My 7-year-old son grabbed at the imaginary chocolates, pretending to stuff them into his mouth à la the classic scene from "I Love Lucy." It was a good thing they weren't real because he was laughing so hard he would have spewed them all over the floor.
It was one of many memorable experiences my family had at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, a world-class museum like no other. The center, which opened in Lucille Ball’s hometown in August 2018, is a place where the whole family can spend hours laughing -- and learning -- about the art, the history, and the people of comedy.
In March 2019, the center was formally designated as the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy.
A Personalized Comedic Experience
The National Comedy Center includes more than 50 interactive exhibits designed to both educate and entertain. There are plenty of laughs to be had here -- but there's also a true appreciation for the history behind the art of comedy.
The technology is mind-boggling: Most of the high-tech exhibits are personalized through a wristband that includes a computer chip. Upon entry to the museum, you head to a kiosk and identify what comedians and shows you love. The video clips, jokes and other entertainment you're shown as you move through the museum are based on those selections.
Funny For All Ages
I was afraid the museum wouldn't be overly kid-friendly, but I shouldn't have been worried. We spent nearly four hours at the museum and still had to drag our kids, ages 7 and 9, away.
It helped that there are plenty of places for kids (and adults!) to rest along the way — from theaters to couches to bar stools. It seemed everywhere we turned was a new place to sit down and explore some new fun. There is also a small café located in the museum store that sells pre-packaged salads, sandwiches, and other lunch and snack items prepared by a nearby Jamestown restaurant, Labyrinth Press Co.
Some of our favorite exhibits included:
- Drawing cartoons, where they got to learn how to create a character.
- Using common comedic movie props -- think whoopie cushions, anvils and banana peels -- to see clips and comics of those props in action through the years, from black and white silent movies to South Park.
- Making funny faces to try to match our favorite comedian's mug.
- Taking part in a Laugh Battle, where the competitor who laughs last wins (Turns out mostly we made each other laugh by making funny faces from trying not to laugh!)
- Inserting ourselves into a classic "I Love Lucy" scene.
- Trying their hand at stand up (the Stand-Up Lounge also includes a bar for adults who might need some liquid courage to get on stage! Bonus, they serve Southern Tier Brewing Co. craft beer and Southern Tier Distilling Co. craft cocktails, both made a just a few miles away in Lakewood, NY.)
- Adding sound effects to movie clips (the farting cowboys were their favorites!)
- Creating their own memes
The Comedy Center Is No Joke, but it Sure is Full of Them!
My husband and I were continually bowled over by the technology on display throughout the museum. The wristbands were amazing enough. Add to that a Jim Gaffigan hologram who gives a 12-minute talk on the trajectory of his career; the 60-foot touchscreen wall that allows visitors to explore the interconnectedness of the comedy industry (hint: It all seems to lead back to SNL); and even a joke box at the end that spat out jokes personalized as keepsakes for us to take home.
The artifacts here are also fun, starting with the motorcycle driven by Dan Aykroyd to the SNL studios in the 1970s in the lobby to the baby carrier worn by Zach Galifianakis in "The Hangover." There's also an impressive display dedicated to George Carlin, whose daughter donated 25,000 pieces of his estate to the museum.
But while the artifacts are fun to look at -- don't miss Jerry Seinfeld's "puffy" shirt! -- it's the technology and interactive exhibits that truly make this museum unlike anything I've visited before. The National Comedy Center is a world-class cultural destination -- and that's no joke.
Kara Murphy is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Erie, a free weekly newsletter and website that delivers news on all the kid and family friendly events going on in the Erie, Pa., area.