Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
| Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Townsend[1] |
| Written by | John Long, Quincy Newell |
| Produced by | Jeff Clanagan, Richard Foos, Robert Townsend, Lydia Nicole |
| Edited by | Augusta Einarsdottir, Skip Robinson |
| Distributed by | Codeblack Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 82 minutes |
| Countries | United States Japan |
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy is a 2009 documentary film based on the book Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh, by Darryl J. Littleton.[2]
Plot
The film analyzes the history of comedy and how the television and film industries have stereotyped African Americans throughout a multitude of generations. Quincy Newell, Executive Vice-President of Codeblack Entertainment, was the producer and co-writer with John Long on the project. The documentary was a selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, and eventually acquired by Showtime.[3] Newell himself has stated "the intent of the film is to spark meaningful discourse."[4]
Cast
The film features commentary from black comedians including:
- Chris Rock
- Eddie Murphy[5]
- Dave Chappelle
- Steve Harvey
- Katt Williams
- Marlon Wayans
- Sherri Shepherd
- Niecy Nash
- Marla Gibbs
- Dick Gregory
References
- ^ Harvey, Dennis. "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy". Variety. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- ^ issues, Marcia G. Yerman Writer on women's; Rights, Human; environment; culture (2010-04-21). "Exploring Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- ^ "Inside the History of Black Comedy in 'Why We Laugh'". 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- ^ "Horizon Go".