Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

A standup comedyshow in Los Angeles, for the posh folks. His comedy routine was a bit less rude and more refined than usual, but still worth listening every minute of it.

His setting himself on fire was the most memorable bit that he spoke about in detail. He also spoke in length about his trip to Africa, where he forgot about racism, because they were all equals.

Richard Pryor's comedy shows are a must see for any Richard Pryor fan. I am still trying to find more shows that I can see of him, because on stage Richard Pryor is truly the king of comedy.

Richard Pryor performs his stand-up comedy act on the Sunset Strip.

This shows us the benefit of editing two performances together -- we get the best of two shows, making it better than seeing either one of them live.

Pryor has a vulgar routine on sex, and how showbiz has the perk of more women, including one night with an unnamed Playboy Bunny. We hear how Africa has black people that are actually black (suggesting that American black people are not completely black).

We get a great story on how he worked in a Mafia night club in Youngstown, Ohio with stripper Satin Doll, and how "crime don't pay". (Unfortunately, he again does not name names.)

Most striking of all, though, is his frank discussion of cocaine use. Not regretful, he tells it like it is (or was).

One of Richard Pryor's concert movies features him talking about a trip to Africa, employment in a Mafia club, and even his freebasing incident ("The burn unit eliminates race. The only color in there is burnt-up muthaf***as!").

After Pryor died, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock noted that he paved the way for all the African-American comedians who came afterwards. It's hard to deny that. His passing left some big shoes to fill, as did George Carlin's death and Robin Williams's suicide. It must've been quite an experience to get to see Pryor in concert. You're sure to love this performance.

Respect indeed!

Pryor on the cusp and on the mend, halfway between the careening scatological genius of his 70s persona and the PG-rated grown man of the 80s. Yes PG Pryor generally sucks, but you know, setting yourself on fire can and should mellow anybody out. This movie is a stab at synthesis - he's still cultivating his mastery of the squirmy edge, but at the same time he's just turned his keen-eyed intelligence in on himself. It's funny and it's also very, very moving. The N-word disavowal is of course breathtaking - coming from Pryor it's like Rene Levesque doing a stop-smoking PSA. The story of being rescued from his talking freebase pipe by Jim Brown is another peak. And topping all is his seemingly spontaneous response to a shouted Mudbone request, applying that character's merciless storytelling bravado to the ballad of Richard Pryor. There are more dud bits than I'd like, but who cares? This is a fitting testament to a great artist and a good man.

"Richard Pryor Live On the Sunset Strip" showcases comedy legend Richard Pryor in his element, doing stand-up comedy. In his routine, he touches on all subjects, ranging from women to his trip to Africa, and even his scandalous past: the brothel run by his grandmother, his cocaine addiction, and the infamous incident in which he lit himself on fire. There are many laughs to be had in Pryor's delivery, and a few bittersweet moments as well, like Pryor's reminiscences about recovery and kicking his addiction. Even he can look back and have fun with his past. His comedic performance on the Sunset strip will be a wonderful document to remember him by in the future.