Soldiers in Italy learn to take — and make — a joke from Netflix comedy show star

Comedians Iliza Shlesinger and Hunter Hill are touring military bases in Italy this week as part of a USO Entertainment tour. Soldiers, military family members and veterans pose with comedians Hunter Hill and Iliza Shlesinger, center, after a comedy workshop at the USO on Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 19, 2026. Shlesinger is touring military bases in Italy this week as part of a USO Entertainment tour. (Chad Garland/Stars and Stripes) VICENZA, Italy — On arrival at a U.S. Army post in Italy, a young noncommissioned officer was so stoked about his new public affairs job that he rushed out to take pictures on the installation. Only it was late, he was in a hoodie, and he was using his smartphone, meaning he likely looked just like the stock image suspect in an annual counterintelligence training briefing.

In no time, military police showed up to investigate. Thinking the experience could be mined for its humor, the NCO sought some coaching this week from visiting comedian Iliza Shlesinger. Her workshop Monday at the USO on Caserma Ederle was in parts comedy show, writing lesson and therapy session. So Shlesinger dug in, asking for details. It turns out that the responding officers had included not just U.S. military police but also Italian carabinieri. “Can we talk about the fact that it’s