Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy - Production & Contact Info

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)
Not Rated
95 min | Documentary, Comedy

Primary photo for Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)

Not Rated

95 min | 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 ...See moreAn 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. Written by See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
46 cast members

Name	Known for
Franklyn Ajaye Self Self See fewer	The 'Burbs (1989)
Angela Bassett Narrator Narrator See fewer	Black Panther (2018)
Bill Bellamy Self Self See fewer	Bill Bellamy: I Want My Life Back (2022)
Julian Bond Self Self See fewer	Greased Lightning (1977)
Todd Boyd Self Self See fewer	The Wood (1999)
Topper Carew Self Self See fewer	Martin (1992)
Jeff Clanagan Self Self See fewer	Hart to Heart (2021)
Bill Cosby Self Self See fewer	The Cosby Show (1984)
Stanley Crouch Self Self See fewer	Jazz (2001)
Elijah Cummings Self Self See fewer	If I Die Tonight (2009)
Tommy Davidson Self Self See fewer	In Living Color (1990)
Michael Eric Dyson Self Self See fewer	Waist Deep (2006)
Walter Fauntroy Self Self See fewer	Independent Lens (1999)
Shang Forbes Self Self See fewer	Trunk'd (2014)
Marla Gibbs Self Self See fewer	The Jeffersons (1975)
Louis Gossett Jr. Self Self See fewer	An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Dick Gregory Self Self See fewer	The Hot Chick (2002)
Eddie Griffin Self Self See fewer	Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)
Steve Harvey Self Self See fewer	The Steve Harvey Show (1996)
D.L. Hughley Self Self See fewer	Inspector Gadget (1999)
Sheila Jackson Lee Self Self See fewer	In Debt We Trust: America Before the Bubble Bursts (2006)
Eddie Levert Self Self See fewer	Dragged Across Concrete (2018)
Faizon Love Self Self See fewer	Friday (1995)
Kweisi Mfume Self Self See fewer	Moesha (1996)
Kel Mitchell Self Self See fewer	Good Burger (1997)
Mo'Nique Self Self See fewer	Precious (II) (2009)
Paul Mooney Self Self See fewer	Bamboozled (2000)
Garrett Morris Self Self See fewer	Coneheads (1993)
Charlie Murphy Self (as Charles Q. Murphy) Self (as Charles Q. Murphy) See fewer	Norbit (2007)
Niecy Nash Self Self See fewer	Reno 911! (2003)
Reynaldo Rey Self Self See fewer	Friday (1995)
Chris Rock Self Self See fewer	Top Five (2014)
Sherri Shepherd Self Self See fewer	Precious (II) (2009)
Sommore Self Self See fewer	Friday After Next (2002)
Robert Townsend Self Self See fewer	Hollywood Shuffle (1987)
Thea Vidale Self Self See fewer	Ellen (1994)
George Wallace Self Self See fewer	Batman Forever (1995)
Maxine Waters Self Self See fewer	Marc Cohn: The Rainy Season (1993)
Diane Watson Self Self See fewer	The Dead Hour (2010)
Damon Wayans Self Self See fewer	My Wife and Kids (2000)
Keenen Ivory Wayans Self Self See fewer	White Chicks (2004)
Marlon Wayans Self Self See fewer	White Chicks (2004)
Shawn Wayans Self Self See fewer	White Chicks (2004)
Cornel West Self Self See fewer	The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Katt Williams Self Self See fewer	Norbit (2007)
Andrew Young Self Self See fewer	Fandango at the Wall (2020)