The Original Kings of Comedy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four dudes tell jokes, and people laugh; turns out, funny black men making keen observations are somehow deemed ‘kings’.

🍿 The Original Kings of Comedy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Kings Take the Stage

The film documents a live performance of the Original Kings of Comedy, featuring Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac. Each comedian brings their unique style and perspective to the stage, covering topics ranging from racial dynamics to everyday life observations. Spike Lee’s direction captures both the on-stage performances and behind-the-scenes moments, offering viewers an intimate look at the comedians and their craft. The film highlights the energy and excitement of the live show, immersing the audience in the experience.

Humor and Commentary

The comedians address a wide range of subjects, often tackling sensitive topics with humor and wit. They explore the differences between black and white cultures, family dynamics, and social issues, offering a comedic lens through which to view these themes. The film also includes moments of social commentary, reflecting on the state of society and culture. Backstage segments reveal the camaraderie and chemistry between the comedians, showcasing their shared experiences and perspectives. These moments provide context for their on-stage performances, adding depth and nuance to their comedic routines.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steve Harvey (Steve Harvey): The emcee and comedian sets the tone for the show, blending observational humor with music and audience interaction.
• D.L. Hughley (D.L. Hughley): A comedian in the lineup, Hughley tackles social commentary with a sometimes edgy and confrontational style.
• Cedric The Entertainer (Cedric The Entertainer): A performer known for his expressive physicality and relatable humor who is the show stealer for his relatable humor.
• Bernie Mac (Bernie Mac): The closing comedian, Mac pushes boundaries with his raw, unfiltered, and often provocative material.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Steve Harvey: “The band went down with the ship? Hell no! Kool & The Gang would’ve been in the lifeboats with their instruments.” – Referencing the movie ‘Titanic’, Steve jokes about what black people would have done in a similar situation.
• D.L. Hughley: “Black folks don’t bungee jump. That’s too much like lynching for us.” – D.L. humorously explains why black people do not generally engage in dangerous activities like bungee jumping.
• Cedric the Entertainer: “I’m a grown-ass man, I do what I want!” – Cedric expresses the joys and freedoms of adulthood and no longer being under his parents’ rules.
• Bernie Mac: “I ain’t scared of you! I got kids!” – Bernie talks about being fearless after having kids and going through all the trials and tribulations of raising them.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $38,182,790
• Worldwide Gross: $38,182,790

💥 The Original Kings of Comedy Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting pure hilarity, and while there were definitely laugh-out-loud moments, it’s more than just a comedy show. The way they connect with the audience, especially during Steve Harvey’s old-school R&B segment, felt like a celebration of black culture. Bernie Mac’s raw humor was a bit much at times, but it also felt like he was saying what everyone was thinking. Seeing them backstage, just being themselves, added a real layer of authenticity. I walked away appreciating these comedians on a whole new level.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of stand-up comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in African-American culture and humor”
  • “Those who enjoy comedy with social commentary”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Racial humor”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Spike Lee captures the energy of the ‘Kings of Comedy’ tour. While some jokes are dated, the film offers insight into stand-up performance and black cultural commentary. The film shines when focusing on the comedians’ raw talent and connection with the audience. The best scenes capture candid moments showing the comedians off-stage and backstage. It provides a look at each comedian and each perspective they come from.
• IMDb: “A lot of the jokes are racist; therefore, it is the main highlight of the show. If you like comedians joking about the black experience or being black, then you’ll enjoy this. If you are not black or don’t like those jokes, then don’t waste your time. The four comedians, however, do a good job putting on the jokes and have a great performance.

Audience Reactions

Bernie Mac’s unapologetic humor really resonated with a lot of viewers.: Most agree that the film captures a genuine sense of community and shared experience.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag, but generally considered a valuable showcase of black comedic talent and cultural expression, even if some humor doesn’t age well.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film captures a performance from the highest-grossing comedy tour of all time, showcasing the popularity and influence of these comedians within the African-American community.”
• “Spike Lee’s direction provides a unique perspective on stand-up comedy, blending performance footage with backstage glimpses and audience reactions to create a more immersive experience.”
• “Bernie Mac’s routine about his sister’s kids, featured in the film, led to the development of his successful sitcom, ‘The Bernie Mac Show,’ the following year.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Original Kings of Comedy?

The Original Kings of Comedy is available to stream on platforms such as Paramount+ and Showtime. You can also rent or purchase the film on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Original Kings of Comedy, you might like these similar films:

• Def Comedy Jam (1992-2008): Showcases raw, uncensored stand-up from a variety of African-American comedians, similar to the unfiltered style of ‘The Original Kings of Comedy’.
• Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979): Features groundbreaking, honest, and often self-deprecating humor from a comedy legend, setting a high bar for concert films that ‘The Original Kings of Comedy’ aims for.
• Eddie Murphy Raw (1987): High-energy stand-up performance that was iconic for its time, with a similar raw and unfiltered comedy style to ‘The Original Kings of Comedy’.
• Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016): A modern stand-up concert film with high production value and a broad appeal, similar in scope and ambition to ‘The Original Kings of Comedy’.
• Coming to America (1988): A comedy movie with Eddie Murphy who explores a different take on the black experience, offering comedic observations on cultural differences.

🛒 The Original Kings of Comedy Related Products

• The Original Kings of Comedy [DVD]: Own a piece of comedy history with this Spike Lee joint! Relive the laughs and the energy of the iconic comedy tour anytime, anywhere.
• Steve Harvey: Don’t Trip… He Ain’t Through With Me Yet! [DVD]: This is Steve Harvey at his best. This is stand-up comedy; therefore, this is hilarious and engaging.
• Cedric The Entertainer – Starting Lineup [DVD]: This is Cedric’s breakout performance! Watch the full performance on DVD or to download.
• D.L. Hughley: Unapologetic [DVD]: If you are ready to laugh at anything and everything. This stand-up DVD is for you!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Original Kings of Comedy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Na Na” – performed by Monifah Carter and Chico DuBargo

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

P Diddy Bad Boys of Comedy “Rasheed”

Ever wonder what the “Bad Boys of Comedy” scene was like? This Rasheed clip is hilarious and gives you a taste of the raw comedy that inspired The Original Kings of Comedy. P. Diddy’s involvement only makes it that much better!

Bernie Mac “Black Funerals” Kings of Comedy

Bernie Mac at his finest! His bit on “Black Funerals” is side-splittingly funny. It’s a perfect example of the humor that made The Original Kings of Comedy so iconic—you seriously won’t regret watching this!

Steve Harvey “Computer School” “Kings of Comedy”

Steve Harvey talking about computers? Pure comedy gold! This “Computer School” routine from The Original Kings of Comedy shows Steve’s observational humor at its peak. Trust me, this one’s a keeper.

Bernie Mac “Call In Sick For Me” The Kings of Comedy

Want to see Bernie Mac at his best? Check out his routine on how he would get a friend to call him in sick. Hilarious and totally relatable, if you’ve ever considered skipping work, ha!

✨ Rate