Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
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Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

7.2 / 10 | 1h 35m | United States
2009 | Documentary | Comedy
An off-screen narration, four dozen talking heads, and clips of performances tell a chronological story about Black comedy: who has made us laugh since 1901, what is the nature of their humor, and what social and political contexts inform it. We look at minstrels, Stepin Fetchit, "Amos 'n Andy," "Beulah," Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, "The Cosby Show," Chris Rock, Whoopi, "Hollywood Shuffle," entrepreneurship and Black comedy clubs, Robert Harris, urban street culture and "In Living Color," the rise of the Fox network, Def Comedy Jam, and the Original Kings of Comedy. The film asserts Black comedy helps America change.

Cast List (21)

Robert Townsend
Robert Townsend
Director
Franklyn Ajaye
Franklyn Ajaye
Self
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett
Narrator
Bill Bellamy
Bill Bellamy
Self
Julian Bond
Julian Bond
Self
Todd Boyd
Todd Boyd
Self
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
Self
Stanley Crouch
Stanley Crouch
Self
Elijah Cummings
Elijah Cummings
Self
Tommy Davidson
Tommy Davidson
Self
Michael Eric Dyson
Michael Eric Dyson
Self
Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs
Self
Louis Gossett Jr.
Louis Gossett Jr.
Self
Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory
Self
Eddie Griffin
Eddie Griffin
Self
Jeff Clanagan
Jeff Clanagan
Self
Walter Fauntroy
Walter Fauntroy
Self
Topper Carew
Topper Carew
Self
Shang Forbes
Shang Forbes
Self
John Long
John Long
Writer
Quincy Newell
Quincy Newell
Writer

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