Pryor
Blue Room | Dangerous Words
•
4m 6s
Contains Explicit and Uncensored Content.
Pryor’s work dealt powerful blows to the white establishment and traversed the racial divide at a moment when audience segregation was still a reality in the United States. His irreverent, progressive voice charted a new course for stand-up comedy, which became increasingly rooted in artists’ authentic experiences, unique points of view, and social observations. Though his performances were liberally laced with 4-, 6-, and 12-letter words, Pryor developed a reputation for being what critic Pauline Kael called “a master of lyrical obscenity,” taking an improvisational and almost jazz-like approach to his art. No matter the tone or topic, Pryor’s work had a purpose and a dignity that set it apart – and reoriented the trajectory of comedy in America. As Pryor himself put it, “I have been able to use humor to lessen people’s hatred.”
This video includes exclusive interviews with Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Keegan-Michael Key, Rain Pryor, Elayne Boosler, W. Kamau Bell, Margaret Cho, Todd Boyd, and Tommy Davidson.
Contains Explicit and Uncensored Content.
Pryor’s work dealt powerful blows to the white establishment and traversed the racial divide at a moment when audience segregation was still a reality in the United States. His irreverent, progressive voice charted a new course for stand-up comedy, which became increasingly rooted in artists’ authentic experiences, unique points of view, and social observations. Though his performances were liberally laced with 4-, 6-, and 12-letter words, Pryor developed a reputation for being what critic Pauline Kael called “a master of lyrical obscenity,” taking an improvisational and almost jazz-like approach to his art. No matter the tone or topic, Pryor’s work had a purpose and a dignity that set it apart – and reoriented the trajectory of comedy in America. As Pryor himself put it, “I have been able to use humor to lessen people’s hatred.”
This video includes exclusive interviews with Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Keegan-Michael Key, Rain Pryor, Elayne Boosler, W. Kamau Bell, Margaret Cho, Todd Boyd, and Tommy Davidson.
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