Original version

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

The Cultural Frontline

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

The Cultural Frontline: where arts and news collide.

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

The Cultural Frontline: Seth Rogen: The book that inspired my comedy

Magazines & Reviews

Seth Rogen: The book that inspired my comedy

03/07/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - The Cultural Frontline, Seth Rogen: The book that inspired my comedy

Hollywood star Seth Rogen and the rise of stand-up comedy in China

Hollywood star Seth Rogen on the funny book he draws on for inspiration and global comedians discuss using stand-up to start difficult conversations

This week on The Cultural Frontline, South African comedian Tumi Morake is looking at what makes us laugh globally and asking if comedy is the best way to approach uncomfortable topics. 

Ventriloquist and comedian Conrad Koch and his outspoken puppet Chester Missing are well known in South Africa. Conrad Koch uses Chester Missing to explore South African history and discuss issues of race and colonialism. He explains why he wants to use comedy to start difficult conversations.  

Has a song, a poem or a book ever changed the course of your life? Canadian-American actor, writer and comedian Seth Rogen shares the science fiction book that inspired his comedy writing, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. 

Stand-up comedy didn’t exist in China until recently but the success of comedy TV programmes, like the popular talent show Rock and Roast, has meant that the popularity of stand-up is soaring. Two women who have been pioneers in China’s comedy scene, Norah Yang and Maple Zuo, talk about cultural differences and the unique stand-up scene in China. 

Canadian comedian Vance Banzo has used his solo stand up career to reconnect with his Indigenous heritage, often opening up conversations with his audience. He tells Tumi about his work with the award winning TV sketch comedy foursome, Tallboyz and explains why he wants to see more Indigenous Canadian comedians in the spotlight.


(Photo: Seth Rogen. Credit: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for CTAOP)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Cultural Frontline

Seth Rogen: The book that inspired my comedy

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

About BBC World Service