Mass Appeal, the multimedia company co-founded by hip-hop icon Nas, was hit on Tuesday with a discrimination lawsuit in which a white executive claims she was the victim of “venomous and racist comments about ‘White folk’ and ‘crackers,’” and was subsequently fired.
Filed in a federal court in Manhattan, the lawsuit specifies the races of the parties due to the nature of the allegations. Melissa Cooper, a veteran documentary producer who was head of development at Mass Appeal and is white, alleges that company executives — including Peter Bittenbender, the company’s chief executive who is also white, and Jenya Meggs, its senior vp for partnerships & content acquisition, who is Black — “discriminated against her by removing her from several high value projects, creating a hostile work environment, and terminating her employment.”
Nas is not specifically named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but he is a partner in Mass Appeal, which is named.
Filed in a federal court in Manhattan, the lawsuit specifies the races of the parties due to the nature of the allegations. Melissa Cooper, a veteran documentary producer who was head of development at Mass Appeal and is white, alleges that company executives — including Peter Bittenbender, the company’s chief executive who is also white, and Jenya Meggs, its senior vp for partnerships & content acquisition, who is Black — “discriminated against her by removing her from several high value projects, creating a hostile work environment, and terminating her employment.”
Nas is not specifically named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but he is a partner in Mass Appeal, which is named.
- 10/17/2023
- by Allen Salkin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sherri Shepherd staged a View reunion by having Joy Behar on Sherri on October 11, and the former co-hosts shared a shocking story about the late Barbara Walters and Richard Pryor during their interview. According to Shepherd, the late comedian Paul Mooney told her years ago that he walked in on Walters and Pryor hooking up. The story came up when Shepherd was ribbing Behar about their time together on The View. As Shepherd teased, “You liked it that I was scared of Barbara Walters. You used to laugh.” “What was scary about her?” Behar said, as Shepherd replied, “I don’t know. She was just so formidable … I would tell you stuff and then you would go and tell it.” Then came the… intimate details about their former colleague, who died in December 2022 (Pryor died in 2005). “I never told this before, but I’m going ...
- 10/11/2023
- TV Insider
Eddie Murphy has always been open about the respect he has for late comic Richard Pryor. But Murphy’s admiration for Pryor might’ve grown even more after Pryor defended him against two other comic legends.
Richard Pryor told these comic veterans to apologize to Eddie Murphy for their behavior Eddie Murphy | Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic
Murphy and Pryor even met a couple of times. One of the fondest memories the Nutty Professor star had of Pryor was when the comic came to his defense. Back in his much younger days, Murphy was on the cusp of his career breakthrough. He recalled doing standup at The Comedy Store in the 80s, sharing the same building with comedians Paul Mooney and John Witherspoon.
“I was like first-year SNL and I was killing, and I was like, ‘They’re giving me the light?’ I was only up for 10 minutes,’” Murphy said on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Richard Pryor told these comic veterans to apologize to Eddie Murphy for their behavior Eddie Murphy | Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic
Murphy and Pryor even met a couple of times. One of the fondest memories the Nutty Professor star had of Pryor was when the comic came to his defense. Back in his much younger days, Murphy was on the cusp of his career breakthrough. He recalled doing standup at The Comedy Store in the 80s, sharing the same building with comedians Paul Mooney and John Witherspoon.
“I was like first-year SNL and I was killing, and I was like, ‘They’re giving me the light?’ I was only up for 10 minutes,’” Murphy said on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
- 9/27/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
From its opening moments, of a girl jumping rope while counting and naming the stars in the nighttime sky, Peter Greenaway’s Drowning by Numbers is perhaps the most direct illustration of the filmmaker’s key thematic and aesthetic interest in ascribing structure to a chaotic universe. Throughout, the film slowly counts from one to 100 via a combination of character dialogue and visual markers sprinkled in frames like an elaborate game of I Spy. In deadpan voiceovers, a young boy also elaborates the byzantine rules of made-up games whose goals seem altogether too banal to be worth their complexity.
The plot that strings together these playful games involves three women, each named Cissie Colpitts, who drown their husbands and enlist the help of a coroner, Madgett (Bernard Hill), to cover up the crimes. In a relatively light preamble to the darker feminist revenge drama of Greenaway’s subsequent The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover...
The plot that strings together these playful games involves three women, each named Cissie Colpitts, who drown their husbands and enlist the help of a coroner, Madgett (Bernard Hill), to cover up the crimes. In a relatively light preamble to the darker feminist revenge drama of Greenaway’s subsequent The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover...
- 5/1/2023
- by Jake Cole
- Slant Magazine
If J.B Smoove had it his way, he’d cast himself as the lead in a biopic about the late comedian Dick Gregory. “In another world, another life, if I was 20 years younger, I would love to play that man,” says the Emmy-winning actor and stand-up comic. “He really had an amazing, fascinating life.”
Smoove (né Jerry Brooks) did a deep dive on Gregory’s life when he narrated the six-part Audible Originals podcast Funny My Way, uncovering the lives of six Black comedy legends: Gregory, Flip Wilson, Paul Mooney, Moms Mabley, Rudy Ray Moore and Redd Foxx. His performance has earned the Curb Your Enthusiasm star an Ambie nomination for best podcast host.
When Conan O’Brien — whose podcast production juggernaut, Team Coco, developed the show — approached him with the idea, the veteran comedian was intrigued primarily as a fan of the series’ legendary subjects. “It’s like what Mike Tyson...
Smoove (né Jerry Brooks) did a deep dive on Gregory’s life when he narrated the six-part Audible Originals podcast Funny My Way, uncovering the lives of six Black comedy legends: Gregory, Flip Wilson, Paul Mooney, Moms Mabley, Rudy Ray Moore and Redd Foxx. His performance has earned the Curb Your Enthusiasm star an Ambie nomination for best podcast host.
When Conan O’Brien — whose podcast production juggernaut, Team Coco, developed the show — approached him with the idea, the veteran comedian was intrigued primarily as a fan of the series’ legendary subjects. “It’s like what Mike Tyson...
- 2/24/2023
- by Cori Murray
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: J.B. Smoove is to pay homage to six Black comedians in a comedy docuseries podcast for Audible.
The audio service has ordered Funny My Way, hosted by the Curb Your Enthusiasm star.
The series will profile Paul Mooney, Flip Wilson, Rudy Ray Moore, Moms Mabley, Dick Gregory, and Redd Foxx, who have broken barriers in the entertainment industry. It will shine a light on everyday struggles in the Black community, and these iconic comedians’ fight for equality while being their authentic, raw selves. It will also give listeners an impactful look into comedy history – one that goes far beyond the punch lines.
Funny My Way, which launched on the platform on August 4, comes from Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco and Ayr Media.
Exec producers include Matt Powers, Jeff Ross, Adam Sachs and Willie Navarre for Team Coco, Aliza Rosen for Ayr Media and Toni Judkins.
It is the latest...
The audio service has ordered Funny My Way, hosted by the Curb Your Enthusiasm star.
The series will profile Paul Mooney, Flip Wilson, Rudy Ray Moore, Moms Mabley, Dick Gregory, and Redd Foxx, who have broken barriers in the entertainment industry. It will shine a light on everyday struggles in the Black community, and these iconic comedians’ fight for equality while being their authentic, raw selves. It will also give listeners an impactful look into comedy history – one that goes far beyond the punch lines.
Funny My Way, which launched on the platform on August 4, comes from Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco and Ayr Media.
Exec producers include Matt Powers, Jeff Ross, Adam Sachs and Willie Navarre for Team Coco, Aliza Rosen for Ayr Media and Toni Judkins.
It is the latest...
- 7/12/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sunday’s SAG Awards ceremony will return to its normal two-hour live format on TNT and TBS. One of the highlights each year is the special In Memoriam segment. It’s been a particularly rough year with over 100 deaths of prominent actors and actresses who were likely members of SAG/AFTRA. Show producers typically are able to include approximately 40-50 people in a tribute. The 2021 segment saluted 55 people because they had responsibility for 14 months instead of 12.
Among that group will certainly be previous SAG president Ed Asner, who was also a life achievement award recipient. That honorary award was also presented to Sidney Poitier and Betty White, who both died this past year.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2022: In Memoriam Gallery
Who else might be featured in the 2022 tribute? Look for Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, Oscar nominees Ned Beatty, Peter Bogdanovich and Dean Stockwell, plus Emmy champs Louie Anderson, Michael Constantine, Charles Grodin,...
Among that group will certainly be previous SAG president Ed Asner, who was also a life achievement award recipient. That honorary award was also presented to Sidney Poitier and Betty White, who both died this past year.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2022: In Memoriam Gallery
Who else might be featured in the 2022 tribute? Look for Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, Oscar nominees Ned Beatty, Peter Bogdanovich and Dean Stockwell, plus Emmy champs Louie Anderson, Michael Constantine, Charles Grodin,...
- 2/25/2022
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Joe Rogan has issued a statement expressing his regret over his use of the “N-word” in clips circulated by songstress India Arie.
Rogan was depicted using the racial slur two dozen times in the clips, which were used by Arie to illustrate why she was withdrawing her music from Spotify, where Rogan licenses his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience.
The controversial podcaster has been under fire since Neil Young asked for his music to be removed from the service to protest Rogan’s content. He was joined by several other musicians and podcasters.
It was reported today that the streaming service ha taken down rougly 70 Rogan podcasts without explanation. Many of the podcasts that were yanked involved other controversial commentators, including Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos, Owen Benjamin and Canadian writer Gavin Miles McInnes.
In his apology today for Arie’s clips, Rogan responded via Instagram, calling it “The most regretful...
Rogan was depicted using the racial slur two dozen times in the clips, which were used by Arie to illustrate why she was withdrawing her music from Spotify, where Rogan licenses his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience.
The controversial podcaster has been under fire since Neil Young asked for his music to be removed from the service to protest Rogan’s content. He was joined by several other musicians and podcasters.
It was reported today that the streaming service ha taken down rougly 70 Rogan podcasts without explanation. Many of the podcasts that were yanked involved other controversial commentators, including Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos, Owen Benjamin and Canadian writer Gavin Miles McInnes.
In his apology today for Arie’s clips, Rogan responded via Instagram, calling it “The most regretful...
- 2/5/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Over 70 episodes of the Joe Rogan Experience were quietly removed from Spotify Friday, adding yet another development in the ongoing debate over whether the streaming giant is responsible for monitoring misinformation and harmful content posted to its platform.
Among the episodes removed include interviews with Amy Schumer, Marc Maron, Bill Burr, Andy Dick, Tool frontman Maynard J. Keenan and Iliza Shlesinger.
It’s unclear why the episodes in question were pulled, and representatives for Rogan and Spotify did not respond to Rolling Stone‘s requests for comments. However, eagle-eyed fans...
Among the episodes removed include interviews with Amy Schumer, Marc Maron, Bill Burr, Andy Dick, Tool frontman Maynard J. Keenan and Iliza Shlesinger.
It’s unclear why the episodes in question were pulled, and representatives for Rogan and Spotify did not respond to Rolling Stone‘s requests for comments. However, eagle-eyed fans...
- 2/5/2022
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
Producers of the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony honored almost all of the expected people who died this past year. Who was not featured during the emotional In Memoriam segment Sunday night on CBS? Prominent performers and character actors such as Frank Bonner, Sean Connery, Michael Constantine, Abby Dalton, James Hampton, Bruce Kirby, Norman Lloyd, Helen Reddy and Jane Withers were not part of the 49 people included.
While over 100 celebrated television people died since last year’s event in mid-September of 2020, the segment generally only makes room for less than 50. Among those featured Sunday night: TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Norm Macdonald sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
The 49 people featured...
While over 100 celebrated television people died since last year’s event in mid-September of 2020, the segment generally only makes room for less than 50. Among those featured Sunday night: TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Norm Macdonald sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
The 49 people featured...
- 9/20/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
All products and services featured by IndieWire are independently selected by IndieWire editors. However, IndieWire may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
From “Do the Right Thing” to “Da 5 Bloods,” Spike Lee’s film catalog is packed with classics that have shaped Black cinema, and film at large. The Brooklyn-born auteur is known for a unique storytelling style, and of course, his signature double-dolly shot (where the character remains stationary while the background moves), which he’s used in several films including “Mo’ Better Blueseppice” and “Malcolm X.”
Last week, Film at Lincoln Center presented Lee with the Chaplin Award during the 46th Chaplin Award Gala, held at New York City’s Alice Tully Hall. The celebration, which was delayed a year because of the pandemic, included an excerpt from Lee’s HBO documentary...
From “Do the Right Thing” to “Da 5 Bloods,” Spike Lee’s film catalog is packed with classics that have shaped Black cinema, and film at large. The Brooklyn-born auteur is known for a unique storytelling style, and of course, his signature double-dolly shot (where the character remains stationary while the background moves), which he’s used in several films including “Mo’ Better Blueseppice” and “Malcolm X.”
Last week, Film at Lincoln Center presented Lee with the Chaplin Award during the 46th Chaplin Award Gala, held at New York City’s Alice Tully Hall. The celebration, which was delayed a year because of the pandemic, included an excerpt from Lee’s HBO documentary...
- 9/16/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Emmys 2021: In Memoriam segment will honor Michael K. Williams, Cicely Tyson, Ed Asner and who else?
Producers of this Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony have some difficult decisions to make about who to honor during the emotional In Memoriam segment. Cedric the Entertainer will host the 2021 Emmys for CBS at 8:00 p.m. Et; 5:00 p.m. Pt. A total of 34 presenters have been announced so far.
Our list below includes almost 100 people who made a strong contribution to television and have died since mid-September of 2020. Only about 40-45 of these people will probably be in the video segment. Certain to be featured will be TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
Ed Asner (actor)
Dana Baratta (writer/producer)
Anne Beatts (writer)
Ned Beatty (actor)
William Blinn (writer)
Frank Bonner (actor)
Perry Botkin,...
Our list below includes almost 100 people who made a strong contribution to television and have died since mid-September of 2020. Only about 40-45 of these people will probably be in the video segment. Certain to be featured will be TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
Ed Asner (actor)
Dana Baratta (writer/producer)
Anne Beatts (writer)
Ned Beatty (actor)
William Blinn (writer)
Frank Bonner (actor)
Perry Botkin,...
- 9/15/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Amber Ruffin and Robin Thede go way back.
The writers, producers and performers entered late-night TV around the same time (Ruffin in 2014 on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and Thede the following year on “The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore”). Before that, they’d each other for years, previously appearing together at improv shows where they would act out “lost” (aka fake) “227” episodes live.
Ruffin ended up writing on the first season of Thede’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” in 2019, but now the long-time friends are blazing individual trails in the late-night sketch comedy space. Thede’s HBO series just aired its second season, while Ruffin is celebrating the freshman year of her Peacock series “The Amber Ruffin Show.”
Variety brought them together to talk about finding creativity amid the Covid-19 pandemic, how the lack of wide representation for Black women in the sketch space affects what they do...
The writers, producers and performers entered late-night TV around the same time (Ruffin in 2014 on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and Thede the following year on “The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore”). Before that, they’d each other for years, previously appearing together at improv shows where they would act out “lost” (aka fake) “227” episodes live.
Ruffin ended up writing on the first season of Thede’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” in 2019, but now the long-time friends are blazing individual trails in the late-night sketch comedy space. Thede’s HBO series just aired its second season, while Ruffin is celebrating the freshman year of her Peacock series “The Amber Ruffin Show.”
Variety brought them together to talk about finding creativity amid the Covid-19 pandemic, how the lack of wide representation for Black women in the sketch space affects what they do...
- 6/21/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Comedian Paul Mooney has died at 79. Mooney was well known for working as a writer for The Richard Pryor Show, The Roseanne Show and Saturday Night Live. The comedian suffered from a heart attack and passed away in his home in Oakland, California on May 19. Mooney was also known for playing characters, such as […]
The post Comedian Paul Mooney Dies At 79 appeared first on uInterview.
The post Comedian Paul Mooney Dies At 79 appeared first on uInterview.
- 5/22/2021
- by Alexandra Llorca
- Uinterview
Calling Paul Mooney controversial was, at one time, like saying water was wet. He was going to say what he wanted to and if a person didn’t like it then too bad. One thing about comedy is that it does hit the boundaries of good taste quite often and, depending on the comedian, can leap right over it on the way to the next joke. Mooney was by far and large someone that had things on his mind that he meant to say, and considering that he was a writer for a talent like Richard Pryor it’s very fair to
Remembering Paul Mooney: Comedy Legend Died at 79...
Remembering Paul Mooney: Comedy Legend Died at 79...
- 5/20/2021
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Hollywood is mourning the loss of a beloved star. Comedian Paul Mooney passed away on Wednesday, May 19, at his home Oakland, Calif., his rep confirmed to NBC News. He was 79. "Paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him after he suffered a heart attack," his publicist Cassandra Wiliiams said in a statement. "He was staying with a family member who was a caregiver." Mooney's rep also noted he "had declining health that came with age." Funeral plans are expected to follow. During his illustrious career, Mooney served as a writer on The Richard Pryor Show, The Rosanne Show, In Living Color and Saturday Night Live. He also appeared on Dave Chappelle's titular...
- 5/19/2021
- E! Online
Paul Mooney, the comedian, writer and actor known for his close collaborations with Richard Pryor and Dave Chappelle, has died at the age of 79. Mooney died Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. at his home in Oakland, California, his representative confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was provided.
Mooney’s official Twitter wrote to fans following news of the comedian’s death, “Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars!
Mooney’s official Twitter wrote to fans following news of the comedian’s death, “Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars!
- 5/19/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Paul Mooney, the comedian, actor and writer for Richard Pryor, died on Wednesday morning, his representative Cassandra Williams confirmed to Variety. He was 79.
He died at his home in Oakland, Calif., after suffering a heart attack.
Mooney’s Twitter account also shared the news on Wednesday morning, posting “Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts…To all in love with this great man.”
Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks...
He died at his home in Oakland, Calif., after suffering a heart attack.
Mooney’s Twitter account also shared the news on Wednesday morning, posting “Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts…To all in love with this great man.”
Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks...
- 5/19/2021
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Paul Mooney, a towering figure in the world of comedy and social criticism who brought a sharp eye and sharper humor to the subject of race relations, never better than in his collaborations with Richard Pryor, died today after suffering a heart attack. He was 79.
His death was announced by his cousin Rudy Ealy to CNN contributor Roland Martin, who said Mooney died at his home in Oakland.
As an actor, Mooney portrayed singer Sam Cooke in 1978’s The Buddy Holly Story, played Junebug in Spike Lee’s 2000 Bamboozled, made numerous guest appearances on such TV series and specials as The Richard Pryor Show, The Larry Sanders Show, and, more recently, Chappelle’s Show, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and, in 2004, his own comedy series Judge Mooney.
Mooney’s greatest influence, though, was as a writer, at first for sitcoms such as Sanford and Son and Good Times, but more significantly with and for Pryor.
His death was announced by his cousin Rudy Ealy to CNN contributor Roland Martin, who said Mooney died at his home in Oakland.
As an actor, Mooney portrayed singer Sam Cooke in 1978’s The Buddy Holly Story, played Junebug in Spike Lee’s 2000 Bamboozled, made numerous guest appearances on such TV series and specials as The Richard Pryor Show, The Larry Sanders Show, and, more recently, Chappelle’s Show, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and, in 2004, his own comedy series Judge Mooney.
Mooney’s greatest influence, though, was as a writer, at first for sitcoms such as Sanford and Son and Good Times, but more significantly with and for Pryor.
- 5/19/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul Mooney, the pioneering comic, writer and actor, has died, his rep, Cassandra Williams, told The Hollywood Reporter. He was 79.
Mooney died Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. at his home in Oakland, California.
“Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks,” family posted on Mooney’s Twitter account Wednesday morning.
In addition to performing his own material, Mooney was famously a writer for the late comedian Richard Pryor....
Mooney died Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. at his home in Oakland, California.
“Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks,” family posted on Mooney’s Twitter account Wednesday morning.
In addition to performing his own material, Mooney was famously a writer for the late comedian Richard Pryor....
- 5/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Paul Mooney, the pioneering comic, writer and actor, has died, his rep, Cassandra Williams, told The Hollywood Reporter. He was 79.
Mooney died Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. at his home in Oakland, California.
“Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks,” family posted on Mooney’s Twitter account Wednesday morning.
In addition to performing his own material, Mooney was famously a writer for the late comedian Richard Pryor....
Mooney died Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. at his home in Oakland, California.
“Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – One Moon Many Stars! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks,” family posted on Mooney’s Twitter account Wednesday morning.
In addition to performing his own material, Mooney was famously a writer for the late comedian Richard Pryor....
- 5/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Eddie Murphy on Monday dropped by Late Night to discuss Coming 2 America, but it was the story that the comic-actor shared afterward that left host Seth Meyers hysterical.
Following their talk about the new sequel to his 1988 classic, Meyers asked Murphy if it was true that iconic comic Paul Mooney beat him up at The Comedy Store in the ’80s. Murphy’s classic storytelling took over.
Making clear there was no physical confrontation, Murphy explained there was an incident that started when he was given “the light” to wrap up his set one evening at The Store.
“I ...
Following their talk about the new sequel to his 1988 classic, Meyers asked Murphy if it was true that iconic comic Paul Mooney beat him up at The Comedy Store in the ’80s. Murphy’s classic storytelling took over.
Making clear there was no physical confrontation, Murphy explained there was an incident that started when he was given “the light” to wrap up his set one evening at The Store.
“I ...
Eddie Murphy on Monday dropped by Late Night to discuss Coming 2 America, but it was the story that the comic-actor shared afterward that left host Seth Meyers hysterical.
Following their talk about the new sequel to his 1988 classic, Meyers asked Murphy if it was true that iconic comic Paul Mooney beat him up at The Comedy Store in the ’80s. Murphy’s classic storytelling took over.
Making clear there was no physical confrontation, Murphy explained there was an incident that started when he was given “the light” to wrap up his set one evening at The Store.
“I ...
Following their talk about the new sequel to his 1988 classic, Meyers asked Murphy if it was true that iconic comic Paul Mooney beat him up at The Comedy Store in the ’80s. Murphy’s classic storytelling took over.
Making clear there was no physical confrontation, Murphy explained there was an incident that started when he was given “the light” to wrap up his set one evening at The Store.
“I ...
Varèse Sarabande Records has released The Buddy Holly Story: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to digital streaming for the first time ever, unveiling a deluxe edition of the soundtrack to the 1978 biopic on Friday.
The deluxe soundtrack contains 11 never-before-heard tracks, expanding the album to 22 songs in total. The additional songs include many of the performances featured in the film, such as “That’ll Be the Day,” “Mockingbird Hill” and “Tennessee Waltz” performed by Gary Busey (as Buddy Holly), “Chantilly Lace” performed by Gailard Sartain (as the Big Bopper), and “You Send Me...
The deluxe soundtrack contains 11 never-before-heard tracks, expanding the album to 22 songs in total. The additional songs include many of the performances featured in the film, such as “That’ll Be the Day,” “Mockingbird Hill” and “Tennessee Waltz” performed by Gary Busey (as Buddy Holly), “Chantilly Lace” performed by Gailard Sartain (as the Big Bopper), and “You Send Me...
- 8/21/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
What does your future look like? Does it look like Spike Lee's Bamboozled? In March 2020, the Criterion Collection will release a Blu-ray (and DVD) edition of Spike Lee's satire, first unleashed in October 2000. Criterion describes it as "a stinging indictment of mass entertainment at the turn of the twenty-first century that looks more damning with each passing year." Savion Glover, Tommy Davidson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Rapaport, Mos Def, and Paul Mooney star; special features both old and new are included. The month's other new releases include John M. Stahl's Leave Her to Heaven (1945), Barbra Streisand's The Prince of Tides (1991), Mikhail Kalatozov's The Cranes Are Flying (1957), James Whale's Show Boat (1936) -- yes, after he made Bride of Frankenstein, Whale...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 12/17/2019
- Screen Anarchy
Showtime Documentary Films has announced an upcoming docu-series on the history of The Comedy Store, the Los Angeles landmark where some of the world’s biggest comics got their start.
The four-part series will featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with veteran comedians including Judd Apatow, David Spade, Martin Lawrence and Bob Saget.
Expected to debut on Showtime in 2020, Comedy Store alum Mike Binder (“Black or White”) will direct. Binder will also executive produce along with Mike Tollin (“The Franchise”), Jon Weinbach, Peter Shore and Paul Young. The Comedy Store’s creative director Adam Eget will produce, and Jonathan Vogler will also produce for Mandalay Sports Media.
Also Read: Bel Powley to Star With Pete Davidson in Judd Apatow Comedy at Universal
Per Showtime, the series “brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars.
The four-part series will featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with veteran comedians including Judd Apatow, David Spade, Martin Lawrence and Bob Saget.
Expected to debut on Showtime in 2020, Comedy Store alum Mike Binder (“Black or White”) will direct. Binder will also executive produce along with Mike Tollin (“The Franchise”), Jon Weinbach, Peter Shore and Paul Young. The Comedy Store’s creative director Adam Eget will produce, and Jonathan Vogler will also produce for Mandalay Sports Media.
Also Read: Bel Powley to Star With Pete Davidson in Judd Apatow Comedy at Universal
Per Showtime, the series “brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars.
- 4/22/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....
- 3/31/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....
- 3/24/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....
- 2/17/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Feast your eyes on the first poster for Mike Epps’ hilarious new comedy Meet The Blacks. The film will release nationwide on April Fool’s Day (April 1st) – no joke!
In the meantime, check out the trailer.
From writer/director/producer Deon Taylor, Meet The Blacks is comedy/horror hybrid spoofing the hit film “The Purge,” and stars Mike Epps (“The Hangover,” “50 Shades of Black,” “Resident Evil: Apocalypse”), George Lopez (“Lopez Tonight,” “Swing Vote,” “Balls of Fury”), Mike Tyson (“The Hangover” series “Scary Movie 5”), Bresha Webb (NBC’s “Truth Be Told”), Zulay Henao (“True Memoirs of An International Assassin”) as well as a ‘who’s who’ of pop culture personalities including Gary Owen (“Ride Along”) Charlie Murphy (“The Chappelle Show”), Tameka “Tiny” Cottle (VH1’s Ti & Tiny with Rap artist husband Ti), gossip columnist Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney (Richard Pryor’s longtime writing partner), Vine star Andrew Bachelor, and comedians Lil Duvall,...
In the meantime, check out the trailer.
From writer/director/producer Deon Taylor, Meet The Blacks is comedy/horror hybrid spoofing the hit film “The Purge,” and stars Mike Epps (“The Hangover,” “50 Shades of Black,” “Resident Evil: Apocalypse”), George Lopez (“Lopez Tonight,” “Swing Vote,” “Balls of Fury”), Mike Tyson (“The Hangover” series “Scary Movie 5”), Bresha Webb (NBC’s “Truth Be Told”), Zulay Henao (“True Memoirs of An International Assassin”) as well as a ‘who’s who’ of pop culture personalities including Gary Owen (“Ride Along”) Charlie Murphy (“The Chappelle Show”), Tameka “Tiny” Cottle (VH1’s Ti & Tiny with Rap artist husband Ti), gossip columnist Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney (Richard Pryor’s longtime writing partner), Vine star Andrew Bachelor, and comedians Lil Duvall,...
- 1/29/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....
- 1/29/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Dear Mr. Rock, As a movie journalist, I wouldn't normally dream of telling a multimillionaire comedian how to do his job, but this one is too important. You're not just hosting the Oscars anymore, you're hosting #OscarsSoWhite. Since, pretty much by definition, you'll be the only black person sanctioned to be onstage, it's all on you, brother. Forget the fact that, as Wanda Sykes might say, white folks are lookin' at you. Far scarier is the realization that black folks are lookin' at you - and Asian-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, et. al. The pressure does not get any greater. So...
- 1/27/2016
- by Alynda Wheat, @AlyndaWheat
- PEOPLE.com
Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 29 theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh. This...
- 1/14/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 29 theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh. This...
- 1/8/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
John Kreng is one of the most hard working actors/stuntman/fight and stunt corrdinators working in the industry today. Through his time working in the movie industry, John has worked with some of the very best which includes Jet Li, Yuen Wah, Tsui Hark, David Carradine, Steven Spielburg and many more outstanding talents.
John Kreng is also the author of the in depth book on screen fighting called Fight Choreography: The Art Of Non Verbal Dialogue, he was a cast member of The Jade Trader which went on to win the most outstanding cast performance award at the 10th Action on film, International film festival. John, also has years of Martial Arts experience behind him, dedicating his time learning many different styles and been taught by some of the very best masters from around the world (Which he will speak about in this interview).
John also worked on the...
John Kreng is also the author of the in depth book on screen fighting called Fight Choreography: The Art Of Non Verbal Dialogue, he was a cast member of The Jade Trader which went on to win the most outstanding cast performance award at the 10th Action on film, International film festival. John, also has years of Martial Arts experience behind him, dedicating his time learning many different styles and been taught by some of the very best masters from around the world (Which he will speak about in this interview).
John also worked on the...
- 12/3/2015
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Damon Wayans was the second major cast member from "In Living Color" to leave the show, after Kim Coles. He departed following the third season to pursue a big screen career, starring in films like "The Last Boy Scout," "Blankman" and "Major Payne." But during his time with the show, he left an unmistakable signature that can be felt across a number of colorful characters. Think of "In Living Color" and you're bound to have the image of an angry, put-upon clown flash through your head (Homey D. Clown), or perhaps a pair of flamboyant critics giving the weekend's latest release "two snaps up" ("Men On…"). These were some of Wayans' trademark sketches, coming at a time when, as he says in our extended feature on the series' 25th anniversary, he was eager for redemption after being fired from "Saturday Night Live." Here are the beginnings and inspirations for those sketches and more,...
- 4/15/2015
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
The Dog Pound is closed. “The Arsenio Hall Show,” the comedian's most recent foray into late-night television, has been cancelled after one season. The series had recently been renewed for a second season by CBS Television Distribution, but following the renewal the show was downgraded to different timeslots in some markets, making it not financially viable to continue the show. See video: ‘Arsenio Hall Show’ Stand-Up Guest Paul Mooney Drops N-Word A spokesperson for CBS Television Distribution also noted that the show, which premiered in September, failed to take off. “Unfortunately, ‘The Arsenio Hall Show’ will not return for a second season; while.
- 5/30/2014
- by Jethro Nededog
- The Wrap
Legendary comic Paul Mooney got downright racial during a taping of the Arsenio Hall show Monday night ... spitting the N-bomb at an audience member in a performance that's being hailed as "the most embarrassing, disrespectful standup bombing ever."Mooney -- who famously appeared on "Chappelle's Show" and wrote for Richard Pryor -- was booked to do a short standup bit on Arsenio ... but rambled on for more than 14 minutes in a bizarre routine that touched...
- 5/6/2014
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Lise Romanoff’s Vision Films has announced that they will be releasing the iconic documentary Sunset Strip directed by Hans Fjellestad (When The World Breaks) today across multiple VOD platforms such as iTunes, Xbox, Playstation, Amazon, Blockbuster, Vimeo and direct to consumers via the Yerka player. The film will debut on DVD on December 10th.
The Special Collectors’ Edition DVD will contain a lot of extraordinary bonus material such as extended interviews with the stars revealing their favorite Sunset Strip memories, an animated tour of the Strip, plus a series of thematic featurettes including “Sex” with Tom Arnold, Dita Von Tese, Pamela Des Barres, Hugh Hefner, Slash, Duff McKagan and Dave Navarro; “Rock ‘N Roll” with Slash, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins,Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp and Len Fagan (rock promoter); “Comedy” with Tom Arnold, Paul Mooney, Richard Lewis, Argus Hamilton, Tim Reid, Bill Knoedelseder, Maz Jobrani,...
The Special Collectors’ Edition DVD will contain a lot of extraordinary bonus material such as extended interviews with the stars revealing their favorite Sunset Strip memories, an animated tour of the Strip, plus a series of thematic featurettes including “Sex” with Tom Arnold, Dita Von Tese, Pamela Des Barres, Hugh Hefner, Slash, Duff McKagan and Dave Navarro; “Rock ‘N Roll” with Slash, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins,Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp and Len Fagan (rock promoter); “Comedy” with Tom Arnold, Paul Mooney, Richard Lewis, Argus Hamilton, Tim Reid, Bill Knoedelseder, Maz Jobrani,...
- 11/6/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Way back in 2005, Comedy Central had a tiger by the tail in comic Dave Chappelle, whose sketch humor was a ratings monster and appealed to all, not just black audiences, but everyone. Truth be told, "Chappelle's Show" was successful in great part to the comedic genius of Paul Mooney, who is rarely lauded for his contributions to this short lived series. Mooney is acerbic and bright, wickedly funny and says what he means. He also works hard, which is something Dave Chappelle, by all appearances, is loathe to do. So, things were great in Chappelle land, but low and behold, before season 3 of his hit television show was to begin, Chappelle walked away from $50 million on...
- 9/6/2013
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Chicago – A bit too much of “Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic,” premiering tonight, May 31, 2013, on Showtime, is devoted to adoration of its subject matter from his peers and friends, and not enough insight is offered into from where the true talent or serious demons of the man originated. Perhaps no one really knows. Perhaps people as talented and as troubled as Richard Pryor are impossible to decipher. As a showcase of Pryor’s talent and influence, “Omit the Logic” is undeniably fun. It just feels a little slight given the massive cultural influence of its subject matter.
Television Rating: 3.0/5.0
“Omit the Logic” features interviews with people who knew and worked with Pryor like Paul Mooney, Mel Brooks, and Jesse Jackson, along with those influenced by him over the years like Dave Chappelle and Whoopi Goldberg. The lesser-known personalities interviewed, the people who were actually closest to Pryor, offer the most...
Television Rating: 3.0/5.0
“Omit the Logic” features interviews with people who knew and worked with Pryor like Paul Mooney, Mel Brooks, and Jesse Jackson, along with those influenced by him over the years like Dave Chappelle and Whoopi Goldberg. The lesser-known personalities interviewed, the people who were actually closest to Pryor, offer the most...
- 5/31/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Big names will take part in venture with Comedy Central, BBC sketch had over 2,000 complaints, plus Ian McKellen's sitcom
This week's comedy news
Can't get to Edinburgh? Kilkenny just that bit too far away? Never fear. The cable channel Comedy Central is teaming up with Twitter to launch the first 140-character comedy festival. The festival will commence on 29 April and run for five days, featuring a host of comedy names tweeting jokes and posting six second videos using Twitter's new video app Vine. Next Monday, Twitter will stream the only live #ComedyFest event, a panel discussion featuring Mel Brooks and Judd Apatow. The New York Times has more on the story, including the lowdown on a new app Comedy Central is developing to help users discover their favourite new comedians.
Back in the world of real festivals, veteran Anglo-American standup Rich Hall has won the Barry award at the Melbourne comedy festival,...
This week's comedy news
Can't get to Edinburgh? Kilkenny just that bit too far away? Never fear. The cable channel Comedy Central is teaming up with Twitter to launch the first 140-character comedy festival. The festival will commence on 29 April and run for five days, featuring a host of comedy names tweeting jokes and posting six second videos using Twitter's new video app Vine. Next Monday, Twitter will stream the only live #ComedyFest event, a panel discussion featuring Mel Brooks and Judd Apatow. The New York Times has more on the story, including the lowdown on a new app Comedy Central is developing to help users discover their favourite new comedians.
Back in the world of real festivals, veteran Anglo-American standup Rich Hall has won the Barry award at the Melbourne comedy festival,...
- 4/23/2013
- by Brian Logan
- The Guardian - Film News
Could Dave Chappelle be preparing for a return to the spotlight?
Since his infamous departure from the mega-hit Comedy Central sketch series, "Chappelle's Show," the stand-up comedian and actor has only made a handful of TV and film appearances. Occasionally he has performed stand-up comedy on the road, to varying results.
But signs seem to point to Chappelle's interest in reclaiming his throne as one of comedy's most innovative minds. In late February he performed a string of drop-in performances at New York's The Comedy Cellar, most notably with Chris Rock, where he seemed open to the idea of returning to comedy and perhaps even going on tour with Rock.
Audiences have sometimes sighted Chappelle at the Cellar over the last year or so working on material that was often hit or miss. But audiences in attendance to these recent shows can attest that he appeared to be comedically rejuvenated.
Since his infamous departure from the mega-hit Comedy Central sketch series, "Chappelle's Show," the stand-up comedian and actor has only made a handful of TV and film appearances. Occasionally he has performed stand-up comedy on the road, to varying results.
But signs seem to point to Chappelle's interest in reclaiming his throne as one of comedy's most innovative minds. In late February he performed a string of drop-in performances at New York's The Comedy Cellar, most notably with Chris Rock, where he seemed open to the idea of returning to comedy and perhaps even going on tour with Rock.
Audiences have sometimes sighted Chappelle at the Cellar over the last year or so working on material that was often hit or miss. But audiences in attendance to these recent shows can attest that he appeared to be comedically rejuvenated.
- 3/15/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Tags: SNLWe KilledbooksBook ReviewsEllen DeGeneresSandra BernhardLily TomlinIMDb
It's crazy to read a book like Yael Kohen's We Killed and know that people still make statements like "Women aren't funny." The newly released oral history of women in comedy over the last 50 years is a reminder that not only are women hilarious, but they are smart, persistent and unwilling to back down when faced with the sexism and adversity they've been dealt whether it's been in comedy clubs, writing rooms or late night TV shows.
Comedy is not just entertainment: It has the power to enlighten and educate, no matter how subtle it might be presented. What you'll get from We Killed is a sense of how progressive women have proven to be, from the pioneers like Phyllis Diller and Elaine May to the alternative comics of the '90s like Janeane Garofalo up through today's boundary-smashing Sarah Silverman, for whom no topic is untouchable.
It's crazy to read a book like Yael Kohen's We Killed and know that people still make statements like "Women aren't funny." The newly released oral history of women in comedy over the last 50 years is a reminder that not only are women hilarious, but they are smart, persistent and unwilling to back down when faced with the sexism and adversity they've been dealt whether it's been in comedy clubs, writing rooms or late night TV shows.
Comedy is not just entertainment: It has the power to enlighten and educate, no matter how subtle it might be presented. What you'll get from We Killed is a sense of how progressive women have proven to be, from the pioneers like Phyllis Diller and Elaine May to the alternative comics of the '90s like Janeane Garofalo up through today's boundary-smashing Sarah Silverman, for whom no topic is untouchable.
- 11/8/2012
- by trishbendix
- AfterEllen.com
Red Foxx, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Wanda Sykes, Dave Chappelle... say any of their names to a serious fan of comedy and you're likely to elicit a reverential sigh of importance, followed by a word-for-word recitation of one of their most famous bits.
Black performers have played a pivotal role not just in entertainment, but in changing the way blacks and whites in America lived, worked and related to each other. And comedians especially, with their penchant for crossing lines and speaking uncomfortable truths, have been some of the most influential artists of the last century.
In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to take a look at the influence of black comedians through the eyes of the artists who are following in their footsteps.
So we brought six up-and-coming young comics together for a unique roundtable discussion about comedy, race and the most influential performers of the past and present.
Black performers have played a pivotal role not just in entertainment, but in changing the way blacks and whites in America lived, worked and related to each other. And comedians especially, with their penchant for crossing lines and speaking uncomfortable truths, have been some of the most influential artists of the last century.
In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to take a look at the influence of black comedians through the eyes of the artists who are following in their footsteps.
So we brought six up-and-coming young comics together for a unique roundtable discussion about comedy, race and the most influential performers of the past and present.
- 2/2/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
I've only seen the first two episodes of the sketch-comedy show "Key & Peele" (Tues., 10:30 p.m. Est, Comedy Central), but they made me eager to see more.
The confident and amusing "Key & Peele" will inevitably be compared to "Chappelle's Show," which became a huge hit for Comedy Central less than a decade ago by examining race issues with a knowing, laid-back wit that allowed people of all races to laugh at themselves. There were many comics over the years who made it more permissible to joke about race, but "Chappelle's Show" deservedly had an outsized impact on popular culture in part because it was so casually funny about a topic that can be thorny and difficult.
As I re-watched "Chappelle's Show" in recent months on Netflix, I appreciated once again the way Chappelle combined incisive observations with surreal goofiness to create sketches like "I Know Black People" and "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories.
The confident and amusing "Key & Peele" will inevitably be compared to "Chappelle's Show," which became a huge hit for Comedy Central less than a decade ago by examining race issues with a knowing, laid-back wit that allowed people of all races to laugh at themselves. There were many comics over the years who made it more permissible to joke about race, but "Chappelle's Show" deservedly had an outsized impact on popular culture in part because it was so casually funny about a topic that can be thorny and difficult.
As I re-watched "Chappelle's Show" in recent months on Netflix, I appreciated once again the way Chappelle combined incisive observations with surreal goofiness to create sketches like "I Know Black People" and "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories.
- 1/30/2012
- by Maureen Ryan
- Aol TV.
Great news for fans of comics, comedy and great storytelling. Showtime wisely reupped Paul Provenza's "The Green Room" which completely owned me in six short episodes, as legends like Jonathan Winters, Robert Klein and Martin Mull told hilarious anecdotes, and other stars such as Andy Kindler, Andy Dick, Sandra Bernhardt, Paul Mooney, Dana Gould and Rick Overton engaged in high energy back and forth banter talking up a myriad of subjects. Showtime announced that the second season of the critically acclaimed comedy series The Green Room With Paul Provenza will again offer viewers the rare opportunity to watch comic lions and legends share their opinions, personal anecdotes and raw humor with each other in an intimate setting.
- 9/9/2010
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
An exposé of comic proportions that only Chris Rock could pull off, Good Hair visits beauty salons and hairstyling battles, scientific laboratories and Indian temples to explore the way hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of the black community. Director Jeff Stilson follows Chris Rock on this raucous adventure prompted by Rock’s daughter approaching him and asking, “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” Haircare professionals, beautyshop and barbershop patrons, as well as celebrities including Ice-t, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, Raven Symoné, Maya Angelou, Salt n Pepa, Eve and Reverend Al Sharpton all candidly offer their stories and observations to Rock while he struggles with the task of figuring out how to respond to his daughter’s question.
Good Hair marks a reunion of the team behind Rock’s acclaimed and Emmy® Award winning HBO series The Chris Rock Show, including producer Nelson George,...
Good Hair marks a reunion of the team behind Rock’s acclaimed and Emmy® Award winning HBO series The Chris Rock Show, including producer Nelson George,...
- 6/21/2010
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Chicago – HollywoodChicago.com’s regular Round-Up column returns this week with another collection of recently released DVDs that may have slid just a bit below your radar while you were busy buying Valentine’s Day cards and candy. We’re not necessarily recommending these titles, merely presenting their details for your awareness. You’re welcome.
“Blood Creek” was released on January 19th, 2010
“Wolverine and The X-Men: Fate of the Future” was released on February 2nd, 2010.
“From Mexico With Love” and “Good Hair” were released on February 16th, 2010.
“Wrong Side of Town” will be released on February 23rd, 2010.
“Blood Creek”
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video
Synopsis: “In 1936, the Wollners, a German family living in Town Creek, West Virginia, are contacted by the Third Reich to host a visiting scholar. In need of money, they accept Professor Ricard Wirth into their home, unaware of the Third Reich’s practices in the...
“Blood Creek” was released on January 19th, 2010
“Wolverine and The X-Men: Fate of the Future” was released on February 2nd, 2010.
“From Mexico With Love” and “Good Hair” were released on February 16th, 2010.
“Wrong Side of Town” will be released on February 23rd, 2010.
“Blood Creek”
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video
Synopsis: “In 1936, the Wollners, a German family living in Town Creek, West Virginia, are contacted by the Third Reich to host a visiting scholar. In need of money, they accept Professor Ricard Wirth into their home, unaware of the Third Reich’s practices in the...
- 2/18/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
"Good Hair" is currently available on DVD.
The humorous documentary by legendary standup comedian Chris Rock was released on home format on February 16 through Lions Gate Films. The exploration of follicle-based cultural differences comes complete with special features.
Rock was inspired to make a movie by one question: "How come I don't have good hair?" The question came from his young daughter, Lola, and this youthful inquiry prompted the comic to take it seriously by setting out on a cross-country trip to figure out what America thinks about the difference in hair quality between African-Americans and that of women of other races. Visiting locales ranging from upscale beauty parlors to science labs to Indian temples, Rock pushes the boundaries on commentary of women of his own culture, touching upon such issues as financial limitations and self-esteem in his journey.
Directed by Rock's friend and fellow standup comic Jeff Stilson, the...
The humorous documentary by legendary standup comedian Chris Rock was released on home format on February 16 through Lions Gate Films. The exploration of follicle-based cultural differences comes complete with special features.
Rock was inspired to make a movie by one question: "How come I don't have good hair?" The question came from his young daughter, Lola, and this youthful inquiry prompted the comic to take it seriously by setting out on a cross-country trip to figure out what America thinks about the difference in hair quality between African-Americans and that of women of other races. Visiting locales ranging from upscale beauty parlors to science labs to Indian temples, Rock pushes the boundaries on commentary of women of his own culture, touching upon such issues as financial limitations and self-esteem in his journey.
Directed by Rock's friend and fellow standup comic Jeff Stilson, the...
- 2/17/2010
- icelebz.com
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