Michael Moore

Fahrenheit 911, Bowling for Columbine, and Roger and Me; the books Dude, Where’s My Country? and Stupid White Men: if you haven’t heard of Michael Moore, there may be something funny about you. . . . He’s serious of purpose and extremely funny.

Shazia Mirza

Mirza is the world’s only (known) Muslim woman stand-up comic. Profiled last spring by 60 Minutes, she’s becoming an international sensation by exploding cultural stereotypes — held by outsiders and insiders — surrounding Islam and larger issues of identity.

P.J. O'Rourke

O’Rourke is one of America’s leading satirists; he’s written for Rolling Stone and Atlantic Monthly. A best-selling author of more than ten books, he has more citations in The Penguin Dictionary of Humorous Quotations than any other living writer.

The Capitol Steps

America’s finest musical political satirists, they put the “mock” in Democracy. P.J. O’Rourke says, “The Capitol Steps are what Washington would be like if everyone were smarter and could sing.” President Bush said, “The Capitol Steps make it easier to leave public office.” Need we say more?

Ted Cohen

Cohen is a philosopher, which, in itself is not so funny. But he’s also an avid teller of jokes, and the author of Jokes: Philosophical Thoughts on Joking Matters. He will help us think about why we laugh at what we do — and why sometimes we don’t. He is Professor of Philosophy at The University of Chicago.

Bob Mankoff

Mankoff is cartoon editor of The New Yorker. He is also one of the nation’s leading commentators on the role of humor in American life, the author of The Naked Cartoonist on the creative process of cartooning, and an A&S alumnus (1966).

Anna Deavere Smith