Before Chris Rock. Before Eddie Murphy. There was only one man who took comedy to its limits, RICHARD PRYOR. Pryor was at the top of his game when NBC offered him his own variety series back in 1977. Low ratings and Pryor's battle with the network's censors caused the show to shut down after a run of just 4 episodes. What is left is a brilliant piece of work by Pryor and his crew, which included Robin Williams, Tim Reid(WKRP), Marsha Warfield(Night Court), John Witherspoon(Friday)among others.
Richard Pryor really pushed the limits with this show. In his skits, just when you thought the skit was over or he couldn't go any further with his material, Pryor always took it one step further. Whether he was playing the President or dumping on NBC(over the censors), Pryor wasn't just funny, but SHOCKINGLY FUNNY. Now, please keep in mind that this was 1977 and there was more of a barrier of what you can say and do on television(as for today, anything goes).
Shows like CHAPPELLE'S SHOW I think owe a lot to The Richard Pryor Show. It broke all barriers.
Without Richard Pryor, there would be no Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Steve Harvey, Wayans Bros. (the list goes on and on). Richard paved the way for them all, as you all will see. The Richard Pryor Show is being released on DVD/VHS in March 2004. I'd suggest you pick it up and get ready to fall out of your chair...LAUGHING.
Richard Pryor really pushed the limits with this show. In his skits, just when you thought the skit was over or he couldn't go any further with his material, Pryor always took it one step further. Whether he was playing the President or dumping on NBC(over the censors), Pryor wasn't just funny, but SHOCKINGLY FUNNY. Now, please keep in mind that this was 1977 and there was more of a barrier of what you can say and do on television(as for today, anything goes).
Shows like CHAPPELLE'S SHOW I think owe a lot to The Richard Pryor Show. It broke all barriers.
Without Richard Pryor, there would be no Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Steve Harvey, Wayans Bros. (the list goes on and on). Richard paved the way for them all, as you all will see. The Richard Pryor Show is being released on DVD/VHS in March 2004. I'd suggest you pick it up and get ready to fall out of your chair...LAUGHING.