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Richard Pryor
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 9:46 pm
by Sloth
Richard Pryor, probably the funniest, most original comedian who ever lived died at age 65 of a heart attack. It was not his first heart attack, but it was definitely his last.
Pryor often joked about heart attacks and how much they hurt and how his kids would laugh at him while he was having them. Then he would go into dialogues with his heart reprimanding him for eating too much pork, snorting cocaine, and drinking whiskey. It's funnier when he said it though.
Sigh. Time to rent Superman III.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 9:47 pm
by Sloth
If anyone has not heard Pryor let me know I'll post some clips. You will fucking die too.
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:19 am
by Tommy Martyn
As has been pointed out by many people, Richard Pryor outlived his life. His cultural significance was already being referred to in the past tense twenty years before his death. At yet another tribute show he remaked that he wasn't dead yet. Neither is his schtick. Dave Chappelle has bought it wholesale, for instance.
Obviously, he didn't feature big in my own pantheon but the more I got to know of him the more I liked him. My favourite thought is th e titling of his album from 1976. I guess the USA was awash in patriotic fervour 200 years after 1776. He reminded the nation how far they hadn't travelled by calling his live recording, "Bicentenial Nigger."
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:51 am
by Sloth
Eddie Murphy, for instance, got nearly every single bit he ever did from Richard Pryor. He admitted it later on in life and then became an actor just like Richard. Come to think about it, Eddie should be in the next Superman as a computer nerd.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:43 am
by Zapelomen
While we celebrate the man, we should also start appreciating more, as quickly as possible, his style.
His style can be seen somewhat inspired by the likes of Redd Foxx, who's career was severely stunted early by racial prejudice. Also men like Paul Mooney, who I feel is one of the smartest, and funniest comedians still alive.
Did you know Spike Lee "joints" are often found in the "Comedy" section of any rental depot? Spike is really funny after the intense depression you feel afterwords for being alive. HA racism!