career has evolved from Rolling Stone’s infamous “Number One Partier in the Nation” to one of the top-grossing stand-up comedians in the world—and a powerhouse entrepreneur, actor, producer, content creator and entertainment brand. Named by Forbes as “one of the best storytellers of his generation,” Kreischer has parlayed his signature comedy and authenticity into a dynamic media empire.
His sixth Netflix special, Lucky, premiered in Netflix’s “Top 10 Most Watched TV Shows” in March 2025. Through Berty Boy Productions, Kreischer oversees hit podcasts and series including Bertcast, Something’s Burning and 2 Bears, 1 Cave (with Tom Segura), commanding more than 16 million fans and four billion impressions. He also founded the Fully Loaded Comedy Festival, a touring juggernaut that’s expanded to stadiums, arenas and sold-out cruises.
Kreischer’s Netflix scripted comedy series Free Bert debuted in January 2026 and quickly broke into Netflix’s U.S. and global Top 10. His Permission to Party World Tour continues to blend comedy, business and culture into one of the most recognizable personal brands in entertainment today. Festival audiences will have two opportunities to experience Kreischer live with performances at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Seth Meyers: From Late Night to Jamestown
Seth Meyers is an Emmy Award-winning writer, New York Times bestselling author and host of NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers since 2014. Meyers began his television career with Saturday Night Live in 2001, where he was a cast member for 13 seasons. He served as head writer for nine seasons and anchor of “Weekend Update” for eight. He has released two critically acclaimed stand-up specials to date, Lobby Baby (Netflix) and Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking (HBO Max). In all, Meyers has garnered 35 Emmy nominations for his work in television.
In addition to his onscreen success, Meyers is a New York Times bestselling author, having published his first picture book, I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared, in 2022. He currently co-hosts two podcasts, Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers, alongside his brother Josh Meyers, and The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast, with Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone.
Meyers performs stand-up to sold-out crowds across the country and co-headlines a monthly residency with John Oliver at the Beacon Theatre in New York.
Emmy and Golden Globe-Winning Comedian and Writer Carol Leifer
The festival will also welcome one of television comedy’s most accomplished creative voices. Carol Leifer—comedian, producer and Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning writer—will appear in conversation with comedian, writer, actor and producer Emmy Blotnick on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. at the National Comedy Center.
An eight-time Emmy nominee, Leifer received her latest
nomination just this past week for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for the 97th Academy Awards, bringing her career total to eight Emmy nominations, including one win. Her groundbreaking career has helped shape modern comedy through writing credits that include Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Saturday Night Live, Modern Family and the Emmy-winning Hacks. She has written for the Academy Awards 12 times—more than any other female writer—and is also the co-author of How to Write a Funny Speech: For a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation and Every Other Event You Didn’t Want to Go to in the First Place. From stand-up stages to some of television’s most celebrated comedies, Leifer remains one of the industry’s most influential creative voices.
Over 50 Live Events
Beyond the headlining performances, the festival’s Friday Night Stand-Up Showcase and Comedy Late Night feature an exciting mix of nationally touring comedians and rising stars, giving audiences the chance to discover some of comedy’s freshest voices alongside the festival’s marquee performers.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy free outdoor block parties, live music and special programming inside the National Comedy Center, including exclusive experiences that explore the art and history of comedy. Guests can experience special archive encounters, attend presentations on comedy history, take guided museum tours, and participate in interactive workshops for kids and families—all designed to offer a deeper appreciation for the comedic craft.
The festival also features I Love Lucy celebration events, LucyTown tours, and themed lunches and dinners at Ricky Ricardo’s Tropicana Club, the re-creation of the iconic nightclub from I Love Lucy.
“We’ve built this festival to offer something for every kind of comedy fan,” Livermore added. “From nationally touring headliners to the stand-up showcases featuring a wide range of distinct comedic voices, along with late-night shows, block parties and special events throughout the city—audiences can experience comedy in multiple ways across the entire weekend.”
The National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum will be open for visitors throughout the weekend to explore immersive exhibits celebrating comedy’s greatest performers, television shows and cultural moments while experiencing the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in the city where it all began.
Over its 35-year history, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival has welcomed generations of comedy’s biggest stars to Jamestown, including Jon Stewart, Bill Murray, Lily Tomlin, John Mulaney, Nate Bargatze, Trevor Noah, Jim Gaffigan, Taylor Tomlinson, Sebastian Maniscalco, Amy Schumer, Gabriel Iglesias, Jeff Foxworthy, Brian Regan, Joan Rivers, Lewis Black, The Smothers Brothers and many more. This year’s lineup continues that tradition with three of today’s most accomplished and influential comedians, reaffirming Jamestown’s place as one of America’s premier destinations for the art of comedy.
See the full festival schedule, get tickets for all festival events, and purchase museum admission at ComedyCenter. org/festival.
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER NAMED AMERICA’S #1 BEST POP CULTURE MUSEUM
Earlier this year, the National Comedy Center was named the #1 Best Pop Culture Museum in the United States by readers of USA Today, earning the top spot in the publication’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The honor recognizes the National Comedy Center as the nation’s top pop culture museum among an outstanding field that included the Comic-Con Museum, the Strong National Museum of Play, the Charles M. Schulz Museum, the World of Coca-Cola, and the American Sign Museum. It marks another major national recognition for the museum, which opened in 2018 as the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy.
Selected by a panel of nationally recognized travel and lifestyle experts and decided by a month-long nationwide public vote, the award recognizes museums that celebrate the people, stories, and cultural moments that have shaped American popular culture.
“This national recognition from USA Today is a powerful acknowledgment of the extraordinary artists who have shaped comedy – the great minds, singular voices, and time-honed creative processes that have elevated this art form throughout its history,” said Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center. “Comedians past and present have helped us see the world differently, challenge conventions, and bring people together through laughter. We’re honored to celebrate their work and grateful to the artists, supporters, and audiences who believe in preserving comedy’s heritage while inspiring new generations.
“For Jamestown and Chautauqua County – and all of Western New York – this honor shines a national spotlight on our
region as a cultural destination,” added Gunderson. “The National Comedy Center has become a powerful economic and tourism driver, drawing visitors from across the country and over 30 countries. This recognition belongs to the community and its partners across the region who have helped build this cultural institution in Comedy’s Hometown.”
The National Comedy Center offers an immersive, highly personalized experience featuring more than 50 interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and the nation’s official archive dedicated to comedy history. Visitors can explore the work of legendary performers including Lucille Ball, Mel Brooks, Johnny Carson, George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Richard Pryor, Carl Reiner, Carol Burnett, and iconic TV shows including Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, Laugh-In and many more. “Comedy sits at the heart of American pop culture, and at the National Comedy Center, visitors can experience it in a deeply personal and engaging way,” said Gary Hahn, Vice President and Marketing and Communications. “Our interactive exhibits connect people to the moments, memories, and cultural touchstones that shaped their lives – it’s what draws them to Jamestown and helps make it a destination for visitors from across the country and around the world.”
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of national honors for the museum. The National Comedy Center was previously named the nation’s #1 Best New Museum by USA Today, one of TIME magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places,” one of People magazine’s “100 Reasons to Love America,” and one of U.S. News & World Report’s 25 “Top Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S.” The museum has also been featured by The New York Times, CBS Sunday Morning, and NBC’s TODAY Show, which called it “the Smithsonian of Comedy.”
WHERE FAMILIES COME TO LAUGH TOGETHER PLAY. EXPLORE. DISCOVER. CREATE.
MAKE MEMORIES AT THE NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER.
Ayoung visitor is putting the finishing touches on an original cartoon character. Around the corner, grandma and grandpa are adding outrageous sound effects to a movie scene in Sounds Funny. Nearby, mom is performing Comedy Karaoke while dad tries to keep a straight face as he competes in a Laugh Battle. Before long, everyone gathers to step inside a classic comedy moment in the “Act the Part” Green Screen experience.
This isn’t a museum where families quietly stroll from one exhibit to the next.
It’s a place where they play together. Explore together. Discover together. Create together. Laugh together. And make memories together.
Some museums ask visitors not to touch.
The National Comedy Center invites them to jump in. You’re not just watching comedy – you’re part of the experience. Every family has someone who tells the funniest stories. Someone who always gets the biggest laugh. Someone who’s willing to make a silly face just to crack everyone up. The National Comedy Center gives everyone a chance to be that person, because here, the biggest laughs often come from the people you came with.
Throughout the National Comedy Center’s immersive experiences, visitors of every generation are invited to tap into their own creativity while discovering what makes comedy one of our most enduring and universal art forms. Along the way, they’ll create, perform, compete, and laugh together, because comedy isn’t just something to watch – it’s something to share. Those moments become part of your family’s own story –memories they’ll be talking about long after the visit ends. Along the way, families also discover authentic costumes, props,
scripts, photographs, and artifacts from the greatest names in comedy, spanning every corner of the comedy world – from television and film to stand-up, radio, animation, sketch, and improv. Interactive experiences are paired with remarkable pieces of comedy history, showing visitors not only why generations have laughed, but how comedy has helped shape American culture.
Every visit is personalized through the National Comedy Center’s unique Sense of Humor Profile. Upon arrival, each guest receives a LaughBand wristband that tailors many experiences based on the comedy they enjoy most. No two family members experience the museum exactly the same way, giving everyone something new to compare, talk about, and laugh about as they explore together.
That combination of hands-on fun and meaningful discovery has earned national recognition. U.S. News & World Report named the National Comedy Center one of America’s Top 25 Family Weekend Getaways. Western New York Family Magazine called it a “Must See Destination” recommended for schoolage children and older, while Macaroni KID Erie summed up the experience this way: “We spent nearly four hours at the museum and still had to drag our 7- and 9-year-olds away.”
The experience doesn’t end when families walk out the door. Many of the cartoons, memes, videos, and other personalized moments they create throughout their visit are delivered to them afterward by email, allowing them to relive the fun, share them with family and friends, and enjoy the laughter all over again. Parents don’t spend the day watching their kids have fun. They spend the day having fun with them. Grandparents become scene partners. Kids become performers. Everyone shares in the laughter.
Long after the visit ends, what they’ll remember most is the laughter they shared together.
MEL BROOKS PLACES CAREER ARCHIVE AT NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER
COMEDY LEGEND ENTRUSTS HIS LIFE’S WORK TO THE NATION’S OFFICIAL MUSEUM AND ARCHIVE DEDICATED TO COMEDY IN JAMESTOWN
Mel Brooks and the National Comedy Center, the United States’ museum and national archive dedicated to the art form of comedy, recently announced that the Center will become the home of Brooks’ career archives – one of the most comprehensive collections of comedic creative material ever preserved, encompassing works that sit at the core of America’s cultural identity.
The archive comprises nearly 150,000 creative and production documents and over 5,000 photographs, many never-before-seen. It offers an unparalleled record of Brooks’ creative life and the development of works that transformed American comedy and culture – including Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Silent Movie, History of the World, Part I, and Spaceballs, along with extensive materials from every feature film Brooks directed across his multifaceted career as a writer, performer, filmmaker and producer.
Spanning more than six decades, the archive begins with Brooks’ earliest handwritten comedic notes created during his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. It then moves through rare materials from his years writing for the legendary Sid Caesar on television series like Your Show
of Shows, offering a vivid look into the formative creative environment that helped shape his voice. These early pages reveal the foundations of Brooks’ instinct for structure, rhythm and irreverence – instincts that would later define his revolutionary approach to satire and parody.
“I’ve always been proud to say that I make people laugh for a living. So, knowing that my work will have a home at comedy’s national archive and continue making people laugh leaves me with a deep sense of pride,” said Mel Brooks. “I’m honored that my contributions will be preserved for future generations at the National Comedy Center – especially because it’s a place that was meaningful to my best friend Carl Reiner, who believed in the importance of preserving comedy’s history. I know he’d be happy that our work will be around for the next 2000 years, or maybe even more.”
As the collection progresses into Brooks’ film career, it presents a remarkable chronicle of his artistic evolution. Drafts, revisions, production documents, notes and visual materials capture the development of comedic ideas from concept to screen,
illustrating how Brooks refined sequences, characters and jokes through collaboration, instinct and fearless experimentation. The breadth and depth of the material underscore the extraordinary impact of his body of work and his influence across multiple generations of comedic storytellers.
“Mel Brooks’ archive represents an unparalleled primarysource record of how a singular artist reshaped narrative, satire and cinematic form – all through the lens of comedy,” said Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center. “Preserving this material is not simply an act of stewardship – it is the safeguarding of a vital cultural legacy that will inform scholarship, creative inquiry and historical understanding for generations.”
Among the collection’s most exceptional elements are rare and historically significant items from Brooks’ classic films, including his World War II–era comedy notebook; the original handwritten lyrics to the song “Springtime for Hitler” from The Producers; extensive storyboards and visual development materials from Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie and other films; and a remarkable assembly of never-before- or rarely-seen behind-the-scenes photographs capturing Brooks directing, rehearsing and collaborating throughout his career.
Dr. Laura LaPlaca, head of the National Comedy Center’s archive, added: “We preserve comedy’s history to document
how our society debates, resists, copes, and expresses its truths. It is challenging to imagine the American twentieth century without the vital voice of Mel Brooks – his work helped us understand one another and endure. Preserving this material ensures that Brooks’ creative legacy will be studied, contextualized, and appreciated at a level equal to its impact.”
The National Comedy Center’s Carl Reiner Department of Archives & Preservation was named in honor of founding advisory board member Carl Reiner, whose own comprehensive career archives were added to the Center’s permanent collection in 2021. The Archive is also home to George Carlin’s extensive handwritten creative notes, Joan Rivers’ legendary 70,000-joke card catalog, Lenny Bruce’s annotated manuscripts and obscenity trial papers, production records from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s trailblazing Desilu Studios, and original creative materials from series such as Saturday Night Live, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, In Living Color, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, among many others.
The material from the Mel Brooks collection will be catalogued and curated before ultimately being displayed within the innovative and interactive National Comedy Center – a non-profit museum experience recognized by TIME magazine as one of its “World’s Greatest Places,” and selected by USA Today as the nation’s “Best Pop Culture Museum” and “Best New Museum.”
STAND-UP’S BEST, UP CLOSE NATIONALLY TOURING COMEDIANS TAKE
THE STAGE THROUGHOUT FESTIVAL
WEEKEND.
While Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer, and Seth Meyers headline this year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, some of the weekend’s biggest laughs will come at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts and inside the Tropicana Club, where nationally touring comedians bring audiences a wide range of stand-up styles and perspectives.
For decades, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival has showcased comedians at every stage of their careers – from established club favorites and television veterans to performers making their national television debut. It’s a tradition that has included Nate Bargatze, who appeared at the festival before returning years later to headline multiple sold-out arena shows.
This year’s Friday night Stand-Up Showcase continues that tradition with an outstanding lineup led by Gina Brillon, an America’s Got Talent finalist whose credits include Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The View. Joining her are Ian Lara, named one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” and seen on The Tonight Show, HBO Max, and Comedy Central; Peter Revello, who recently made his television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; Nick Thune, a ten-time Tonight Show guest with acclaimed Netflix and Amazon specials who is currently touring with Nate Bargatze; and Emmy Blotnick, a celebrated stand-up comedian and television writer whose credits include The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and FX’s English Teacher.
As the festival continues into the evening, the Tropicana Club becomes the place for Comedy Late Night, where audiences can enjoy nationally touring comedians in a classic comedy club setting Thursday through Saturday night.
Thursday’s Comedy Late Night lineup features Katie Hannigan, whose credits include The Late Show with Stephen
Colbert, HBO’s Succession, and Comedy Central; Clayton English, winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and an actor seen in Marvel’s Hawkeye and A.P. Bio; Kenice Mobley, whose sharp observational comedy has earned appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and Sterling Scott, the first comedian to receive a Golden Buzzer and become a finalist on Canada’s Got Talent and winner of the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition.
Friday night brings Drew Dunn, who has opened for Bill Burr and Dane Cook and was named a Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy; Tina Friml, one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” with appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Comedy Central; along with return performances by Ian Lara, Kenice Mobley, and Peter Revello.
Saturday’s Comedy Late Night lineup features Jenny Zigrino, whose credits include Conan, After Midnight, HBO, Comedy Central, and the Netflix Is a Joke Festival; Alex English, winner of NBC’s Bring the Funny; Jared Goldstein, a Just for Laughs New Face whose television credits include Dollface and Modern Family; and Brittany Schmitt, whose stand-up specials and viral comedy clips have generated more than 100 million online views.
Whether you’re discovering a new favorite comedian or seeing an acclaimed touring performer live, the Stand-Up Showcase and Comedy Late Night series highlight the depth and diversity of today’s stand-up scene. Together, they offer festivalgoers the opportunity to experience some of comedy’s best talent beyond the arena stage – one more reason the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival continues to be a must-visit destination for comedy fans.
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER’S MEMORY CAFÉ RECOGNIZED WITH INTERNATIONAL AND STATEWIDE HONORS
The National Comedy Center’s One Laugh at a Time: Memory Café has earned three prestigious honors recognizing its innovative support of individuals living with memory loss and their caregivers. The program recently received two Gold Anthem Awards –among the world’s highest honors for social impact, corporate responsibility, and community engagement – and has now been recognized with the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Award from the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA), the premier recognition program for New York’s tourism industry.
Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Anthem Awards celebrate organizations making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. The National Comedy Center received Gold honors in both Corporate Social Responsibility and Local Community Engagement, placing its Memory Café alongside awardwinning initiatives from organizations including Google, UNICEF USA, Sesame Workshop, PBS, World Central Kitchen, AARP, and Amazon Music.
The New York State Tourism Excellence Awards honor exceptional achievements by New York’s destination marketing organizations, attractions, and tourism professionals. Open to tourism organizations across the state and judged by an independent panel of industry experts, the awards recognize excellence in destination stewardship, marketing, leadership, and visitor experience. The National Comedy Center received its award in the Excellence in Transformational Tourism Stewardship: Tourism Equity & Inclusion category, recognizing its commitment to creating welcoming, accessible experiences for all visitors.
Together, these honors recognize the National Comedy Center’s leadership in creating an innovative museum experience that expands access, strengthens community connections, and demonstrates how cultural attractions can enrich the lives of individuals living with memory loss, their caregivers, and families.
Held on the first Monday of every month, the free Memory Café welcomes individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other forms of memory loss, along with their caregivers, family members, and care partners. Rather than a clinical setting, participants experience an uplifting morning surrounded by comedy, conversation, and community as they explore the museum’s interactive exhibits together.
“Born out of real stories of living with dementia, this program
reminds us that laughter connects us when conversation has failed us,” said Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center. “Comedy can be the tool providing crucial connection and respite, as important for caregivers as it is for their patients and loved ones. Being recognized with both international and statewide honors affirms the importance of offering people a place where joy, laughter, connection, and relief are still possible.”
Each gathering invites participants to revisit favorite moments from comedy legends including Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Betty White, Richard Pryor, Don Rickles, Saturday Night Live, and many more. These familiar moments often spark recognition, conversation, and shared experiences, while caregivers find a welcoming environment that offers both respite and connection with others navigating similar journeys.
“These honors validate that innovative cultural institutions can make a powerful impact in their communities,” said Rochelle Mole, Chief Operating Officer of the National Comedy Center. “The Memory Café has become a place where caregivers and families feel truly welcomed, supported, and understood – one gathering at a time.”
The National Comedy Center has received specialized training to thoughtfully welcome and assist individuals living with memory loss and their care partners, creating an experience designed to be engaging, comfortable, and accessible. Since launching in early 2025, participants and caregivers have consistently described the program as one of the highlights of their month, offering meaningful moments of recognition, laughter, and connection.
The Memory Café is offered free of charge on the first Monday of every month at the National Comedy Center. Families who cannot attend the monthly gathering are also encouraged to contact the museum to arrange a visit at another time.
The Memory Café was launched with support from Exhale, an initiative funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York.
To learn more or reserve a place at an upcoming Memory Café, visit ComedyCenter.org/MemoryCafe or call the National Comedy Center.
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER’S NEW BOOK BRINGS COMEDY HISTORY TO LIFE
CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SMITHSONIAN, FUNNY STUFF BRINGS TOGETHER ICONIC ARTIFACTS FROM TWO EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTIONS TO TELL THE STORY OF HOW COMEDY SHAPED AMERICAN HISTORY.
The National Comedy Center has released its first-ever book, Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History, a landmark collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution that offers readers a new way to experience America’s comedy heritage. It’s the closest thing to taking the National Comedy Center home with you, bringing the museum’s extraordinary stories and artifacts to readers everywhere.
Edited and written by Dr. Laura LaPlaca, the National Comedy Center’s Vice President of Archives and founding director of the Carl Reiner Department of Archives & Preservation, and Ryan Lintelman, Curator of Entertainment at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the richly illustrated volume features, for the first time, artifacts from the National Comedy Center’s Archives and the Smithsonian’s collections, revealing how comedy has reflected, challenged, and shaped American culture for generations.
Featuring a foreword by Mel Brooks and advance praise from Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, and Lily Tomlin, Funny Stuff has already earned national acclaim. Vanity Fair called it “a richly illustrated coffeetable book” that tells the stories behind “a treasure trove of artifacts and memorabilia spanning comedy’s many genres and disciplines.”
Rather than simply celebrating famous comedians, Funny Stuff explores how comedy has influenced politics, television, free expression, social change, and American life through the objects the artists themselves left behind. The result is a deeper understanding of comedy’s enduring impact on our culture and the creative process that shaped generations of performers.
Through extraordinary artifacts, readers gain a behind-the-scenes look at many of America’s greatest comedians. It’s one thing to hear about George Carlin’s influence on stand-up comedy; it’s another to see the handwritten joke notes where he developed the ideas that transformed the art form. Joan Rivers’ meticulously organized joke files reveal the relentless work ethic behind one of comedy’s most influential careers, while correspondence between the Smothers Brothers and President Lyndon B. Johnson illustrates their fight for creative freedom and First Amendment rights.
The book also includes many of the National Comedy Center’s most recognizable artifacts, including Johnny Carson’s iconic Tonight Show rainbow curtain and monologue jokes, the first Saturday Night Live script, the Puffy Shirt from Seinfeld, Lucille Ball’s famous polka-dot dress, Lenny Bruce’s trench coat and typewriter, original In Living Color scripts, Carl Reiner’s original Dick Van Dyke Show pilot script, and many more objects that illuminate comedy’s profound influence on American life and culture.
Whether you’ve already explored the National Comedy Center or are planning your first visit, Funny Stuff offers a lasting way to continue the experience at home, inviting readers to discover the stories behind the comedians, performances, and artifacts that helped shape America through laughter.
Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History is available at all National Comedy Center museum stores, online at ComedyShop.com, and through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Awards & Honors
“One of the Best Museums in the Country”
#2 Best New Attraction, #1 Museum and #1 Ticketed Attraction
America’s Top Cultural Institutions for Student Groups
Education, Art & Culture: Corporate Social Responsibility and Local Community Engagement
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF I LOVE LUCY: THE SHOW THAT CHANGED TELEVISION FOREVER
By Ashley Senske
Seventy-five years after its debut, I Love Lucy remains one of the most influential and beloved television programs ever created. Premiering on October 15, 1951, the series starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz did far more than entertain audiences—it transformed the television industry, revolutionized the sitcom format, and left a cultural legacy that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.
At a time when television was still a relatively new medium, I Love Lucy introduced innovations that became industry standards. Ball and Arnaz, through their company Desilu Productions, hired Academy Award-winning Karl Freund who pioneered the use of a three-camera filming system before a live studio audience, allowing episodes to be captured with
quality and consistency previously unseen on television. This approach not only enhanced the viewing experience but also created a model that countless sitcoms would follow for decades. Programs ranging from The Dick Van Dyke Show and Cheers to Friends and The Big Bang Theory owe part of their production heritage to the innovations first developed for I Love Lucy.
The show also broke social barriers. At a time when television executives were hesitant to cast Arnaz opposite Ball, the series centered their interracial marriage—a groundbreaking representation for early 1950s television. The couple’s insistence on appearing together ultimately helped challenge industry assumptions and broadened the possibilities of representation on television screens across America.
Beyond its technical and cultural achievements, I Love Lucy became a national phenomenon unlike anything television had seen before. During its original run, millions of Americans organized their weekly routines around the show. Streets emptied, telephone use declined, and families gathered together in living rooms to watch Lucy Ricardo’s latest schemes unfold. The series reached astonishing levels of popularity, culminating in the famous 1953 episode featuring the birth of Little Ricky, which coincided with Ball’s real-life pregnancy of their son Desi Jr. More than 44 million viewers tuned in to watch, an audience larger than the television viewership for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inauguration the following day of 29 million viewers.
Much of the show’s enduring appeal comes from Ball’s extraordinary comedic talent. Her physical comedy, expressive reactions, and fearless commitment to a joke created some of
the most iconic moments in television history. Episodes such as “Lucy Does a TV Commercial,” “Job Switching,” and “The Freezer” remain instantly recognizable, even to people who have never watched the series from beginning to end. The success of I Love Lucy also extended beyond the screen. The series, along with Arnaz’s business-acumen, helped pioneer modern television merchandising and branding, demonstrating that audiences wanted to connect with their favorite programs through products, music, books, and other consumer goods. In many ways, the show foreshadowed the multimedia entertainment franchises that dominate popular culture today.
The legacy of I Love Lucy did not end when the series concluded in 1957. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz continued to shape the entertainment industry through Desilu Productions, which produced landmark series such as Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and The Untouchables. When Arnaz sold his shares of the studio to Ball in 1962, she became the first woman to run a major Hollywood studio, breaking barriers for women in the entertainment business and establishing a legacy that extends far beyond her on-screen accomplishments.
What is perhaps most remarkable is how relevant I Love Lucy remains after seventy-five years. The series continues to air around the world and attract new generations of fans. References to Lucy Ricardo’s antics regularly appear in television shows, films, advertisements, and social media. Documentaries, books, museum exhibitions, and academic studies continue to explore the show’s significance.
The continued popularity of the program demonstrates that great comedy transcends time. While television technology, viewing habits, and popular culture have changed dramatically since 1951, the humor, heart, and creativity of I Love Lucy remain as engaging as ever.
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy, we recognize more than a classic sitcom. We celebrate a cultural milestone that reshaped television, challenged conventions, and inspired generations of performers, writers, and producers. The laughter that began in living rooms in 1951 continues to echo today, reminding us that the influence of Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and the hardworking team of writers and crew on I Love Lucy is truly timeless.
JOHNNY CARSON AT
100: THE
KING OF LATE NIGHT LIVES ON IN JAMESTOWN
JIMMY
FALLON-HOSTED IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE CELEBRATES THE LEGENDARY ENTERTAINER WHOSE INFLUENCE CONTINUES TO SHAPE COMEDY TODAY
This past year marked the centennial of comedy legend Johnny Carson’s birth – a milestone that shines a spotlight on the man who transformed late-night television and forever changed the course of American comedy. Today, visitors to the National Comedy Center can experience that extraordinary legacy firsthand through Johnny Carson: The Immersive Experience, hosted by Jimmy Fallon – as a state-of-theart hologram.
For three decades, Johnny Carson welcomed millions of Americans into their living rooms as host of The Tonight Show. Night after night, his sharp monologues, unforgettable interviews, impeccable comic timing, and ability to make every guest feel at ease made him one of television’s most beloved
entertainers. Just as importantly, Carson became comedy’s ultimate kingmaker. A standout appearance on his stage –followed by the coveted invitation to “come over to the couch” – could transform an unknown comedian into a household name.That remarkable story comes to life in Johnny Carson: The Immersive Experience.
Inside the theater, visitors are surrounded by more than 30 digital projection screens for a fully immersive presentation celebrating Carson’s remarkable 30-year run as host of The Tonight Show. A holographic Jimmy Fallon – today’s host of The Tonight Show – serves as the experience’s guide, leading visitors through unforgettable moments from television’s most influential late-night program while showcasing the comedians whose careers were forever changed by appearing on Carson’s stage. Visitors relive breakthrough performances by Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres, Tim Allen, Drew Carey, Carol Leifer, Roseanne Barr and many others who found a national audience through Carson.
Throughout the experience, exclusive interviews with comedy legends – including Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Martin Short, Bette Midler, Jay Leno, and more – offer a personal look at Carson’s extraordinary influence and the man who helped shape generations of comedians.
Beyond the immersive presentation, visitors can see authentic artifacts from Carson’s remarkable career. Highlights include a portion of the iconic rainbow curtain from The Tonight Show, original monologue joke pages, the Rolodex cards from Carson’s office tracking decades of Tonight Show guests, costumes from Carson’s beloved characters Floyd R. Turbo and Art Fern, colorful stage attire from legendary bandleader Doc Severinsen, and the iconic dress Bette Midler wore during her unforgettable appearance as Carson’s final guest on May 21, 1992.
Together, the immersive presentation and authentic artifacts offer a richer understanding of the entertainer who transformed late-night television and inspired generations of comedians..
Johnny Carson’s influence extends far beyond the decades he spent behind The Tonight Show desk. His impact lives on in every generation of comedians who followed and in the latenight hosts who continue the tradition he helped define.
Today, the National Comedy Center brings Johnny Carson’s remarkable career to life for longtime fans and a new generation alike. Those who watched Carson each night can relive the magic of The Tonight Show, while younger comedy fans can discover for the first time the entertainer whose influence can still be seen every night on television and on comedy stages across America.
2026 LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
I Love Lucy at 75: A Special Pilot Episode Screening
11:00 AM - Schlatter Theater at the National Comedy Center
Kick off the week of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and celebrate 75 years of I Love Lucy with a special screening of the show’s original pilot episode in an intimate theater setting. Guests will have a rare up-close photo opportunity with artifacts like Lucille Ball’s iconic Professor costume and an original pilot script—an unforgettable way to mark Lucille Ball’s birthday and the legacy she created.
Price: $25.00
A Conversation with Carol Leifer
2:00 PM - Schlatter Theater at the National Comedy Center
Comedian, producer and Emmy and Golden Globe Awardwinning writer Carol Leifer in conversation with comedian Emmy Blotnick. Leifer shares insight, wit, and behind-thescenes stories from her groundbreaking career in stand-up and television, spanning Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Saturday Night Live, Hacks, and much more—including 12 stints writing for the Academy Awards. A book signing will follow the event.
Price: $18.50
Comedy and Puppetry
4:00 PM - Comedy Karaoke Lounge at the National Comedy Center
In a world of ever-evolving technology and new forms of media, sometimes you can’t beat the basics. From Punch and Judy to Miss Piggy, puppetry allows us to analyze some of
our most human attributes through inanimate objects. Join a museum educator and discuss why we still love puppetry so much, and how it pairs so well with comedy.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Block Party at the National Comedy Center
5:00 PM - National Comedy Center
Join us outside of the National Comedy Center before and after the Jerry Seinfeld show for a party like no other! Enjoy live music, beer, wine, food trucks and more!
Featuring Music By: Darkwater Duo & Company
Price: suggested donation $5.00
Jerry Seinfeld
7:00 PM - Northwest Arena
Comedy icon Jerry Seinfeld takes the stage at the National Comedy Center’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. Following a landmark career in stand-up, television, and film, Seinfeld remains one comedy’s most influential voices. Best known for creating and starring in Seinfeld, he continues to perform to sold-out audiences around the world. Don’t miss this legendary comedian live at the festival this summer for one unforgettable night.
Prices range from $69.00 to $400.00
Comedy Late Night
7:00 PM & 9:00 PM - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Comedians from across the nation who have appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central, and more, will perform their newest—and sometimes blue-est— material in “Ricky Ricardo’s” famous nightclub. Additional comedians will be announced. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Featuring: Clayton English, Katie Hannigan, Kenice Mobley and Sterling Scott.
Please Note: Show contains adult content.
Price: $37.50
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Archives Encounter: Open Hour
Forever, Darling 70th Anniversary
10:30 am - 11:30 AM - Lucy Desi Museum
Drop-in for a special Archives Experience celebrating the 70th anniversary of Forever, Darling and its unforgettable hometown premiere in Jamestown. This intimate presentation includes a unique opportunity to meet a special guest who was involved in the 1956 premiere festivities firsthand, as well as access to rarely seen archival objects, photographs, and ephemera connected to this extraordinary moment when thousands lined the streets to welcome Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz back home to Jamestown.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Lucille Ball’s Hometown Tour
10:30 AM, 1:00 PM & 3:30 PM - Lucy Desi Museum
An ever-popular guided bus tour of Lucy’s hometown, our “LucyTown Tours,” with a friendly and knowledgeable step-on guide, will take you to places of significance to Lucille Ball in Jamestown, NY and nearby Celoron. You will see the house that she was born in, the house where she grew up, and much more.
Approx. Duration 1hr 45min
Price: $27.50
Lucy Steals the Show at the Tropicana
Live Show — Lunch Included
12:00 PM - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Join us in the Tropicana with Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta, stars of the original production and national tour I Love Lucy Live Onstage, for lunch. When “Ricky” learns a big Hollywood producer is coming to see his act, he prepares a favorite number—however “Lucy” has her own idea of who should be the star. What follows is a hilarious rehearsal full of big laughs, big dreams, and the comic chaos only “Lucy” can deliver.
Price: $55.00
Live From New York: It’s a Talk!
12:30 PM - Comedy Karaoke Lounge at the National Comedy Center
Get an inside scoop on what it’s like within the hallowed halls of 30 Rock at Saturday Night Live. Learn more about the rigorous weekly schedule, taking a sketch from paper to production, and how the show has changed over the last 50 years.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
George
Carlin:
Behind the Scenes
1:30 PM - 3:00 pm - National Comedy Center
Join Kelly Carlin-McCall author, Emmy Award-winning producer, founder of Humans on the Verge and daughter of legendary comedian George Carlin, for a behind-the-scenes look at the George Carlin exhibit where she’ll be sharing some of her favorite moments of what it was like growing up with a comedic icon.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Lucy-Desi Super-Fan Trivia
2:00 PM - DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown
Who will be crowned 2026’s Lucy-Desi Super-Fan trivia winner? This trivia contest covers the incredible lives and careers of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz—starting with easier questions and amping up in difficulty as you compete with your peers to win a grand prize.
Price: $25.00
A Scatological Movement Through Comedy
3:00 PM - Comedy Karaoke Lounge at the National Comedy Center
Let’s face it—everybody farts, poops, and pees. And just about everybody finds these acts funny (at least to some degree). Join a museum educator and engage with all things scatological humor by discussing the history, creation, and reception of some of the most well-known scatological jokes.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Shout Ricky!
5:00 PM - DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown
Join us for RICKY Bingo—a playful twist on the classic game inspired by I Love Lucy and everyone’s favorite bandleader, Ricky Ricardo. Mark your cards, call out “RICKY!” and enjoy a lively round of laughs, nostalgia, and friendly competition. Lucky winners will take home fun prizes throughout the event.
Price: $15.00
Lucy & Ricky’s Big Break at
the Tropicana
Live Show — Dinner Included
5:00 PM - Tropicana Club at the Lucy desi Museum
Join us in the Tropicana with Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta, stars of the original production and national tour I Love Lucy Live Onstage, for dinner. It’s a big night at the club as “Ricky” performs for a mystery Hollywood producer somewhere in the audience. Could it be you? As “Ricky” takes the stage, “Lucy” does everything she can to make an unforgettable impression in this playful, music-filled evening of laughs and classic charm.
Price: $55.00
Stand-Up Showcase
7:00 PM - Reg
Lenna Center for the Arts
Our acclaimed Stand-Up Showcase features Ian Lara, a breakout talent seen on The Tonight Show and HBO; Gina Brillon, a standout comedian, actor, and writer seen on Amazon Prime, HBO, and America’s Got Talent; Peter Revello, a New York City comic who recently made his latenight debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; Emmy Blotnick, writer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Mel Brooks’s History of the World, Part II and more; and Nick Thune who has racked up 10 performances on The Tonight Show.
Featuring: Emmy Blotnick, Gina Brillon, Ian Laura, Peter Revello and Nick Thune
Price: $25.00
Lucy Under the Stars
8:00 PM - National Comedy Center
Enjoy a free outdoor screening of classic I Love Lucy episodes on the National Comedy Center’s two 350-square-foot video screens. Refreshments will be available for purchase, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, as bench seating is limited. Grab a spot, sit back, and laugh the night away with one of television’s most beloved comedies.
Price: FREE
Comedy Late Night
8:00 PM & 10:00 PM - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Comedians from across the nation who have appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, HBO, Comedy Central, and more will perform their newest—and sometimes blue-est— material in “Ricky Ricardo’s” famous nightclub.
Featuring: Drew Dunn, Tina Friml, Ian Lara, Kenice Mobley, and Peter Revello.
Please Note: Show contains adult content.
Price: $37.50
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
Lucille Ball’s Hometown Tour
10:00 AM, 12:30 PM & 3:00 PM - Lucy Desi Museum
An ever-popular guided bus tour of Lucy’s hometown, our “LucyTown Tours,” with a friendly and knowledgeable step-on guide, will take you to places of significance to Lucille Ball in Jamestown, NY and nearby Celoron. You will see the house that she was born in, the house where she grew up, and much more.
Approx. Duration 1hr 45min
Price: $27.50
Kids Comedy Workshop
10:30 AM - Lobby of National Comedy Center
Have fun and learn more about how you can make comedy! Explore the museum through discussions and activities led by a museum educator, then try your hand at improv, stand-up, and internet humor. Ideal for children aged 6 to 12 and their families, though all ages (and audience members) are welcome!
Price: Free with Museum Admission
I
Love Lucy Trivia: 101
11:00 AM - DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown
Show off your knowledge of all things I Love Lucy in our annual fan trivia contest! I Love Lucy Trivia: 101 is a familyfriendly contest designed with lots of laughs for casual and long-time fans alike! Fun prizes will be awarded throughout the contest.
Price: $25.00
Lucy & Ricky’s Reunion at the Tropicana
Live Show — Brunch Included
11:00 AM - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Join us in the Tropicana with Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta, stars of the original production and national tour I Love Lucy Live Onstage, for brunch. After a big fight, “Lucy and Ricky” are lured to a solitary meeting by the “Mertzes”. When they discover a dusty box of props, laughter and memories lead them back to love, forgiveness, and each other in this charming and heartfelt event.
Price: $55.00
The I Love Lucy Legacy
12:30 PM - Comedy Karaoke Lounge at the National Comedy Center
We all know and love Lucy, but you may not realize just how deeply I Love Lucy shaped the shows you still watch today. From the multi-camera format and live studio audience to the chemistry between its stars, this groundbreaking sitcom changed television forever. Join a museum educator for a look at the lasting influence and legacy of one of TV’s most iconic comedies.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Archives Encounter: Open Hour I Love Lucy 75th Anniversary
1:30 PM - 2:30 pm - National Comedy Center
Drop-in to celebrate I Love Lucy’s 75th year with an exclusive view of rare production documents and behind-the-scenes photographs pulled from the archives. Engage with members of the archives team and materials highlighting the work of both
cast and crew, including Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, offering insight into the creative forces, production innovations, and collaboration that shaped this enduring sitcom.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
George Carlin: Behind the Scenes
1:30 PM - 3:00 pm - National Comedy Center
Join Kelly Carlin-McCall author, Emmy Award-winning producer, founder of Humans on the Verge and daughter of legendary comedian George Carlin, for a behind-the-scenes look at the George Carlin exhibit where she’ll be sharing some of her favorite moments of what it was like growing up with a comedic icon.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Lucy & Ricky Photo Opp in NYC
2:30 PM - Lucy Desi Museum
Visit the “Ricardos” in their New York City apartment for a professional photo opp with “Lucy and Ricky” actors Bill Mendieta and Sirena Irwin. This picture makes the best keepsake to commemorate your trip to Lucy’s hometown!
Price: $75.00
Live From New York: It’s A Talk!
2:30 PM - Comedy Karaoke Lounge at the National Comedy Center
Get an inside scoop on what it’s like within the hallowed halls of 30 Rock at Saturday Night Live. Learn more about the rigorous weekly schedule, taking a sketch from paper to production, and how the show has changed over the last 50 years.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Archives Encounter: Open Hour
Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - National Comedy Center
Drop-in to explore a selection of archival materials from one of comedy’s most beloved duos, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Spanning their decades-long comedic and personal partnership, this experience features scripts, notes, and other rarely seen materials recently acquired by the National Comedy Center. Materials reflect their sharp wit, lasting chemistry, and wide-ranging impact across entertainment mediums.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
A
Scatological Movement Through Comedy
4:00 PM - Comedy Karaoke Lounge at the National Comedy Center
Let’s face it—everybody farts, poops, and pees. And just about everybody finds these acts funny
(at least to some degree). Join a museum educator and engage with all things scatological humor by discussing the history, creation, and reception of some of the most well-known scatological jokes.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
EXPERIENCE FILLED WITH LAUGHTER
Late Night Studio Camera Act the Part — Green Screen Experience
Johnny Carson Immersive Experience
Draw a Cartoon
TV Living Room
Comedy Continuum
Lucy & Ricky’s Big Break at the Tropicana
Live Show — Dinner Included
4:00 pm and 5:30 PM - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Join us in the Tropicana with Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta, stars of the original production and national tour I Love Lucy Live Onstage, for dinner. It’s a big night at the club as “Ricky” performs for a mystery Hollywood producer somewhere in the audience. Could it be you? As “Ricky” takes the stage, “Lucy” does everything she can to make an unforgettable impression in this playful, music-filled evening of laughs and classic charm.
Price: $55.00
Block Party at the National Comedy Center
5:00 PM - National Comedy Center
Join us outside of the National Comedy Center before and after the Bert Kreischer shows for a party like no other! Enjoy live music, beer, wine, food trucks and more!
Featuring Music By: Tanny Danner
Price: suggested donation $5.00
Bert Kreischer: Permission to Party!
7:00 PM and 9:30 pm - Northwest Arena
Bert Kreischer brings his larger-than-life energy to the National Comedy Center’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. One of the top-grossing stand-up comedians in the world, Kreischer is known for hit Netflix specials, wildly popular podcasts, and the Fully Loaded Comedy Festival. Don’t miss this powerhouse performer and storyteller for a night of unforgettable comedy this summer, packed with huge laughs and wild stories live!
Prices range from $67.50 to $177.50
Comedy Late Night
8:00 PM and 10:00 pm - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Comedians from across the nation who have appeared on The Daily Show, Conan, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Comedy Central, and more will perform their newest—and sometimes blue-est—material in “Ricky Ricardo’s” famous nightclub. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Featuring: Alex English, Jared Goldstein, Brittany Schmitt, and Jenny Zigrino.
Please Note: Show contains adult content.
Price: $37.50
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
Kids Comedy Workshop
10:30 AM - Lobby of National Comedy Center
Have fun and learn more about how you can make comedy! Explore the museum through discussions and activities led by a museum educator, then try your hand at improv, stand-up, and internet humor. Ideal for children aged 6 to 12 and their families, though all ages (and audience members) are welcome!
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Lucy & Ricky’s Reunion at the Tropicana
Live Show — Brunch Included
11:00 am - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Join us in the Tropicana with Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta, stars of the original production and national tour I Love Lucy Live Onstage, for brunch. After a big fight, “Lucy and Ricky” are lured to a solitary meeting by the “Mertzes”. When they discover a dusty box of props, laughter and memories lead them back to love, forgiveness, and each other in this charming and heartfelt event.
Price: $55.00
Lucy & Ricky Photo Opp in Hollywood
1:00 PM - Lucy Desi Museum
Visit the “Ricardos” in their Hollywood hotel suite for a professional photo opp with “Lucy and Ricky” actors Bill Mendieta and Sirena Irwin. This picture makes the best keepsake to commemorate your trip to Lucy’s hometown!
Price: $75.00
Archives Encounter: Open Hour Don Rickles at 100
2:00 PM - 3:00 pm - National Comedy Center
Drop-in to celebrate the centennial birthday of the legendary insult comic Don Rickles with a peek into the archive of his personal and professional materials. From creative papers to photographs, these materials illuminate Rickles’ fearless comedic style, quick wit, and enduring influence. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with members of our archives team while viewing these never-before-seen artifacts.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Comedy and Puppetry
2:00 PM - Comedy Karaoke Lounge At The National Comedy Center
In a world of ever-evolving technology and new forms of media, sometimes you can’t beat the basics. From Punch and Judy to Miss Piggy, puppetry allows us to analyze some of our most human attributes through inanimate objects. Join a museum educator and discuss why we still love puppetry so much, and how it pairs so well with comedy.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
Lucy Steals the Show at the Tropicana
Live Show — Lunch Included
3:00 PM - Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum
Join us in the Tropicana with Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta,
stars of the original production and national tour I Love Lucy Live Onstage, for lunch. When “Ricky” learns a big Hollywood producer is coming to see his act, he prepares a favorite number—however “Lucy” has her own idea of who should be the star. What follows is a hilarious rehearsal full of big laughs, big dreams, and the comic chaos only “Lucy” can deliver.
Price: $55.00
Block Party at the National Comedy Center
3:00 PM - National Comedy Center
Join us outside of the National Comedy Center before and after Seth Meyers: Live! for a party like no other! Enjoy live music by Nerds Gone Wild, beer, wine, food trucks and more!
Featuring Music By: Nerds Gone Wild
Price: suggested donation $5.00
Seth Meyers: Live!
5:00 PM - Northwest Arena
Seth Meyers, Emmy Award-winning writer, author, and host of NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, takes the stage at the National Comedy Center’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. Best known for Saturday Night Live, where he served as head writer and Weekend Update anchor, Meyers has earned 35 Emmy nominations, released two acclaimed stand-up specials, and performs to sold-out crowds nationwide. Don’t miss one of comedy’s sharpest voices live in Jamestown.
Prices range from $67.50 to $177.50
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER AND SOUTHERN TIER BREWING COMPANY TEAM UP FOR ALS RESEARCH
Two hometown organizations with national reach joined forces this summer to turn craft beer, comedy, and community into support for an important cause.
Southern Tier Brewing Company and the National Comedy Center have partnered to launch Bit by Bit Blond Ale, a limited-release 5.1% Blonde Ale created to raise funds and awareness for ALS research. The beer is now available at Southern Tier Brewing Company taprooms and the National Comedy Center, with proceeds benefiting ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Throughout the campaign, Southern Tier Brewing Company has donated $1 from every draft pint sold and $1 from every four-pack purchased to-go to support ongoing ALS research efforts.
“We’re honored to partner with the National Comedy Center for Bit by Bit,” said Brandon Hank, Brand Manager for Southern Tier Brewing Company. “Craft beer has always been about community, so having the ability to raise funds for a
great cause with another organization born in Chautauqua County is truly special.”
The beer’s name, Bit by Bit, draws inspiration from the comedy “bits” that have brought people together for generations while also reflecting the incremental progress being made every day in the fight against ALS. Just as breakthroughs in research happen bit by bit, every pint and four-pack sold contributes to advancing critical research and bringing hope to those impacted by the disease. The collaboration was created to celebrate community while supporting a cause that affects thousands of families across the country.
Each Southern Tier taproom hosted a unique event in June celebrating the partnership while supporting the cause. The Lakewood taproom welcomed guests for comedy trivia at The Empty Pint, bringing together the hometown communities behind both organizations. In Pittsburgh, Southern Tier hosted an ALS Awareness Night highlighted by hometown baseball star Brandon Nimmo’s ceremonial first pitch with the Pirates
before welcoming more than 500 guests to the brewery’s celebration. The Buffalo taproom featured a comedy classic movie night with a screening of Canadian Bacon, followed by a FIFA World Cup watch party, while the Cleveland taproom hosted an evening of stand-up comedy headlined by local comedian Bill Squire.
The response exceeded expectations. Demand for the special release was so strong that the commemorative four-packs have essentially sold out across Southern Tier Brewing Company’s markets, with the campaign on track to make a meaningful contribution to ALS research.
The initiative has carried special meaning for the National Comedy Center and the Jamestown community. The collaboration was inspired in part by National Comedy Center Board Member and Jamestown native Jon Albro, who was recently diagnosed with ALS, underscoring the importance of supporting organizations working to advance research, improve treatments, and ultimately find a cure.
“At the National Comedy Center, we see every day how comedy brings people together, creates connection, and helps people navigate life’s challenges,” said Gary Hahn, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the National Comedy Center. “We understand the power of laughter to inspire hope and build community, and this partnership reflects that spirit while supporting a cause that has touched
our National Comedy Center family.”
“On behalf of the ALS community, I would like to thank Sara DeMink and the Southern Tier Brewing Company team, along with Journey Gunderson and the National Comedy Center team, for their leadership and friendship,” said Jon Albro.
“Our region is extremely fortunate to have two world-class organizations that contribute so much to the community. I’m very proud of this effort and thank everyone for participating.”
Through Bit by Bit Blonde Ale, Southern Tier Brewing Company and the National Comedy Center hope to inspire guest to support ALS research while celebrating the power of community, laughter and local partnerships.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Nearly 30,000 Americans are currently living with ALS, and every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease. Through the Ales for ALS program, breweries across the country help fund critical research and raise awareness for those impacted by the disease.
A limited supply of Bit by Bit Blonde Ale remains available at Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Empty Pint taproom in Lakewood and at the National Comedy Center while supplies last.
To learn more about the Bit by Bit campaign or make a donation to support ALS research, visit: STBCBeer.com/ BitByBit
WHERE LEARNING MEETS LAUGHTER
FEATURED IN TEACH & TRAVEL MAGAZINE AND RECOGNIZED AMONG AMERICA’S TOP CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS FOR STUDENT GROUPS, THE NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER IS REDEFINING THE FIELD TRIP EXPERIENCE.
The National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum continue to earn national recognition as premier destinations for educational travel and student groups. Most recently, the museums were featured in Teach & Travel magazine for their innovative approach to educational field trips. Group Tour magazine also named the National Comedy Center one of America’s “Top Cultural Institutions for Student Groups,” joining a list that includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum.
A living classroom where comedy brings history, culture, media, and free expression to life.
At the National Comedy Center, students don’t simply walk through exhibits – they become part of the experience. Instead of standing behind ropes and reading exhibit labels, they’re laughing, performing, creating, and discovering together. Every field trip begins with a personalized Sense of Humor Profile that tailors interactive exhibits to each student, creating an engaging journey through the history, craft, and cultural impact of comedy.
Comedy becomes a gateway to learning. Students explore storytelling, satire, media, and popular culture while developing critical thinking and communication skills. Exhibits exploring free expression encourage meaningful discussions about the First Amendment and the ways comedians have reflected – and shaped – society throughout history.
Learning is hands-on. Through Comedy Karaoke, green screen experiences, and digital media interactives, students don’t just learn about media – they become creators themselves. They produce their own content while experimenting with timing, tone, storytelling, and audience engagement, building confidence and communication skills along the way. Students also get a behind-the-scenes look at the technology that powers one of the world’s most interactive museums, discovering how software, design, and innovation come together to create a personalized visitor experience.
Just steps away, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum complements the experience by bringing television history to life. Students can walk through recreated I Love Lucy sets, learn how the landmark series transformed television, and discover how Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz built Desilu Studios, the pioneering production company behind television classics including Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and The Untouchables.
The timing is especially meaningful in 2026 as the nation celebrates the 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy, offering students an opportunity to connect with one of the most influential television series in American history.
Whether students are studying literature, history, media, the arts, or technology, the museums offer experiences that complement classroom learning while inspiring curiosity and creativity. The result is a field trip that encourages critical thinking, sparks meaningful conversations, and gives students memorable experiences they’ll continue talking about long after they return to the classroom.
Curriculum Connections Across the Classroom English Language Arts • Social Studies • Arts • STEM • Media Literacy Field trips are designed to complement New York State Learning Standards while giving students memorable, handson experiences that reinforce classroom learning. Through immersive exhibits and interactive activities, students strengthen critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration, and media literacy skills in ways that are both engaging and unforgettable.
Learn more about school field trips at ComedyCenter.org/ field-trips. Teachers and school administrators can find planning information, educational resources, and group visit details online. Parents looking for unforgettable educational experiences are encouraged to ask their child’s school to consider the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum for a future field trip.
THE STUDIO THAT HELPED LAUNCH THE FINAL FRONTIER
Sixty years after Star Trek first transported audiences aboard the USS Enterprise, the series remains one of the most influential television franchises ever created. Its optimistic vision of the future has inspired generations of scientists, engineers, astronauts, writers, and dreamers. When the series premiered on NBC on September 8, 1966, few could have imagined the cultural phenomenon it would become.
The optimistic vision at the heart of Star Trek belonged to writer and producer Gene Roddenberry, who imagined more than a science-fiction adventure. Star Trek envisioned a future in which people of different nations, cultures, and even worlds worked together in pursuit of exploration, discovery, and understanding. Beneath its action and adventure, the series used science fiction to explore contemporary issues including prejudice, war and civil rights. The bridge of the USS Enterprise, led by Captain James T. Kirk, reflected that hopeful vision through one of network television’s most diverse casts, while Mr. Spock, the halfhuman, half-Vulcan science officer, challenged audiences to see difference not as something to fear, but as a source of strength. Bringing that vision to life required something equally extraordinary – a studio willing to invest in an ambitious, expensive, and unproven idea.
As Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026, the Lucy Desi Museum in Jamestown is highlighting the remarkable role Desilu Productions – the television studio founded by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz – played in launching one of television’s most enduring franchises.
The success of I Love Lucy enabled Ball and Arnaz to transform Desilu from a small independent production company into one of Hollywood’s most influential television studios. In 1957, Desilu acquired the former RKO Pictures production facilities, expanding to 33 sound stages across its Hollywood and Culver City campuses – more than either MGM or 20th CenturyFox at the time – while also adding the legendary Forty Acres backlot, where classics including Gone with the Wind and King Kong had been filmed and where audiences would later visit Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show each week. Desilu quickly earned a reputation for taking creative risks.
Raynor’s Liquor Store
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The Untouchables, whose storytelling and violence challenged the conventions of network television, was among the studio’s boldest productions.
Just as importantly, I Love Lucy helped pioneer the modern television syndication model that would later transform the industry.
Five years later, after Desi Arnaz’s departure from the company, Lucille Ball became the first woman to lead a major Hollywood studio. She inherited one of the industry’s most impressive production operations – and soon faced one of its boldest decisions.
At a time when westerns, detective series, and family sitcoms dominated the television landscape, Roddenberry proposed an ambitious science-fiction series unlike anything audiences had seen before. Star Trek demanded expensive visual effects, elaborate sets, ambitious storytelling, and production techniques that pushed the boundaries of weekly television production.
Desilu embraced the challenge.
Working with Desilu executive Herbert F. Solow, Roddenberry developed the series on the Desilu lot, where Solow became one of the project’s earliest champions. After NBC took the unprecedented step of requesting a second pilot, Desilu agreed to move forward, sharing in the financial risk of a project many considered too ambitious for television. With Lucille Ball’s support, the studio accepted deficit financing in the belief that Roddenberry’s vision deserved another opportunity.
“Desilu gave Roddenberry the studio, the production facilities, the creative collaborators, and the freedom to build an entirely new universe,” said Gary Hahn, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum. “Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had created a place where ambitious ideas could thrive, and Star Trek became one of television’s most influential franchises.”
Roddenberry assembled an extraordinary creative team to help shape his new universe, bringing together talented producers, writers, designers, artists, and technicians whose work would define Star Trek for generations. Desilu, in turn, surrounded that team with one of television’s finest production operations – providing the facilities, studio expertise, and creative collaborators that helped transform an ambitious concept into one of television’s most enduring achievements.
Among the remarkable creative collaborators who helped bring Roddenberry’s vision to life were several longtime members of the Desilu team. Marc Daniels, who directed the entire first season of I Love Lucy, went on to direct more episodes of the original Star Trek than any other director. Casting executive Joe D’Agosta, whose work spanned The Untouchables, The Lucy Show, and Mission: Impossible, helped assemble the casts for both Star Trek pilots and the original series. Desilu music director Wilbur Hatch, who conducted the Desi Arnaz Orchestra on I Love Lucy and later composed the themes for The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy, recommended longtime colleague Alexander Courage to Gene Roddenberry to compose Star Trek’s unforgettable title theme and score the first two pilots. Meanwhile, the Howard A. Anderson Company, whose facilities were located on the Desilu lot, created many
of Star Trek’s groundbreaking visual effects. The company produced the exterior effects photography of the USS Enterprise – the iconic starship that carried Captain Kirk and his crew across the galaxy – along with the transporter effect and phaser beams that became defining elements of the series. The same company had previously created the memorable satin-heart opening for syndicated I Love Lucy episodes, the familiar Desilu end logo animation, and later the unforgettable burning-fuse opening titles for Mission: Impossible
Although Star Trek enjoyed only a modest three-season run on NBC, its popularity exploded in syndication, inspiring multiple television series, feature films, books, conventions, and generations of fans. Today, it is widely regarded as one of the most influential franchises in entertainment history.
“Gene Roddenberry imagined the future. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz built a remarkable studio. Under Lucille Ball’s leadership as its studio head, that future found a home,” Hahn said. “The same spirit of innovation that transformed television through I Love Lucy gave Gene Roddenberry the opportunity to transform it again through Star Trek. And in one of television history’s great full-circle moments, the modern syndication model Desilu helped pioneer with I Love Lucy helped Star Trek reach the worldwide audience that transformed it into a cultural phenomenon.”
Much like I Love Lucy itself, Star Trek found an enduring life far beyond its original network broadcasts, continuing to inspire new audiences decade after decade. As fans celebrate the franchise’s 60th anniversary, the Lucy Desi Museum offers a reminder that one remarkable studio changed television not once, but twice – first through I Love Lucy, then again by giving Gene Roddenberry the opportunity to boldly bring his vision of the future to television.
INSIDE JOAN RIVERS’ LEGENDARY JOKE FILE
Among the National Comedy Center’s most fascinating exhibits is The Joan Rivers Joke File – an extraordinary window into the creative mind of one of stand-up comedy’s greatest trailblazers.
The exhibit, unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last August during the 2025 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, centers on Rivers’ legendary joke file, a remarkable collection of nearly 70,000 original jokes, meticulously organized into hundreds of categories, from “Parents Hated Me” and “Cooking” to “Weddings,” “Airlines.” “Politics” and “Aging.” Originally installed in her home office, the file reflects Rivers’ remarkable craftsmanship, razor-sharp wit, and tireless dedication to refining her material over the course of seven decades. The joke file was featured in the acclaimed 2010 documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, offering audiences a glimpse into the discipline and determination that fueled her legendary career.
It means so much to know that fans and future generations will be able to connect with her work and experience her comedic brilliance in such a personal way.”
Among the joke file’s treasures: 390 jokes on NEW YORK, 538 on GUYS I DATED, 989 on POLITICS, and 1,434 on AGING. In “28 AND SINGLE” (see: WEDDINGS), Rivers wrote, “I was left standing at the altar so long my bouquet took root!”; in “EDGAR” (see: MARRIAGE, HONEYMOON), she quipped, “My honeymoon was a disaster. The next day, he screamed, ‘Don’t tell me you can’t cook either!’”; and under “COOKING,” she recorded the classic, “If the Lord
Immersive design from the museum’s award-wining creative team briners her material to life, allowing guests to hear and see Rivers performing jokes pulled directly from the file. Visitors can view original joke cards up close and even browse through a curated set on their own, offering a rare opportunity to experience comedy exactly as Rivers crafted it – one card, one punchline at a time.
“I am so honored that my mother’s joke file now has a home at the National Comedy Center,” stated Melissa Rivers. “She would have been thrilled to be included among the legends represented here. This exhibit is a celebration of her humor, her fearlessness, and her extraordinary impact on comedy.
wanted me to cook, I’d have aluminum hands. These hands were meant to hold charge cards.”
“Joan Rivers was a master of reinvention who blazed a trail for generations of comedians, breaking barriers and redefining what was possible in stand-up and entertainment,” said National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson. “This exhibit is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the creative mind of a culture-shifting artist. Guests can step into Joan’s process, see the precision and persistence behind every joke, and experience the artistry that made her one of comedy’s most enduring and dynamic figures.”
Dr. Laura LaPlaca, the National Comedy Center’s Vice President and head of the Carl Reiner Department of Archives & Preservation, said: “Joan Rivers is among the most influential stand-up comedians in the history of the art form. Her legacy, characterized by bold truth-telling, personal vulnerability, and an unrelenting drive to make great art, altered the trajectory of American cultural history more than once. Preserving and presenting The Joan Rivers Joke File allows us to share not only her extraordinary comedic voice, resilience, and craftsmanship, but also the uncompromising originality that continues to inspire artists today.”
The exhibit also reflects a full-circle moment in the National Comedy Center’s story. Joan Rivers headlined the 2011 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival during the celebration of
Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday – the same year the vision for a national museum and archive dedicated to comedy was first introduced. Melissa Rivers visited Jamestown during the 2015 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival to participate in the National Comedy Center’s groundbreaking ceremony. A decade later, The Joan Rivers Joke File was unveiled during the 2025 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, giving one of comedy’s most iconic creative collections a permanent home in the nation’s official museum and archive dedicated to the art form.
Today, the joke file stands alongside thousands of other artifacts preserved in the National Comedy Center’s archives, but it offers something uniquely personal: the chance to see comedy not just as performance, but as craft. It is a powerful reminder that great comedy doesn’t simply happen – it is built through talent, discipline, and a lifetime devoted to making people laugh.
TAKE THE LAUGHS HOME WITH OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE FROM THE NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER AND LUCY DESI MUSEUM
THREE MUSEUM STORES, EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIBLES, AND ONLINE SHOPPING MAKE JAMESTOWN A MUST-VISIT DESTINATION FOR COMEDY FANS. NO MUSEUM ADMISSION REQUIRED.
The laughter doesn’t end when you leave the galleries.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift, adding to your own collection, or bringing home a memorable keepsake from your visit, the National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum offer one of the country’s most distinctive museum shopping experiences. Even better, all three museum stores are open to the public – no museum admission required.
The National Comedy Center is home to The Comedy Shop, featuring an ever-changing selection of officially licensed apparel, books, games, collectibles, home décor, and humorous gifts celebrating the greatest comedians, television shows, and comedy films of all time. Fans of comedy legends like George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Lewis Black, Lenny Bruce, and Ernie Kovacs will find exclusive and officially licensed merchandise alongside favorites from Seinfeld, Friends, Saturday Night Live, The Office, Cheers, and countless other comedy classics represented throughout the museum. Just steps away, the Lucy Desi Museum features two dedicated retail spaces filled with the world’s most comprehensive selection of officially licensed merchandise celebrating Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and I Love Lucy. From apparel, ornaments, kitchenware, books, and collectibles to exclusive products created especially for the Lucy Desi Museum, the stores have become a destination for Lucy fans from around the globe looking for the perfect souvenir or gift.
As the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival approaches, all three
museum stores feature official Festival merchandise, perfect for gearing up for the celebration or taking home a memorable keepsake.
“Our stores are an extension of the museum experience,” stated National Comedy Center Retail Supervisor Kate Rinko. “Whether someone is looking for an exclusive collectible, a thoughtful gift, or something that simply makes them smile, we love helping visitors find something they’ll treasure long after their visit.”
Rinko was recently named a finalist for the Museum Store Association’s national Rising Star Award, recognizing emerging leaders in museum retail.
Can’t make it to Jamestown? Visitors can also shop online, with official merchandise available year-round from both museums.
Whether you’re visiting during the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, shopping for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions, or simply looking for something funny, nostalgic, or uniquely Jamestown, the museum stores offer gifts that celebrate comedy’s greatest legends – and keep the laughs going long after your visit.
Visit the stores for free – no museum admission required –or shop online anytime:
National Comedy Center: ComedyShop.com
Lucy Desi Museum: LucyDesiShop.com
FESTIVAL BLOCK PARTIES FILL 2ND STREET WITH MUSIC AND FUN
LIVE MUSIC, FOOD TRUCKS, AND FESTIVAL FUN CREATE A DOWNTOWN GATHERING PLACE THROUGHOUT LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL WEEKEND
Throughout the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, 2nd Street in Jamestown in front of the National Comedy Center will become one of downtown Jamestown’s liveliest gathering places, as festival block parties bring together live music, local food trucks, festivalgoers, and the community before and after some of the weekend’s biggest events.
Festival block parties begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, and Saturday, August 8, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, continuing throughout the evening with live entertainment, food, beverages, and a festive atmosphere.
Visitors can also make the National Comedy Center part of their evening. The museum will offer extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, and Saturday, August 8, giving guests extra time to explore its interactive exhibits before heading to the Northwest Arena or enjoying the festivities on 2nd Street.
Each block party will feature a different live band:
• Thursday, August 6 – Darkwater Duo & Company, featuring Rick Griesbaum and Dave McGarry of Bradford, Pa. Their energetic acoustic performances span a wide variety of musical favorites.
• Saturday, August 8 – Tanny Danner, a Jamestown-based ‘90s alternative rock cover band bringing the sounds of one of music’s most memorable decades to the festival block party.
• Sunday, August 9 – Nerds Gone Wild , an award-winning Western New York retro party band known for its high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing hits. The group has earned top honors from the
Buffalo Music Awards, the Buffalo News Best of 716 Awards, and Buffalo Spree’s Best of Western New York.
From acoustic favorites to ‘90s alternative rock and an energetic retro party show, each evening offers its own soundtrack to the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, giving festivalgoers another reason to arrive early, stay late, and experience the excitement on 2nd Street.
The outdoor celebrations are timed around performances by Jerry Seinfeld on August 6, Bert Kreischer on August 8, and Seth Meyers on August 9.
“The festival block parties create a place where everyone can experience the excitement and energy of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival,” said Malachi Livermore, Vice President, Programming & Guest Experiences, for the National Comedy Center. “It’s a chance to bring people together, enjoy great live music and local food, and experience the incredible atmosphere that makes festival weekend in Jamestown so special.”
A suggested $5 donation helps support Lucille Ball Comedy Festival programming. Whether you’re headed to or from a headlining arena performance, Comedy Late Night, a Lucy celebration event, or a late afternoon at the National Comedy Center, the block parties offer the perfect place to gather with friends, enjoy great music, and experience the energy of festival weekend in the heart of downtown Jamestown.
With live music, local food trucks, and thousands of comedy fans gathering downtown, the Festival Block Parties have become one of festival weekend’s favorite traditions – bringing the community together and extending the celebration well beyond the stage.
The full festival schedule can be found at ComedyCenter. org/festival.
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER
Every visit to the National Comedy Center offers something new. While the museum is renowned for its immersive, interactive experiences that put visitors at the center of comedy, it is also home to an extraordinary collection of authentic artifacts preserving the creative legacy of comedy’s greatest performers and creative works. That collection continues to grow with new acquisitions and rotating displays, giving guests new reasons to return again and again.
Among the newest additions is wardrobe worn by Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in the Emmy Award-winning series Hacks, one of television’s most acclaimed contemporary comedies. As the National Comedy Center continues to expand its collection and rotate artifacts on display, returning visitors will find new connections to the artists, characters, and performances that continue to shape comedy today.
Also back on display is one of the museum’s most beloved characters: Fozzie Bear, the Muppets’ resident stand-up comedian, voiced and performed by comedy legend Frank Oz, delighting guests once again with his unmistakable brand of “Wocka Wocka!” humor.
These new displays join an extraordinary collection celebrating comedy’s greatest performers, television shows, and films. Stand face-to-face with Lucille Ball’s iconic polka-dot dress, see wardrobe from beloved television classics including Cheers and Frasier, and get up close to costumes and artifacts from hit films including Anchorman, Wayne’s World, and Zoolander. Throughout the museum, you’ll also discover legendary artifacts representing comedy icons including Eddie Murphy, Joan
Rivers, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles, Carl Reiner, the Smothers Brothers, and many more, alongside exhibits celebrating groundbreaking television series including Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, Seinfeld and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the National Comedy Center offers an experience unlike any other. With immersive exhibits, authentic artifacts, and an ever-growing collection celebrating comedy’s greatest performers and creative works, every visit reveals something different. This summer is the perfect opportunity to discover what’s new and experience why the National Comedy Center was recently named the #1 Best Pop Culture Museum in the country by USA
When Ben Stiller chose a permanent home for the remarkable career archive of his parents, legendary comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, he chose the National Comedy Center.
The donation by Ben Stiller and the Stiller family places more than five decades of comedy history in Jamestown, preserving the creative legacy of one of America’s most influential comedy teams. The archive includes handwritten scripts, performance notes, photographs, personal correspondence, and rare artifacts documenting not only an extraordinary career, but the creative partnership behind it.
“Knowing my parents’ body of work is preserved at the National Comedy Center means a great deal,” Ben Stiller said when announcing the gift. “The material they left behind was not just a gift for my family, but for anyone who wants to understand comedy as a creative process. They would have been very proud to know that the National Comedy Center is bringing their archive to life in a way that can inspire and educate future generations.”
With sharp, character-driven performances and a conversational approach, Stiller & Meara connected with audiences during the transformational decades of the 1960s and 1970s, rising from New York clubs to a remarkable 36 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show – the era’s most coveted stage – and to countless other television talk and variety programs, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Carol Burnett Show.
As a real-life married couple – he Jewish and she raised Irish Catholic – Stiller and Meara drew on the details of their own lives to create sketches that felt relatable and authentic. Their recurring characters, Hershey Horowitz and Mary Elizabeth Doyle, reflected the friction of worlds colliding – a widely felt experience in post-war America – and, with warmth and intelligence, helped to popularize a more personal and authentic style of comedy that continues to resonate today.
“Stiller & Meara broke ground by mining their own lives for moments rooted in honesty and affection,” stated Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center. “Their work was more than funny; it mainstreamed conversations about cultural difference, interfaith dating, gender equity, and the loosening of traditional relationship roles in a way that was quietly revolutionary.”
Beyond their collaborative work, both built acclaimed parallel careers as solo artists – Meara as a writer and in-demand TV actress who racked up four Emmy nominations across three decades as well as a Tony nomination for a late-career renaissance on the Broadway stage, and Stiller as both a seasoned stage performer and a screen actor who embodied unforgettable comedic characters in films like Hairspray and
on television series including The King of Queens and his Emmy-nominated role on Seinfeld.
The newly donated archive was meticulously assembled by Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara – its curation a particular passion for Stiller. “From their earliest improv sessions at Chicago’s storied Compass Players, to love letters encapsulating their youthful courtship, to handwritten drafts of sketches like ‘Computer Dating’ and ‘The Last Two People on Earth,’ which made history on Ed Sullivan’s stage, Stiller and Meara’s archive contains tens of thousands of pages spanning a remarkable body of work,” said Dr. Laura LaPlaca, the National Comedy Center’s Vice President of Archives. “Their comedy was crafted to feel organic, but they were serial editors – sometimes carrying a single sketch across decades of iteration and refinement.”
The Stiller & Meara collection joins the National Comedy Center’s congressionally designated archive for the preservation of comedy’s history, alongside the creative legacies of Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Joan Rivers, Johnny Carson, George Carlin, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Saturday Night Live, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, In Living Color, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and many more. Together, these collections continue to establish Jamestown as the nation’s home for preserving the art and history of comedy.
REMEMBERING A HOLLYWOOD HOMECOMING, 70 YEARS LATER
By Ashley Senske
0 years ago, residents of Jamestown, NY got to experience a Hollywood premiere right in their own downtown when Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz brought
their film Forever, Darling to the Palace Theater in February of 1956.
By this time, Lucy and Desi were among the most famous and successful entertainers in America. I Love Lucy was the nation’s number one television show, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards. The comedy duo, affectionately referred to as “Mr. and Mrs. Monday Night,” were in the midst of revolutionizing the entertainment industry through their company, Desilu Productions, by way of production, syndication, and even merchandising. And for Lucille, their trip to Jamestown marked the first time she would be returning home since becoming one of the most recognizable stars in the world.
The film was taken on a promotional tour that included major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and New York City; and Lucy insisted that Jamestown be included. It was a remarkable gesture that demonstrated how deeply she valued her hometown, even at the height of her fame.
The community responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. Businesses throughout the area embraced the film’s promotion. Bigelow’s Department Store featured a replica of Lucy’s wedding gown from the movie, while Jamestown Royal Furniture produced a special “Forever, Darling” armchair. The Palace Theater and MGM sponsored a children’s coloring contest, and local photography shops held competitions encouraging residents to capture candid moments of Lucy and Desi during their two-day stay.
Lucy and Desi arrived on February 6, 1956, by helicopter from Buffalo, landing at Jamestown High School’s football field. Tens of thousands gathered to welcome them, including students arranged on the football field spelling out “HI LUCY DESI” for an aerial photograph. One man recalled being a student in attendance at the school when the helicopter landed and said he could spot Lucille a mile away
with how red her hair was!
Their schedule was packed almost minute by minute. Following their arrival, they were escorted in a “Welcome Home!” parade through downtown Jamestown that led them to their lodgings at the Hotel Jamestown – which many folks tend to recall witnessing Desi riding on the back of a firetruck, waving to everyone who was brave enough to come out in the cold, rainy, February weather – then they attended press conferences, the Men’s Sports Night Dinner, and a Homecoming Ball that lasted well into the early hours of the next morning.
The following day included visits to local organizations, the hospital to visit ill children, Bigelow’s Department Store, and numerous community events. One of the most meaningful moments of the visit was Lucy’s return to her childhood home in nearby Celoron. Accompanied by a LOOK Magazine photographer who was travelling with the duo for this monumental return trip to Lucy’s hometown, Lucy revisited the place where she had her fondest childhood memories. Reflecting on the experience while standing in her childhood bedroom, she said, “This is the room where I used to dream.”
On the evening of February 7, downtown Jamestown was transformed for the premiere. Streets were decorated with garlands and banners, businesses were illuminated, and thousands of people filled the city center to try and catch a glimpse of the stars. Lucy and Desi expected a simple escort to the theater but instead found themselves participating in another parade complete with a marching band and military escorts. Following more press interviews outside, Lucille and Desi gave a warm and heartfelt “thank you” speech inside the theater as they introduced the film to the audience. A noticeably moved and emotional Lucille reminisced on how she truly got her start in acting right on that same theater stage, and how glad she was for the opportunities that Jamestown afforded her as she was exploring her love of acting very early on.
Fortunately, we know what took place over this two-day whirlwind thanks to photographs, audio recordings, and
film footage that have been donated to the Lucy Desi Museum’ archival collections – often from those who were in attendance personally or had family members who were. One remarkable surviving artifact is a scrapbook created by Jamestown resident Alan Peck, who was thirteen years old at the time. Peck documented the two-day celebration in extraordinary detail, preserving photographs, newspaper clippings, and what is believed to be one of the only surviving ticket stubs to the premiere. His prize-winning photograph of Desi Arnaz was even signed by Arnaz himself.
Seventy years later, the story of Forever, Darling’s Jamestown premiere remains far more than a movie promotion. It stands as a testament to the enduring bond between Lucille Ball and her hometown—a relationship built on pride, gratitude, and shared memories. This year, as we commemorate this anniversary, we celebrate not only a film, but a remarkable moment when two of Hollywood’s biggest stars came to town and were welcomed by a community that never forgot them. Perhaps the best reflection of what those two days meant comes from Lucy herself. In a thank-you letter written shortly after the visit to her longtime friend Pauline Lopus, who helped organize many of the festivities, Lucy described the homecoming as “the most memorable part of our tour.”
She admitted to Pauline that the emotional impact was almost overwhelming and fondly reflected on memories of Jamestown and Celoron as she remembered them from childhood, referring to them as her “Utopia.”
THE MAN IN THE POLKA DOT SUIT MALACHI LIVERMORE HAS SPENT YEARS CREATING UNFORGETTABLE COMEDY EXPERIENCES
By Emma Conti-Windle
If you’ve ever attended the National Comedy Center’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, there’s a chance you may have seen a comedic icon or two roaming the streets of Jamestown, performing onstage, or cutting a ribbon on a new exhibit. Those four days of laughter, community, food, music, and fun are hilariously chaotic as thousands of visitors from across the country come to our small city to celebrate the cherished life of Lucille Ball and the legacy of comedy.
On top of all of that, if you blinked, you may have missed a man, in a just-as-iconic navy and white polka-dotted suit, running from building to building, event to event, perhaps sporting a headset with a microphone, and speaking to a person you cannot see, all to make sure that everything is in tip-top shape.
It’s no coincidence that the man’s suit is reminiscent of one of the most iconic dresses of the festival’s namesake. And it must be fate that the man wearing it, Vice President of Programming and Guest Experience at the National Comedy Center, Malachi Livermore, began his journey with the National Comedy Center as an intern when it was in was in its foundational stages. Fifteen years later, Livermore oversees the guest experience at the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.
“We’re a tight-knit team,” Livermore said with a smile, “and yet for four to five days, we become Disneyland.”
A self-described “theatre kid” from Sinclairville, Livermore found his way to Jamestown through the stage, performing with the Lucille Ball Little Theatre and later in productions
at Jamestown Community College. It wasn’t long before he discovered the lasting influence Lucille Ball had on both her hometown and the entertainment industry.
“What I fell in love with is what a pioneer she and Desi, were for television. They invented the three-camera method, the first people to film in from a live studio audience, pioneered new lighting, pioneered the rerun.” Livermore said. “When I went to business school, the business sense that they had and the foresight is what really blew me away, to be honest.”
It was during his time at Jamestown Business College that he landed his internship with the National Comedy Center, and from there, it didn’t take long for him to grow with the organization and take on a leadership role in not only the establishment of the Center, but also its cornerstone event, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.
“I still get butterflies every year, but it becomes more fun each year,” Livermore said. “You develop a team. I’ve now worked with a lot of the same production people every year at the Reg Lenna, and at the arena. It’s like coming home to a family reunion.”
Livermore has helped lead the booking and coordination of talent and events, welcoming artists like John Mulaney, Lily Tomlin, Jim Gaffigan, Trevor Noah, Taylor Tomlinson, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, as well as this year’s festival headliners, Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer, and Seth Meyers, plus many more.
However, he recalls his favorite headliner of all time, Joan Rivers, who performed in 2011 in celebration of what would
have been Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday, along with Whitney Cummings and Paula Poundstone.
“Imagine working with a legend, the first year as an intern. She was my first headliner, and then years later, I get to design her National Comedy Center exhibit.” Livermore gushed. “So it was a wonderful start and then close to the experience. It just really breathed life into the launching of my career, to be honest.
Livermore is referring to the exhibit featuring Joan Rivers’ legendary joke file, a collection of more than 70,000 jokes written throughout her career, which debuted during last year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, headlined by Jon Stewart and Bill Murray. Yet even moments like these serve as a reminder that the festival is about something larger than any single exhibit or celebrity appearance. He never loses sight of its broader impact on the community and its role in celebrating comedy as an art form.
“This is not my festival, it’s the community’s festival. It predates me, it predates the National Comedy Center, and it predates the Lucy Desi Museum. It started in 1991 as a way to honor comedy, and it truly relies on the community. This could not be possible without the community, and I can’t stress that enough,” said Livermore, who was named one of Buffalo Business First’s “30 Under 30” in 2019.
“Managing the festival is like conducting an orchestra—you have to have your hand involved in everything, but trust the people who oversee the different areas.”
One of these trusted people is Event and Programming Manager Jeff Erickson with whom Livermore works closely to book both artists throughout the year.
“We’re constantly on the phone together.” Livermore said about Erickson. “He’s somebody who wears a lot of hats and brings a lot of expertise. So much of it comes down to communication.”
Livermore and Erickson work together to book talent from the biggest names in comedy, to rising stars and emerging talent. This is a responsibility Livermore finds particularly meaningful.
“I think it was the first or second year [of the festival]. We booked Nate Bargatze. He played the Tropicana Club stage.” Livermore smiled. “And then two years ago he’s back, selling out the arena for multiple shows. So that’s amazing.”
Livermore currently lives in Chicago with his partner, where a chance encounter led to one of his signature festival looks. While walking his dog near their apartment, he spotted a navy-and-white polka-dot suit in a shop window. Curious, he stopped in and discovered there was just one suit left—and it happened to be his size.
“My partner laughed and said, ‘Well, it’s Lucy,’” Livermore recalled. “There was only one left, and it fit perfectly. I thought, ‘Well, I have to.’ Lucy is, of course, iconic for her polka dots and was a true fashion pioneer.”
His love of theater remains just as strong. Outside of his work with the National Comedy Center, Livermore enjoys attending
productions and stage managing local theater. He remains deeply connected to Jamestown and continues to invest his time and talents in the National Comedy Center, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, and the community that helped launch his career.
Livermore will don his Lucy-inspired suit once again at this year’s festival (August 6–9), carrying with him a lesson from Lucille Ball that has guided him throughout his career.
“’Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world,’” Livermore said, recalling his favorite Lucy quote. “That’s truly what I believe. You have to believe in yourself, and you’re always going to have naysayers no matter what you do. But as long as you love yourself and believe what you’re doing is right in your heart, everything else should fall into line.”
MEET THE 2026 NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER INTERNS
Each year, the National Comedy Center welcomes talented college students and emerging professionals eager to gain real-world experience while helping advance the museum’s mission. Working alongside staff across multiple departments, interns contribute to meaningful projects that make a lasting impact while building skills that prepare them for future careers. The experience culminates with the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, where interns put those skills into practice while helping create an unforgettable experience for the thousands of visitors who come to Jamestown for this fourday event in August.
Meet the members of this year’s internship class.
Name: Andrew Carlson
Where are you from?: Busti, NY
School: St. Bonaventure University
Major: Business Management
Department you are interning for: Development
Something you’ve learned: The incredible amount of time,
hard work, and dedication our amazing team puts into operating both museums every single day. Seeing everything run so smoothly has given me an even greater appreciation for the people behind the scenes who make it all possible.
What Is making you laugh right now?: Instagram reels
Name: Liz Keppler
Where are you from?: Erie, PA
School: Pennwest Edinboro
Major: Graphic Design & Illustration Dual Major
Department you are interning for: Marketing (Graphic Design)
Something you’ve learned : I’ve learned that comedy is more than entertainment—it’s a powerful way to connect people across different backgrounds and experiences.
What Is making you laugh right now?: Cris Sosa’s Audition on America’s Got Talent Season 2
Name: Jamie Christensen
Where are you from?: New Jersey
School: Syracuse University
Major: Television, Radio, and Film/Creative Writing Department you are interning for: Executive office
Something you’ve learned: I’ve learned so much more about Lucille Ball, and every new thing I hear about her makes me all the more impressed!
What Is making you laugh right now?: The fact that Tim Hortons calls their donut holes “Timbits”. Tim’s bits of... what? I don’t think I WANT Tim’s bits Mr. Horton.
Name: Morgan Cunnigham
Where Are You From?: Meadville, PA
School: Kent State University
Major: Archival Studies
Department you are interning for: Archives
Something you’ve learned: People come from all over the country to see Jamestown!
What Is making you laugh right now?: Seinfeld
Name: Maggie Martin
Where are you from?: Spruce Pine, NC
School: East Tennessee State University
Major: Communication Studies and Political Science
Department you are interning for: Group Tours and Programming
Something you’ve learned: Never be afraid to start a conversation!
What Is making you laugh right now?: Nathan for You
Name: Giulianna Lalomio
Where are you from?: Dunkirk, NY
School: SUNY Fredonia
Major: Writing, environmental studies
Department you are interning for: Group Tours and Hospitality
Something you’ve learned: The Comedy Center has a little something for everyone. I’ve seen middle schoolers get excited about seeing Gabriel Iglesias’s van, a comedian I wouldn’t even expect them to know, and I’ve watched adult men giggling like little boys when a volunteer or staff member fools them into sitting on the “fart bench.” Comedy brings a smile to anyone’s face; not just because it’s supposed to, but often because of the memories it unlocks or the surprises it has in store.
What is making you laugh right now?: Something making me laugh right now are the shows Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. I’m also going to start watching Home Improvement again soon.
Name: Addison Schrader
Where are you from?: Falconer, NY
School: University at Albany
Major: Political Science Department you are interning for: Marketing and Communications
What Is making you laugh right now?: Joan River’s famous bits featured in the Joan River’s Joke File Exhibit!
Name: Michael Patric
Where are you from?: Jamestown, NY
School: St. Bonaventure University
Major: Finance / Accounting
Department you are interning for: Development
Something you’ve learned: I’ve learned the scale of impact the National Comedy Center has on Chautauqua County. What is making you laugh right now: Ian Lara’s “Material Boy”
Name: Madelyn Flannery
Where are you from?: Warren, PA
School: Mercyhurst University
Major: Marketing, minor: Management Department you are interning for: Marketing and Communications
Something you’ve learned: I have learned that these museums are about creating meaningful experiences through history, storytelling, and humor, not just displaying artifacts. What Is making you laugh right now?: My TikTok for you page!
Name: Grace Zahm
Where are you from?: Sinclairville, NY
School: B.A. Cornell University, MLIS Queens College Major: Library Science
Department you are interning for: Archives
Something you’ve learned: So much about the day-to-day functions of an archive, especially how to present it to the public in engaging and accessible ways!
What is making you laugh right now?: Daniel Hentschel misquoting George Carlin, saying “It’s one big peanut, and you ‘aint in it!”
Something you’ve learned: The vast impact that I Love Lucy and Desilu Productions had on the future of the television industry!
A DAY IN MY LIFE AS AN INTERN AT THE NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER
By Addison Schrader
Hometown: Falconer, NY
High School: Falconer High School
College: University at Albany
Growing up in the Jamestown area, some of my earliest memories are of my family getting out of the house in the middle of cold and snowy January to take part in the annual Doors Open Jamestown event.
I now know that getting pictures taken on the set of I Love Lucy and becoming part of the iconic “Vitameatavegamin Girl” scene at the Lucy Ball Desi Arnaz Museum was just part of the preparation process for my future role as an intern with the Marketing and Communications department.
Luckly, the bulk of my days are never the same as the last at the National Comedy Center, but I always start off the morning with a cup of coffee and the daily huddle meeting, where all staff share their department’s expectations for the day. Some days I may be found setting up lighting for a live broadcast with our Executive Director, Journey Gunderson, or in the storage rooms working on signage inventory for Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. While the interviews might be more glamorous, I’ve come to learn that more mundane tasks are no less important to the organization. And as of late, I’m likely to be spotted driving all around our local communities or walking the streets of downtown Jamestown distributing marketing materials for the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and the National Comedy Center.
One of my favorite aspects of the internship with the
National Comedy Center is the time spent working in both museums. Seeing guests interact with the exhibits and immerse themselves in the environment brings such a sense of accomplishment. I watch grandparents bring their grandchildren into the National Comedy Center and introduce them to comedy legends such as Johnny Carson and Joan Rivers, while the grandkids show their grandparents how to create their own internet meme! It becomes so clear just how much of a bridge comedy can be between generations of people!
Every day, I get to work alongside an incredible team of people that play a crucial role in the success of the National Comedy Center. I love getting to learn from the staff in all departments and how their role shapes the success of the organization. I get to see the inner workings of nonprofit management, which will serve as a great asset as I’m beginning my professional career. Along with the staff, I get the opportunity to work with volunteers that graciously give their time to support the Comedy Center and assist with community events, especially school field trips, where young kids get to experience the joys of comedy!
I’m most grateful that this internship has allowed me to give back to the local community in which I was raised. In this first month, my appreciation for the National Comedy Center has deepened greatly, as I have gotten to witness the pride and enthusiasm that the organization puts into ensuring its mission of preserving comedy’s heritage and supporting the region. I’m honored to be able to play a part in helping the National Comedy Center work to uplift what this world is in need offun and laughter.
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER INTERN
By Madelyn Flannery
Hometown: Warren, PA
High school: Warren Area High School College: Mercyhurst University Class of 2027
When most people think of an internship, they probably picture grabbing coffee or filing paperwork. My experience as a Marketing and Communications Intern at the National Comedy Center has been anything but that. Growing up just 30 minutes from Jamestown, you’d think I would have visited the National Comedy Center long before this summer. Surprisingly, I never had. Now, I get to spend my days working behind the scenes at one of the most unique museums in the country, helping share its mission with visitors from all over.
One of the things I learned very quickly is that there really isn’t a “typical” day as an intern. Every morning starts with a huddle that everyone attends, but after that, I never know what I’ll be assigned to do. Some days I’m drafting social media captions, other days I’m helping to organize community outreach, distributing promotional materials to local businesses and schools, or preparing for the biggest event of the summer – the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. Every day brings something new, which is one of my favorite parts of this internship.
While I have gained valuable marketing experience, what has made this opportunity so special is the people. One of the best parts has been building relationships with my fellow interns. We hold a weekly intern meeting to catch up, talk about what we have been doing, and learn from each other. Having a group of people going through the same experience has made every challenge more manageable, and I know these are relationships I will carry with me long after the summer ends.
Working with the marketing team has shown me how much goes into creating an unforgettable visitor experience. I’ve had the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned as a Marketing and Management student at Mercyhurst University while developing new skills that can’t be taught in a classroom. Every project I’ve been given has challenged me to think, communicate, and adapt.
One of the most unique aspects of this internship has been working within both the National Comedy Center and the Lucy Desi Museum. Working in both museums has given me a much deeper appreciation for comedy’s history and the incredible legacy of Lucille Ball. While each museum tells its own story,
together they showcase how comedy has evolved while honoring those who shaped it. Seeing that connection from behind the scenes has given me a perspective that most people never get to experience.
After spending the last few weeks behind the scenes, I have a completely new appreciation for the museum, the people who make it possible, and the impact it has on the community. This internship has given me much more than just professional experience – it has given me confidence, meaningful connections, and memories I will always be grateful for.
This internship has shown me that one of the most incredible opportunities I’ve had was only 30 minutes from home.
COMEDY MAKES EVERY OCCASION MORE MEMORABLE
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER, LUCY DESI MUSEUM OFFER ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENT VENUES
The National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum have become popular venues for private events offering businesses, organizations, and families an opportunity to gather in a unique setting where the interactive museum elevates and enhances their event experience.
From corporate meetings and holiday parties to family reunions, milestone celebrations, fundraisers, and community gatherings, the museums welcome events of nearly every size while creating shared experiences that guests remember long after the event is over.
Together, the two museums offer flexible event spaces for groups of 10 to 500 guests. From the National Comedy Center’s theaters, interactive galleries, karaoke lounge, and seasonal outdoor patio to the newly renovated Tropicana Club at the Lucy Desi Museum, the venues can be tailored to gatherings of nearly every size and style. Organizations can host intimate meetings, museum-wide receptions, or large celebrations that make use of multiple spaces across the campus.
One of the biggest advantages is that the entertainment is already part of the experience. Rather than adding entertainment to an event, the museums immerse guests in comedy itself through interactive exhibits, personalized experiences, and spaces designed to encourage laughter, conversation, and discovery.
Corporate groups can reserve the National Comedy Center for exclusive evening events, giving attendees private access to the museum after hours, or plan daytime National Comedy Center “Takeovers” that transform the museum into an extension of a conference, retreat, or company celebration. Rather than simply breaking for entertainment, guests explore interactive galleries, compare personalized humor profiles, and share experiences that spark laughter, conversation, and connection throughout the event.
Events can be customized to fit each group’s goals and interests, whether it’s a board meeting, conference reception,
holiday party, fundraising event, anniversary celebration, reunion, milestone birthday, wedding weekend gathering, or family celebration. The museums’ experienced events team, audiovisual capabilities, catering partnerships, and bar service options help create experiences ranging from intimate celebrations to large-scale community events.
The Lucy Desi Museum has further expanded those opportunities with the recent renovation of its Tropicana Club, inspired by Ricky Ricardo’s iconic Manhattan nightclub from I Love Lucy . The refreshed venue offers an inviting and intimate setting for receptions, dinners, presentations, and private celebrations while surrounding guests with the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Together with the museum’s galleries, it provides a setting unlike any other in Western New York.
“Every event is different, and that’s what makes this work so rewarding,” said Kelly Olmsted, who manages private events for the National Comedy Center. “We work closely with each group to create an experience that reflects what they’re celebrating or hoping to accomplish. Whether it’s an executive meeting, a family reunion, or a holiday party, people leave saying they’ve never attended an event quite like it.
“The best events are about more than bringing people together – they create memories people talk about long after they’re over,” said Rochelle Mole, Chief Operating Officer at the National Comedy Center. “That’s what makes hosting an event here different. The museum becomes part of the occasion itself, and comedy creates shared moments that guests will be laughing about long after the day is over.”
For more information about hosting a private event at the National Comedy Center or Lucy Desi Museum, visit ComedyCenter.org/Events or email HostYourEvent@ ComedyCenter.org.
