Biggest Comedy Museum Has Officially Opened

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. late / leɪt / (adj) – no longer living
    Example:

    She visited the grave of her late grandmother at the cemetery.


  2. memorabilia / ˌmɛmərəˈbɪlijə / (n) – items related to famous people or events
    Example:

    My sister is a big fan of that band. Her room is full of their memorabilia.


  3. cutting-edge / ˌkʌt̬.ɪŋ ˈedʒ / (adj) – very modern
    Example:

    The new mobile phone is so expensive because it uses cutting-edge technology.


  4. try (one’s) hand at (something) / traɪ hænd æt / (idiom) – to attempt to do something for the first time
    Example:

    As a new hobby, he tried his hand at playing the guitar.


  5. revitalize / riˈvaɪtəˌlaɪz / (v) – to make something that used to be weak become successful or healthy again
    Example:

    The new art program will revitalize the culture of the city.


Article

Read the text below.

The largest museum built for the art of comedy has opened its doors on August 1.


The National Comedy Center (NCC) was constructed in Jamestown, New York, the birthplace of the late Lucille Ball. As one of the most famous comedians in the United States, Ball wanted her hometown to be a place where people can celebrate and learn about comedy.


Journey Gunderson, the executive director of an organization with the same name as the museum, started the project in 2010. To build the museum, the NCC reportedly spent about $50 million.


The NCC exhibits different memorabilia and boasts cutting-edge technologies that are designed to make the museum experience interactive and personalized. At the entrance, visitors have to create a sense-of-humor profile using a radio-frequency identification bracelet. The personalized profile includes the visitors’ favorite TV shows, films, and style of comedy.


As they go inside, visitors will be greeted with a hologram and different touchscreen displays that feature their favorite comedians. The museum also has a comedy karaoke café where visitors can try their hand at being a comedian. After choosing a line or material from their favorite performers, visitors can get on stage and make the audience laugh.


Apart from celebrating comedy, the museum is also expected to revitalize Jamestown. More than 25% of the residents in the city left from 1950 to 2000, so its economic growth has been slow over the years. With the opening of the museum, the local government is hopeful that it will stimulate businesses in the city by drawing comedy fans and celebrities.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you like to visit the National Comedy Center? Why or why not?
• Do you think the National Comedy Center will help revitalize Jamestown’s economy? Explain.

Discussion B

• If you were to open a museum, what would be some things that it would feature?
• How can you make that museum more interactive? Discuss your ideas.