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 c... (Full plot summary below)
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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.
Leave your thoughts about Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy.
| Sly FoxKam WilliamsA worthwhile walk down Memory Lane as likely to keep you in stitches as appreciating the long line of African-American geniuses who have made it their business to challenge the status quo, but always eliciting lots of laughter in the process. |
| JWRS. James WeggA thoughtful history of on-colour humour. |
| User ReviewCharles TGreat film about black comedy and the history of it. |
| User ReviewCharles RAwesome documentary on the history of Black comedy. It had me in stitches plus I learned something! |
| User ReviewJai SAn interesting look on parralels between social issues and the comedy of the African American community |
| User ReviewJeninne MIt was so good, I was disappointed when it was over. |
| User ReviewJustin MA real look at the people who make us laugh and their genius. not just a couple punchlines but the men and woman behind the punchlines. Some credit given to some real trailblazers who don't get there props. A wiseman can play a fool. But a fool can't play a wiseman. |
| User ReviewAlex S"Humor 'Negro' levado a sério" |
| User ReviewTuukka PInteresting look at the history of black comedy and coloured comedians perfroming it. A bit shallow look for my taste and they reall could have shown more comedic material from the people in question (although I guess it came down to money/rights). |
| User ReviewCrystal BWords cannot express what a weightless, reductive piece of shit this movie is. The most cowardly, panty-waisted treatment of a bold subject imaginable. |
