The Other Side

Comedy Hack Day matches comedians with coders. Together, they figure out funny ideas for apps and websites. Then they build 'em. And then they present 'em.

This year, the grand finale for Comedy Hack Day DC is at the Improv on November 13. We're talking to Ross Nover, who helps organize the event, and Kasha Patel, who was on the winning team for 2015. They explain how the event started -- and what it takes to be a champion. Have a listen, then come party at the presentations on 11/13.

The Comedy Hack Day DC website

John F. Kennedy charmed voters, reporters and just about everyone he met with his quick wit and self-effacing jokes. Why was humor so important to JFK, who might be our most charismatic president?

Author Thomas Maier ("When Lions Roar: The Churchills and the Kennedys," "The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings," "Masters of Sex") joins us to talk about the "Irish" nature of Kennedy's humor. For all his privileged upbringing, JFK knew how to use the humor of an outsider. And blessed by the flourishing medium of television, he managed to leverage laughter more effectively than almost every public political figure who came before him.

Thomas Maier's website

Kennedy humor on video (via the Kennedy School)

MUSIC: Hail Columbia, "Boston Bounce" by Dan Belloc's Orchestra, "Gambling Jack" by Jelly Roll Morton and His Red Hot Peppers

Grover Cleveland must have been fun -- the guy won the popular vote three times. But was he funny?

Sharon Farrell, the caretaker of the Cleveland Birthplace in New Jersey, is our special guest. She gives us a tour of both sides of Grover: The hard-working politician and lawyer, and the fun-loving guy who enjoyed drinking, fishing and hunting with friends. Was Grover a cut-up in private? Did his upright reputation prevent him from joking in public? And what exactly is "rotund jocularity"?

Cleveland Birthplace website

Sharon on C-SPAN

MUSIC: Hail Columbia, "Jersey Bounce" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, "Jersey Sweet" by James P. Johnson

Ronald Reagan was called the "Great Communicator," and a big part of that was humor. Whether he was explaining his philosophy, deflating an opponent or firing up a crowd, Reagan knew that a well-placed joke could make all the difference.

Journalist and Reagan biographer Lou Cannon joins us to explain how Reagan's use of humor was both natural and practiced -- and why Reagan was so great at connecting with people both in person and through mass media.

President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime

MUSIC: Hail Columbia, "Hollywood Jump" by Count Basie and His Orchestra, "Hollywood Hop" by Earl "Fatha" Hines

John Tyler is the answer to a few trivia questions: The first vice president promoted to the big job, the president with the most kids, and the only president who joined the Confederacy. But what about this distinction: Was Tyler the funniest president?

Professor Edward P. Crapol (retired from the College of William and Mary) is our guest. His 2006 biography, "John Tyler: The Accidental President," is one of the most significant studies of the 10th president in the last 50 years. Ed helps us understand Tyler's "aristocratic" bearing and shares some choice examples of the Virginian's wit.

"John Tyler: The Accidental President" on Amazon.com

Ed on C-SPAN

MUSIC: "The Outlaw" by the Horace Silver Quintet, "Big John's Special" by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra

For eight years, Brian was one of the funniest guys on "TMZ." But the last few years, he's been branching out from that gig to acting, parenting, AND stand-up comedy.

The PG County native talks to us about his very eclectic and very cool career in the entertainment industry. Have a listen, then come to the DC Improv lounge on November 12 to see Brian headline.

You know Tony Perkins from his work on Fox 5 and "Good Morning America." You've heard him on "The Tony Perkins Show" podcast, which tapes live at the Improv on October 8.

But did you know that Tony worked for a decade as a stand-up comedian? He stops into the Improv to tell us about his experiences on the comedy stage -- and whether he'll ever do it again.

Sean Patton makes his DC Improv headlining debut on September 29, closing out our DC Beer Week celebration with DC Brau. So we got him on the phone to say hi, tell us about his amazing comedic storytelling powers and share a drinking story.

Check out this chat, then get your tickets for 9/29 ...

The search for the funniest president continues! We know that people liked Ike. But was comedy part of Dwight Eisenhower's appeal?

Our guest is Michael Birkner, a history professor at Gettysburg College -- the very place where Eisenhower kept his offices after leaving the White House. We talk about Eisenhower's fundamental good nature, and the way he used his avuncular image to his strategic advantage. And while we know that Eisenhower was able to laugh at himself, we tackle the question: Could Ike tell a joke? It's a very cool look at one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century ...

Michael J. Birkner bio

Eisenhower National Historic Site

Gettysburg College

MUSIC: Hail Columbia, "The General Jumped at Dawn" by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, "American Patrol" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra

Lots of people know Roy Wood Jr. from "The Daily Show," but that's only the latest phase of his career. He's one of the great working road comics, who spent his 20s driving hundreds of thousands of miles to comedy gigs around the South and Midwest.

Now that the road has brought him to the DC Improv (headlining September 2-4) he tells us about his experiences, and how they shaped the comedy he's producing today.