Episode 2: Flip Wilson

Flip Wilson, television’s first Black superstar, hosted his own variety show that rose to the top of American TV ratings. He united the world to the sound of laughter while snatching a slew of industry awards. But while he enjoyed audience adoration on-stage, Flip struggled with trauma and addiction in his personal life. Yet his enduring work paved the way for more groundbreaking shows, like Sanford and Son, that continued to expand horizons and opportunities for Black comics on the small screen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the fiercest and most fearless comics of his generation, Paul Mooney masterfully crossed the line with humor and intention. He told the truth about race and politics in America through his iconic work on shows like In Living Color, Saturday Night Live and The Chappelle Show. Dubbed the “Godfather of Comedy” for his unflinching, unapologetic style, Mooney influenced generations of comics and kick-started the careers of some of the biggest names in the comedy game.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Please note: This Audible Original contains explicit content and language some people may find offensive. It is intended for mature audiences only. Discretion is advised.Take a deep dive into the personal and political lives of six trailblazing Black comedy icons with your host comedian/actor JB Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm). This engaging docuseries shows you how these fearless heroes of comedy broke color barriers and challenged the racist status quo, all while making audiences roar with laughter. Without them, we wouldn’t have the superstars we have today.Produced by Team Coco, AYR Media and Toni Judkins, each episode of Funny My Way: Breaking Boundaries in Black Comedy presents a comedy great of the past: Paul Mooney (known as “The Godfather of Comedy”), Flip Wilson (the first Black entertainer to host a successful weekly variety show on network TV), Moms Mabley (the first Black comedian to play Carnegie Hall), Dick Gregory (the first Black comedian to break the color line in the nightclub scene), Rudy Ray Moore (known as “The Godfather of Rap”), and Redd Foxx (known as “The Dean of X-rated comedians”).Through funny and moving archival footage, their stories are told alongside incisive commentary from various popular comics, political commentators, and legendary creators, including Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Godfrey, RuPaul, Margaret Cho, Deon Cole, Sandra Bernhard, Norman Lear, and more. Hear how these Black comedy legends made it to the top and influenced so many by doing it their way.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.