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The so-called “King of the Party Record,” Redd Foxx got his start as a comic telling some of the most outrageous, X-rated jokes audiences had ever heard, going on to sell an estimated 20 million records. His journey from street corner singer to blue comic would ultimately bring him into every home in America as the cranky-but-lovable Fred Sanford. On the hit show Sanford and Son, Foxx not only broke barriers for Black performers on TV, he also challenged what issues could be centered in the sitcom format, tackling questions of race, poverty, and discrimination.
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Known to millions as “Dolemite”—the provocative tough-talking hustler he played in his most popular films and albums—Rudy Ray Moore built a loyal and lasting following, especially among a later generation of hip-hop artists, who dubbed him “The Godfather of Rap.” While his party records and street hustler persona outraged critics, they gave an unapologetic voice to the Black urban experience and inspired generations of comics who came after him.
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Fusing comedy and activism, Dick Gregory was one of the most forcefully political comics of his generation. Gregory repeatedly broke the color barrier, becoming the first Black comedian to sit on the couch of Jack Paar’s The Tonight Show. As his star rose, Gregory became even more dedicated to his activism, marching for civil rights with Martin Luther King, Jr., protesting the Vietnam War, and even running for President of the United States. An irrepressible voice for justice with cool intellectual wit, Gregory remains a sterling example of the political power of laughter.
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The original queen of comedy who styled herself “The Funniest Woman in the World,” Moms Mabley shattered barriers that had kept Black comics, and especially women, from taking center stage. Over nearly six decades, Moms’ randy-but-grandmotherly persona allowed her to subversively address lightning-rod issues such as race, gender, and sexuality in ways not dared by any performer who came before. From North Carolina to Carnegie Hall, Moms fought her way onto the stage and into America’s hearts.
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Flip Wilson, television’s first Black superstar, hosted his own variety show that rose to the top of American TV ratings. He united the world to the sound of laughter while snatching a slew of industry awards. But while he enjoyed audience adoration on-stage, Flip struggled with trauma and addiction in his personal life. Yet his enduring work paved the way for more groundbreaking shows, like Sanford and Son, that continued to expand horizons and opportunities for Black comics on the small screen.
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One of the fiercest and most fearless comics of his generation, Paul Mooney masterfully crossed the line with humor and intention. He told the truth about race and politics in America through his iconic work on shows like In Living Color, Saturday Night Live and The Chappelle Show. Dubbed the “Godfather of Comedy” for his unflinching, unapologetic style, Mooney influenced generations of comics and kick-started the careers of some of the biggest names in the comedy game.
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Please note: This Audible Original contains explicit content and language some people may find offensive. It is intended for mature audiences only. Discretion is advised.
Take a deep dive into the personal and political lives of six trailblazing Black comedy icons with your host comedian/actor JB Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm). This engaging docuseries shows you how these fearless heroes of comedy broke color barriers and challenged the racist status quo, all while making audiences roar with laughter. Without them, we wouldn’t have the superstars we have today.
Produced by Team Coco, AYR Media and Toni Judkins, each episode of Funny My Way: Breaking Boundaries in Black Comedy presents a comedy great of the past: Paul Mooney (known as “The Godfather of Comedy”), Flip Wilson (the first Black entertainer to host a successful weekly variety show on network TV), Moms Mabley (the first Black comedian to play Carnegie Hall), Dick Gregory (the first Black comedian to break the color line in the nightclub scene), Rudy Ray Moore (known as “The Godfather of Rap”), and Redd Foxx (known as “The Dean of X-rated comedians”).
Through funny and moving archival footage, their stories are told alongside incisive commentary from various popular comics, political commentators, and legendary creators, including Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Godfrey, RuPaul, Margaret Cho, Deon Cole, Sandra Bernhard, Norman Lear, and more. Hear how these Black comedy legends made it to the top and influenced so many by doing it their way.
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