United States of Comedy
Meet diverse, emerging voices in comedy from across America, each trying to make it big.
Episodes
The Making of a Griot | United States of Comedy, Ep 1
Haitian-born, Brooklyn-based comic Tanael Joachim mines comedy from being a fish out of water.
Be Too Much | United States of Comedy, Ep 2
Called "too much" her whole life, Austin's Lea’h Sampson now embraces her true self in her standup.
America’s Gay Christian Sweetheart | United States of Comedy, Ep 3
Legendary Atlanta comic Ian Aber takes the stage with jokes about growing up queer in the South.
The Art of Clown | United States of Comedy, Ep 4
L.A.'s Christina Catherine Martinez is a bewitching hybrid of standup, clown and performance artist.
Ready For Your Headliner? | United States of Comedy, Ep 5
Iranian American comic Sohrab Forouzesh gets his big break: headlining Chicago's legendary Zanies.
About the Documentary
United States of Comedy showcases emerging, diverse voices in comedy from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Austin, providing a rare, intimate glimpse into their backstories alongside a mix of standup. Their jokes strike a chord with audiences from all walks of life, but here you get to know their personal stories, giving a finer appreciation of how they’ve honed their craft.
The Filmmakers
Habib Yazdi
Habib Yazdi is an Iranian American director and comedic writer shaped by his upbringing in rural Texas, where his family’s Persian traditions intersected with a Southern Baptist community. This distinctive blend spurred an interest in crafting stories about how cultural backgrounds shape behavior.
Jackie Aude
Jackie Aude is a queer Lebanese-Cuban American writer/producer living in Queens, New York, who has worked in documentary film, television, and commercial spaces. A wannabe baker and part-time gardener, you can also sometimes find her hauling heat throughout New York with her community sauna project.
Neda Armian
Neda Armian is an EmmyⓇ and Peabody Award-winning producer. Select credits include: Rachel Getting Married, Murder on Middle Beach, Aporia, Loan Wolves, The Ballad of Lefty Brown, Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains, The Truth About Charlie, The Longest Week, Why Stop Now, The Loving Story, and The Trivial Pursuits of Arthur Banks.