shainhouse Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/obituaries/10wire-pryor.htmlwell, I guess it was gonna happen sooner than later.RIP to a comedy legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 (edited) He was the best stand-up comic around!! He influenced so many people... Edited December 10, 2005 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 CNN is reporting it was a heart attack; he died in hospital, with his wife by his side. He was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 (edited) I'm not too surprising he died of a heart attack given his past. I love Richard Pryor. He was one of the best stand-up comics and comic actors, and the films Silver Streak, Stir Crazy and the cult Blaxsploitation comedy Car Wash still hold up well today. He was part of one of the best and most controversial SNL skits - the one where Chevy Chase interviews Pryor for a janitor job - and Chevy gives Pryor a series of question-and-answer word-associations. It's still bold and controversial: Racist Word Association Interview Interviewer.....Chevy Chase Mr. Wilson.....Richard Pryor Interviewer: Alright, Mr. Wilson, you've done just fine on the Rorshact.. your papers are in good order.. your file's fine.. no difficulties with your motor skills.. And I think you're probably ready for this job. We've got one more psychological test we always do here. It's just a Word Association. I'll throw you out a few words - anything that comes to your mind, just throw back at me, okay? It's kind of an arbitrary thing. Like, if I say "dog", you'd say..? Mr. Wilson: "Tree". Interviewer: "Tree". [ nods head, prepares the test papers ] "Dog". Mr. Wilson: "Tree". Interviewer: "Fast". Mr. Wilson: "Slow". Interviewer: "Rain". Mr. Wilson: "Snow". Interviewer: "White". Mr. Wilson: "Black". Interviewer: "Bean". Mr. Wilson: "Pod". Interviewer: [ casually ] "Negro". Mr. Wilson: "Whitey". Interviewer: "Tarbaby". Mr. Wilson: [ silent, sure he didn't hear what he thinks he heard ] What'd you say? Interviewer: [ repeating ] "Tarbaby". Mr. Wilson: "Ofay". Interviewer: "Colored". Mr. Wilson: "Redneck". Interviewer: "Junglebunny". Mr. Wilson: [ starting to get angry ] "Peckerwood!" Interviewer: "Burrhead". Mr. Wilson: [ defensive ] "Cracker!" Interviewer: [ aggressive ] "Spearchucker". Mr. Wilson: "White trash!" Interviewer: "Jungle Bunny!" Mr. Wilson: [ upset ] "Honky!" Interviewer: "Spade! Mr. Wilson: [ really upset ] "Honky Honky!" Interviewer: [ relentless ] "Nigger!" Mr. Wilson: [ immediate ] "Dead honky!" [ face starts to flinch ] Interviewer: [ quickly wraps the interview up ] Okay, Mr. Wilson, I think you're qualified for this job. How about a starting salary of $5,000? Mr. Wilson: Your momma! Interviewer: [ fumbling ] Uh.. $7,500 a year? Mr. Wilson: Your grandmomma! Interviewer: [ desperate ] $15,000, Mr. Wilson. You'll be the highest paid janitor in America. Just, don't.. don't hurt me, please.. Mr. Wilson: Okay. Interviewer: [ relieved ] Okay. Mr. Wilson: You want me to start now? Interviewer: Oh, no, no.. that's alright. I'll clean all this up. Take a couple of weeks off, you look tired. [ fade ] Edited December 10, 2005 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 Sad news. All things considered, though, this sounds like a much better ending than could have befallen him in the '80s.RIP indeed.(PS I must have seen Stir Crazy 50 times. As a kid, I knew every word.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted December 10, 2005 Report Share Posted December 10, 2005 I have Stir Crazy on DVD - that scene where Pryor jumps on Wilders back...funniest thing ever.When we first got a vcr back in the '60's we owned three movies - The Warriors, Slap Shot, and Richard Pryor Live. Knew every word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. J Posted December 11, 2005 Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 A comic genius. His influence was profound and will continue to be so.RIP Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenenbaum Posted December 11, 2005 Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 "JoJo Dancer Your Life Is Calling">that movie blew my mind as a kid, once I realized he was portraying himself. I still get goosebumps from the scene where he pours alcohol on himself and sets himself ablaze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenenbaum Posted December 11, 2005 Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 my fav RP flick was "Moving" where his family moves to Boise, Idaho! too many funny moments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted December 11, 2005 Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 Here is the video of the SNL skit... SNL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Not Bob Posted December 11, 2005 Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 One my 3 all time favorite stand up comedians, along with George Carlin and Bill Hicks. I often said Richard Pryor could make you laugh at his own funeral ... RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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