In the early 60s, Richard Pryor was a clean cut, mainstream comedian who appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Then he had a meltdown in Las Vegas. Retreating from showbiz, he moved to Berkeley, California and began hanging out with The Black Panthers, the counterculture movement, and African American intellectuals. The experience changed the face of Richard Pryor's comedy.
History of Richard Pryor's Children’s TV Show: Pryor's Place
In 1984, Richard Pryor had a children’s TV show called: Pryor’s Place. This was two years after his classic concert film, Live on the Sunset Strip, - and four years after lighting himself on fire while freebasing cocaine.
The Pryor’s Place only lasted one season and was produced by Sid & Marty Krofft. The show takes place in an inner-city neighborhood. There’s puppets, celebrity guest stars, and Pryor giving moral lessons to kids.
The best part is the theme song to Pryor’s Place performed by Ray Parker Jr. who did the Ghostbuster’s theme. It’s so catchy - that it will haunt you forever.
History of Richard Pryor and Comedians Who Attempt Comebacks
Part Two of our history of comedians who f-up and attempt comebacks. We dive into the greatest comeback of all time - with Richard Pryor who lit himself on fire while freebasing and then came back and filmed the standup masterpiece, Live on the Sunset Strip.
Along with this, we cover the worst comedy comeback of all time with Michael Richards - after he had a meltdown on stage at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.