American Masters

George Plimpton's Famous April Fool's Day Joke

For the April 1, 1985, issue of Sports Illustrated, George Plimpton profiled Sidd Finch, an incredible rookie baseball pitcher for The New York Mets. The story was too good to be true, and Plimpton asked his then personal assistant at The Paris Review, the now famous author Jonathan Dee, to keep the joke alive while Plimpton was traveling. Dee recalls the hoax in this web exclusive from Plimpton!

George Plimpton's Famous April Fool's Day Joke

3m 11s

  • How Phyllis Diller broke down the doors for female comics: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Phyllis Diller broke down the doors for female comics

    11m 35s

    On September 19, 2007, Phyllis Diller reflected on how her comedy was a response to years of “take my wife” jokes. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).

  • Jeff Foxworthy on how every American might be a "redneck": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Jeff Foxworthy on how every American might be a "redneck"

    15m 41s

    On November 16, 2006, Jeff Foxworthy discussed how comedians need to be able to connect with their audiences and shared his definition of a redneck. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).

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