|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|
March 2001 : THE KINGS HAVE LANDED
PART I
(Mar: Main
Page * Features * [Reviews
* Films * Indie
* Sound * Coming
* DVD * Vault
*
By Nasser Metcalfe Editor: Nakesha Kemp
The year is 1993 and for four upcoming comedians, this is a new day. Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam had recently bestowed stardom on these men and success was imminent. . Amongst the fruits of their labor were National tours as well as budding film and television opportunities.
The year is 1993 and for four upcoming comedians, this is a new day. Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam had recently bestowed stardom on these men and success was imminent. Amongst the fruits of their labor were National tours as well as budding film and television opportunities.
On a particularly auspicious Saturday night, Bernie Mac and D.L. Hughley shared the bill at Atlanta's Civic Center Auditorium. At the same time a few blocks away, Steve Harvey was the headliner at the legendary Comedy Act Theatre. By coincidence, all three happen to be staying in the same hotel and met in the wee hours to celebrate the evening1s success, reminisce and share hilarious observations about his new life.
A few weeks later, Cedric the Entertainer would arrive in the same city to rescue an upstart Uptown Comedy Club from opening week blues. Though this club would eventually become the Mecca for Black Comedy in the South, on this particular evening there were only 12 audience members in a venue that seats close to 300. Cedric the Entertainer takes the stage and launches an assault of belly aching laughs to the unsuspecting crowd and in no time has the room overflowing with the energy of a capacity crowd.
Fast forward to the year 2000. Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac are now the undisputed Kings of Comedy. Seven years later they1ve collectively managed to conquer both film and television while building a strong national following. In addition to hosting Showtime at the Apollo, Steve Harvey has a top rated sitcom, The Steve Harvey Showon the WB network, co-starring Cedric the Entertainer. D.L. Hughley had a successful first season with his ABC sitcom, The Hughelys which moves to the UPN network in the fall. Bernie Mac enjoys a recurring role on UPN's hit sitcom, Moesha as well as a thriving film career. Most recently he appeared opposite Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence in the hit film Life.
Individually, each has consistently sold out shows around the country. Their enormous popularity led to the wildly successful "Kings of Comedy" tour, now the subject of Paramount Pictures new movie, The Original Kings of Comedy. Brought to life by renowned director Spike Lee, the film captures the uproarious atmosphere of the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. Lee successfully conveys the excitement of the show by combining behind the scenes1 footage with colorful audience scenes. Much of the candid footage is as funny as its stars. The film allows movie viewers to experience the show as if in the audience (or Coliseum). Unlike most films, this film doesn1t give into the standard gratuitous audience laughter stock footage. Lee reveals "We had a rule that if we were to cut to audience members, it had to be real time. What they were laughing at had to be that joke, and you see their response."
Steve Harvey serves as host, using some strong language to offer his take on everything from the crowd's "country" lifestyle to the idea of Black people's methods of surviving the Titanic. For his fans that are used to his censor friendly sitcom persona, he offers a thoughtful explanation of his colorful language on stage, "When you're at home with your kids, do you sleep with your bedroom door open? No you don't. You shut your door because that ain't for the kids. Now, you're doing something that ain't for the kids and I'm doing something that ain't for the kids. Everything ain't for your kids." Next up is D.L. Hughley whose hilarious observations include trying to maintain an interesting sex life with nosy children in the house. Of the film itself he only half jokingly declares, "I think that it's the funniest movie that ever existed. But that's just me." Cedric the Entertainer creatively uses music to humorously reminisce about the good old days. He is quick to point out that the humor of the movie transcends cultural and racial barriers. He states flatly, "We don't necessarily want this film to be categorized as a Black movie. It's a stand up comedy movie [that] anybody can go see." He continues, "We want to stand on [the fact that] this movie is funny." Finally, Bernie Mac provides the anchor with his side splitting, in your face revelations about a variety of topics ranging from domestic issues to middle aged sex. Of his humble beginnings he quips "I had one suit until I was twenty something years old. And I had to share that one. My brother wore the slacks, I wore the vest, and my sister wore the jacket." The combination of raw yet polished talent of these individuals has not only achieved historical significance with the tour, but also has test audiences around the country proclaiming The Original Kings of Comedythe funniest film of the summer. On Aug 18th, when it opens nationwide, do yourself a favor and find out why these four wear the crown.
| (Mar:
Main Page * Features
* [Reviews * Films
* Indie * Sound
* Coming * DVD
* Vault * |
| © 1999-2000 blackfilm.com inc. |