What Happened to the Kings?
Hello all,
I’m sure everyone remembers the Original Kings of Comedy, the stand-up concert movie featuring four prominent comics, namely, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac. Made in 2000, the comedy hit with the tagline “We Got Jokes” received nationwide laughs, but also dropped statements of racial relevance that made people sit up and think about real racial issues that are still prevalent in this country.
The reason why I’m presenting this topic today is because I, like others, wondered why the four never got together to do a second tour. I mean, certainly, the movie/tour didn’t suffer financial setback, and even found a prominent director to work on the actual film, one Sheldon Jackson Lee (Spike Lee, to all you homebodies). The Kings of Comedy tour, according to horizonmag.com, was the highest-grossing comedy tour in U.S. History.
That being said, a logical reason for the four not coming together for a second tour was the pursuit of expounding on the tour’s success. Logical, but in looking at the filmographies of the four (thanks IMDB.com), it seems that the success they’ve enjoyed is limited in comparison to the success of the tour. You’re welcome to check it out for yourself:
(in order of appearance *smile*, Harvey, Hughley, the Entertainer, Mac)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0367724/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0401018/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0147825/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005170/
I wanted to open up this question for conversation, and of course a next-day response:
Do you feel that prominent black entertainers should have a vested interest in their own community? Should prominent black entertainers disregard responsibilities to their own communities for the pursuit of commercial gain?
The heart of my actual discussion isn’t so much about the four not being responsible as far as actual contributions; certainly, the four are recognized and readily available for events such as the BET awards, and also give money to charity. Still, I want to look at why they didn’t do a second tour, and the significance of the first tour. Certainly, the significant gain of the tour wasn’t so much about monetary success; rather, it was about the issues brought up and the collective interest of a community inspired by the unprecedented endeavor. Love you all and see you tomorrow,
The Good Doctor
Show your love for the B.L.O.G. by posting comments here, or by leaving e-mails at blackloveonegrowth@yahoo.com. Anonymous comments aren’t appreciated here; leave a name so we know whom you are. Thanks and I love you all.
I’m sure everyone remembers the Original Kings of Comedy, the stand-up concert movie featuring four prominent comics, namely, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac. Made in 2000, the comedy hit with the tagline “We Got Jokes” received nationwide laughs, but also dropped statements of racial relevance that made people sit up and think about real racial issues that are still prevalent in this country.
The reason why I’m presenting this topic today is because I, like others, wondered why the four never got together to do a second tour. I mean, certainly, the movie/tour didn’t suffer financial setback, and even found a prominent director to work on the actual film, one Sheldon Jackson Lee (Spike Lee, to all you homebodies). The Kings of Comedy tour, according to horizonmag.com, was the highest-grossing comedy tour in U.S. History.
That being said, a logical reason for the four not coming together for a second tour was the pursuit of expounding on the tour’s success. Logical, but in looking at the filmographies of the four (thanks IMDB.com), it seems that the success they’ve enjoyed is limited in comparison to the success of the tour. You’re welcome to check it out for yourself:
(in order of appearance *smile*, Harvey, Hughley, the Entertainer, Mac)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0367724/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0401018/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0147825/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005170/
I wanted to open up this question for conversation, and of course a next-day response:
Do you feel that prominent black entertainers should have a vested interest in their own community? Should prominent black entertainers disregard responsibilities to their own communities for the pursuit of commercial gain?
The heart of my actual discussion isn’t so much about the four not being responsible as far as actual contributions; certainly, the four are recognized and readily available for events such as the BET awards, and also give money to charity. Still, I want to look at why they didn’t do a second tour, and the significance of the first tour. Certainly, the significant gain of the tour wasn’t so much about monetary success; rather, it was about the issues brought up and the collective interest of a community inspired by the unprecedented endeavor. Love you all and see you tomorrow,
The Good Doctor
Show your love for the B.L.O.G. by posting comments here, or by leaving e-mails at blackloveonegrowth@yahoo.com. Anonymous comments aren’t appreciated here; leave a name so we know whom you are. Thanks and I love you all.
posted by The Good Doctor at 2:06 PM
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