The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)

A concert film featuring four major African American stand up comedians.

Director:

Spike Lee

Writers:

Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey

Stars:

Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer

3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Steve Harvey	...	Himself
D.L. Hughley	...	Himself
Cedric the Entertainer	...	Himself
Bernie Mac	...	Himself

Storyline

February 26 and 27, 2000, the Original Kings of Comedy play Charlotte, NC. The themes are Blacks and Whites, men and women, old-school and hip-hop. Steve Harvey emcees, celebrates '70s music and lyrics of love, and pokes at folks in the front row. D.L. Hughley mines racial differences and talks about his marriage. Cedric the Entertainer riffs on a Black president and on being grown up. Bernie Mac, who says he expresses what's in the back of our minds, closes with reflections on being 42 (new aspects to his sex life and his attitude toward children). Spike Lee's camera takes us backstage and off-stage with the Kings and into the crowd where everyone's laughing.

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Plot Keywords:

backstage | emcee | stand up comedian | comedian | concert film | 

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Taglines:

Heavyweights of comedy

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Genres:

Comedy | Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sex related humor

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Pictures

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 August 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kings of Comedy

Filming Locations:

Charlotte Coliseum - 100 Paul Buck Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,053,832, 20 August 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$38,182,790

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$38,251,106

Company Credits

Production Co:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks,Latham Entertainment,MTV Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rae Carruth's son, Chancellor Lee Adams, was nine months old at the time of this stand-up concert's theatrical release.

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Quotes

Cedric the Entertainer: Never in history did you hear about 17 or 18 of us gettin' killed nowhere altoghether. 'Cuz we run. We run when somebody else runs. We don't ask no questions why we runnin', we just get our ass up and start damn running.

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Connections

References Titanic (1997)

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Soundtracks

Na Na
Written by Teddy Riley, Jaren Henson and Monifah Carter.
Performed by Monifah Carter (as Monifah) and Chico DuBargo.
Courtesy of Universal Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chico DeBarge appears courtesy of Motown Record Company, LP.

User Reviews

Funny as ****

If you enjoy stand up-these were certainly the "Kangs"-as Steve said:) They take you back to recall your history, childhood, life. The subjects are funny because you know people like those they mimic, or are like who they comment on! Simply this film shows us why these men have remained the top of the most funny (alive) male comedians for as long as they have. As the man above,don't try to "review" this as a movie with plot, character development, etc. Steve Harvey was the Host so his sets were throughout and he had his own later.It's a reel of a night of standup-THAT'S ALL! These men are Funny-You can see the reaction of the crowd as they get that "You know that's right" moment, or have to get up and do that "dance-laugh" cos they will have you rollin! I can watch it every time and the reaction is the same(gut laughs)-my whole family is nearly in tears watchin Ced and Bernie. These men are crazy funny fools! Just watch it and see how much you laugh...I hope you "get it"-it's just COMEDY! It was also nice to see them off-stage and see the real relationship, brotherly bonds between adult black men who have done good with their lives! Entertainment at it's finest.