| | | We got jokes.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Dolby, Digital Audio, English, Dolby Digital (5.1)
A cultural phenomenon for our time: Spike Lee captures the geniuses behind the successful Kings Of Comedy tour as they bring the house down at The Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C.
"Hilarious!" Elvis Mitchell, The New York Times
"Stylish, exuberant and hilarious. Rich with laughs." Newsweek
Editor's Note
When four of the world's funniest black stand-up comics came together to celebrate their crownings as the "Kings of Comedy," acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee decided to film two of their most memorable shows. The result is THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF COMEDY, a raucous concert film that takes its cue from classic performers such as Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. The host of the evening, Steve Harvey, spends most of his time criticizing modern music--namely hip-hop--for forgetting to include love in its songs, missing the days when black music was passionate and romantic. D.L. Hughley focuses on universal topics such as work, as well as taking his time to criticize certain unfortunate audience members. Cedric "The Entertainer" makes a series of clever points about the differences between white and black people in addition to using his large frame to dance and run around the stage to hilarious effect. Capping off the film is Bernie Mac, a frustrated 42-year-old who is sick of sex and believes that people should tell it like it is, no matter whom they might offend. As funny as each individual is, they also take the time to make poignant observations about race, relationships, and popular culture, giving the film a sincerity that is truly refreshing.
Plot Summary
With this feature-length documentary filmed the evenings of February 26 and 27, 2000, at the Charlotte (NC) Colleseum, Spike Lee captures the spirit of the "Kings of Comedy" tour, focusing on stand-up geniuses Steve Harvey, Cedric "The Entertainer," D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mac. The tour began in 1997 and has since grown in scope and popularity to its present status as one of the highest-grossing and most highly lauded black comedy shows. However, until Lee stepped up to the challenge of documenting the tour on film, it was also a well-kept secret among its attendees. Now these "Kings of Comedy" and their high-volume acts can be enjoyed by audiences everywhere.
| Features | Dynamic Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Widescreen Version Enhanced for 16:9 TVs | | Dolby Digital: English 5.1 Surround | | English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Paramount |
| Release Date: 2/13/2007 |
| Running Time: 115 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2000 | | Catalog ID: 339244 | | UPC: 00097363392446 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English | | Video: Color |
| Cast & Crew | Spike Lee - Director | | Steve Harvey - Featuring | | Bernie Mac - Featuring | | Cedric The Entertainer - Featuring | | D.L. Hughley - Featuring | | David Gale, et al. - Producer |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...Their comedy gives audiences that have never seen anything like it a hilarious window on a new world....There's an energy that comes from their rapport with their crowd..." 08/18/2000 p.E12USA Today
"Spike Lee does more than merely film a concert....A laugh riot..." -- 3.5 out of 4 stars 08/18/2000 p.1E Entertainment Weekly
"...Sly and hilarious moments..." 09/01/2000 p.59 Total Film
"...It's a worthwhile artifact and a hoot..." 01/01/2000 p.104 Los Angeles Times
"...A dynamite film concert....The convergence of these sensational comedians is reason enough to film them in performance on the same bill..." 08/18/2000 p.C8 Salon.com 9 of 10
...the phenomenon of the moment... it's an extraordinary celebration of black culture, mostly hilarious, sometimes electrifying and occasionally angry... it's no longer an evening of comedy but an authetntic emotional experience: a revival meeting, vaudeville show and house party, all in one... - Andrew O'Hehir
Philadelphia Inquirer 9 of 10
Working a full house with the ease and confidence of a guy holding four aces at the poker table, Steve Harvey rules this pack of kings in disguise... These jokers are wild. - Carrie Rickey
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