Contains Explicit and Uncensored Content.

When the world was grieving the events of September 11, 2001, the comedy world found itself in the precarious position of navigating when and how to laugh at the disaster in the chaotic aftermath. Late night talk shows pushed back scheduled programming, only to return to the air with monologues featuring rare, raw sincerity. Many say that it was Mayor Giuliani’s appearance on Saturday Night Live that finally gave Americans permission to laugh again - while other comedians, including Gilbert Gottfried and Joan Rivers, fielded blowback from journalists and audiences for cracking the wrong kind of jokes and being insensitive. Years later, 9/11 is fair game for many comedians who continue to test the boundaries of taste on the topic, as evidenced by the audience’s reaction during The Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe where Twin Tower jokes were slung at SNL star Pete Davidson’s expense, whose father died in the tragedy. 

This video includes exclusive interviews with Jimmy Kimmel, Gilbert Gottfried, Penn Jillette, Jen Kirkman, Pete Davidson, and Patton Oswalt.