Richard Pryor: High, Live, and Dirty On Mormon Television

RICHARD PRYOR ALL COKED-UP AND OUT OF CONTROL.
In 1980, while filming "Stir Crazy" on location in Arizona, Richard Pryor agreed to sit for an interview with a Mormon high school public access cable television show. The interview took place at 7am, before shooting began for the day. After completing the entire one hour long interview, it was discovered that one of the high school student crew members messed up the audio portion of the recording, leaving the complete program in total silence.
After lots of begging, Pryor agreed to re-do the interview provided it took place after his lunch break, which came about 3pm. By the time Richard was eventually available to again sit for the interview, he was pretty wasted from his usual boozing and coking it up on the set. Needless to say, his demeanor was quite different from his G-rated portrayal given while still sober, earlier that morning.
What you are about to see was deemed completely inappropriate for children and young adult viewing purposes, and was banned from being aired on the Mormon high school's station ... until now.
This is the first and only time it will be made available for public viewing. Enjoy!!

[@KenterriousDavis]

Never let them call you crazy...it's dismissive - Dave Chappell.... R.I.P Richard Pryor

[@UrbanHillbillyVideos]

That 80's cocaine was very high quality. lol

[@hotsauce8671]

It really was

[@mckinleymorganfield8494]

@@hotsauce8671 Ohh, you are correct sir!

[@YeekTV_Atlanta]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@marcusisom4487]

Do sho fammm!¡!! Some people ain't on that level..

[@sharonj3797]

Lucky ppl

[@mrss8979]

He brought up his grandmother and cried instantly respect

[@StanceNeal]

So many people in the comments section that have no clue about the comedic greatness of Mr. Richard Pryor. You’re saying he’s not funny, but he’s not trying to be funny...he’s being real and spitting truth in a comical way. He’s intentionally being disruptive here not because he’s trying to placate you or put on an act. He’s doing it because he thinks it’s hilarious and because he can. Richard’s genius was always in his ability to tell America about itself to its face and smile and laugh while he was doing it. Most of the real Richard Pryor fans know that. Too bad so many in the comments section are so ignorant to this fact.

[@ChaseK87]

It's called being real for short.

[@unclejohn4528]

He was being dead serious. He was fucked up and talking shit, like you said, because he can. He knew his money gave him the clout to say what he wanted and no one was going to tell him to shut up.

[@wonderwoman66dp]

Blame it on the juice!

[@marlboromatt5656]

Thanks for gracing us with your expertise on Richard. What we have done without all your exclusive vast knowledge that you just shared. SMFH

[@Sincere4Eva]

@Writer Mind Now that’s a mouthful of FACTS!!! 💯💪🏾

[@CodeMonkeyDave]

When you high but saying real shit and don't even know it

[@James67851]

Richard new what he was saying.

[@jdvlanka265]

@@James67851*knew

[@deen2000]

“I look up to the Bank of America” 😂😂😂😂

[@supersuperkw]

facts

[@argonaut31]

These dudes cant even keep up with Richard spittin all this truth! He is DECADES ahead of his time.

[@jc9240]

I had thought that Richard was a Comedic Genius until I saw this, He was actually playing out to be an ignorant and racist man at heart, without the lights, make-up and live audience. Can you imagine if it was a White Comedian gloating on the fact to believe in having the luxury and money to "Fuck Everybody" on the claim that his greatest prize and reward is in fucking Black or Women of Color in front of a Black Interviewer or Audience? His Head wouid be served on a Platter!

[@_RobBanks]

The word is always a hundred steps behind someone who keeps it a buck. And they always will be.

[@jc9240]

Truth? What Truth? Only God is Truth! .....Pryor failed miserably to the truth, are you an Admirer or a Follower of him? Go find yourself another God, you are missing something in your life

[@argonaut31]

@@jc9240 Calm down dude you sound like a fuckin nutball.

[@jc9240]

@@argonaut31 Takes one to know one? Where you from Homie? ...,You sound like someone who thinks like a Nut Ball!

[@themightyfp]

Richard a real one he said don’t knock Steve Martin down to build me up.

[@fl0w897]

REAL STUFF!!

[@zacharythomas1223]

This dude was amazing!! This is what happens when you rush interveiw....& he gave it to em RAW uncut Lol!!

[@jdoggs08753]

He WAASZ A REAL DUDE....Richard never pulled NO punches!

[@Monica_Baja]

Even drunk and high, he didn't wanna ruffle feathers ... Until later in the interview that is lol

[@spiderklanblaze3124]

It dnt matter how high an rich u are racism is always among us

[@swilli10]

He may been high but he was telling the TRUTH... wisdom

[@VENUS.SE7EN]

Exactly. Richard's words: "I'm wonderful. The real people will realize this when you show it at 12:30 in the morning." And here we are, 40 years later, and his genius is still felt. I miss Richard.

[@onlyonezay419]

And he was exposing the elites partially if you paying any attention

[@-live8659]

Yes he was and laughing so he wouldn't cry...

[@briancannon3987]

When richard said he had to steal his own money?

[@kevinsmith6436]

@@briancannon3987 and when he mentioned the percentage of blacks in Florida and said only 1% was in the state, he immediately said it was hard being locked up...implying the others were incarcerated

[@briancannon3987]

@@kevinsmith6436 richard never thought this interview would see the light of day. He went hard on purpose so they couldn't air it

[@jc9240]

I had thought that Richard was a Comedic Genius until I saw this, He was actually playing out to be an ignorant and racist man at heart, without the lights, make-up and live audience. Can you imagine if it was a White Comedian gloating on the fact to believe in having the luxury and money to "Fuck Everybody" on the claim that his greatest prize and reward is in fucking Black or Women of Color in front of a Black Interviewer or Audience? His Head wouid be served on a Platter!

[@antoniolarkett1333]

Sensitive America couldn’t take his presence now days

[@lastofadyingbreed1080]

Facts, I'm actually a little jealous how chill the environment was while watching this. It would've been fun to live in those days.

[@tyeshamack6082]

Its not evan live dumbass he said the camera isnt working ,plus for god sake the man is coked out.

[@antoniolarkett1333]

@@tyeshamack6082 😂ok

[@sethrussell6393]

Sensitive America couldn't take his presence then 😂

[@swenekaf1141]

He was not disrespectful , he just diss them respectfully

[@antoinettemcknight6375]

True

[@mohill1003]

THAT'S that Sagittarius ish!

[@micl5078]

He was like dissing the 'system' or just bad things in general, while getting along with everyone immediately around him. I know its partially the alcohol and drugs, but still you can tell its coming from the right place. If people werent so robotic and more like this nowadays things would be way more chill.

[@wasteland6961]

The pain behind every joke is powerful.

[@nr126]

Pryor giving it up for Steve Martin .. That`s a real G move

[@cupcakejonez7923]

I remember i got in trouble when i was about 3 or 4 & my mom sent me 2 my room........not long after that The Richard Pryor show came on & my mom let me come out of my room & 👀it......rip mom & Richard Pryor.☺💃❤🙏⚘💜⚘🙏⚘🧡⚘🙏⚘💛⚘🙏💚⚘☺

[@dannyhoughton9704]

.

[@e3erockstar08]

I love what Mike Epps said about Richard: Don't feel sorry for how he died, because it would take a LIFETIME to make up just one of his weekends.

[@ttucker10466]

e3erockstar08 Amen🙏

[@MakeYouTubeGreatAgain1]

He was clearly upset inside. The industry life was getting to him. He said, " I gotta steal money from myself." He said that because entertainers don't have access to all of their money. They have to get permission from their accountant (that's given to them) to make purchases and withdraw money over a certain amount. He was probably pissed off inside about a lot of things.

[@madedigital]

also the sexual shit in the industry , i guess he had to be high to get by.

[@poeticsounds]

His comedic genius is on display. While High” he could be obnoxious and joke around the (TRUTH)... This was actually brilliant. I really don’t care if he was high or not because he still got his truth out without being controlled by the interviewer (media) .

[@internazi]

You just posted a dead accurate comment on topics that are murdering race relations in the US. Props @ poeticsounds

[@letsdothis8000]

It’s impossible to teach this type of comedy because he was pure. Either you’re born with it or not.

[@kingtonk6203]

The man is tweaking let him fucking tweak.. and telling the truth about jean, damn dropping gems from the jump.

[@omi1975db]

Tweeeee kinggggg 😂😂😂😂

[@Lost_n_Found_1]

Gene?

[@most-hated-inc]

The comedic pathos of a genius on full display. It was like he was crying jokes instead of tears. Thanks for sharing! “Humor is tragedy plus time.” - Mark Twain.

[@treyday5200]

Truth

[@smoke1forthedeadhomies837]

Don’t knock Steve Martin to try n build me up! What a boss.

[@7michaelwright]

Boss def

[@Sincere4Eva]

Salute, & they say we’re selfish..

[@blixxsteeda5381]

Was high but still dropping gems!

[@VENUS.SE7EN]

"They paid me---I got my money---fuck 'em." LMAO!

[@madebymarcus1]

🤣

[@rogerhupp3115]

Richard Pryor, one of the realest OGs of the industry. Eddie Murphy imitated, but never duplicated.

[@dustyroze150]

Redd Foxx is the original O.G. ov comedy, he birth Richard & Richard birth Eddie, Harlem Nights movie self-explanatory.

[@srjpropertiesllc7186]

Eddie murphy was not duplicating richard, eddie is the 🐐

[@jimmartin7881]

@@srjpropertiesllc7186 Eddie was light years ahead of Pryor, Richard was saying shit in this interview from comedy shows he'd done years before. The Charlie Chaplin joke was done 2 years before, Eddie was real talent not just drug addled ranting.

[@jc9240]

I had thought that Richard was a Comedic Genius until I saw this, He was actually playing out to be an ignorant and racist man at heart, without the lights, make-up and live audience. Can you imagine if it was a White Comedian gloating on the fact to believe in having the luxury and money to "Fuck Everybody" on the claim that his greatest prize and reward is in fucking Black or Women of Color in front of a Black Interviewer or Audience? His Head wouid be served on a Platter!

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

You don’t have to put Eddie a down to build Richard up

[@gaticusx2933]

" don't knock Steve Martin tryna build me up." No one was realer than Richard!

[@redshiftexperiment]

I love what a genius he was.. defending Steve Martin.. another man that was born standing up. 1:30 .. RIP richard .. love him.

[@copperman6655]

Drugs, I don't know about. But I do know truth when I hear it ✊✊✊

[@micheledeun1048]

High? Sounds like to me he's frustrated, fed up & brutally honest

[@lottolottosoulja858]

I THINK 🤔 U ONLY ONE WHO GET IT 😉 IF U KNOW THEN U KNOW AND SISTER WE KNOW

[@Gl6619]

He’s on point with what he’s saying..but he’s definitely high

[@clairepod1]

Yep. This is raw anger.

[@brianmeen2158]

Fed up with what? He was a multi millionaire making movies. He made enough money to support multiple generations so why is he mad? Perhaps he’s mad at himself for making the terrible decision to use cocaine?

[@tyronenelson5536]

This interview with Richard Pryor is the most fact filled interview ever ever period hands down. Wish today's news and schools would get on the same page!!!!!!!

[@vincelono33]

Drugs wasn't the issue he kept it 100

[@chrisollivierre3906]

"I don’t care about air. Air is free. Y’all talking about time, and space. You gotta pay for that.”- Richard Pryor

[@wonderwoman66dp]

Well, the way things are going, air won't be free for long!

[@Groucho-tg1tx]

This makes perfect sense to me.

[@MRIDDLE72]

me too! all of it.

[@dmarley_mal]

He was just living freely. Pryor gave the message to you raw and didn't give a dam about it! 🌅💯

[@myownjudgeandjury870]

Exactly.

[@carolecook1116]

I can't believe he pulled it off but horray, & on tape👏!

[@JMO_8111]

Rich was high and they wasnt ready for that raw shit he was saying...and when he said how that black dude with the gun thought he was important but if their was a robbery the police will come in and still kill him ...that shit is so tru cuz its going on now he was ahead of time with what he saying

[@NiggasDrinkin40s]

Not ahead of his time. Cause much hasnt changed. Amerikkka has been racist since it was overtaken.

[@RJNumber45]

he wasnt ahead of his time...times just havent changed in regards to how police treat black/brown people

[@DameDrummer]

This may be the realest thing I’ve ever seen. He said y’all don’t give a fvckabout me. I’m speaking for my grandmother who you didn’t let speak. She was a better woman than you are a man. ✊🏾 Y’all tried merica but you can’t break us. 🔥

[@damianbaileyfitness9348]

this is a pivotal period for him. 1979 so his grandmother just passed and it's inches.away from burning himself. I think a year or two later. read many books that Said he can be your greatest and worst friend in one day due to the drugs.

[@Tyweezy84]

Buddy said don’t tear down another man to build me up, he’s a real one for that

[@salad3256]

The older I get. I mean everything he says makes more sense

[@wonderwoman66dp]

Riiiiight!

[@hotsauce8671]

Right

[@ashwynn4177]

What were the Mormons thinking Pryor would give a clean interview to church goers!?

[@DreErdna]

Read the description

[@marklarizzle]

"Nobody cares what I think." Heard almost 40 years later.

[@dirtwarner4888]

Wild observation... so true

[@marklarizzle]

Bit seriously it isn't very funny. Mostly race based insults.

[@deenad3562]

*Growing up in a brothel, this man has seen it all. RIP VIP*

[@JustMeHC112]

This is the pure definition of NOT GIVING A F#CK!!! RAW AND COMPLETELY UNFILTERED.

[@Mookara1st]

Helena Cromartie lol

[@clearpriorities8268]

Wow. What a great video share Lizzy. The context of a Mormon high school teacher trying to interview RP is amazing in itself, even before Richard does what he does best, being Richard. I can't believe this video survived. Many lessons in here from RP and one that I took is - don't give an "F" what other people think - be real. I know it but can always use reminding.

[@BarrettWallacesec7]

The best collaboration was Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, in Harlem Nights. 2 comedic legends with Eddie who was the newer comedic talent.

[@shaneb4576]

It was definitely cool to see all three of those guys on screen but Harlem Nights wasn’t too great IMO. I thought the first 30minutes had some funny scenes but the last hour was pretty eh. I first saw it in the theater when I was 15.

[@Mike_Muffler]

"Fuck censorship and his momma" - Richard Pryor (RIP)

[@bigreece1man1micthelionsde43]

Richard Pryor is in fact the greatest comedian that ever lived he paved the way for all comedians A-1 💕💯🎯

[@mortymort7]

facts....

[@dsw8103]

I don't give a fuck what anyone says, this shit is goddamned hilarious

[@garywoneal1000]

That was definitely him unfiltered. I've heard him say in another interview that he held back in stage and couldn't say what he really wanted to say... After seeing this, I see why he held back... The average person wouldn't be able to handle it... R.i.p. to a true legend.

[@theshape3988]

Legend? HES 💩

[@MyName-pl7zn]

He is high AF

[@SharodBoogette]

He was lit & woke at the same time. Every thing he said was facts. Feel like he was speaking in 2017. I was a kid when he died so seeing him high doesn’t bother me as much as someone who probably saw him in his prime

[@emmanuelferguson7482]

Sharod Boogette hes funnier high

[@chinaman393]

He wasn't high in live on the sunset strip and that is like his magnum opus

[@916Willbrich]

This was his prime he wrote blazing saddles with Mel brooks but to high to play the main character

[@mrfunky1768]

this is all kinds of intoxicated confessionals......the stories he's got , no one would want to touch any of this l love how this is still jolting even today 2021

[@Idontlikethatshit.]

Richard was the Ol'Dirty Bastard of comedy..Speaking of Wu Tang check out the Clark Wallabies he's rock'n

[@RJNumber45]

lol...WORD!

[@skaface32]

my nose got numb just watching this

[@pamelabetts6459]

😄😄😄😄😄

[@donsolis12]

BY the way this was Richard and Wilders best movie! Pure comedy gold that never gets old.

[@tomgeezy5073]

I liked the toy. and he had other really good black only movies

[@gregorio87]

The fact that the interviewer kept trying to get any usable material for this long is amazing

[@killerbob5279]

A Living Legend, Gone But Not Forgotten ... Best comedian ever... No one can compare to this dude👍👍👍R.I.P Richard Pryor The Greatest

[@antwone1321]

LOL " I bought seven pounds of cocaine in front of eight policeman". I believe him.

[@James67851]

I believe him too. He might be high but he speaking the truth. Everything he said that’s public knowledge was true.

[@billytheweasel]

Glad they uploaded this bit of history. Feel like I know this great man a little better. Thanks!

[@drugrltd718]

CLASSIC!!! BEST UNSCRIPTED MATERIAL I'VE EVER SEEEEEEEN :-)

[@thatguyfrom313]

He May just be tired of Hollywood at that point in his life.

[@soulvigilante]

"Fuck Charlie Chaplin. The mothafucka didn't even talk!" That is still comedy gold.

[@andredupuis5461]

🤣🤣🤣

[@cmdkirk]

He's wearing the same shirt and pants in this interview that he wears in the "We bad" jail cell scene in the movie.

[@JohnnyDanger0us]

Dont build me up by knocking Steve Martin. I love this clip, it's great, Richard Pryor said all I wanna do is leave Tucson alive lmao thats my hometown!!! R.I.P Richard Pryor was the greatest.

[@carolecook1116]

John bLaze ~Richard! Amazing what he got away with while people assumed he was joking. Brilliant, sensitive, sweet, hurt man. See his face reflected in face of daughter, Rain Pryor.

[@seabassseabass8835]

There's a lot of pain behind the laugher.

[@mariamaria5544]

Very much so and very racist too, no matter how much a marry white woman. He hated blacks too.

[@biggestd1161]

Watch Richard Pryor's roast listen to what he says he sold his soul to the devil

[@internazi]

It isn't that big a deal. He liked to get high, may have been here and he isn't hurting anybody. From my pov it's fucking hilarious. He's taking a what should a serious affair and getting them to chill to his level so they know where he is at. All the critique of him comes by people not being able to say gee he's doing some thing few black people did back then and handling it his way ...that isn't up to the viewers to judge

[@dmolls]

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. It truly makes me feel good that so many of you have really enjoyed this rare posting of one of the 20th centuries finest comedians/philosophers.

[@roddaz]

I find this video sad. Richard is upset in this video. He is high as fuck but he is pissed off. And because he is high he is uninhibited and speaks freely about the number one issue that plays on his mind. Race.

[@javtimestwo]

+roddaz I also find the video very sad. Hearing the laughter in the background is depressing. Those must be all the enablers & hangerons who made sure Richard had his blow and enjoyed watching Richard embarrass himself in front of a high school teacher. Race was dominating his mind and so was being wealthy. Just sad to watch a great comedian slipping.

[@hiimnewt]

+Javy C i find it sad due to some of the hard truths he spoke about that were laughed off as jokes. you can see he was certainly troubled by the box he was confined to by society

[@javtimestwo]

Edward-The man was in serious pain and even though he is considered a genius, Pryor could have been even more popular and even more legendary. But the drugs ruined him and what we see here is a junkie that is out of control.

[@hiimnewt]

Javy C :/ when you feel you're not wanted, those same feelings become reflected outward. I wonder what his youth was like

[@aaronj.brooks1977]

Richard Pryor uncut and unfiltered

[@bobshook3544]

"Don't knock Steve Martin to try and build me up!" Pryor is the greatest.

[@gordonshumway6825]

what that phrase means? I am not American so dont get it

[@bobshook3544]

@@gordonshumway6825 it means don’t criticize Steve Martin as a way of complimenting me (Richard Pryor).

[@jimmys2338]

I bet Richard was fun to party with.

[@ciadella1971]

6:36 I totally lost it. He was a funny, crazy dude.

[@theliquidarksallfoodschann814]

Richard is rocking Clarks 👟

[@ApexSpectator36]

Richard was a real one, as real as they get! This was hysterical and thank God they filmed it. RIP Richard

[@montewilson9567]

I’m glad this on KZbin. I first saw it on the archive shelf while working at CBS in Vegas way back in 1998. For years I’ve been trying to explain how crazy it was but I could never do it justice. 😂😂

[@goatpepperherbaltea7895]

You must’ve seen some fun shit is there anything you saw back then you still think about but could never find

[@montewilson9567]

@@goatpepperherbaltea7895 what I remember the most was if you saw the movie “Casino” there were shots of mobsters walking in and out of court or being hounded by news reporters. Well this archive had the actually footage they reenacted in the film and it was almost exact. The craziest thing by far was years ago the MGM hotel caught on fire (not the current location) and people were jumping out of windows from several stories up. They obviously didn’t show that on TV back then but it was recorded and 👀🤯😳. It was wild

[@fredhouston3588]

Richard Pryor was a brilliant man...period!

[@bongsndimande1284]

Let me be intelligent like Malcom X😂😂😂

[@ernestreverence4074]

I love me some Richard Pryor man. Every movie he did. And I heard his stand up shows on audio when I was a kid. My gawd. 👏🏿👍🏿💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@johnnybegood6164]

His crackpipe stand up soooo funny you piss you’re self

[@charleshendrix232]

I love the guy thinking he is actually ever going to get some kind of “serious” answer. An eternal optimist. Of course Rich was serious about all his answers, the interviewer just could not see it. So funny.

[@ccmfabio8150]

He patting on his chest looking for his squares lol classic granddaddy shit

[@Groucho-tg1tx]

Yeah I do that a lot , including my wallet and cell phone.

[@dnzwill]

😂😂😂😂😂 I thought that’s what he was doing. He just put one out and wanted another right quick!

[@slickrichelicopter8977]

Pryor was literally born and raised in a brothel. This poor soul was scarred from day one.

[@warshipsatin8764]

thats pretty patronizing dont you think

[@slickrichelicopter8977]

@@warshipsatin8764 I see what ya did there...

[@geraldmick721]

AMAN

[@stapia69]

Thank you for the upload!!!

[@reginaldbrown8012]

That interviewer deserves an award for hanging in there and not offended and walking off. Richard didn’t hold back. Talk about keeping it real. 🤪😜🥴🤭

[@cartierbrown9143]

THIS IS WHY RICHARD IS THE BEST AND REALEST OF ALL TIME ALL HAIL TO THE KING

[@FuShengAlex]

@Beaumont Sinclaire he was in a very self destructing state here on the road to ruin. And if i saw this back then and hadnt known how his life would turn out I'd have said the same thing. This is painful for me to watch. 😥

[@georgevidovich8881]

I love this interview

[@CStudentsindetention]

He said don’t knock Steve Martin to try and lift me up. Steve is great

[@chiefs2pretty4radio]

I love how he says not to mock Steve Martin just to build him up.

[@e-maginne]

“Don’t knock Steve Martin and try to build me up.” 👏🏽👏🏽

[@Str8Gass]

“I am a young black greasy mf”💯💯💯

[@Darius_Icewood]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂⚰️⚰️⚰️

[@bennymartinez5532]

I love this video. God bless you Richard. Been that way more than once.

[@MattWillEast]

Best interview ever!

[@1luv4ass]

Best interview...ever!!!

[@nicobazan2171]

His handler!

[@johnvess1287]

Why are people so damn sensitive these days? This is Richard Pryor ... Research that name and then comeback and diss this dude. He is high yes. Maybe abrassive but honest. Honest to the core.. that's what america needs HONESTY

[@pamelabetts6459]

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!😎

[@carlocartier7082]

this is the most hilarious stand up sketch I ever seen and it was an interview lol 😂😭💀 #LongLivePryor

[@bigismacks]

The interviewer doesn’t know he recorded gold, sometimes you just need to turn the camera on and let them talk💀💀💀💀

[@Ladysugarshaft]

💯

[@CerronPritchett]

The greatest I just finished reading his book!

[@rhetteverette2406]

It’s amazing how much watching this man can cheer me up!!

[@allenpalin]

Sweet Upload, bro!

[@coleyamos]

HEY😀🤚🏻

[@ohsnapyocheckit]

100percent

[@williamthompson8871]

Love Richard Pryor he was the realist

[@royrivera624]

Boy Richard is uncut raw &100%. Real a lot of luv to that man

[@D.AGE.]

When snow white was really snow white 😂 not that dirt 🤣