The Richard Pryor Show

Infobox Television
show_name = The Richard Pryor Show


caption = "The Richard Pryor Show" title card
format = Sketch show, Comedy, Variety
runtime = 0:60 (per episode)
creator = Richard Pryor
starring = Richard Pryor
country = USA
network = NBC
first_aired = September 13, 1977
last_aired = October 4, 1977
num_episodes = 4
imdb_id = 0075567

"The Richard Pryor Show" was a short-lived controversial comedy, variety series starring Richard Pryor. It premiered on NBC on Tuesday, September 13, 1977 at 8:00 p.m. opposite ABC's popular television shows "Laverne & Shirley" and "Happy Days". The show was produced by Rocco Urbisci for Burt Sugarman Productions. It was conceived out of a special that Pryor did for NBC in May 1977 since the special was a major hit, both critical and commercial.

Series Run

"The Richard Pryor Show" lasted only 4 episodes during the 1977 season. In contrast to the goofy, cookie cutter "bad comedy skits with songs" type of variety show that dominated the airwaves of the day, Pryor's program was a true variety show, featuring an unpredictable mix of satire, social commentary, conceptual comedy, improvisation, slapstick, and the occasional dramatic bit. From the start, the show faced controversy about its time slot and subject matter. Pryor's contract stated that the show was to air at 9:00 p.m. but it was aired at 8:00 p.m. Many people wondered why NBC would put one of America's most controversial and profanity-laced artist's show in the middle of "family hour" on Tuesdays. Many more wondered why the network slotted the show opposite the most popular shows of the day all but assuring its failure. Pryor was ready to quit before production even began because of network intervention, indifference, and incompetence during the development stage, but was eventually wooed back, agreeing to do four episodes of the show instead of the ten originally required by his contract. The four episodes were produced and they aired in consecutive weeks. But, the network interference that had almost caused the show to be still-born reared its ugly head right from the start when the very first episode's introductory bit was cut just before air. The bit began with a close up of Pryor's face as he explained that he was not going to have to give anything up in order to bring his brand of comedy to network television. Then the camera pulled back to show an apparantly nude Pryor with his genitals removed. Ironically, Pryor was actually wearing a full-length body stocking, so no actual nudity was shown. Equally ironic was the fact that so many news programs aired the controversial snippet that more people ended up seeing it than would have if it had simply aired as a part of the show.The Richard Pryor Show did not do well in the ratings while the programs that preceded it and followed it were highly rated. After Pryor fulfilled his contractual obligations, neither he nor the network pursued the production of any further episodes or specials.Despite the show's failure, and despite the network's creative interference, today the Richard Pryor Show is considered to have been four hours of daring, unique, highly creative television so far ahead of its time that it still seems new and fresh.

Cast

* Richard Pryor
* Robin Williams
* Paul Mooney
* Tim Reid
* Jimmy Martinez
* John Witherspoon
* Sandra Bernhard
* Marsha Warfield
* Marlene Clark
* Allegra Allison
* David Banks
* Argus Hamilton
* Jeff Corey
* Vic Dunlop

The main cast consisted of Pryor as various characters. Some of his more popular ones were him as a money-seeking priest, a wino, and a white-hating rock star. Pryor was assisted by some comedic talents that would go on to be very big in Hollywood.

Episodes and Controversy

Pryor only filmed four episodes of the show but they were not without their controversies. During the first show, Pryor was shown for a title card and as the camera panned out it was revealed that he was wearing a sort of body stocking to appear nude but his penis was missing. (The implication being that Pryor had been "emasculated" by the network's restrictions and censorship.) NBC quickly said the clip must be edited out of the show and it was. A skit in which Pryor appeared as a machine gun toting rocker who kills all of his white fans also caused a stir. The second episode also featured a very controversial skit. The skit showed a woman in a park and while in this park she describes what her first lesbian experience was like. Probably one of the most shocking and revealing moments of the show came during the last episode of the show. A skit that was set up like a roast given by the Friars Club or hosted by Dean Martin was seen on the show. The only thing was no guest star was on the show, all the other actors from the show roasted Pryor. Pryor sat with his head down for the most part laughing mildly while regulars on the show either had kind remarks or very scornful ones. After the fourth episode the show was history.

DVD Release

Because Pryor's status as a comedic and Hollywood icon only grew and still exists to the day, a two volume DVD set was released on March 23, 2004. The DVDs include the special that Pryor did that was the inspiration for the series.

External links

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* [http://jumptheshark.com/forum/richard-pryor/1681 Jump The Shark - The Richard Pryor Show]