Black out loud : the revolutionary history of Black comedy from vaudeville to '90s sitcoms / Geoff Bennett.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bennett, Geoff (Journalist), Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

African Americans in popular culture.

African American wit and humor.

African American comedians.

African Americans in the performing arts.

Comedy.

Situation comedies (Television programs)--United States.

Situation comedies (Television programs).

African Americans--Intellectual life.

African Americans.

United States.

Genre:

Informational works.

Biographies.

Physical Description:

325 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2026]

Summary:

"Black comedians have long played a pivotal role in shaping the American sense of humor. The 1990s showcased a golden era for Black comedy, highlighted by the surge of iconic sitcoms that redefined television and left a lasting cultural imprint. Shows like In Living Color, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, Martin, and A Different World stood on the shoulders of decades of groundbreaking work by Black comedians, both on-screen and on-stage, to deliver nuanced portrayals of life, family, and culture. Yet, just decades earlier, the idea of Black artists dominating American airwaves with characters that were both hilarious and heartfelt would have been unimaginable. How did it come to be? The journey begins with 19th-century minstrel shows -- offensive by today's standards but the first stage for Black performers to reach mainstream audiences. Over time, comedians challenged racial stereotypes, exploring race and identity through humor. Icons like Jackie "Moms" Mabley, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Eddie Murphy shifted perceptions and changed how the nation understood itself. In this incisive history, Geoff Bennett tells the story of how they did it. In Black Out Loud, Bennett chronicles the transformative history of Black comedy in America, drawing on research and interviews with the actors and executives behind some of the most impactful shows. This brilliant exploration traces the evolution of Black comics and provocateurs who reshaped the culture and ultimately became powerful agents of social change -- transforming the way America laughed along the way. Includes interviews and insights from: Martin Lawrence, Robert Townsend, Debbie Allen, Tisha Campbell, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Quinta Brunson, Arsenio Hall, and many more!"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Billy Kersands and minstrelsy

Bert Williams and George Walker

Stepin Fetchit

Hattie McDaniel

Amos 'n' Andy

Pigmeat Markham

Moms Mabley

Redd Foxx

Dick Gregory

Flip Wilson

Bill Cosby

Richard Pryor

Eddie Murphy

A Different World

In Living Color

Family Matters

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Martin Lawrence

Living single

Chappelle's show

Conclusion: Punch lines and progress.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 305-308) and index.

Other Format:

Online version Bennett, Geoff Black out loud

ISBN:

9780063418172

0063418177

OCLC:

1568231998

Publisher Number:

CIPO000349331