Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy 15 years old

Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of African American comedy in America, from the earliest minstrel shows to the latest HBO special. Featuring interviews with cultural critics and loads of comedic clips, this program features appearances by a who's-who of black comedians including Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and many more.

Credits

Tommy Davidson as Himself

Eddie Griffin as Himself

Katt Williams as Himself

Niecy Nash as Self

Angela Bassett as Narrator

Mo'Nique as Herself

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy Cast

Name	Character
Tommy Davidson He was 45, now 61 years old	as Himself
Eddie Griffin He was 40, now 56 years old	as Himself
Katt Williams He was 35, now 51 years old	as Himself
Niecy Nash She was 38, now 54 years old	as Self
Angela Bassett She was 50, now 66 years old	as Narrator
Mo'Nique She was 41, now 57 years old	as Herself
Keenen Ivory Wayans He was 50, now 66 years old	as Himself
D. L. Hughley He was 45, now 61 years old	as Himself
Shawn Wayans He was 37, now 53 years old	as Himself
Chris Rock He was 43, now 59 years old	as Himself
Marla Gibbs She was 77, now 93 years old	as Himself
Marlon Wayans He was 36, now 52 years old	as Himself
Garrett Morris He was 71, now 87 years old	as Himself
Bill Cosby He was 71, now 87 years old	as Himself
Sherri Shepherd She was 41, now 57 years old	as Herself
Louis Gossett, Jr. He was 72, now 88 years old	as Himself
Damon Wayans He was 48, now 64 years old	as Himself
Kel Mitchell He was 30, now 46 years old	as Himself
Bill Bellamy He was 43, now 59 years old	as Himself
Franklyn Ajaye He was 59, now 75 years old	as Himself
Topper Carew He was 65, now 81 years old	as Himself
Charlie Murphy He was 49, 57 years old when he died	as Himself
George Wallace He was 89, 79 years old when he died	as Himself
Elijah Cummings He was 57, 68 years old when he died	as Himself
Robert Townsend He was 51, now 67 years old	as Himself
Thea Vidale She was 52, now 68 years old	as Herself
Faizon Love He was 40, now 56 years old	as Himself
Julian Bond He was 68, 75 years old when he died	as Himself
Steve Harvey He was 51, now 67 years old	as Himself
Sommore She was 42, now 58 years old	as Herself
Dick Gregory He was 76, 84 years old when he died	as Himself
Michael Eric Dyson He was 50, now 66 years old	as Himself
Sheila Jackson Lee She was 58, now 74 years old	as Herself
Reynaldo Rey He was 109, 115 years old when he died	as Himself
Maxine Waters She was 70, now 86 years old	as Herself
Paul Mooney He was 67, now 83 years old	as Himself
Stanley Crouch He was 63, now 79 years old	as Himself
Shang Forbes	as Himself
Walter Fauntroy	as Himself
Cornel West He was 55, now 71 years old	as Himself
Jeff Clanagan	as Himself
Eddie Levert He was 66, now 82 years old	as Himself
Todd Boyd He was 59, now 74 years old	as Himself
Kweisi Mfume He was 60, now 76 years old	as Himself
Andrew Young He was 76, now 92 years old	as Himself

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy Crew

Name	Department
John Long as Writer. He was 52 (now 68) years old	Writing
Robert Townsend as Director. He was 51 (now 67) years old	Directing
Quincy Newell as Writer.	Writing

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy poster

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (15 years)

Release day: Thursday, January 01, 2009
Runtime: 95 minutes