I never found Richard Pryor funny

[HUGHPHUG]

Stir crazy is a riot

I've watched it at least once a year for 35 odd years!

 

[RollSonnenRoll]

Bit like Hendrix maybe, people more talented these days but they built on what he did I guess. You need to put them in the context of their peers at the time.

Exactly. You gotta remember that 90% of the rest of standup at the time was a guy in a tux on Johnny Carson saying a one punchline joke with a snare rimshot from the band.

 

[TheLinguist]

I've watched it at least once a year for 35 odd years!

That’s a lot, I usually watch it every couple of years, such a classic

 

[Lawblaw]

How do you feel about Dane Cook?

i can't imagine watching him on purpose

 

[Goon Dog]

Richard Pryor, Wanted Live in Concert is one of the blueprints for contemporary stand up comedy. IMO the greatest standup show ever recorded but a curse because he would forever be measured by it and could never live up to it. Live on Sunset Strip was terribly disappointing. His movies were funny but got redundant after a while. The drug use also ruined him.

 

[Big Burly]

Richard Pryor is THE most influential comedian. Eddie Murphy's stand-up WAS a Richard Pryor routine. Chris Rock is also very influenced by Pryor. Same with Dave Chappelle. Hell, Rodney Carrington's stand-up is highly influenced by Pryor.

Pryor is my favorite comedian, and he is the GOAT of stand-up. He translated the stand-up glory to a fine movie career, and was a great comedic actor.

I was a kid in the 70s and 80s, and saw his comedy specials on HBO. I'm sure this is a generational thing as much as anything.

The OP doesn't like him? Well, opinions are like assholes: Everyone has them and they usually stink.

IDGAF if the OP or anyone else agrees with me here. Have your opinions. I'll have mine.

 

[Losfer Words]

Pryor rules.

 

[toaa]

His influence is undeniable and he arguably changed the entire genre. Not everything he did aged terribly well and I think there were funnier comedians in his style that came since. Carlin is the GOAT to me and is much harder to duplicate in style.

 

[TeTe]

Pryor is still good, but Eddie did it better and his stuff stills holds up. Even though Eddie can credit Pryor for paving the way.