Skip to main content
Filmarian
All films
Poster for Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009 · FILM

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

Released: 2009Runtime: 95 min

ComedyDocumentary

Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of African American comedy in America, from the earliest minstrel shows to the latest HBO special. Featuring interviews with cultural critics and loads of comedic clips, this program features appearances by a who's-who of black comedians including Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and many more.

Rating
Sign in to rate

Related titles

No curated related titles yet. Use the edit affordance to add "More from this director", "Same franchise", or "Adaptation source material" entries — every change goes through the wiki review queue.

Sign in to claim that you worked on Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy. Claims go to a moderation queue and appear in the Self-Claimed Contributors rail once approved.

Technical specs

No technical specs (aspect ratio, sound mix, cameras…) documented yet. Know it? Add it →

Awards

No awards or nominations listed yet. Know it? Add it →

Connections

No connections (sequels, references, remakes…) mapped yet. Know it? Add it →

Soundtrack

No soundtrack documented yet. Know it? Add it →

Filming locations

No filming locations documented yet. Know it? Add it →

Your take
Seen it? Let the room know.
Progress
Runtime 95 min
h:mm or minutes
0% watched95 min left — enter where you stopped

Sign in to track, collect & rate — keep your watchlist, collection, and lists across the network.

Community tags

Be the first to tag this page — tags appear right away. Try a theme, mood, or subject (e.g. WWII, heist, slow burn, time travel, A24).