Jokers and Kings - a Spike Lee inspired comedy tour also becomes the inspiration for a film - Brief Article

American Visions, August, 2000 by Deborah Rouse

Comedy may not be considered a true art form in some circles, but Spike Lee isn't traveling in those circles these days. Lee, the iconoclastic director famous for pushing the envelope in such films a s Do the Right Thing and Get on the Bus, has documented one of the lesser known but most eagerly received comedy tours among African Americans in recent years. On the "Kings of Comedy" tour, comic wonders Steve Harvey, Cedric "The Entertainer," D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mac join forces to present their hilarious--and sometimes risque--talents. Lee has transformed the show and behind-the-scenes capers into a feature film, The Original Kings of Comedy, which opens nationwide in August.

"I wanted to see this on film because it has to be documented," explains Lee. "It's the best comedy tour ever, but it's been under the radar. Being on film would enable a lot more people to see it."

Each comedian has garnered significant recognition and praise for his efforts in the field. Harvey is best known for his long-standing role as host of the television show Showtime at the Apollo. Hughley, a relative newcomer, is blazing trails with his on-air capers as Darryl Hughley in the sitcom The Hughleys. Cedric "The Entertainer" has earned a hot reputation with his laugh-a-minute quips with colleague Harvey. Mac, an "old school" talent, has demonstrated his ability to get laughs many times over in raucous comedy club performances.

The four comedians have proved to be an unstoppable crew. With an established following among blacks across the United States, the show has become the highest-grossing comedy tour in history, with ticket sales exceeding $37 million. Nevertheless, despite phenomenal success, the tour remains the best-kept secret of the entertainment industry.

Lee considers the tour a seminal cultural event that draws from the long-standing tradition of African-American comedy that includes the likes of Nipsey Russell, Jackie "Moms" Mabley, Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby. As audiences clamor for a taste of this dynamic quad, it's clear that Lee isn't the only one who sees that jokes are deserving of attention of theatrical proportions.