Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, recently discussed the significance of preserving comedy as a cultural institution during an appearance on the Daily Variety podcast. Located in the hometown of comedy legend Lucille Ball, the center has become a destination for performers and fans alike, particularly during the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, which this year features headliners Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer, and Seth Meyers.
Under Gunderson’s leadership over the past 15 years, the organization has evolved from the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum into a comprehensive center housing archives from comedy titans including George Carlin, Carl Reiner, and Mel Brooks. The expansion has created a unique resource that distinguishes Jamestown from other cultural destinations, with A-list comedians now making time to explore the galleries when performing at the festival.
Gunderson emphasized the critical need for active preservation efforts, noting that comedy history would otherwise risk being lost. The Mel Brooks archive alone contains over 150,000 documents and 5,000 photographs, offering insights into how his comedic style developed and reflected the world around him. She expressed particular pride in how the center demonstrates comedy’s power as a tool for processing difficult historical moments and reclaiming agency through satire.
Originally reported by Variety →
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