The US Scene:
Jen Van Ewyk
Historically, comedy has opened the pathway for
increased representation of ethnic and racial minorities.
This may be due to the fact that comedy tends to
include stereotypes as humour, more than other
genres. Comedy, both in the stand-up scene and
television tends to provide an outlet of social and
political commentary.
There are far too many to mention, however listed
are a few of the most popular Urban and Latino
comedians within the US scene who have not only
forged successful careers and become the most
popular mainstream comedians in the world: they
have contributed to change and progress within
the US comedy scene.
Richard Pryor:
Richard Pryor is one of the most influential and
powerful comedians. At his height of comedy success in the 1970’s, Pryor broke down comedy barriers, creating the path for African American comedians by creating hilarious and truthful characters
that transcended racial boundaries.
Director and comedian Keenan Ivory Wayans has
said that Pryor “made the blueprint for the progressive thinking of black comedians, unlocking that
irreverent style."
On his way to fame, Pryor became the funniest
man in America by creating a new kind of comedy,
including a hilarious, heartbreaking and conflicted
view of life seen from the underside. Few comedians today talk about their own careers without
mentioning the inspiration they received from Pryor.
Chris Rock:
Chris Rock originally began his career appearing
in small film roles. After meeting veteran comedian
Eddie Murphy he was cast in ‘Beverley Hills Cop
2’ (1987). Rock was a cast member of ‘Saturday
Night Live’ from 1990 until 1993 and continues to
appear on the show.
Rock began his comedy career performing in his
hometown of New York, and took a break from
comedy, performing in ‘New Jack City’ (1991),
which displayed a different persona to funny man:
a politically concerned character. He wrote and
co-produced ‘CB4’ (1993), with his scripts featuring tensions and politics of modern American society, especially amongst the African-American communities.
In 1996, Rock secured his reputation as one of the
best comedians in the industry, with his stand up
special ‘Bring the Pain’ being very well received
and included race tension topics, which created
controversy.
Kevin Hart:
Over the last few years, Kevin Hart has made his
mark on the comedy world, with his personal story
telling comedic style and self-deprecating humour.
Hart’s comedy tours began in 2009 with ‘I’m a
Grown Little Man’, followed by ‘Seriously Funny’
(2010) and ‘Laugh At My Pain’, (2011). In 2013,
Hart performed a TV special, ‘Let Me Explain.’ His
show ‘Seriously Funny’ went platinum in 2010.
Hart originally landed a small role in the Judd Apatow-produced TV series, ‘Undeclared’ (2001),
before starring in the urban crime comedy ‘Paper
Soldiers’ (2002).
‘Laugh At My Pain’ (2011) saw Hart join Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Martin Lawrence as one of
the few urban comedians to have a stand-up concert turned in to a [ݚYK