Adele Givens
In this special live event, giants of stand-up come together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Russell Simmons's groundbreaking "Def Comedy Jam."
Do I Look Like a Lady? (Comedians and Singers) presents a dynamic checkerboard of moving image footage featuring African-American actors and singers from across the 20th century: from Jackie “Moms” Mabley to Eartha Kitt, Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, and several others. The video focuses on their individual voices as they express heartbreaking roles, pointed lyrics, sharp jokes, and strong statements of resistance to the dominant culture. The work is a powerful, and often riotous, reflection on the roles of black women in the United States.
A bittersweet valentine to All Jokes Aside, a little known, but extremely influential, black-owned Comedy Club. Comedy, race and Chicago politics collided at this cultural gem and we hope our humorous telling of this story will provoke discussion, and in some small way, promote a greater understanding between the races.
Long before Hollywood came calling with films such as Johnson Family Vacation, Steve Harvey was slaying audiences at comedy clubs. This collection of Harvey-hosted episodes from the popular television show captures that vibe. Funnymen James Hannah, Arnez J., Rich Vos and others unleash a tirade of laughs, demonstrating why this show served as a launching pad for so many top comic talents. Russell Simmons and Bob Sumner provide commentary.
You thought you'd heard it all in the barbershop, but you haven't heard anything yet - the women get their own chance to shampoo, shine, and speak their minds in Beauty Shop.
Four of today's hottest black comedians headline this Queens of Comedy video special, a follow-up to Spike Lee's "The Original Kings of Comedy". Adele Givens, Mo'Nique (from UPN's The Parkers), Sommore, and Laura Hayes (from BET's Comic View) present a very provocative adult program with riffs on everything from the size of various body parts, to the habits of men, to former president Bill Clinton.
Single mother Diana struggles to provide for her child and pay for her college education. When she meets two dancers from a nearby gentlemen's club, Diana's convinced there's fast money to be made stripping.
