Richard Pryor News

This February, every Sunday from 10pm-Midnight ET, getTV will air variety specials featuring legendary African-American entertainers including Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, Flip Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr, Luther Vandross and more.

Red Bull Music Festival Los Angeles (RBMF LA) returns to the City of Angels next Thursday, February 7. Today, additional programming for the ambitious Center Channel film series--taking place at the historic Ukrainian Culture Center from February 8 - 20--has been announced. Tickets for all RBMF LA events are now available via www.redbullmusic.com/los-angeles.

The National Comedy Center will celebrate the centennial year of legendary comedy innovator Ernie Kovacs with the acquisition and display of never-before-seen material and rare artifacts courtesy of the comedian's estate. The acquisition and exhibit were announced today – on Ernie Kovacs' 100th birthday – by the National Comedy Center and Kovacs estate executive Josh Mills.

The National Comedy Center will celebrate the centennial year of legendary comedy innovator Ernie Kovacs with the acquisition and display of never-before-seen material and rare artifacts courtesy of the comedian's estate. The acquisition and exhibit were announced today - on Ernie Kovacs' 100th birthday - by the National Comedy Center and Kovacs estate executive Josh Mills.

Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning comedian Russell Peters will leave no cultural stereotype unturned when he brings his brand-new Deported World Tour to NJPAC's Prudential Hall.

Susan Cabral-Ebert, outgoing Local 706 President and Emmy®- nominated make-up artist, and Robert Louis Stevenson, legendary Emmy-winning hair stylist, will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) honoring outstanding achievements for make-up artists and hair stylists in motion pictures, television, commercials, and live theater. The black-tie awards gala returns to the NOVO by Microsoft in L.A. Live on Saturday, February 16, 2019. 

JFS Desert is proud to present an incredible afternoon with Emmy® Award winning comedy writer and stand-up comic Monica Piper for one performance only. This dynamic comedian who has written for Roseanne, Mad About You, Veronica's Closet and was the head writer of the #1 children's animated series Rugrats will perform her One Woman Show Sunday, November 11 at 3:00 p.m. The American Comedy Awards deemed her one of the top five female comics in America. She has opened for Jerry Seinfeld, Gloria Estefan, Neil Sedaka and The Smothers Brothers. I had the chance to catch up with Ms. Piper as she was preparing to make her way to Palm Springs for her show this weekend. Here are a few excerpts from that interview:

Fans who loved the comedy of Russian born entertainer Yakov Smirnoff throughout his expansive career on television, the silver screen and Broadway can experience the hilarity once again in "Happily Ever Laughter: The Neuroscience of Romantic Relationships," coming to Jacksonville's Times-Union Center on January 19, 2019 for two performances only!

Though it's 2018 in Houston, Texas, at the height of the 2018 primary election, but thankfully, there's an escape from the tumultuous political climate where blue and red are the subject. The color of today is green.

An outstanding lineup of entertainers gathered in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to salute Julia Louis-Dreyfus, recipient of the 21st annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on October 21, 2018. The Prize, which is named to honor one of the world's greatest humorists, was presented at a gala performance featuring some of the biggest names in comedy. The event was taped by WETA Washington, D.C. and will air nationally on PBS on November 19, 2018 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

American stand-up and one of Variety Magazine's Top 10 Comics to Watch in 2018, Hari Kondabolu announces a 2 week run of his brand new show American Hour at London's Soho Theatre from 3rd - 15th December. Tickets can be found at sohotheatre.com.

Stand-up comedy stalwart Paul Rodriguez will be taking on the role of God in the revival of Bruce Jay Friedman's cult-classic STEAMBATH opening October 20, 2018 at the Odyssey Theatre. I had the chance to illicit a few serious answers from this funny man amongst his very comical responses.

“I Am Richard Pryor,” a glimpse into the life of a revolutionary stand-up, will be produced for Paramount, according to Variety.

The National Theatre has today announced its new season

Network Entertainment and Burt Sugarman will make a documentary about the musical variety television series “The Midnight Special,” according to Variety.

In preparation for his next Netflix stand-up special taping later this year, Comedian Jo Koy will be releasing his first stand-up comedy album, Live From Seattle Today, September 28th. Live from Seattle currently streams on Netflix, and for the first time ever will be available for fans to listen to on the go.

In preparation for his next Netflix stand-up special taping later this year, Comedian Jo Koy will be releasing his first stand-up comedy album, Live From Seattle Friday, September 28th. Live from Seattle currently streams on Netflix, and for the first time ever will be available for fans to listen to on the go.

Ed Asner stars in A Man and His Prostate, a compelling comedy stage-play and true life experience of hilarious magnitude, written by Emmy Award-winner Ed Weinberger.

Black Theatre Troupe presents The Super Soul Musical version of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" September 28 - October 14 At Tempe Arts Center. This joyous, modern retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic children's story reflects contemporary African-American culture. After Dorothy gets swept up in a tornado, she finds herself in the fantastical world of Oz.

First Run Features is proud to announce the theatrical premiere of The Lost Village, a new documentary directed by Roger Paradiso. The film opens at the Cinema Village on October 19, 2018.