Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution

Name: Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2022-06-29

Network:A&E

Comedy

Previous Episode

S01E02 - "Part 2: The Contemporaries"

Aired on Jul 1, 2022, 1:00 AM

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Description

The two-part documentary event Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution explores the progression of Black comedy and the comedians who have used pointed humor to expose, challenge and ridicule society's injustices and to articulate the Black experience in America. The series examines Black comedy through a unique lens, tracing the evolution and social awakening of the courageous comedians who dared to push against the constraints of their time and spoke truth to power.Ă‚Â

Details

Status: Ended
Language: English
Runtime: 120 min
Premiered: June 29, 2022
Ended: June 30, 2022
Schedule: Thursday, Friday at 9:00 PM

External Links

Episodes (1 Season · 2 Episodes)

Part 1: The Revolutionaries

Chronicles how the pioneers of Black comedy turned the stand-up stage into one of the most important platforms for social discourse in America. This episode explores how Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor, Moms Mabley, and Redd Foxx, among others, used "offensive" humor to break racial and cultural barriers during the civil rights and counterculture eras. Their defiance in the face of insurmountable challenges set the foundation for the freedoms that black comedians enjoy today.

Jun 29, 2022

120 min

Part 2: The Contemporaries

Explores the new breed of Black comedian that surfaced after the Civil Rights movement and the significant challenges they still faced. Starting in the 1980s, some black comedians like Eddie Murphy enjoyed unprecedented success while many of them still remained on the sidelines. Working outside of the mainstream, Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, Kenan Ivory Wayans, and Whoopi Goldberg created new opportunities for more socially-relevant work to emerge. Political upheaval in the 21st century mobilized Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and a diverse cast of young black comedians like never before, giving them a much more prominent role in American society.

Jun 30, 2022

120 min