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)#/.: )#/.: ICONZ#2%!-/&#2/0 :: Richard30)2)45!, Pryor ICONZ :: #2%!-/&#2/0 30)2)45!,

).42/ -53)# '!-% ).42/ -53)# '!-% It’s there for you to discover in his (%!,4( (%!,4( 0/,)4)#3 0/,)4)#3 02/&),% exceptional movie career, too. In films 02/&),%

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4/0$!7' 4/0$!7' The30/243 Absolute Kind Of Hero, and Jo Jo Dancer, Your 30/243 Life Is Calling. And who could forget his Universal Truth of groundbreaking genre defining concert films like Live On The and the critically acclaimed Richard Pryor Live In Concert? RICHARD PRYOR Pryor even made his mark on the small screen when in 1977 The Richard By Mr. Kevin Miles ®2006 Pryor Show aired on NBC. And while it goes without saying he was ready E ven if you’re lucky enough American midget cannibals. the script once more, turned it on its for prime time, its censors were not, as to make your living as a wiseass, All kidding aside, there are such head and took it to a whole different evidenced by the deletion of perhaps the telling jokes and making funny--the older truths. And one such Absolute Universal plane. It was only then that he blessed it, most brilliant opening scene of a new you get, the wiser you become. And Truth is this: Richard Pryor was the most unleashed it out into the world, stepped TV show in the history of the medium: the more you begin to understand that gifted comic talent who ever walked the back and glared out at his audience with Pryor’s face appears on the screen in beyond the smoke and mirrors, the rose earth. While you marinate on that for a those marvelous, wide, loving, dark brown close-up as he reassures his millions of colored lenses and the subconscious minute, don’t think on it too hard. And doe eyes of his. Eyes that dared us all to fans that he has not sold out to the man security the sand our collective heads are don’t let the endless debate over more let go and hang on at the same time, as and that in point of fact he has “given up buried in provides us within the Matrix arguable and far less inconsequential he bared his soul and took us all along absolutely nothing” for the opportunity of our daily lives, there exists a much truths, such as who the greatest basket- with him on the ride of our lives. to have his very own show. It’s at this greater truth than the truth we all blindly ball, football, baseball player, or greatest That his impact on comedy cannot precise moment when the camera pulls accept as fact. This is truth on a higher pound for pound boxer of all time is or be overstated is perhaps the greatest back to reveal a “nude” Pryor in a body level--truth evolved. was, cloud your judgment. There are understatement of all understatements. suit with no genitals. too many variables to be considered in So much so, that Absolute Universal This is Absolute Universal Truth. such discussions to come to a definite Truth be told, any serious discussion Unlike the spoon fed truth we ingest on consensus of opinion. And really, when on comedy as an art form can only be pure faith alone, day in and out, the truth you get right down to it who cares? broken down into two eras--that which we buy into from school, church, TV, ra- This is comedy we’re talking about came before Richard Pryor and that In Praise of Pryor dio, the Internet, conspiracy theories, the here. Serious business. And in the vast which came after. HIlarious allstar “Richard Pryor is an alchemist who can turn the darkest pain into the deepest comedy. [He] barbershop and out in the street, Abso- universe that is comedy, let there be no If you’re a true student of comedy stand up kings of doesn’t go for the jugular — he goes straight for the aorta.” — lute Universal Truth cannot be disputed, doubt. Let the evidence speak for itself. you know this inherently. If you don’t debated, challenged, argued, shaded, There was but one Richard Franklin comedy list.... “What would life be like without Richard Pryor and ? Dull, baby, very dull. There will believe this Absolute Universal Truth, never be another Richard Pryor. He is, and always has been, the funniest man alive.” — Whoopi questioned or politically corrected. For Lennox Thomas Pryor III. And even if you are simply confused, sadly mis- Goldberg Absolute Universal Truth, simply put, is mankind somehow manages not to blow taken, misinformed, or just plain wrong RICHARD PRYOR what it is. “He’s the kind of that everyone calls him by his first name — like they know him. and more likely than not, the only taste DAVID CHAPPELLE Richard!” — you have is in your mouth. So you might want to pull your head out of your ass “Richard Pryor is the greatest comedian of all time.” — There was but one Richard Franklin Lennox and recognize right about now. If on the “To fully appreciate the power of Richard Pryor as a stand-up comedian, you had to follow him Thomas Pryor III. And even if mankind somehow at . I did once, and I’m lucky to be alive.” — manages not to blow himself all to hell and other hand, you’re a new jack and you just don’t know your history and you’re “I’ve always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, ‘Ain’t that exist for another billion years to come, simply unaware of who Richard Pryor the truth!’ Richard Pryor is the truth machine. He has taken black street humor to its highest we shall never see his like again. was, and why he is so highly revered universal level.” — Quincy Jones himself all to hell and exists for another above all other comics, not just by his FRDDIE PRINZE For instance, Bruce Lee could kick your billion years to come, we shall never see “Richard Pryor is to comedy what Gretzky is to hockey, what Ali is to Boxing. He is The Beatles fans, but by his contemporaries as well, of comedy.” — Paul Rodriguez ass in his current condition, using only his his like again. fear not. Even though he is no longer shadow and two drinking straws held to- That’s the Absolute Universal Truth “[Richard is] a gifted, raging, soaring, plummeting, deeply human man with the tender boy walking among us, the Universal Abso- gether by a piece of wet spaghetti while for your ass. inside — the greatest pioneering comic artist of the last three generations.” — Tomlin lute Truth of Richard Pryor is out there inhabiting Stephen Hawking’s body while True enough, Richard Pryor, The “Richard is the consumate comic/jazz artist, and no one will ever touch his genius.” for you to discover for yourself. CHRIS ROCK suspended upside down over Niagara Godfather of comedy neither invented — You can find it in the immense body falls in a straightjacket. Forest Gump standup comedy or solo performance of work he left us in his many record- “Richard had that thing where he could make you laugh so hard and then all of a sudden he’d could beat George Bush in a debate art. He merely reinvented it. Reshaped break your heart.” — Robert Townsend “Richard Pryor is truly one of the great artists of our time. ings. Richard Pryor…And It’s Deep Too!” with his tongue stuck to a flagpole in it, reworked it, reengineered it, redefined His comic genius and influence remain unparalleled.” — Eddie Murphy THE COMPLETE WARNER BROS. GEORGE WALLACE the middle of North Dakota in the it, rearranged it, re-imagined it, remade it RECORDINGS (1968-1992) is a good “His star shines fiercely in the universe of art, with a truth and intensity unlike any other.” dead of winter while being roasted over and regurgitated it. And then he flipped SINBAD — Kris Kristofferson ICONZ a spit by a tribe of bloodthirsty South place to start. ILLUSTRATIONS: JON CROSSLAND ILLUSTRATIONS: JON CROSSLAND

 Hilarious Magazine | sept 2006 www.hilariousmag.com www.hilariousmag.com hilarious magazine | sept 2006  )#/.: )#/.: ICONZ#2%!-/&#2/0 :: Richard30)2)45!, Pryor ICONZ :: Richard Pryor #2%!-/&#2/0 30)2)45!,

).42/ -53)# '!-% ).42/ -53)# '!-% Pure comic genius. holds without actually having been invited types. And simultaneously he forced blacks (%!,4( (%!,4( 0/,)4)#3 0/,)4)#3 Speaking02/&),% of which, Richard Pryor was into our households. to take a closer look at whites, the two 02/&),%

!--!$.%33 !--!$.%33 hailed as'%.%2!4)/.3 a comic genius by his peers The same can be said for the state meeting somewhere in the middle where '%.%2!4)/.3 $6$s#$ Performances $6$s#$ from the get go. Way back in the day comedy is in today. Where are the Richard the universal absolute truths of our many 3().).'34!2 • Chicago Hope (1995) 3().).'34!2 3/#)!,)34)#3 • The Toy (1982) 3/#)!,)34)#3 when being recognized as such actually Pryors of our generation? For that matter, differences and commonalities symboli- Television • The 10th Annual American • On Broadway Tonight (1964) • Richard Pryor Here and Now (1983) 4/0$!7' 4/0$!7' 30/243 Comedy Awards (1995) 30/243 meant something. Today “comic genius” where are the Bill Cosbys, Lenny Bruces, cally shook hands with each other in a way • (1965) • Superman III (1983) • Richard Pryor: Comic on the Edge (1995) is thrown around so much it has about as Andy Kaufmans, Paul Mooneys, Sam that no one before or after him ever has, • Kraft Music Hall (1966) • Brewster’s Millions (1985) • Malcolm and Eddie (1996) • ABC Stage ‘67 (1966) • Jo Jo Dancer: Your Life is Calling (1986) much reverence as “hero”. It has become Kinisons, Freddy Prinzes, , or ever could for that matter. And lest we • The 27th Annual NAACP Image Awards •  • Critical Condition (1987) patently interchangeable in much the , Lucille Balls, Carole forget Richard Pryor managed to accom- (1996) (numerous appearances -) • Moving (1988) • Margot Kidder: The E! True Hollywood same way Kleenex is synonymous with Burnetts and Lily Tomlins? plish all of this with humor. • The Merv Griffin Show • See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) Story (1997) facial tissue. The bar for so called “comic Seriously, when was the last time you As hard as it is to fathom now, it seems (several appearances 1960s) • Nights (1989) • The 12th Annual American •  with • Another You (1991) genius” has been lowered to such a low a comedic performance that really Pryor was not destined to the greatness Comedy Awards (1997) (numerous appearances 1960s-1980s) • The Three Muskatels (1992) point that now, just about anyone who can and truly rocked your world? When was he achieved. No, Richard Pryor’s gift, like • The Prize: Richard Pryor • The Young Lawyers (1969) • Mad Dog Time (aka Trigger Happy) (1996) limbo under it and gets chuckles a few the last time a comic made you change so many artists was more a by product of (1999) • A Last Laugh at the 60s (1969) • Lost Highway (1997) • The Norm Show (1999) decibels above the murmur of canned the way you look at the world and your the pain, anger, frustration, confusion and • Carter’s Army (aka Black Brigade) (1970) : Why Did We Laugh? studio laughter on Leno, or Letterman, is place in it? hurt he experienced in the dysfunction of • The Partridge Family (1970) Recordings • : The Connection (1972) suddenly anointed a comic genius. Richard Pryor was such a comic. In his childhood, than the self-realization that • Is It Something I Said? ® • Comedy News (1972) Feature Films It’s as we have all become French fact, it can be argued that Richard Pryor he would soon become comedy’s Chosen Gold 1975/Platinum 1986/Grammy 1975 • (1973) • The Busy Body (1967) • Bicentennial ® and every comic within earshot is Jerry did far more for healing race relations in One. From the start, comedy, as was the • Specials (1973) • Wild in the Streets (1968) Gold 1976/Grammy 1976 Lewis in our eyes. To be truthful, this is this country than the civil rights movement case throughout the remainder of his life, • Mike Douglas Show, guest host (1974) • Bon Appetit (The Trial) (1969) • Wanted: Richard Pryor Live ® Gold 1979/ • , guest host (1975) • The Phynx (1970) more an indictment of the times we live in ever could. He was both a beacon of light was Richard Pryor’s salvation. • Richard Pryor’s Greatest Hits ® • The Richard Pryor Show (4 episodes; 1977) • You’ve Got to Walk it Like You than a slam against Frenchmen and their in the darkness of the racial divide and our It should be mentioned that over the Gold 1980/Platinum 1986 • Barbara Walters Specials (1979, 1980, 1986) Talk It or You’ll Lose That Beat (1971) distorted view of what constitutes comic benevolent sensei in the dojo of our social years, much has been written about his • Rev. Du Rite ® Grammy 1981 • Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter (1981) • Live and Smokin’ (1971) • Richard Pryor Live on Sunset Strip ® brilliance. Sad times, when more often consciousness. Where the civil rights many demons. If you want to know the • Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever, • Lady Sings the Blues (1972) Grammy 1982 than not people are famous merely for movement changed laws and gave blacks sordid details about his long list of failings host (1983) • Dynamite Chicken (1972) • That Nigger’s Crazy ® Grammy • The , co-host (1983) • Wattstax (1973) being famous. Think what you will about opportunity and access for the first time as a human being, you can read his auto- 1974/Gold 1986 • Pryor’s Place (1984-1985) • The Mack (1973) Hit! (1973) his art, but Andy Warhol knew from which in our history, Pryor gave white . It is important to note however, • Black Ben The Blacksmith Craps • Funny (1985) • Some Call it Loving (1973) (After Hours) he spoke in regards to the hijacking of the opportunity to access black America that it is from some of these events that he • Richard Pryor Biography: Biography (1987) • (1974) • Who Me, I’m Not Him Are You Serious??? American by the power and vice versa. Welcoming whites into the mined some of his most memorable work. • The Comedy Store 15th Year Class • Adios Amigo (1975) • SuperN*gger • Reunion (1988) • The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and reach of the mass media. Paris Hilton. black experience with wide open arms and Material that was brave and remarkable • The Wizard Of Comedy • Laugh, A Tear (1990) and Motor Kinds (1976) William Hung. Pamela Anderson. Joey an unflinching honesty that forced them in its poignancy, and was somehow, both • ...And It’s Deep Too! The Complete Warner • A Party for Richard Pryor (1991) • Car Wash (1976) Buttafooco. Household names because to take a deeper look at blacks—beyond laugh-out loud funny and heartbreaking all Bros. Recordings (1968-1992) ® • The Meaning of Life (1992) • Silver Streak (1976) includes 9 CDs/Grammy 2002 they have been invited into our house- their ignorance, prejudices and stereo- at once. Like the stories he told surround- • What Is This Thing Called Love? (1992) • Greased Lightening (1977) • Richard Pryor ing his attempted suicide by setting himself • The Comedy Store’s 20th Birthday (1992) • Which Way Is Up? (1977) • That Nigger’s Crazy • Mo’ Funny: in America, • Blue Collar (1978) on fire and the heart attacks he suffered • Is It Something I Said? (1992) • The Wiz (1978) as a result of his reckless on again, off • Awards • HBO’s 20th Anniversary: • Suite (1978) • Wanted/Richard Pryor Live in Concert Part 1 again relationship with drugs. His willing- We Hardly Believe It Ourselves (1992) • Richard Pryor Live in Concert (1979) 2002 • South Sheridan Road renamed Pryor Lane in his hometown of Peoria, Il • Wanted/Richard Pryor Live in Concert Part 2 ness to be so brutally honest about every • Martin (1993) • The Muppet Movie (1979) • Live On Sunset Strip 2002 • Grammy for Best Comedy Recording for...And It’s Deep Too! • Met Life Presents the Apollo • In God We Trust (1980) aspect of his life and the generosity of his • Here and Now The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings Theatre Hall of Fame (1993) • Wholly Moses! (1980) spirit are not a tribute to Richard Pryor the • That African-American is STILL Crazy-Good • But...Seriously (1993) • Stir Crazy (1980) 1999 • Awarded The First Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize comic, but to Richard Pryor the man. Shit from the Vaults Anthology 1968-1992 • The Second Annual Comedy • Bustin’ Loose (1981) includes 2 CDs (highlights from “... And It’s 1997 • Lifetime Achievement New York Comedy Festival Award Every time you saw or heard him Hall of Fame (1994) • Richard Pryor Live on Deep, Too!”) 1996 • Lifetime Achievement NAACP Image Award perform was like experiencing him for the • 20 Years of Comedy on HBO (1994) Sunset Strip (1982) • Some Kind of Hero (1982) 1994 • CableACE Entertainment/Cultural Documentary or Informational Special TV very first time, regardless if it was the first A wards • Award for: Mo’ Funny: Black Comedy in America time or the thousandth. Even if you knew word for word, precisely what he was go- 1993 • Lifetime Achievement American Comedy Award etful of cuss words, dirty jokes and punch In those days, being funny enough the deepest love and respect for comedy ing to say. And once you became one of 1982 • Grammy for Best Comedy Recording for Richard Pryor Live on Sunset Strip lines any six-year-old could spot from a wasn’t nearly enough. This was not and its legions of dedicated fans was his disciples, and how could you not--you 1981 • Grammy for Best Comedy Recording for Rev. Du Rite mile away because they wouldn’t know because of any rules set in stone by the Richard Pryor. Sadly, he never seemed to couldn’t help but remember every word, originality if they tripped over it. comedy establishment. It was because fully exercise the demons leftover from 1976 • Grammy for Best Comedy Recording for Bicentennial Nigger every nuance, every inflection and beat of Making audiences laugh when Pryor of the innate fire that burned deep inside his childhood, so his life outside of com- 1975 • Grammy for Best Comedy Recording for Is It Something I Said? every story he ever told. This is but one was coming up in the game was merely comics like Pryor and his contempo- edy was never an easy existence. But example of what separated Pryor then 1975 • WGA Award (Screen) Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen for the cost of entry, not the whole ball of raries—a fire that challenged them to try when you consider what comedy gave [shared award] and now from everyone that came before wax as is the case today. had to create something boldly original and him during the height of his success and 1974 • Emmy Best Writing in Comedy-Variety for Lily [shared award] or since. to do more than entertain. They had to new that evolved the art form each and all he gave to comedy, we can only hope Back in the day, comedians actually 1974 • Grammy for Best Comedy Recording for That Nigger’s Crazy make you feel and think, often making every time they stepped up on stage. that this brilliant man, unquestionably • Richard Pryor’s Star is located at 6440 Hollywood Blvd felt compelled to have something special iconz you uncomfortable in your own skin as if Such was their love and respect of com- the greatest comic who ever lived, was to say to appear in front of a live audi- 1988 • Pryor was the first recipient of the Mark Twain Humor Award from the calling you out personally, taking you to edy and the audiences that came out to able to look back from time to time at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts... • 5 Grammy Awards ence. Now practically any fool able bodied task the way a preacher might during a see them perform. Absolute Universal Truth of his life and enough can hop up on stage with a pock- Sunday morning sermon. And by any measure, the comic with laugh at himself.

10 Hilarious Magazine | sept 2006 www.hilariousmag.com www.hilariousmag.com hilarious magazine | sept 2006 11