Q&A: Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Robert Townsend, the director of Why We Laugh, answered the audience’s questions along with the film’s producers after a recent screening of the movie.
“There’s a legacy here as a people and these comedians represent that legacy.”
– Why We Laugh producer Quincy Newell
– Why We Laugh producer Quincy Newell
Funny, intriguing, at times uncomfortable, and always unapologetic, Robert Townsend’s entertaining and enlightening documentary Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy serves as required viewing for anyone who wants to understand the parallels between black comedy, its cultural influences, and the evolution of the superstars it spawned. And did I mention it’s also funny? After the film’s premiere screening, Townsend kicked off a Q&A, along with producer Quincy Newell, executive producer Jeff Clanagan, and Darryl Littleton, also a producer and the author of Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh, which the documentary is based on.
Townsend: The documentary was based on Darryl’s book. Darryl, what gave you the idea in the first place?
Littleton: I had heard of a lot of the comedians from the documentary but a lot of people had never heard of them before. All that needed to be addressed and I didn’t want these people to be ignored.
Q: As you made this movie, what did you learn about comedy and how did you become more educated?
Townsend: To me, it was more of a love letter because I love comedy, and I’ve worked on different levels with all these cats. For me it was just the journey to share. So that’s when I called up Cosby and everybody and said, “Hey, we need to celebrate Flip Wilson and all these guys,” so that’s why being here at Sundance is perfect to let the world know more.
Newell: One thing we’ve all seen and learned is how these guys changed things in our existence. We all know Richard Pryor was a funny guy, but who knew the impact he would have until you take a step back. For me that was a profound thing.
Q: There is a myriad of comedians you featured in the film. Did you have criteria to work off as you chose them?
Newell: It was a huge task. There are just so many. I think we captured most of the comedians that created seismic shifts in all of our lives.
Clanagan: We reached out to everyone. But it was hard to get close to some of the superstars. But since we’ve been at Sundance, we’ve gotten a lot of calls from those people we couldn’t get close to. So in the aftermath, there may be a new cut with some new people.
Q: With what’s happening now, there is a lack of intelligent comedy going on. Where are things now?
Newell: I think the message we’re trying to get across is that there’s a legacy here as a people and these comedians represent that legacy. Just as Martin Luther King created opportunity for Barack Obama to become President. Bill Cosby and Redd Foxx created opportunity for Chris Rock, for Kat Williams. So the question is, is there a conscious movement within the comedy community that everyone subscribes to that says we’re going to continue this legacy?
