In 1982, E.T.
topped the box office.
This is the Pryor they’ve come to see: The profane deity of comedy’s church of controversy.
By decade’s end, however, the comedian had two life-changing experiences.
The first was a transformative trip to Africa, after which he swore off using the N-word.
The other occurred on June 9, 1980, soon after he had filmedStir Crazy.
He survived and at his peak revolutionary genius turned the near-death episode into material.
Late in the set he pulls out a matchbook and addresses the flaming elephant in the room.
“And you know something I found out?”
“When you are on fire and running down the street, people will get outta your way.”
Richard Pryor was way too pure for conventional laughs.
EW’sA Celebration of Black Filmis available onAmazonand wherever magazines are sold.
