Need a laugh? Here are two discs dedicated to legendary comedians who broke boundaries. Viewers can laugh and maybe learn something too.
What are they? Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley: The Original Queen of Comedy, 71 minutes on one disc from HBO; and Bill Cosby: Far From Finished, 90 minutes on one disc from Comedy Central
How much? $19.98 and $16.99, respectively
When? Now
Who is Moms Mabley? She's not so well-known now, but she was a hugely influential, popular stand-up comic. She was also the first black woman comic to hit the big time.
Her impact was broad and deep, judging by the various comedians interviewed for the documentary: Eddie Murphy, Joan Rivers, Bill Cosby, Kathy Griffin, Arsenio Hall, Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller. And, of course, Goldberg herself, who also interviews a variety of professors and performers to draw a full picture of Mabley.
Mabley was born in Brevard, N.C., circa 1894, eventually running away to join the "Chitlin' Circuit" -- a chain of black vaudeville houses during segregation -- before becoming a long-lasting hit at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Through hit comedy albums and the coming of television she gained a wider audience, becoming a popular and prominent figure during the civil rights movement and on until her death in 1975.
With her floppy shoes, brightly colored housecoat, knit hat and toothless grin, she was a storyteller. Her humor was topical and truthful, but also seen as harmless. She could comment on sensitive issues without anger and confrontation, which helped her appeal to both races.
The documentary itself is not a biography. Goldberg says that Mabley's past was too cloudy and contradictory to do an accurate documentary. Instead, it's an examination of her career and the influence she had.
Plenty of Mabley's routines are scattered through the film, so those not familiar with her work can get a very good idea what all the comedians and pop culture historians are talking about.
And the other? Surely everyone knows Bill Cosby.
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished is one of his comedy performances filmed in front of an audience for Comedy Central. He shares his wisdom and personal experiences with love, marriage and children with his usual spot-on observation, insight and razor-sharp humor, especially when making sure the audience understands the difference between the girlfriend and the wife.
As one would expect, it's absolutely hilarious. And, because it's Cosby, it's clean and appropriate for the entire family.
There are several extras included here. The best and longest is a 48-minute interview with Cosby and director Robert Townsend in which Cosby talks about his work ethic, some of his experiences during segregation and also talks about comedy and performing in some depth. The three shorter segments are three minutes of fans' testimonials, a five-minute behind-the-scenes video that really focuses more on the film school students shooting it and a short behind-the-scenes clip during recording of his song "Gangbusters."
New this week: Midsomer Murders, Set 24; Mystery Science Theater 3000, XXX; Twin Peaks, The Entire Mystery.
Next week: Awkward, Season 3; Californication, Season 7; Community, Season 5; Mad About You, Seasons 1-2; Naked City, Seasons 1-4; The Nanny, Seasons 1-2.
Style on 07/27/2014