Pryor's flawed legacy. Comedian's vulgarity made him no role model.

New York Daily News ^ | December 12, 2005 | Stanley Crouch

[stuartcr]

One of the funniest movies made.

[Revolting cat!]

Stanley Crouch is correct. But, let's have that cake and eat it too anyway, by mourning the decline of popular culture, and, at the same time, celebrating crude, vulgar comedians and [c]rappers!

[stuartcr]

You let entertainers influence your behavior? Why?

[kajingawd]

A fine thread indeed separates Comedy and Drama.

Pryor was funny, and a realist.

[paul51]

Pryor was a comedienne, an entertainer. People who felt like watching and listening paid to be entertained. Who said he was or wanted to be a role model or considered himself to be one. If he was foul mouthed, crude or whatever, so what. No one was forced to watch him.

[.cnI redruM]

we should encourage our kids to listen to more Eminem. He's entirely different from Richard Pryor because of the lighter skin tone. (sarcasm off/)

[Mr. Mojo]

This whole "role model" discussion (started by the misguided author of this article) is indeed ridiculous, and is only happening because Pryor was black. The guy was hilarious, end of story. If a white comedian died who didn't live an exemplary life "role model" wouldn't even enter into the discussion. .....we'd just all be talking about his talent.

[shekkian]

I thought I heard on ABC that his grandmother was a Madame and mother a prostitute?

I heard the same from Fox.

[reagan_fanatic]

I agree that Pryor's material was vulgar and at times extremely offensive. But damn, that man was funny! It's too bad he wasn't able to channel that ability into something a little less disgusting.

[nuffsenuff]

BINGO!!!

[naturalized]

"When we look at the remarkable descent this culture has made into smut, contempt, vulgarity and the pornagraphic, those of us who are not willing to drink the Kool-Aid marked "all's well," will have to address the fact that it was the combination of confusion and comic genius that made Pryor a much more negative influence than a positive one."

Venice is sinking, and we all think we are going to stay dry.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Pryor was a comedienne

WHAT!!!???

Comedian? maybe...

[elbucko]

...but he was a genious and should be remembered as one of the best comedians ever.

I second your opinion regarding Richard Pryor. I hope he rests in peace.

[Revolting cat!]

Dear Valued Customer,

Attached please find your disconnect notice.

[frgoff]

If you watched Pryor because he was funny (either because of or in spite of his vulgarity), congratulations: you've just had your behavior influenced by an entertainer.

If you became calloused to vulgarity because of Pryor and repeated his jokes to others or made up jokes after the same model, congratulations; you've just had your behavior influenced by an entertainer.

[Zavien Doombringer]

And a young Eddy Murphy was any better?

[Zavien Doombringer]

If you laughed, congratulations, your emotion was influenced by an entertainer... :)

[Zavien Doombringer]

comedienne = Female comedian

[gcruse]

It's all Pryor's fault.

Oh wait. George Carlin and the seven words you can't say on television came along about the same time if not before.

No, it must have been Lenny Bruce. That's the ticket.

Come to think of it, there's something pathetic in blaming comedians for the crap Cassius Clay started. Or was it Red Foxx?

Some many sins. So few targets.

[lesser_satan]

I caught that, too. Typo or racist epithet?