Thursday, September 26, 2024

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

Yes, this is the 1982 stand-up film: 

Once again, messageboard discussion spurned my revisiting this standup film for the first time in more than 15 years. Whether it be in audio or video, I’ve dug his routines. Well, someone in a thread mentioned various 80’s stand-up movies and specials, including Sunset Strip.

Some nitpicks could be made, none of which are related to Pryor’s routine; instead of possibly tainting the well, let’s move on and mention that throughout, there are various riotous routines that run the gamut from the Mafia and visiting Africa to relationships and the most poignant moment: his talk of being addicted to freebasing cocaine, which led to the night that via uncertain circumstances, he lit himself on fire. While he was great at making light of his struggles, it also served as a serious PSA & warned people of how addictive the pipe was.

Don’t expect an increase in my reviewing of stand-ups from the past-as I have zero interest in modern comedians-but it was long overdue for me to finally see this in full rather than listen to some of the bits in audio form. It’s as profane as you’d expect, although the n-word is only used to note that Pryor no longer is a proponent of the word after his Africa sojourn.

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