CMA NY: Comedy Through The Ages

Fordham’s Department of Communication & Media Studies invites CMA NY for a Media Literacy Week discussion about what works comedically for different age groups - and why! 

When’s wordplay worth it? Can that punchline pack more punch? How old are you when you finally realize banana peels are just not that slippery? Join us to learn what lands humor wise among different age demographics - from a developmental perspective! This discussion, hosted by Fordham’s Department of Communication & Media Studies, will be led by Sherri Hope Culver (Director of the Center for Media and Communication Literacy at Temple University) and will feature two of the funniest writers we know, Adam Peltzman and Leah Gotcsik, as well as renowned psychologist and researcher Dr. Natascha Crandall, who has tested material with the toughest crowds and most honest critics of all: kids!

[This event is free (using access code) for CMA Members, Students, and NAMLE Members. Non-Member tickets are $10]

LOCATION:

Fordham University at Lincoln Center 109 McMahon Hall, on 60th Street between Columbus & Amsterdam Avenues. Room 109 is right by the entrance to the building and is accessible. Photo ID required for entry.

FEATURING:

Sherri Hope Culver
Director of the Center for Media and Information Literacy, Temple University

Sherri is Director of the Center for Media and Information Literacy (MIL) at Temple University where she is a professor in Klein College of Media and Communication and directs the Certificate in Children’s Media. Sherri holds a UNESCO Chair in MIL. She produces and hosts the podcast Kids Talk Media.

Natascha Crandall, Ph.D.
President, Crandall Consulting, LLC

Dr. Natascha Crandall is a psychologist, educator, researcher, Guest Lecturer, and Daytime EmmyAward Judge who works towards enhancing children’s growth and development through the power of media. She is the founder and president of Crandall Consulting, LLC. Natascha received her doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University and has been an industry expert for 20+ years. She has extensive experience in curriculum development, script review, diversity consulting and formative research for over 80 shows including: Gabby’s Dollhouse, The Octonauts, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Alma’s Way, Bing, Bubble Guppies, Peter Rabbit, Bob the Builder, and many Sesame Workshop international co-productions. Natascha is also the Board President for The Prompt Institute and is a past member of the Board of Education of Woodcliff Lake, NJ.

Adam Peltzman
Creator, Writer, and Producer (Go, Dog. Go!, Odd Squad)

Adam Peltzman is a five-time Emmy winning creator, writer and producer. He served as Executive Producer and showrunner of the popular animated Netflix series, Go, Dog. Go!, which he developed from the classic children's book. Adam created and ran the animated Nickelodeon series Wallykazam! and co-created the PBS Kids live action series Odd Squad. He also co-created the WNYC fictional family podcast series, This Podcast Has Fleas. Adam began his career on the hit series, Blue's Clues where he eventually became head writer. Additional head writer credits include Helpsters, The Electric Company, The Backyardgians and Bubble Guppies. When he's not writing for television, Adam finds himself dabbling in short fiction, short humor and short plays, often while wearing shorts. He's recently had pieces published with Writers Digest, New Jersey Monthly and McSweeney's Internet Tendency. Adam lives with his family in Montclair, New Jersey, where he plays an excessive amount of pickleball.

Leah Gotcsik
Writer and Showrunner (The Tiny Chef Show, SuperKitties)

Leah Gotcsik is an Emmy, Annie and Canadian Screen Award winning writer/showrunner. She has worked across networks and streamers in CG, 2D, stop-motion and live-action, as Executive Producer of The Tiny Chef Show, Co-Producer/Head Writer of SuperKitties, Head Writer for Bubble Guppies and Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Toolbelt, and Story Editor for Alma’s Way. She’s also written on Odd Squad, Helpsters, Molly of Denali and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, to name a few. Leah's developed original and major IP properties for Nickelodeon, Netflix, Amazon, and Mattel/Max, including the recently released Barney’s World. She is a 2024 graduate of the WGAE Showrunner Academy, a veteran improv and sketch writer/performer with Second City, UCB, the Annoyance, Baby Wants Candy, and others, and a lifelong member of the "Tries Her Best" Club, as designated by her son. If you give her a piece of pie, she will eat it.