Comments on: Richard Pryor dies

By: Patrick Tyson

Patrick Tyson — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 14:52:09 +0000

What first comes to mind when I think on Richard Pryor’s work:

That Nigger’s Crazy on the turntable

With Lily Tomlin and Johnny Carson (The Tonight Show) on the small screen

In Lady Sings the Blues and, then, opposite Gene Wilder, after not being opposite him, or even better, in my view, opposite Johnny Carson earlier, on the big screen

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2004_04_05.html#008375

Nice legacy. RIP.

By: Buddy Larsen

Buddy Larsen — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 04:14:45 +0000

I hope there’s somebody to say those kinds of things for Jackie Mason, whose big inclusive heart has finally overshadowed the rat-a-tat delivery, and has made him a bona-fide national treasure.

By: Buddy Larsen

Buddy Larsen — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 04:08:51 +0000

He captured me forever with the “old street drunk” stand-up bit. the way he took that imaginary pint bottle out of his back pocket and carefully unscrewed the cap, all the while talking defiantly about how his life was SO much not what it might appear to be, and took that long alky pull which shivered throughout his face and body, then continued the rap–which was exactly counter to what we were seeing–while screwing the cap back on and putting the bottle back in his pocket, was a minor-key masterpiece of comic pathos.

You had to laugh and cry at the same time. If there’s a heaven–he’ll have made it ahead of most anybody I can think of.

By: Buddy Larsen

Buddy Larsen — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 03:54:24 +0000

heartbreaking. Jackie Mason was interviewed on the phone this afternoon–Fox–and said the most beautiful things about the guy’s respect for other people, humility, and sweet soul, that I believe I’ve ever heard anyone say about anybody, ever.

By: Sissy Willis

Sissy Willis — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 23:14:05 +0000

I may be projecting, but I suspect he was “dying” to move on.

By: David Thomson

David Thomson — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 21:58:10 +0000

Richard Pryor once humorously commented on the victim mentality of many Afro-American males. He suggested that if a black man gets pulled over by a cop for an traffic violation, the guy should immediate complain of racism—whether its true or not! If he yells and screams long enough, it just might work.

May God bless. He has left us too soon.

By: Mike Lief

Mike Lief — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 21:44:13 +0000

I was a teenager when Pryor was at his best, and I laughed my ass off listening to his albums. His acting was a surprise, and I enjoyed him in damn near everything he starred in, although less so when paired with Gene Wilder.

His last years were terrible, and it was shocking to see what illness had done to such a vibrant talent. It’s hard to think of a more terrible curse for such a gifted monologuist than to be rendered speechless.

He’ll be missed, but I prefer to think that he’s finally regained his voice.

Rest in peace.