Customer Reviews

Why We Laugh

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really liked this documentary. I knew I would if Robert Townsend was on board. Mostly because it covers a lot of issues about black comedy that haven't been talked about. Like the modern day "coon" and how most black comedians haven't really learned anything about comedy as an art form. Especially where black comedy has come from. The trailers at the beginning threw me off a bit because with all that intelligence in the documentary, they had to run ads for some of the most uninteresting black comedians around. I also was sorry to see that there were some interviews that didn't make it to the screen and some I wish had not made it. Especially in the bonus interviews. There are only 2 or 3 bonus interviews that were worth listening to. One had absolutely no business being interviewed considering they haven't really ever done much in stand up in the first place and didn't contribute much to the piece as a whole. I guess the director was running low on cash. Now all we need is a movie about Bert Williams and Richard Pryor.

This is an intelligent, informative and educating documentary reminding Black people who choose to negotiate their selfworth by ignoring all the negative racial perceptions/sterotypes in EVERY foreign and domestic film!!! 98% of black people worldwide through all entertainment have sold their souls for the evil greenback!!!

Man, this film impressed me! As a fan of music, I've always paid attention to how music and artists affect our culture but I have never really examined the cultural influence of black comedy. This film does a magnificent job, enlisting highly credible voices. What's really dope about it is that although it's educational, its remains funny and entertaining the entire way through! I can't wait for the DVD!

Awesome film! I've been waiting for the DVD after seeing this at Sundance! This is a highly informative and entertaining film! It offers great insight on the evolution of Black comedy. The performance clips they use in this DVD are hilarious. Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, you name it! A really great watch!

I enjoyed watching this, It shows you how far black comedians have come. It's informational and It's good to see all the top black comedians thoughts on what comedy is and what comedy was. Check it out

Today on Twitter I asked Tony Rock, "If you had to choose between a woman who could make you laugh nonstop and a serious woman who could make your toes curl, which 1?" He answered quickly. I couldn't answer my own question. I love to laugh. I love funny people. I don't think there are enough genuinely funny people who aren't recycling somebody else's jokes or trying to get by on being negative, so when I see genuinely funny people I want to support them as much as possible. I happened to glance at the preview for this DVD while watching another one. Not sure if the promo slipped under my radar, but I strongly suggest that anyone who likes comedy (especially in the African-American market) should watch this to hear about how we got from the blaxploitation comedy to today's comedy. It's a fascinating journey filled with diversity, from Bill Cosby's mildly cookie cutter comedy (although he WILL check you), Richard Pryor's raw appeal, Eddie Murphy's vulgar comedy, grown folks comedy from folks like Steve Harvey and D.L. Hughley, and folks who are close to our hearts and gone too soon like Robin Harris.

Hands down my top five favorite comedians (in this order) are: Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Wanda Sykes and Steve Harvey. And although Bernie Mac and Wanda Sykes weren't featured in this DVD, I was absolutely ecstatic to see individual interviews with the other three. This was in addition to an entire documentary that featured heavy hitters (comedians and well-known personalities) like Bill Bellamy, Sherri Shepherd, Katt Williams, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend, Dick Gregory and Cornel West.

It was fun seeing skits from pioneer comedians and watching today's personalities talk about how they were influenced by them. But it wasn't all jokes. They also talked about the controversy of the n-word, whether comedians have a social responsibility to their audience, Bill Cosby's statements about lower class blacks, whether blaxploitation helped or hurt African-Americans, whether comedians are selling out and the hole to fill for female comedians.

I loved this film. I highly recommend buying it. I rented it, but it's something I could watch over and over again without complaint, minus Sherri Shepherd's interview which I thought was a bit boring and Katt Williams' interview that made me think he was incredibly high (he just kept on eating those strawberries and grapes). I wish Martin Lawrence and Whoopi Goldberg would've been on the DVD, but even without them, it was still very good quality.

As a young fan (24 years old) of Comedy. I was blown away to see where black comedy came from. Most of the material made we more aware of my history. I'm aware of Richard Pryor, Red Foxx and Dick Gegory but really wasnt aware of the struggles they and comdey surpassed. What I mean is the impact these comedians had on entertainment. This documenary was very informative and should be viewed by everyone that is a fan of Black Comedy. I bought this DVD thinking it was going to be a collaboration of all the Great comedians pieces. And instead I was educated on their impact on black entertainment. I Loved it.

An imformative and inspiring documentary, which puts the importance of comedy in perspective. Understanding the role that it has played in the shaping and reflection of a culture. Also it was great to see the thoughts and opinions of many outstanding leading comics. As one in the Arts, it encouraged me to continue to strive for excellence and have something to say.Why We Laugh

I caught this on Showtime a couple months ago and have been looking for this everywhere! I really loved this documentary! Great clips, and commentators and a really unique insight into the impact of Black Comedy.

I'm getting ready to order this DVD, but in the video, I don;t see Martin Lawrence. Now, this is a problem for me, because you have Kat Williams on here, but no Martin? Martin was one of the best comedians as well and he did things in comedy/sitcoms that NO ONE ELSE did! Ugghh!! I will be HIGHLY disappointed if he isn't in it!