1987 Uptown Comedy Express Part 1/2

[@uptalk144]

You can literally see how Chris's comedy blossomed from his early days. Same style just polished up today with more wisdom.

[@DawnTurner-p2c]

Omg I found it! I recorded this and watched it repeatedly!! I knew everyone's set by heart. 😂 Thank you for this! Kenan Ivory Wayans actually used Chris Rocks lines about the broke guy trying to buy a meal in I'm Gonna Get You Sucka that's how good he was! Barry Sobel was hilarious!

[@LeahTVdotcom]

Aloha from Maui, I really enjoyed this walk back in time🎉. Leah Tunkara

[@jackielupo5943]

Ahh ,man; I was watched this a hundred times when I was 14. So happy to have found this! The talent that was introduced here is mind blowing.

[@missayawk]

This is 33yrs old and STILL is hilariously funny.Thats good comedy!!

[@AidenLS]

36 now and im still laughing like it was just released. this specials older than me but ive always appreciated chris rock and the whole special.

[@slice39]

Chris Rock was so raw, but you could see the genius in his early observational comedy, Arsenio's characters on stage would play into Eddie Murphy's movies like 'Coming To America', Robert Townsend was hilarious and his comedy was clean too, which is hard to do. Marsha Warfield was by far the most relaxed comedian of the night, she definitely doesn't get the credit she deserves for opening the doors for many comedians, but especially black female comedians.

[@cwaraksa1]

This show was awesome and we still quote it to this day. Some comedians, like everyone else, have the "it" factor. Even a young Chris Rock had "it" and it was just a matter of time before he hit stardom. TV, Movies, Specials. I never knew how funny Marsha Warfield was until this show. And how "blue" she worked. She was far from "Roz"

[@SSKMusicBeats]

Also Chris Rocks bit was used in I'm gonna get you sucka lool

[@al-xshro9975]

@@SSKMusicBeats "Got change for a Hundred?"

[@missayawk]

@@cwaraksa1 Marsha Warfield was a KILLER....To this day I STILL have " UGLY PEOPLE PISS ME OFF" in my arsenal.It is one of the BEST observational jokes I've ever heard, because it's true and we don't even realize it.

[@MerkTheVillain]

“Father. Did you eat the government cheese, father?” Rotfl

[@iceymagoo]

Sammy Davis Jr & Eddie Murphy sitting together, legendary

[@princejaydonis]

That was Charlie lol

[@RedForeman]

Timestamp ?

[@EGeorgePerry]

Yes, I peeped that also. (At the 11:00 mark.)

[@yashaisrael1298]

I wonder if that's when Sammy Davis Jr. told Eddie, "You know babe, Satan is just as powerful as God."

[@astutemoneymaker]

I remember this like it was yesterday. Thanks for taking me back. Murphy was truly the man for putting this together. Murphy is responsible for a lot of people's careers.

[@btoneymmc]

Now I see why Arsenio played the preacher in Coming to America. He so damn good and funny

[@christianwelch1535]

Chris Rock has been funny since forever!

[@cwaraksa1]

Thank you very much to all of the fans of this show. This show was one of the best ever and when I found the old(er) VHS tape, I could not believe it was not getting more love! Stars on stage, stars in the audience, funny jokes, funny stories, funny characters, simply the best! I loved hearing from the person who was there when they were younger because their parents owned the site (?) where it was filmed. Send her some love!

[@bh1422]

So good to know Arsenio Hall back at stand up comedy. He was pure genius!!!! 😂🤣😂🤣

[@ChicagoDonny922]

I remember seeing this when it originally aired on cable back in like '86-'87. This was my 1st time seeing some new funny, skinny comedian named Chris Rock...I think I remember seein' Eddie with some leather gloves & diamond rings on top of them 😃😃😃😃

[@kingsports1113]

Damn I wish Chris Rock n aresino hall did more skits together lol

[@josiepkat]

This is AMAZING. I love Chris Rock - it's crazy to see how young he was here - just a baby! Then again he's only 4 years older than me. Eddie Murphy with Sammy Davis Jr. - it hurts my heart how so much time has passed. Yes, Rock is brilliantly funny - he always gives you something to think about... which next level stuff. You can see how young and a little nervous (who wouldn't be) here, I actually feel nervous for him - but you can see his talent. Thankful that Murphy was so good to other performers, he could've been jealous or ignored them - instead he gave us Chris Rock. Thanks so much for posting this!!!

[@cwaraksa1]

"Thank you" to all who commented and a "You're Welcome", also. This comedy could NOT remain forgotten. Way tooooo funny....I still quote this special all the time....

[@missayawk]

Me too." Ugly People piss me off" Since Marsha said that, I've kept it in my bag.

[@shayb8203]

Thank you, I love this!! 💜 I'm an 80s baby I remember all this , and my mom taping it on our VCR

[@spydrmac4010]

Bless you for posting this. I have a VHS tape w/it somewhere but this is first time I saw it online. I can recite every word! One of the best HBO specials ever!!!

[@missayawk]

Me too.Watching it now, it's like I just watched it yesterday.Used to play this over and over....till I memorized it verbatim.All classic jokes.Arsenio's basketball jokes.

[@bobthebuilder8110]

11:00 Nice to see Sammy Davis Jr. in the audience. RIP

[@cutup260]

Chris Rock and Arsenio Hall's bits lead to two iconic characters on I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and Coming to America.

[@SerpentNight]

Chris Rock is the perfect reminder that comedy is a reflection of misery.

[@ronaldmcdonald1977]

The Oprah joke aint a joke anymore, its a compliment.

[@saj8]

Can't believe that this is over 30 years old.

[@LilacStar82]

Have you seen that jheri curl? Believe it.

[@zeusa4048]

Older than me wow

[@DIVOR-]

They really used the phrase "lookin' ass" back then

[@bnusabeel]

Chris the Rock has been spreading wisdom in a funny way since the first day

[@Themaddprof]

Interesting gathering of soon- to-be's. Seeing Sammy Davis Jr in the audience makes this a real passing of the torch.

[@notnorthkai]

Thank you for uploading! I'm sure circulation of this footage ceased before some of us were even born 👌🏿

[@kun1ish]

Back when Townsend was THEEEEE MAN.

[@jeffbisfree]

Classic comedy! Thank you so much! My brother and I have been quoting this since 1987 when it first came out.

[@dannyhill8797]

yep, this first aired on HBO on May 9, 1987.........

[@eddieloius4592]

wow before coming to america.

[@younghefner1546]

Eddie Murphy put everybody on

[@robdog4062]

Hey man we have the same last name. My real last name is Hefner.

[@uddaside]

@Paulie Harrow You clearly can't lol

[@flytii]

@Paulie Harrow you're clueless

[@kingsports1113]

@@felinefokus u gay

[@WriteOnBroham]

That Robert Townsend set was top shelf.

[@BigSpecialK23]

11:00 damn Classic shot of Sammy Davis Jr and Eddie Murphy just chillin and watchin!

[@josephnewbern2717]

I thought I saw a shot of the incomparable Sammy Davis, Jr. and Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins beyond him. That audience is incredible!

[@jayking6360]

I love Arsenio in at the beginning! This was like a year before he had his own show.

[@thomasbrown3356]

2 years. First he took over for Joan Rivers and got all the younger viewers.. Thats what launched him into fame. I was one of those younger viewers. I never stayed up past 11, on a week night, before Arsenio.

[@gjwilliams4098]

Damn by Robert Townsend standup u can tell he has a talent for writing

[@SL-yy2kd]

so true

[@charlita25]

Wow look 👀 at this 80s fashion

[@jezmez68]

To this day, there are times as I'm heading out the door in the morning and I sing, "It's TIIIIIME for me to go to work..." all because of this show.

[@athens_1psvr31]

I never thought I’d see this on the internet. I have this on video tape at my parents somewhere. Taped live the night it came on. I know this whole show. Anyone I mentioned this to had no idea what I was talking about.

[@missayawk]

We need to be friends.I know this special like the " black" of my hand

[@antoinettewest679]

I see Chris Rock been felt some type of way about Bill Cosby!🤣

[@julz5905]

Can see glimpses of what he was becoming. Socially righteous preacher like Pryor, Carlin and Hicks. Absolute genius.

[@gregoryburton1241]

Uncle Ray is understated funny! Bus Boys were so talented. This show was before Def Comedy Jam.

[@DarrylM65]

This one comedy special led to so many things for all the performers

[@btoneymmc]

Chris Rock got that Michael Jackson thing going on lol

[@PhillipP93]

The way he dressed around this time was hilarious.

[@aaronsmith2255]

Thanks... Been lookin' for this for years!!!

[@MrsNewland318]

Aaron Smith Ditto!!!!

[@54321yrrag]

Me too

[@drtalkboxsa9412]

I also like the Chris Rock show with Arsenio as the guest.... hilarious

[@biggjuntao3090]

Arsenio’s Jesse Jackson impression is spot on👀💯

[@jackedkerouac4414]

Chris Rock is wearing one of those leather jackets you'd to see in front of every leather shop

[@LeahTVdotcom]

I met and worked with a lot of this mega talent in my Hollywood days. Never seen Director Robert Townser do comedy . He was amazing here and the stage blocking with his act is just so perfect 🤷🏽‍♀️ all amazing character Actors❤. Chris Rock became the biggest star😂🎬✍🏾 of all. But back then nobody knew. The older guy , MC was Eddie Murphy’s Uncle. Leah Tunkara

[@PapiMFChulo]

That's the crew that sing " The boys are back in town" Man they are on fire.

[@michellevaldez47]

The Busboys. The guitar player stage left is the one and only Vic Johnson. He’s been playing with Sammy Hagar for quite sometime now. I’ve seen him twice.

[@ahanna76]

Thank you for the upload. Wow, I forgot Robert Townsend cursed! Homeboys in outer space!!🤣

[@lilrock1018]

Marsha Warfield Sammy Davis Jr Eddie Murphy Chris Rock Arsenio Hall Paul Mooney Uncle Ray and many more comedians out in this segment.. beautiful throwback.

[@wall91nutz]

This was incredible great throw back

[@badgrand]

2:57 Andre 3000’s older brother, ha!

[@denzelpinkerton9665]

BRUH 😂😂😂😭

[@drummingdanny84]

Bryan O'Neal is Andre 3000's older brother. Okay. 😉👌🏾

[@marklayne1781]

Robert Townsend: Did you eat the government cheese 🧀 father? Classic and hilarious 😂.

[@badgerbadgerton966]

You can almost hear Eddie Murphy discovering him in the back going "eh heh heh heh". 11:00

[@StromLxrd6]

Arsenio underrated legend😂

[@hassanburton669]

Amos and Albert… Lol 😆 Damn Skippy! Fat Albert Was Kind of Degrading Though in Hindsight.

[@pepelepeau]

This was my era and knew Barry in San Francisco! The Other Cafe Era!

[@mrcead]

Damn, Sammy Davis Jr, Jazmin Guy in the audience, Arsenio Hall, Eddie Murphy put him on, Joan Rivers had him on her show as he started out. Wow, Chris Rock has lived a blessed life

[@boodang100]

34 years later he still on top

[@acdnan]

Chris Rock was funny but it came from his intelligence. He is incredibly smart

[@619sandiego8]

This is Gold!!

[@sgtsayz8636]

We gon pretend like Arsenio don't sound exactly like Eddie?

[@shawndantzler3099]

I've been looking for this for years

[@bphlatsax75]

Clint " You ain't never meet Martin Luther the Kang" Smith.

[@blazayblazay8888]

Clint“Yeah what a ya ignant?” Smith

[@missayawk]

Clint STAYED drunk.He's Eddie MURPHY'S friend in REAL life and called him Eddie MURRAY not ONCE, but TWICE.Some friends you just gotta leave behind.

[@qthemusicdj]

I knew this was going to be good when I recognized Andre 3000 singing lead for the band

[@missayawk]

😂 😂.I was thinking the same.Remind me of Andre.

[@amysmith3247]

Uncle Ray...Eddie Murphy uncle? How funny

[@yodalayheehoo5447]

Go Black Folks! Marsha Warfield at the box office with the Labelle wig!!

[@Kingkassan_]

Lol is this Chris Rick or aunt viv

[@preedestined1]

😩😩😩🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@alejandrosantos2611]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@uptalk144]

Bwahahahahaha!!!!! Yooooooo!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@missayawk]

BWWWWAAAAAHHHH😅😀😀😀!!!!

[@joycedcomegys5927]

LOL

[@mrsmaul2010]

OMG I remember seeing this back in the day.

[@LaMovie_EnPlay]

I was 3 years old 😱wow time flys 😢

[@jahrelldelgado]

The Bus Boys, rockin' it

[@houseofcharm4751]

After seeing Hall do the preacher thing , I'm so watching Coming to America again

[@jezmez68]

Barry Sobel!

[@michellevaldez47]

Funny AF.

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

You can definitely tell Chris got dental work when he got rich 😂

[@shayb8203]

They all do lol. I would too, shit

[@flowforever9084]

He said he paid $15k for his dental work

[@missayawk]

I wish more ppl would.Its a good investment.Nothing worse than talking to a person with jacked up teeth.

[@AmuMabasa]

Young Chris Rock was a menace 😂

[@elthe3rd]

"Prisoners get 3 meals a day, homeless people don't get shit!" Chris was preachin.

[@bear1more287]

The Bustboys were super kool group back in 80’s still have there album 👍🏻

[@JervarisTv]

Uncle ray at his best

[@michaeltjustice1460]

i don't know if i had HBO in87 but I can clearly see the seeds to some of my favorite comedy movies, shows, and routines in one special

[@linsleyolton]

i kno robert from parenthood never knew he did stand up man is hilarious

[@Lott0Jay]

Best comedian

[@LSturdy]

Robert Townsend was putting the Word out About Aids and Magic was in the crowd , 4 years later what Townsend said came true in his life. Thankfully he;s still around . Wow I was 18 years old working the night shift at a factory.

[@ShenZA6]

Blaque Reign And I was just 8 yo that time. Im in my 40's now and I just saw this. My favorite comedians in their youth in this show

[@TheeMcDonger]

townsend doing i hope i dont have aids jokes in front of Magic johnson

[@urbanflavorz]

This was the blue print for Robert Townsend partners in crime, def comedy jam, in living color. Eddie Murphy always put his family and friends on.

[@btoneymmc]

Damn I was born in 93 I was young when these dudes was on

[@Brooklyn7savior]

Who cares

[@ShenZA6]

what year was this comedy special?

[@badgerbadgerton966]

You can almost hear Eddie Murphy discovering him in the back going "eh heh heh heh".

[@preedestined1]

I didn't watch this because it's CR....I repeat: I did NOT come here for the comedy!!! I CAME HERE FOR THE CURL MAN!!!!!!😩😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣😝

[@justlee5190]

80s.. the best

[@melvinpruitt3907]

this was an absolute treat.Thanks

[@lashawnalee921]

"POOKIE" "USE TO THE PROM QUEEN, NOW YOU JUST A PROM FEIN!"🤣 NEW JACK CITY

[@llluuubluetigers4838]

Chris gives information while making you laugh . 😀✊✌

[@marklayne1781]

This is when Chris Rock 🪨 was 100% hilarious, 100% funny 😁 😂 and 100% raw comedy.

[@drtalkboxsa9412]

I see Sammy Davies Jr in the audience

[@krogerkp2927]

I remember watching this on HBO back in the late eighties. Eddie Murphy was obviously in the house!!! Bus Boys Uncle Ray etc

[@djmench]

HARD WORK! *makes absolutely insane face*

[@alb7844]

I still have this on tape (VHS) now I gotta find a VCR.

[@toneotone4813]

VHS days..

[@Soundeagle3456]

it's crazy how they could say whatever, especially all the sexual jokes, Chris was only 22.

[@felinefokus]

Robert was my favorite he different

[@tommyleeroadman]

I love his program he made called every body hates chris

[@justinpettit3432]

Lol Chris in the 80s wow.