Famed comedians spotlighted in five-part comedy central documentary `The Heroes Of Black Comedy'

There's no doubt that laughter is the best medicine. And TV's Comedy Central hopes to give millions of viewers a hefty dose of it with the airing of its five-part documentary series The Heroes Of Black Comedy.

In honor of Black History Month, Comedy Central takes an in-depth look at the impact Black comedians have made in shaping the world of stand-up comedy and show business.

Narrated by actor Don Cheadle, the documentary provides an informative glance into the lives and careers of some of comedy's biggest and most inspirational comedians today.

Emmy Award-winning comedian-actor Chris Rock is the subject of the first episode, which airs this week on Feb. 4. Friends and family discuss how Rock has endeared himself to the masses as a stand-up comic through his daring brand of social critique.

The second episode, to air on Feb. 11, takes you backstage to get up close and personal with the Original Kings of Comedy, Steve Harvey, Cedric "The Entertainer," D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mac, who made history with the most successful stand-up comedy tour in history.

Oscar-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg is the subject of the third episode, to air on Feb. 18. In it the candid performer discusses the challenge of staying committed to an honest comedic voice in the face of her own stardom.

When hip-hop music mogul Russell Simmons introduced his Russell Simmons' "Def Comedy Jam" in the early `90s, it changed the face of comedy and launched the careers of today's most successful comedians. The fourth episode, Hip Hop Comedy, airs on Feb. 25, and credits Simmons' show with bringing the urban youth culture to a new audience through a unique brand of stand-up comedy.

Pioneering comedy great Richard Pryor is the focus of the fifth and final episode, to air on March 4. In it top comedians follow his groundbreaking career and salute his comic genius.

Other celebrated comedians providing insight throughout alt five episodes include Chris Tucker, Sinbad, Dave Chappelle, Joan Rivers, Bill Maher and Lily Tomlin.