Paul Mooney
Encyclopedia
Paul Mooney is an American comedian
, writer
, social critic, television and film actor
. He was also featured on one of truTV's reality shows, Ma's Roadhouse.
, and moved to Oakland, California
seven years later. His parents are George Gadney and LaVoya Ealy. Mooney was raised primarily by his grandmother Aimay Ealy, known among the family as "Mama." Mama coined the nickname Mooney, but never explained to him the meaning or inspiration of the name.
with the Gatti-Charles Circus. During his stint as ringmaster, he always found himself writing comedy and telling jokes, which would later help Mooney land his first professional work as a writer for Richard Pryor
.
Mooney wrote some of Richard Pryor
's routines for his appearance on Saturday Night Live
, co-wrote his material for the Live on the Sunset Strip
, Bicentennial Nigger
, and Is It Something I Said
albums, and Pryor's film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
. As the head writer for The Richard Pryor Show
, he gave many young stand-up comics
, such as Robin Williams
, Sandra Bernhard
, Marsha Warfield
, John Witherspoon
, and Tim Reid
, their first break into show business.
Mooney also wrote for Redd Foxx
's Sanford and Son
, Good Times
, acted in several cult classics including Which Way Is Up?
, Bustin' Loose
, Hollywood Shuffle
, and portrayed singer/songwriter Sam Cooke
in The Buddy Holly Story
.
He was the head writer for the first year of Fox
's In Living Color
, creating the character Homey D. Clown, played by Damon Wayans
. Mooney later went on to play Wayans' father in the Spike Lee
film Bamboozled
as the comedian Junebug.
Paul Mooney initially appeared in the sketches "Ask a Black Dude" and "Mooney at the Movies" on Comedy Central
's Chappelle's Show
. He later appeared as Negrodamus, an African American version of Nostradamus
. As Negrodamus, Mooney ad-libbed the "answers to life's most unsolvable mysteries" such as "Why do white people love Wayne Brady
?" (Answer: "Because Wayne Brady makes Bryant Gumbel
look like Malcolm X
.") Mooney was planning to reprise his role as Negrodamus in the third season of the Chappelle's Show, before it was canceled.
In 2006, Paul Mooney hosted the BET
tribute to Black History Month
titled 25 Most @#%! Moments in Black History. In this show, he narrated some of the most shameful incidents involving African Americans since 1980. The top 25 moments included incidents involving Marion Barry
, Terrell Owens
, Wilson Goode, Michael Jackson
, Flavor Flav
, Whitney Houston
, and Tupac Shakur
amongst others.
which disturbs some audience members. Such incidents can be heard on Mooney's comedy albums Race and Master Piece and seen in his DVD
Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra
.
Wake Up Call Award", in which he jokingly presents an award to African American
celebrities who have had well-publicized legal troubles. The "nominees" included Michael Jackson
, Oprah Winfrey
, Lil' Kim
and Diana Ross
. Mooney awarded Ross and made numerous jokes about Ross' 2002 arrest for DUI
. According to people who were in attendance, Mooney also made light of the death of Ross' ex-husband Arne Næss Jr.
, who fell while mountain climbing in 2004. Tracee Ellis Ross
, Ross' daughter and Næss' stepdaughter, was also in attendance. She reportedly was so offended and embarrassed that she left the room and was comforted by host Steve Harvey
. Backstage in the press room, Mooney was asked if he felt his performance was "over the top". Mooney replied: When Mooney was informed that Tracee Ellis Ross was in the audience, he stated:
The majority of Mooney's performance was edited out of the televised broadcast.
in which Mooney was taping a segment for Showtime at the Apollo
, his performance was stopped in the middle of his act, allegedly due to his criticisms of President George W. Bush
. Mooney appeared on The Howard Stern Show on October 30, 2006 where he talked about the performance, including bringing in his road manager as a witness. During the act he made several jokes about Bush, including one likening him to the devil and one stating that his mother
looked like the "guy on the Quaker Oats box", and was immediately pulled from the stage. A forty-five minute debate ensued in his dressing room in which they decided to cancel the rest of his act. Mooney was told that he had "offended unnamed officials from Time Warner
", which operates Showtime at the Apollo
. A Time Warner spokeswoman called the story "ridiculous... it's absolutely untrue" that the company had anything to do with the incident. Mooney vowed never to perform at the Apollo again until he receives a straight answer. The line Mooney was reciting when he got pulled off stage was:
and talked about how he would stop using the word "nigga
" due to Michael Richards
' outbursts on stage at The Laugh Factory
. He referred to Richards as having become "his Dr. Phil
" and "cured" him of the use of the epithet. Mooney also said, "We're gonna stop using the n-word. I'm gonna stop using it. I'm not gonna use it again and I'm not gonna use the b-word. And we're gonna put an end to the n-word. Just say no to the n-word. We want all human beings throughout the world to stop using the n-word." On November 30, he elaborated upon these remarks as a guest of Farai Chideya
on the National Public Radio program News & Notes. He declared that he would convene a conference on this controversial subject in the near future, as well as perform his first "n-free" comedy in the upcoming days.
That show, which he performed at the Lincoln Theater following a set by Dick Gregory
, took place on December 2, 2006. Mooney almost made it through his entire set—about an hour of jokes—before he mistakenly used the word in a routine on O.J. Simpson. He ran off stage covering his face in his hands, and walked back on a few moments later saying, "I'm really going to get it now. This is probably already on the Internet." On the BET special 25 Events that Mis-Shaped Black America, Mooney reiterated that he was no longer using the word. He was quoted as saying, "I am no longer going to use the n-word. Instead of saying 'What's up my nigga,' say 'What's up my Michael Richards.'" At a summit with Jesse Jackson
, Reverend Al Sharpton
, and Richards, Mooney forgave Michael.
)
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, social critic, television and film actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He was also featured on one of truTV's reality shows, Ma's Roadhouse.
Early life
Mooney was born in Shreveport, LouisianaShreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, and moved to Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
seven years later. His parents are George Gadney and LaVoya Ealy. Mooney was raised primarily by his grandmother Aimay Ealy, known among the family as "Mama." Mama coined the nickname Mooney, but never explained to him the meaning or inspiration of the name.
Career
Mooney became a ringmasterRingmaster (circus)
The ringmaster is the most visible performer in the modern circus, and among the most important, since he stage-manages the performance, introduces the various acts, and guides the audience through the entertainment experience. In smaller circuses, the ringmaster is often the owner and artistic...
with the Gatti-Charles Circus. During his stint as ringmaster, he always found himself writing comedy and telling jokes, which would later help Mooney land his first professional work as a writer for Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
.
Mooney wrote some of Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
's routines for his appearance on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, co-wrote his material for the Live on the Sunset Strip
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Live on the Sunset Strip is a comedy album by Richard Pryor. Recorded in 1982, the film was the most financially lucrative of the comedian's concert films...
, Bicentennial Nigger
Bicentennial Nigger
Bicentennial Nigger is a comedy album by the American comedian Richard Pryor. David Banks produced the album, while Warner Bros. Records released the album on a cassette tape in September 1976. It is often considered one of his most influential recordings. The CD version of the album was released...
, and Is It Something I Said
...Is It Something I Said?
…Is It Something I Said? is the fourth official album release by Richard Pryor and the first he released on a new contract with Warner Bros. Records, a label he remained with for the rest of his recording career....
albums, and Pryor's film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling is a 1986 film starring Richard Pryor. This was the first and only feature film he directed .-Plot:...
. As the head writer for The Richard Pryor Show
The Richard Pryor Show
The Richard Pryor Show is an American comedy variety series starring Richard Pryor. It premiered on NBC on Tuesday, September 13, 1977 at 8 p.m. opposite ABC's popular television shows Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days....
, he gave many young stand-up comics
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
, such as Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
, Sandra Bernhard
Sandra Bernhard
Sandra Bernhard is an American comedian, singer, actress and author. She first gained attention in the late 1970s with her stand-up comedy in which she often bitterly critiques celebrity culture and political figures. Bernhard is number 97 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest standups of...
, Marsha Warfield
Marsha Warfield
Marsha Warfield is an American actress and comedienne best known for her 1986–1992 role of Roz on the popular NBC sitcom Night Court. Roz, a tough, no-nonsense bailiff in Judge Stone's court, acted primarily as a straightwoman to the other bailiff character, Bull . She also starred in the sitcom...
, John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon (actor)
John Witherspoon is an American comedian and actor who has had roles in over 28 movies and 20 television shows. Mostly known for the "Friday" series, he has been acting for over three decades and starred in shows such as Hollywood Shuffle , Boomerang...
, and Tim Reid
Tim Reid
Timothy L. "Tim" Reid is an American actor, comedian and film director best known for his roles in prime time American television programs, such as Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati , Marcel "Downtown" Brown on Simon & Simon , Ray Campbell on Sister, Sister and William Barnett on That 70's Show...
, their first break into show business.
Mooney also wrote for Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx
John Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
's Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son is an American sitcom, based on the BBC's Steptoe and Son, that ran on the NBC television network from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977....
, Good Times
Good Times
Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
, acted in several cult classics including Which Way Is Up?
Which Way Is Up?
Which Way is Up? is a comedy film starring Richard Pryor. It was directed by Michael Schultz, and is a remake of the 1972 Italian film The Seduction of Mimi, which was written and directed by Lina Wertmuller....
, Bustin' Loose
Bustin' Loose
This article is about the movie. For the TV series of the same name, see Bustin' Loose .Bustin' Loose is a film released by Universal Pictures in 1981 starring Richard Pryor as an ex-con who gets a second chance after violating his probation...
, Hollywood Shuffle
Hollywood Shuffle
Hollywood Shuffle is a 1987 comedy film that satirizes the racial stereotypes of African Americans in film and television. The film tracks the attempts of Bobby Taylor to become a successful actor and the mental and external roadblocks he encounters, represented through a series of interspersed...
, and portrayed singer/songwriter Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
in The Buddy Holly Story
The Buddy Holly Story
The film was adapted by Robert Gittler from Buddy Holly: His Life and Music, the biography of Holly by John Goldrosen. It was directed by Steve Rash.-Plot:...
.
He was the head writer for the first year of Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's In Living Color
In Living Color
In Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
, creating the character Homey D. Clown, played by Damon Wayans
Damon Wayans
Damon Kyle Wayans is an American stand-up comedian, writer and actor, one of the Wayans brothers.-Early life:Wayans was born in New York City, New York, the son of Elvira, a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Wayans, a supermarket manager...
. Mooney later went on to play Wayans' father in the Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
film Bamboozled
Bamboozled
Bamboozled is a 2000 satirical film written and directed by Spike Lee about a modern televised minstrel show featuring black actors donning blackface makeup and the violent fall-out from the show's success...
as the comedian Junebug.
Paul Mooney initially appeared in the sketches "Ask a Black Dude" and "Mooney at the Movies" on Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
's Chappelle's Show
Chappelle's Show
Chappelle's Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedian Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show as well as starring in various skits. Chappelle, Brennan and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22,...
. He later appeared as Negrodamus, an African American version of Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Michel de Nostredame , usually Latinised to Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide. He is best known for his book Les Propheties , the first edition of which appeared in 1555...
. As Negrodamus, Mooney ad-libbed the "answers to life's most unsolvable mysteries" such as "Why do white people love Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady
Wayne Alphonso Brady is an actor, singer, comedian and television personality, known for his work as a regular on the American version of the improvisational comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and as the host of the daytime talk show The Wayne Brady Show...
?" (Answer: "Because Wayne Brady makes Bryant Gumbel
Bryant Gumbel
Bryant Charles Gumbel is an American television journalist and sportscaster. He is best known for his 15 years as co-host of NBC's The Today Show. He is the younger brother of sportscaster Greg Gumbel.-Early life:...
look like Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its...
.") Mooney was planning to reprise his role as Negrodamus in the third season of the Chappelle's Show, before it was canceled.
In 2006, Paul Mooney hosted the BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
tribute to Black History Month
Black History Month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
titled 25 Most @#%! Moments in Black History. In this show, he narrated some of the most shameful incidents involving African Americans since 1980. The top 25 moments included incidents involving Marion Barry
Marion Barry
Marion Shepilov Barry, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, representing DC's Ward 8. Barry served as the second elected mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991, and again as the fourth mayor from 1995...
, Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
, Wilson Goode, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Flavor Flav
Flavor Flav
William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. , better known by his stage name Flavor Flav, is an American rapper and television personality who rose to prominence as a member of the rap group Public Enemy...
, Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, and Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
amongst others.
Controversies
Much of Mooney's material is based on the subject of racism in the United StatesRacism in the United States
Racism in the United States has been a major issue since the colonial era and the slave era. Legally sanctioned racism imposed a heavy burden on Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latin Americans...
which disturbs some audience members. Such incidents can be heard on Mooney's comedy albums Race and Master Piece and seen in his DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra
Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra
Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra, is a 2007 stand-up comedy film starring comedian Paul Mooney and directed by Bart Phillips.The show was filmed at The Laugh Factory before a live audience....
.
BET Comedy Awards
In September 2005, Mooney performed a segment at the 2005 BET Comedy Awards called the "NiggaNigga
Nigga is a term used in African American Vernacular English that began as an eye dialect form of the word nigger .- Use in language :In practice, its use and meaning are...
Wake Up Call Award", in which he jokingly presents an award to African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
celebrities who have had well-publicized legal troubles. The "nominees" included Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
, Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
and Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
. Mooney awarded Ross and made numerous jokes about Ross' 2002 arrest for DUI
DUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
. According to people who were in attendance, Mooney also made light of the death of Ross' ex-husband Arne Næss Jr.
Arne Næss Jr.
Arne Næss, Jr. was a Norwegian businessman and mountaineer. He had been married to Diana Ross since 1985, by whom he had two sons, but the couple was long separated at the time of his sudden death.-Biography:...
, who fell while mountain climbing in 2004. Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross is an American actress. She is best known for her lead role as Joan Clayton on the UPN/CW series, Girlfriends. She is currently starring as Dr...
, Ross' daughter and Næss' stepdaughter, was also in attendance. She reportedly was so offended and embarrassed that she left the room and was comforted by host Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey
Broderick Steven "Steve" Harvey is an American actor, comedian, entertainer, television and radio personality and best-selling author. He is best known as the star of the WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy...
. Backstage in the press room, Mooney was asked if he felt his performance was "over the top". Mooney replied: When Mooney was informed that Tracee Ellis Ross was in the audience, he stated:
The majority of Mooney's performance was edited out of the televised broadcast.
Showtime at the Apollo
During a 2006 performance at the Apollo TheaterApollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
in which Mooney was taping a segment for Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
, his performance was stopped in the middle of his act, allegedly due to his criticisms of President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Mooney appeared on The Howard Stern Show on October 30, 2006 where he talked about the performance, including bringing in his road manager as a witness. During the act he made several jokes about Bush, including one likening him to the devil and one stating that his mother
Barbara Bush
Barbara Pierce Bush is the wife of the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush, and served as First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993. She is the mother of the 43rd President George W. Bush and of the 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush...
looked like the "guy on the Quaker Oats box", and was immediately pulled from the stage. A forty-five minute debate ensued in his dressing room in which they decided to cancel the rest of his act. Mooney was told that he had "offended unnamed officials from Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
", which operates Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
. A Time Warner spokeswoman called the story "ridiculous... it's absolutely untrue" that the company had anything to do with the incident. Mooney vowed never to perform at the Apollo again until he receives a straight answer. The line Mooney was reciting when he got pulled off stage was:
-
- "F--- the Bushes. I hate the whole family. Like that mother of his, she looks like the guy on the Quaker Oats box..."
"The N-Word"
On November 26, 2006, Mooney appeared on CNNCNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and talked about how he would stop using the word "nigga
Nigga
Nigga is a term used in African American Vernacular English that began as an eye dialect form of the word nigger .- Use in language :In practice, its use and meaning are...
" due to Michael Richards
Michael Richards
Michael Anthony Richards is an American actor, comedian, writer and television producer, best known for his portrayal of the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on the television sitcom Seinfeld....
' outbursts on stage at The Laugh Factory
The Laugh Factory
The Laugh Factory is a world famous comedy club located at 8001 on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California.-History:In 1979, after a dispute over club owners refusing to pay comedians, a then 16 year old Jamie Masada recognized the need for a new venue for comedians to perform...
. He referred to Richards as having become "his Dr. Phil
Phil McGraw
Phillip Calvin McGraw best known as Dr. Phil, is an American television personality, author, former psychologist, and the host of the television show Dr. Phil, which debuted in 2002...
" and "cured" him of the use of the epithet. Mooney also said, "We're gonna stop using the n-word. I'm gonna stop using it. I'm not gonna use it again and I'm not gonna use the b-word. And we're gonna put an end to the n-word. Just say no to the n-word. We want all human beings throughout the world to stop using the n-word." On November 30, he elaborated upon these remarks as a guest of Farai Chideya
Farai Chideya
Farai Chideya is a novelist, multimedia journalist and radio host. She is producing and hosting "Pop and Politics with Farai Chideya," a series of radio specials on politics....
on the National Public Radio program News & Notes. He declared that he would convene a conference on this controversial subject in the near future, as well as perform his first "n-free" comedy in the upcoming days.
That show, which he performed at the Lincoln Theater following a set by Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory
Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory is an American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur....
, took place on December 2, 2006. Mooney almost made it through his entire set—about an hour of jokes—before he mistakenly used the word in a routine on O.J. Simpson. He ran off stage covering his face in his hands, and walked back on a few moments later saying, "I'm really going to get it now. This is probably already on the Internet." On the BET special 25 Events that Mis-Shaped Black America, Mooney reiterated that he was no longer using the word. He was quoted as saying, "I am no longer going to use the n-word. Instead of saying 'What's up my nigga,' say 'What's up my Michael Richards.'" At a summit with Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. is an African-American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to...
, Reverend Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton
Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton, Jr. is an American Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and television/radio talk show host. In 2004, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election...
, and Richards, Mooney forgave Michael.
Television
- Chappelle's ShowChappelle's ShowChappelle's Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedian Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show as well as starring in various skits. Chappelle, Brennan and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22,...
(2003), writer, actor as himself/Negrodamus - The Larry Sanders ShowThe Larry Sanders ShowThe Larry Sanders Show is a satirical television sitcom that aired from August 1992 to May 1998 on the HBO cable television network in the United States. It starred stand-up comedian Garry Shandling as vain, neurotic talk show host Larry Sanders, and centered on the running of his TV show, and the...
(1995), actor - In Living ColorIn Living ColorIn Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
(1990), writer - Pryor's PlacePryor's PlacePryor's Place is a short-lived children's television series that aired on CBS. The live-action series starred comedian, Richard Pryor as himself.-Overview:Despite a reputation for profanity from Richard Pryor, Pryor's Place was aimed at children...
(1984), writer - The Richard Pryor ShowThe Richard Pryor ShowThe Richard Pryor Show is an American comedy variety series starring Richard Pryor. It premiered on NBC on Tuesday, September 13, 1977 at 8 p.m. opposite ABC's popular television shows Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days....
(1977), writer, actor as himself - Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
(1975), writer - Good TimesGood TimesGood Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
(1974), writer - Sanford and SonSanford and SonSanford and Son is an American sitcom, based on the BBC's Steptoe and Son, that ran on the NBC television network from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977....
(1972), writer
Filmography
- It's the End of the World (2010), himself
- Good HairGood HairGood Hair is a 2009 American comedy documentary film produced by Chris Rock Productions and HBO Films, starring and narrated by comedian Chris Rock. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2009, Good Hair was released to select theaters in the United States by Roadside Attractions...
(2009), himself - Homie Spumoni (2007), George (father)
- Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was CleopatraKnow Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was CleopatraKnow Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra, is a 2007 stand-up comedy film starring comedian Paul Mooney and directed by Bart Phillips.The show was filmed at The Laugh Factory before a live audience....
(2006), himself - Analyzing White America (2004), himself
- The N-WordThe N-WordThe N-Word is a 2004 documentary directed and written by Todd Larkins Williams. The movie, as the title may suggest, looks into the history and usage of the word nigger and its variations.Interviews With:*Sandra Bernhard*Todd Boyd*Elaine Brown...
(2004) (documentaryDocumentary filmDocumentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
), himself - Bitter JesterBitter JesterBitter Jester is a documentary starring Maija DiGiorgio, Kenny Simmons, Jody Del Giorno and Heather McConnell. It's a portrait of the comedy world that includes interviews with a multitude of stars including Richard Pryor, Richard Belzer and many others....
(2003) (documentary), himself - DysFunktional Family (2003), consultant
- The Ketchup King (2002), actor as Padro Buyers
- Call Me ClausCall Me ClausCall Me Claus is a 2001 TV movie starring Whoopi Goldberg. The movie involves Santa Claus who needs a replacement Santa after serving his 200 year reign. He decides on Lucy Collins , an eccentric, grouchy shopping network executive, who hires him to promote Christmas decorations and presents on...
(2001), writer - The Old Settler (20012001 in filmThe year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
), actor as man at counter - BamboozledBamboozledBamboozled is a 2000 satirical film written and directed by Spike Lee about a modern televised minstrel show featuring black actors donning blackface makeup and the violent fall-out from the show's success...
(20002000 in filmThe year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor ....
), actor as Junebug - High FreakquencyHigh FreakquencyHigh Freakquency is a 1998 comedy directed by Tony Singletary about life at an urban radio station.-Synopsis:Where Comedy Is In Heavy Rotation...
(19981998 in film-Events:* February 14 - Sharon Stone marries Phil Bronstein.* Former child star Gary Coleman is charged with assaulting a young female bus driver at a California shopping mall.-Top grossing films:...
), actor as Love Doctor - In the Army NowIn The Army NowIn the Army Now is a 1994 war comedy, directed by Daniel Petrie, Jr. and starring Pauly Shore, Andy Dick, David Alan Grier, Esai Morales, and Lori Petty...
(19941994 in film1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time...
), actor as Lt. Col. Peter Hume - The Legend of Dolemite (1994) (documentary), himself
- Hollywood ShuffleHollywood ShuffleHollywood Shuffle is a 1987 comedy film that satirizes the racial stereotypes of African Americans in film and television. The film tracks the attempts of Bobby Taylor to become a successful actor and the mental and external roadblocks he encounters, represented through a series of interspersed...
(19871987 in film-Events:*January 31 - The Cure for Insomnia premieres at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to officially become the world's longest film according to Guinness World Records....
), actor as President of NAACP - Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is CallingJo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is CallingJo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling is a 1986 film starring Richard Pryor. This was the first and only feature film he directed .-Plot:...
(1986), writer - Brewster's MillionsBrewster's MillionsBrewster's Millions is a novel written by George Barr McCutcheon in 1902, originally under the pseudonym of Richard Greaves. It was adapted into a play in 1906, which opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre, and the novel or play has been made into a film nine times .-Plot introduction:The novel's...
(1985), production consultant - Bustin' LooseBustin' LooseThis article is about the movie. For the TV series of the same name, see Bustin' Loose .Bustin' Loose is a film released by Universal Pictures in 1981 starring Richard Pryor as an ex-con who gets a second chance after violating his probation...
(19811981 in film-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
), actor as Marvin - I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (19791979 in filmThe year 1979 in film involved some significant events.- Major events :* March 5 - Production begins on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.* May 25 - Alien, a landmark of the science fiction genre, is released....
), actor as Mr. Freeman - The Buddy Holly StoryThe Buddy Holly StoryThe film was adapted by Robert Gittler from Buddy Holly: His Life and Music, the biography of Holly by John Goldrosen. It was directed by Steve Rash.-Plot:...
(19781978 in filmThe year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
), actor as Sam CookeSam CookeSamuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and... - Which Way Is Up?Which Way Is Up?Which Way is Up? is a comedy film starring Richard Pryor. It was directed by Michael Schultz, and is a remake of the 1972 Italian film The Seduction of Mimi, which was written and directed by Lina Wertmuller....
(19771977 in filmThe year 1977 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*In the Academy Awards, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight win Best Actor and Actress and Supporting Actress awards for Network....
), actor as inspector - F.T.A.F.T.A.F.T.A. is a 1972 American documentary film starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland and directed by Francine Parker.-Overview:Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland and a collection of performers and musicians put together a touring satirical revue to perform at coffeehouses and parks near American army...
(1972) (documentary), himself - Carter's Army (19701970 in filmThe year 1970 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, therefore ending his career....
), actor as soldier (uncredited)
Standup
- Race (StepSun Music/Tommy Boy, 1993) CD
- Master Piece (StepSun Music, 1994) CD
- Analyzing White America (SHOUT! Factory/Sony Music Video, 2004) DVD
- Know Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was CleopatraKnow Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was CleopatraKnow Your History: Jesus Is Black; So Was Cleopatra, is a 2007 stand-up comedy film starring comedian Paul Mooney and directed by Bart Phillips.The show was filmed at The Laugh Factory before a live audience....
(QD3 Entertainment, 2006) DVD - It's the End of the World (2010) DVD
- Shaquille O' Neal's All Star Comedy Jam (2010) TV
Books
Black Is The New White; 2009 (Foreword by Dave ChappelleDave Chappelle
David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle is an American comedian, screenwriter, television/film producer, actor, and artist. Chappelle began his film career in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993 and continued to star in minor roles in the films The Nutty Professor, Con Air, and Blue Streak. His...
)
External links
- Paul Mooney in Mass Appeal Magazine
- Paul Mooney Q&A at Black Voices
- BET.comBlack Entertainment TelevisionBlack Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
on http://www.bet.com/WebApplications/betRoot/Templates/Posting_Article.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fNews%2ftroublebeingmyselfpopblogpaulmooney%2ehtm%3fwbc_purpose%3dBasic%26WBCMODE%3dPresentationUnpublished%26Referrer%3d%257B9ADA84A8-2C83-429F-8C75-CD8A27E0E506%257D&NRNODEGUID=%7bE20CCFAD-2CF5-4BCA-B1DE-BB0CFEB3AF18%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest&mb=1&wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublishedMooney and his decision to abandon the word "nigger"] - Paul Mooney on Reelblack TV
- Paul Mooney interview on Smiley and West