Product Details

• Actors: Sam Kinison, Beverly D'Angelo, Rodney Dangerfield, Larry King, Bill Kinison
• Directors: Larry Carroll
• Writers: Sam Kinison, Larry Carroll
• Producers: Bill Kinison, Larry Carroll, Arnold H. Orgolini, Linda Agnelli, Stuart Garret
• Format: Black & White, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: S'More Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: October 3, 2006
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000H5U5J4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,322 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Sam Kinison - Why Did We Laugh? (DVD/CD)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

For fans of comedy, Sam Kinison needs no introduction. His scathing comedy tackled tough topics no other comedian dared to touch. Fed up and disenfranchised with his career as a Pentacostal preacher, Sam left the ministry to try his hand at comedy. Almost immediately, and thanks in part to the foresight of Rodney Dangerfield who showcased Sam on an HBO special, his piercing scream, extreme humor and irreverent take on life attracted attention. Containing rare, early footage of Sam preaching and performing stand up at the world famous Comedy Store, the Award Winning "Why Did We Laugh" tells the story of a comedic genius who touched a deeper chord in people than most entertainers. Sadly, Sam was taken from us far too early, yet leaving us with a lasting and unique legacy. Includes excerpts from various stand-up appearances as well as interviews with Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Pryor, Dennis Miller, Larry King, Jay Leno, Judy Tenuta, Beverly D’Angelo, Tim Matheson and others. Also, appearances from "Larry King Live", "The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson" • Separate CD entitled "The Passion of Sam", featuring Sam giving an Evangelical sermon and singing at the Emanuel Temple Church in Rockford, Il., where Sam was once employed as the Youth Pastor (approx. 36 min r/t)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, February 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Did We Laugh [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The life of the late great Sam Kinison is explored from birth to his untimely death in this wonderful video. It has lots of interviews with Sam's friends, colegues, and his brother Bill. The way it is put together is great, with some of his best comedy clips on the video. It tells about the life of Sam Kinison very well, from the loud mouth hysterical man on stage, to the warm, caring man off it. Buy it... you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh again.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sam Kinison - I knew why I laughed!, September 8, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh (DVD)

The late Sam Kinison has always been a maligned person due to his outrageous stage presence and performance. In this DVD, you can learn the way Sam REALLY died, see unseen footage of his standup start in Texas and see unseen footage of Sam when he was a preacher. Also included in this DVD are scenes with Dennis Miller, Larry King, Rodney Dangerfield, Jay Leno, Judy Tenuta and other famous faces.

Sam may have been outrageous, crazy, and many other adverbs and adjectives, but you'll know the real story when it's over. Get this and find out the REAL story. END

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just a loud mouth, a lot more, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Did We Laugh [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I watched "Why Did We Laugh" with great interest. Director Larry Carroll has found something deeper and much more interesting about Sam Kinison lurking just behind the noise and laughter. I didn't think it was possible but Kinison actually seems to have been a very human, very compelling character. Bravo.