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HBO COMEDY HOUR: ROBERT TOWNSEND & HIS PARTNERS IN CRIME PART IV: PLAYING THE NUTROLL (TV)

Summary

This comedy/variety special features the talents of comedian Robert Townsend and a bevy of performers. Townsend opens the program by introducing M.C. Hammer, who performs "Let's Get It Started" with a number of friends, including Heavy D. Townsend then performs a comedy monologue in which he discusses the scary experience of bombing onstage and dealing with drunken hecklers, suggests an idea for an R&B-themed health warning against venereal diseases, ponders the pros and cons of one-night stands, and reflects upon his experiences with fame, suggesting that other groups are more deserving the respect and high salaries given to celebrities. Next is a fake advertisement for a flatulence support called Farters Anonymous, after which Townsend introduces comedian Lewis Dix. Dix's routine touches upon such topics as East Coasters' dislike for California, the challenges of communication in relationships, misleading fast-food advertisements, and the racial differences between McDonald's workers. After an ad for the game show parody "Street Wise," Townsend introduces comedian Al Clethen Jr., and his routine touches upon such topics as his strict, old-fashioned father, animals' views of sex compared to humans', segregation on television ads, and the implications in the term "Black Monday."

Townsend then brings several of his co-stars and their families onstage, displaying a photo of his own family before introducing singer Dianne Reeves, who sings "Better Days." Next is an installment of the soap opera parody "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful," in which Chandelier Arrington abruptly divorces her husband Lake and takes everything he possesses, while elsewhere the sleazy "Weave King" moves into the neighborhood and Dexter is shaken down by a trio of male strippers. Everyone boards Lake's yacht, believing they are headed for a vacation on his private island, but Lake has other plans and blows up the boat—possibly. Following this, Townsend introduces comedian Reynaldo Rey, and his routine touches upon such topics as his tough divorce, riding with a friend with very poor driving skills, and the unusual fashion habits of elderly church-going women. Next is Don Reed, whose comedy routine features a sequel to his previous act, "Kung Fu Theatre," in which he imitates the characters in a typical Asian martial arts film. Townsend then introduces his band members, and the evening closes with a lengthy jam session, featuring solos by all of the artists and dance moves by the rest of the cast.

Details

  • NETWORK: HBO
  • DATE: September 27, 1989 9:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:59:20
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:49763
  • GENRE: Comedy
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Stand-up comedy; Music; African-American Collection - Comedy
  • SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 1989
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Robert Townsend … Executive Producer, Director, Writer
  • W.E. Baker … Supervising Producer
  • Carl Alan Craig … Producer
  • Kimber Rickabaugh … Producer
  • Marilyn Seabury … Associate Producer
  • J. Kevin Swan … Associate Producer
  • Walter C. Miller … Director
  • David Michael Frank … Music by
  • Patrice Rushen … Theme Music by
  • Russell Clark … Choreographer
  • Robert Townsend … Host, Performer
  • M.C. Hammer … Performer
  • Heavy D … Performer
  • Lewis Dix … Performer
  • Al Clethen Jr. … Performer
  • Dianne Reeves … Performer
  • Reynaldo Rey … Performer
  • Don Reed … Performer
  • Anne-Marie Johnson … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • David Alan Grier … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • Carl Alan Craig … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • Stephanie E. Williams … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • Roy Fegan … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • Bobby McGee … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • Jimmy Woodard … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • Robin Harris … Cast, "The Bold, The Black, The Beautiful"
  • Franklyn Ajaye … Cast
  • Howard Allen … Cast
  • Jesse Aragon … Cast
  • Marlon Archey … Cast
  • Kendrick Cargo … Cast
  • Barry Diamond … Cast
  • Bentley Evans … Cast
  • Homeselle Joy … Cast
  • Bobby Mardis … Cast
  • Lisa Mende … Cast
  • Paul Mooney … Cast
  • Mimi Savage … Cast
  • Nancy Scher … Cast
  • Bee-Be Smith … Cast
  • Michael Sorich … Cast
  • Suzanne Suter … Cast
  • Damon Wayans … Cast
  • Shawn Wayans … Cast
  • John Witherspoon … Cast