Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Robert Townsend | ... | Bobby Taylor / Jasper / Speed / Sam Ace / Rambro | |
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Craigus R. Johnson | ... | Stevie Taylor |
Helen Martin | ... | Bobby's Grandmother | |
Starletta DuPois | ... | Bobby's Mother | |
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Marc Figueroa | ... | Sitcom Father / Client #2 |
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Sarah Kaite Coughlan | ... | Sitcom Girlfriend / Rehearsing Actress (as Sarah Kate Coughlin) |
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Sean Michal Flynn | ... | Sitcom Boyfriend |
Brad Sanders | ... | Batty Boy | |
David McKnight | ... | Uncle Ray | |
Keenen Ivory Wayans | ... | Donald / Jheri Curl | |
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Lou B. Washington | ... | Tiny (as Ludie Washington) |
Anne-Marie Johnson | ... | Lydia / Willie Mae / Hooker #5 | |
Don Reed | ... | Maurice | |
Kim Wayans | ... | Customer in Chair | |
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Gregory 'Popeye' Alexander | ... | Pimp / Eddie Murphy-Type |
Bobby Taylor wants to be a respected actor. From Sam Spade to Shakespeare to superheros, he can do it all. He just has to convince Hollywood that gangstas, slaves and "Eddie Murphy-types" aren't the sum of his talents. Written by Renee Ann Byrd <byrdie@wyrdbyrd.org>
As a black man and a longtime movie fan, it angered and frustrated me as to how blacks were stereotyped and exploited in Hollywood over the years. This was especially true during the first half of the 80's when I saw talented actor like Larry Fishburne play a hoodlum in DEATH WISH 2, Wesley Snipe play a hoodlum in WILDCATS and Mario Van Peebles play a hoodlum in EXTERMINATOR 2. Of course they've gone on to bigger, and totally unexpected, better things. That's why this satire hit a nerve with me. The one scene that sticks in my mind are the audition scenes where blacks audition for demeaning roles casted by clueless white producers and directors trying to tell blacks to act the way they think blacks should act (ain't that a blip!) and looking for an "Eddie Murphy type". The script, co-written by Townsend and co-star Keenen Ivory Wayans is accurate and on the money. While Wayans has sone on to better things (IN LIVING COLOR, I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA and SCARY MOVIE), Townsend has not been so fortunate (The uneven THE FIVE HEARTBEATS, The lame TV sit-com THE PARENT 'HOOD and the godawful B.A.P.S.). The film also features Helen Martin, Damon Wayans, Anne-Marie Johnson and John Witherspoon. If you a fan of on-target satires, I strongly recommend this movie.