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

Directed by Robert Townsend1h 35mComedy,Documentary

Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of African American comedy in America, from the earliest minstrel shows to the latest HBO special. Featuring interviews with cultural critics and loads of comedic clips, this program features appearances by a who's-who of black comedians including Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and many more.

Rated
NR
Year
2009
Country
US
Language
English
Release date
1 January 2009
TMDB
8.0 (6)
CineVerse
— (0)

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Franklyn Ajaye
Franklyn Ajaye
Self
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett
Narrator (voice)
Bill Bellamy
Bill Bellamy
Self
Todd Boyd
Todd Boyd
Self
Jeff Clanagan
Jeff Clanagan
Self
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
Self
Stanley Crouch
Stanley Crouch
Self
Elijah Cummings
Elijah Cummings
Self
Tommy Davidson
Tommy Davidson
Self
Michael Eric Dyson
Michael Eric Dyson
Self
W
Walter Fauntroy
Self
S
Shang Forbes
Self
Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs
Self
Louis Gossett Jr.
Louis Gossett Jr.
Self
Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory
Self
Eddie Griffin
Eddie Griffin
Self
Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey
Self
D.L. Hughley
D.L. Hughley
Self
S
Sheila Jackson Lee
Self
E
Eddie Levert
Himself
Faizon Love
Faizon Love
Self
K
Kweisi Mfume
Self
Kel Mitchell
Kel Mitchell
Self
Mo'Nique
Mo'Nique
Self
Paul Mooney
Paul Mooney
Self
Garrett Morris
Garrett Morris
Self
Charlie Murphy
Charlie Murphy
Self
Niecy Nash
Niecy Nash
Self
Reynaldo Rey
Reynaldo Rey
Self
Chris Rock
Chris Rock
Self
Sherri Shepherd
Sherri Shepherd
Self
Sommore
Sommore
Self
Robert Townsend
Robert Townsend
Self
T
Thea Vidale
Self
George Wallace
George Wallace
Self
Maxine Waters
Maxine Waters
Self
Damon Wayans
Damon Wayans
Self
Keenen Ivory Wayans
Keenen Ivory Wayans
Self
Marlon Wayans
Marlon Wayans
Self
Shawn Wayans
Shawn Wayans
Self
Cornel West
Cornel West
Self
Katt Williams
Katt Williams
Self
Andrew Young
Andrew Young
Self
T
Topper Carew
Self
Julian Bond
Julian Bond
Self

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