

MovieComedyDocumentary
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
8.0(6)20091h 35m
Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of African American comedy in America, from the earliest minstrel shows to the latest HBO special. Featuring interviews with cultural critics and loads of comedic clips, this program features appearances by a who's-who of black comedians including Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and many more.
- Director
- Robert Townsend
- Created by
- Jeff Clanagan,Richard Foos
- Writers
- Quincy Newell
Links
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Cast

Franklyn Ajaye
Self

Angela Bassett
Narrator (voice)

Bill Bellamy
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Todd Boyd
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Jeff Clanagan
Self

Bill Cosby
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Stanley Crouch
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Elijah Cummings
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Tommy Davidson
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Michael Eric Dyson
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Walter Fauntroy
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Shang Forbes
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Marla Gibbs
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Louis Gossett Jr.
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Dick Gregory
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Eddie Griffin
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Steve Harvey
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D.L. Hughley
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Sheila Jackson Lee
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Eddie Levert
Himself

Faizon Love
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Kweisi Mfume
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Kel Mitchell
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Mo'Nique
Self
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Crew
Directing
- Robert TownsendDirector
Writing
- Quincy NewellWriter
Production
- Angela NorthingtonProducer
- Dana RiddickAssociate Producer
- Jeff ClanaganExecutive Producer
- Darryl 'D'Militant' LittletonProducer
- Richard FoosExecutive Producer
- Quincy NewellProducer
Editing
- Skip RobinsonEditor
- Agústa EinarsdóttirEditor