Exploring the passing of comedic legends and how the connection with their audiences makes the loss more significant.

A look at groundbreaking comics, including George Carlin, Dick Gregory and Lenny Bruce, who embraced the risqué side of comedy and risked careers, prison, and even their lives to fight censorship.

Tracing the origins of topical humor from the invention of the monologue to the fake news shows of today.

Exploring the evolution of racial humor; how comedy can cross cultural barriers to unite people.

Examining how comedians find humor in the simple daily experiences we all share to make us laugh.

Exploring the fascinating mind of the comedian and the difficult road that many seem destined to take -- where mental illness and substance abuse are remarkably common.

Exploring family-friendly comedy and the struggles of abiding by strict network censors.

Examining the many different ways that comedy has lampooned and influenced politics over the years.

The history between animation and comedy.

How sexual humor, one of the oldest forms of comedy, pushes the limits of both comfort and political correctness.

Exploring and celebrating the greatest female comedians of all time and how they were able to succeed in every genre where humor is found despite rampant sexism and prejudice.

The history of comedic duos and the evolution of comedy teams.

Demonstrating how effective and funny it is when something serious is twisted slightly.

Exploring the history of sketch and improv comedy and how it evolved into a significant part of comedic talent today.

Comic and political provocateur W. Kamau Bell hosts this CNN original documentary series in which he travels to the far corners of America to explore race-based subcultures. Using humor to soften his experiences, Bell willingly subjects himself to awkward situations -- like attending a cross-burning, hate-mongering Ku Klux Klan session -- to demonstrate "the many diverse and colorful definitions of America," CNN says. Bell also visits a gated retirement community, experiences inner-city policing, spends time with spring break revelers, speaks to prison inmates, and travels to the Last Frontier.

With the Vietnam War, the British Invasion, Woodstock, the Civil Rights Movement, and JFK's assassination, the 1960s represent, perhaps, the most consequential decade in U.S. history. It was a period of monumental social and political change, altering virtually every aspect of American life for future generations. "The Sixties," a 10-episode documentary executive-produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, explores the people, events and discoveries that defined how citizens came to think about their government, their place in the world, and themselves. It combines archival newsreel footage, personal movies, interviews, and comments by historians, journalists, politicians, celebrities and others, bringing new perspectives about a landmark decade.

Executive-produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, CNN's eight-part documentary picks up where the network's critically acclaimed and highly-rated series "The Sixties" ended. Episodes examine the people, events and cultural touchstones that defined the '70s, delving into everything from the impact of the Vietnam War to the unprecedented scandal of Watergate. Also covered are the Iran Hostage Crisis, the sexual revolution, the Munich Olympics massacre, and the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. The documentary combines archival newsreel footage, personal movies, interviews, and comments by historians, journalists, politicians, celebrities and others, bringing new perspectives about a consequential decade.

The third installment from executive producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, following in the footsteps of critically-acclaimed series "The Sixties" and "The Seventies," tackles 10 years shaped by exceptionalism and excess. Like its predecessors, "The Eighties" intersperses rare archival newsreel footage, interviews, and comments by historians, journalists, politicians, celebrities and others, painting a perspective-rich picture of a vibrant decade. Episodes examine the age of Reagan, the AIDS crisis, the end of the Cold War, Wall Street corruption, the evolving TV and music scene, and everything in between.

Former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers hosts this CNN original series, an eight-part look at complex true stories of America's covert operations. The newly declassified missions are recounted firsthand by agents from all 16 U.S. intelligence bureaus, providing viewers with unprecedented access to a secret world of espionage. The missions span time periods from Cold War-era Moscow to modern-day Iran, from the streets of 1980s Cuba to Beijing of today. Among the stories covered are the military's hunts for Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Narrated and co-executive produced by Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, "Race for the White House" captures the high-stakes drama, dirty politics and Machiavellian schemes employed during history's most dramatic presidential elections. Using archival footage, interviews and stylized dramatizations, each hourlong episode tells the story of one presidential campaign, "a four-year, no-holds-barred battle to become the most powerful person in the world, culminating in a single night of heart pounding tension," says CNN. Among the races covered: Abraham Lincoln/Stephen Douglas, John F. Kennedy/Richard Nixon, and George H.W. Bush/Michael Dukakis.

HBO adds to its staple of late-night talk/comedy series with this entry starring Wyatt Cenac. The comic/writer explores a wide range of social and cultural issues facing Americans, using satire to tackle tough topics and investigate real-world solutions. Each episode features documentary-style field reports as its focal point. The segments allow Cenac to travel to suburban, downtown and rural parts of the country, where he talks with locals about systematic problems and offers comedic solutions to everyday inconveniences. In addition, the host engages an in-studio audience with commentary on current events. Cenac is a former writer and correspondent on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," where he earned three Emmy Awards.

Award-winning journalist and author Lisa Ling reports on unconventional lifestyles in the U.S. The former co-host of "The View" introduces viewers to subcultures and communities that are extraordinary and sometimes dangerous, and her interpersonal skills prompt interviewees to discuss matters they don't share with close friends or even family. "I have always believed that the more we know about each other, the more evolved we become," Ling says about the intent of the hourlong documentaries.

From local news and sports reporter to correspondent on ABC's "Good Morning America" and "Nightline," Bill Weir has taken a varied path in his journalism career. Another turn came when he joined CNN in 2013 to develop original programming, giving birth to "The Wonder List." In hourlong episodes, Weir travels with cinematographer Philip Bloom to five continents to tell stories of extraordinary people, places, cultures and creatures, which are at a crossroads. In a world of rapid change, how is the intrusion of modernization, climate change and tourism affecting the Galapagos, the Greek island Ikaria, the French Alps, the Dead Sea, the Florida Everglades, India, Venice, and Vanuatu, an island chain in the South Pacific? In 2050, will there still be tigers in the wild? Will the Taj Mahal still be standing? Will there still be Alps to climb and ski? "We set out to create time capsules of places we all agree are precious," Weir says.

Tom Hanks executive produces this series "The Nineties" with Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog. "The Nineties" delves deeply into the decade that brought about the rise of the internet -- it may have been dial-up but it still brought great joy and frustration -- and many other technological advancements such as DVDs --the VHS became a dying breed once DVDs came about -- and stepping stones in culture, politics, fashion, and music. The decade also saw the rise of six famous friends living in Manhattan and a young man in brightly colored cardigans, suspenders, and glasses.