Movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy" - DVD Movies Encyclopedia

Short description of the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Directed by noted actor-producer-director Robert Townsend ('Hollywood Shuffle'), the documentary, which originally screened at Sundance in 2009 in the Premiere section, features interviews with prominent scholars, politicians, cultural critics, and a host of notable comics, including Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Steve Harvey, and Katt Williams. Why We Laugh' tracks the evolution of black comedy from the character of Stepin Fetchit and minstrels in blackface to the politically tinged humor of Dick Gregory, and from the television success of Good Times and The Jeffersons to the big-screen accomplishments of stars such as Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg. The film also turns a perceptive eye on the controversial career decision of Dave Chappelle and the implications of corporate efforts to capitalize on the massive success of Russell Simmons's Def Comedy Jam and Spike Lee's The Original Kings of Comedy.

Starring actors in "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy" movie:

Franklyn Ajaye as a character Himself Franklyn Ajaye also starred in the next movies: "The 'burbs" in a role of Detective #1; "The Jazz Singer" in a role of Bubba; "Stir Crazy" in a role of Young Man in Hospital;

Bill Bellamy as a character Himself Bill Bellamy also starred in the next movies: "Any Given Sunday" in a role of Jimmy Sanderson; "Neverwas" in a role of Martin Sands;

Topper Carew as a character Himself Topper Carew starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Jeff Clanagan as a character Himself Jeff Clanagan starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Bill Cosby as a character Himself Bill Cosby starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Stanley Crouch as a character Himself Stanley Crouch starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Tommy Davidson as a character Himself Tommy Davidson also starred in the next movies: "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" in a role of The Tiny Warrior; "Booty Call" in a role of Rushon; "All Star Comedy Jam" in a role of Himself; "Black Dynamite" in a role of Cream Corn;

Michael Eric Dyson as a character Himself Michael Eric Dyson starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Shang Forbes as a character Himself Shang Forbes starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Dick Gregory as a character Himself Dick Gregory starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Eddie Griffin as a character Himself Eddie Griffin also starred in the next movies: "The New Guy" in a role of Luther; "John Q" in a role of Lester Matthews; "Blast!" in a role of Lamont Dixon; "Norbit" in a role of Pope Sweet Jesus; "Redline" in a role of Infamous; "Undercover Brother" in a role of Undercover Brother/Anton Jackson; "Double Take" in a role of Freddy Tiffany; "Urban Justice" in a role of Armand Tucker; "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" in a role of T.J. Hicks; "Date Movie" in a role of Frank Jones;

Steve Harvey as a character Himself Steve Harvey starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

D.L. Hughley as a character Himself D.L. Hughley starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Eddie Levert as a character Himself Eddie Levert starred only in the movie "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy"

Faizon Love as a character Himself Faizon Love also starred in the next movies: "Torque" in a role of Sonny; "The Replacements" in a role of Jamal Jackson; "Wonderland" in a role of Greg Diles; "Just My Luck" in a role of Damon Phillips; "Elf" in a role of Gimbel's Manager; "Friday" in a role of Big Worm; "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" in a role of Manny;