Comments on: Richard Pryor, 1940-2005

By: Stephen D. Oliver

Stephen D. Oliver — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 21:31:51 +0000

I would submit that Bill Cosby was the first successful mainstream black comedian, no?
And yes, I think Pryor contributed GREATLY to the degeneracy of “black” culture.

By: Jack Tanner

Jack Tanner — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 21:04:00 +0000

I agree

By: ricland

ricland — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 15:38:43 +0000

With the possible exception of the founder of BET, no one black man is more responsible for the whore house culture black culture has turned into than Richard Pryor.

Pryor was the point man for the black criminal underclass. He used his genius to replace mainstream black culture with their whorehouse culture. Rudy Ray Moore tried to do the same thing, but wasn’t as brilliant as Pryor. Nor was Red Fox.

Then came Eddie Murphy who drove the nail further in our coffin. Then came the vile, ghetto criminals and addicts who gave us Hip Hop and Def Jam.

Had Cosby been as brilliant as Pryor none of this might have happened. The wonderful, uplifting music of Motown might still be status-quo. Your kids might not be immulating 50 Cent. Howard University might still be ouur Black Harvard instead of a campus full of gangster rappers and hoochie girls.

ricland

By: mj

mj — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 15:36:49 +0000

I’m trying not to be envious of Roger Simon. That guy is really blessed.

By: Jeremy Pierce

Jeremy Pierce — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:25:58 +0000

Not to diminish Pryor’s role, but I think Flip Wilson has him beat for first mainstream successful black comedian.

That’s why I wrote “arguably.” – Admin

By: Blinq - Philly.com

Blinq - Philly.com — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 10:45:27 +0000

The Dearly Departed

I have no quarrel with our running the obituary of Eugene McCarthy on the front page and burying Richard Pryor in the B section.

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 03:14:06 +0000

Sickness can translate into genius, Frank. And Pryor was a comedic genius. I IMPLORE you to listen to some of his late-70s comedy albums. Mentally sick or not, they’re some of the best comedic recordings in history.

By: Frank Zavisca - Home

Frank Zavisca - Home — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:17:20 +0000

R Pryor was one sick guy – mantally as well as physically.

How many divorces? Tells a story – and it’s not about success.

By: Down with Absolutes!

Down with Absolutes! — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 13:51:50 +0000

See also: La Shawn Barber talks about Pryor.

By: mj

mj — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 05:17:25 +0000

I know he influenced and inspired a lot of people, but it’s too bad he had to do it via vulgarity. I hope one day our popular culture will celebrate and emulate good humor rather than dirty and offensive jokes.

Speaking of vulgarity, are you also from the same town as Howard Stern?

By: Heliotrope

Heliotrope — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 03:01:50 +0000

R I P.

Richard Pryor had an amazing mind for comedy and he was also beset by demons, many of his own making. May he rest in peace.

By: scott

scott — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 03:00:57 +0000

The first time I saw Richard Pryor was in “Car Wash”- playing the “Al Sharpton character” 20 yrs before the ‘real’ Al Sharpton!

By: Alex Nunez

Alex Nunez — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 23:42:36 +0000

Every comedian today who plays vulgarity for laughs should pay royalties to the Pryor estate. What an incredibly funny and talented guy. He was the anti-Cosby in the comedy sense, but was just as funny and important.

Maybe I’ll rent Stir Crazy, a favorite since I was a kid (when I saw it on regular broadcast TV), later this week.

By: AAEA Blog

AAEA Blog — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 23:35:45 +0000

Richard Pryor Dies

Pryor died of a heart attack at 65.

By: Norris McDonald

Norris McDonald — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 23:15:48 +0000

WOW. I just found out by seeing it on your blog. I accept that 65 is time to die, particularly for black men, it always seems a little strange when you hear about a celebrity death. I guess their celebrity and image on the screen gives them a certain quality of immortality. Of course, death respects no mortal and does not ask for your permission to take you out. Richard Pryor was a great talent. A bit vulgar, but a great talent. He will be missed.