Richard Pryor On People Trying To Sound 'Black' | The Dick Cavett Show

Richard Pryor gives his opinion on the ignorance of white people trying to sound black as well as his new film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.
Date aired - 12/16/1985 - Richard Pryor
#DickCavett #RichardPryor
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Dick Cavett has been nominated for eleven Emmy awards (the most recent in 2012 for the HBO special, Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again), and won three. Spanning five decades, Dick Cavett’s television career has defined excellence in the interview format. He started at ABC in 1968, and also enjoyed success on PBS, USA, and CNBC.
His most recent television successes were the September 2014 PBS special, Dick Cavett’s Watergate, followed April 2015 by Dick Cavett’s Vietnam. He has appeared in movies, tv specials, tv commercials, and several Broadway plays. He starred in an off-Broadway production ofHellman v. McCarthy in 2014 and reprised the role at Theatre 40 in LA February 2015.
Cavett has published four books beginning with Cavett (1974) and Eye on Cavett (1983), co-authored with Christopher Porterfield. His two recent books -- Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets (2010) and Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic moments, and Assorted Hijinks(October 2014) are both collections of his online opinion column, written for The New York Times since 2007. Additionally, he has written for The New Yorker, TV Guide, Vanity Fair, and elsewhere.
#thedickcavettshow

[@danieltruman2312]

If they’re writing for me as a human being, then yes. Nailed it.

[@chrisbennett6260]

brilliant

[@malvolio01]

"If they write for the human being in me." Such wisdom in that statement. Richard was truly brilliant and a class act. If only we could get past the identity politics and achieve that.

[@ObamaFromKenya]

Sean L. Right Trump never calls people black

[@G11713]

Actually, treating all people humanely is the goal of these so-called and disdained identity political movements. Movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM), for instance, are attempting to challenge a prevailing identity base policing policies that too often result in handcuffed unarmed black men getting shot in the head. A result that rarely happens to unarmed handcuffed white me. One of the most recent glaring example is the designation by the FBI of murderous white supremacist as a moderate threat while declaring BLM, who have not murdered anyone and is officially non-violent, as a high threat: they are not able to see the humanity in all of us and judge us by our actions and not their preconception about our complexion. Sad.

[@asp5645]

It’s not that that deep lol get over it

[@FinneySP]

G11713 and getting mad and coming at people for offensive language will never have the policies of what happens to BLM change. The left has to give up the identity politics of shaming people for words regardless of context, or they will see a horrible conservative future they themselves caused with such bullshit

[@harryradley]

@NEGUS MBARKA I hope you were trying to be ironic there.

[@leecohn]

One of the rare times Cavett, usually a very intelligent and perceptive guy, made a compete ass of himself. Pryor's graciousness is amazing.

[@jbeamon1994]

Lee Cohn Eddie Murphy’s is pretty bad too. Dick dropped the ball in that one too.

[@sibusisokofi3497]

Nah pryor was being a dick na mean

[@JeromeBill7718]

Richard was truely growing at this time but his taking crap with a grain of salt was his whole routine especially with Gene Wilder.

[@itstheori]

He also made an ass of his self in the Brando interview too, it's great. Better than this one imo

[@vbassone]

@@sibusisokofi3497 no he wasn't. it was weird what Cavett said and where he seemed to want to go with his point.

[@richardkoeknyc]

Pryor is genius. Knowing exactly what is going on and not attacking but letting Cavett digging a bigger hole for himself.

[@SlikLizrd]

Yeah. That's called "WOKE" !!

[@dakrawnik4208]

NO. he simply asked what he was talking about, and Dick couldn't answer, because he felt that "hanging around with some black people" was enough justification for what he felt was okay to do AFTER being told it was WRONG to do that. Dick thought he was special. He wasn't. Yet we still see that same mentality today. I'm sure you've heard the line, "I'm not racist. I have black friends." The hole digging was just bonus entertainment. I wanted to strangle the man once he started using slang, but the hole digging was an acceptable alternative.

[@johngotti3487]

@@dakrawnik4208exactly that 🤝🏽

[@saggy1787]

@@dakrawnik4208 yeah - strange from Dick, too, since he's always been a friend to everyone. I am hoping he was trying a bit that just didn't work. really awkward.

[@canddidd]

​@@saggy1787well his name is dick so

[@frankswildyear]

Like most comedians, Richard Pryor is extremely intelligent and extremely sad, he is able to make us laugh at the very things that hurt him so bad.

[@maliant16]

Many comedians say most of their best material has come from their pain.

[@wellofcire]

@@maliant16 yeah so amy schumer then is valid

[@Neon_Warning]

@@wellofcire she can be valid but she will never be funny.

[@wellofcire]

@@Neon_Warning basically, although she had some decent moments before she was so stupidly famous, i found

[@teresalinton5898]

yes he is very smart

[@matthewjenkins7488]

“What do you think I am?” - 1:57 That might be the most sincere question I’ve ever heard asked in an interview.

[@paulgerardhosty9909]

I find that Richard is so humble here. He's really open and honest about himself. Boy, his standup was the best ever.

[@CrystleShadows]

Best comedian ever 🙂

[@tonisiret5557]

These conversations need to be had. You can't tackle a problem without willing to be wrong, or making an arse of yourself. Pryor was an exceptional man 👌

[@Lyons_T-BAG]

You do realise these both are literally having a joke.. Its just a little sketch between the both of them that Richard asked Dick to do and Dick went along with it.

[@wellofcire]

@@Lyons_T-BAG and paul abdork wrote all the rest?

[@invisiblesun6595]

@@Lyons_T-BAG Source of this claim?

[@cyborgchicken3502]

@@invisiblesun6595 the source is in the fact that this is a Talk Show and Talk Shows are always scripted and said scripts are rehearsed a bit before the interview takes place, so of course the host is going to try to push the guest's buttons a bit....it happens even now with The Daily Show, The Tonight Show and all the rest

[@joshcallan4971]

100% agree

[@KyleKnoblauch]

Dick Cavett saying "Jive Turkey" and digging himself into a hole by saying he could write for Richard 😂🤣😂😱😫

[@theorigionaldrew]

Even the audience was like what are you doing...

[@ilikeknives1000]

i miss dick as an interviewer ... lost art imo

[@J.P.1.]

It was good to see him admit he did wrong, even in that frivolous moment. He didn't try to insult, he played that he could understand, even tho he knew he couldn't. This was a learning experience for me.

[@sofrshsocln4]

"Bc I hang out with.." PPL THAT AREN'T RICHARD PRYOR

[@CoolbreezeFromSteam]

@@J.P.1. I would be surprised if someone didn't do what Cavett did. If you can't put what you're saying into the right words and people are starting to question it, you try to get out of that territory before, like Kyle said, you dig yourself into a hole.

[@joshuarussell8050]

I can tell Pryor was sober I never seen him so serious

[@francisdrake6622]

Me neither.

[@SaijThaNYardie9]

lmao word.

[@Victory987]

I'm not sober but I'm serious. Seriously high.

[@latanyajones4638]

Russell James but he’s still funny lol

[@miamimo70]

The drink wasn't the problem, it was the free base

[@nacki612]

i like old talk shows. it's kinda like podcast with breaks. talk shows now are as if they are trying to entertain people with ADD: let's sing, let's dance, ok, let's shoot ball, let's run around for no reason whatsoever. go, go, go!!!

[@salad3256]

Lmao

[@rdwrdw3672]

Yep. The y take their time and talk. Saw an old episode of Merv Griffin with Dick Gregory after the Watts Riot. Very entertaining.

[@Bee-zw9je]

You wouldnt like the Eric andre show at all.

[@HaywoodZarathustra]

It's not only talk shows. Even in drama the actors are never sitting down or just standing. As they talk they are always hurrying down a hall or something, and if that doesn't help the viewers who drift off with their 1 second attention spans, the screen is broken up into four screens, so they can see four different scenes at the same time. And always the ra tat tat of drums and music, never any silent pauses.

[@freddiearmstrong121]

@@HaywoodZarathustra I agree!!!!

[@141smurphy1]

When the audience applauds his sobriety his face breaks my heart. Prior was a deep cat. He laughs loudly then to break apart that moment.

[@nickie7874]

He's so serious in this. You could tell he grew up and was a changed man. I was not surprised to hear him mention God.

[@vika0194]

@@nickie7874people usually go mental and mention fantasy beings

[@owensterry29]

The world lost a tremendous talent when Richard Pryor passed away.

[@zebunker]

Not sure about that. What is your qualifications for that statement. Because you like him? He was a terrible person, a user, a abuser, he got thousands of second chances.

[@other-terrestriallifeform1851]

I'm still mourning

[@mgwazongoma]

@@zebunker you think having a drug addiction makes you a terrible person? Congratulations, you've been brainwashed by the state you sheep

[@Heeroyui752]

@@zebunker He doesn't need to qualify that statement. You say all this about him but what I'm seeing in this interview isn't what you're saying, so what qualification do you have to speak ill of the deceased?

[@omairsh8]

And George Carlin. RIP to both

[@brdrcrsr08]

As awkward as that interview was at least they were talking about something of substance . This is a conversation today's standard interviews are 4 min puff pieces where the interview sets it up and everyone laughs on queue..

[@SQUELCH-zj7il]

The interviewer was so ignorant and racist omg. I cringed so hard watching this , the audience laughing as well like the guest was the butt if the joke sickens me

[@RamessesIX]

I met them both, but got to speak with Cavett several times. He is one of the best informed people on the planet. Both are Gemini, I think, and are masters of communication in their own areas. But, Cavett tried to "go there" with what he thought was a deep question, and Pryor, in a friendly way, refused to let him "go there", for his own good. Cavett is not a racist, I can tell you that. This was in that zone of years where Mike Wallace, Charlie Rose, Barbara Walters, and Katie Couric thought it was important to ask "tough" questions. But, as a comic genius, Pryor graciously but stubbornly wanted Cavett to understand where the line was, and that he was being ungracious, and if he really understood the way he thought, he would have corrected his posture a lot more quickly.

[@anthonyburn1010]

@@SQUELCH-zj7il - far too easy to dismiss Cavett as a racist from one puece of awkwardness. Dick had black comedians, boxers, and politicians on his show many more times than most chatshow folks of his era, and had them on to talk areas of real substance, where he risked making a fool of himself. If you doubt me, look up Richard Pryor and Muhammad Ali's reflections on Cavett.

@@SQUELCH-zj7il ¸oh relax you fucking queen!

[@theodoredecker9256]

@ 😭😭😭😂😂😂

[@honeysucklecat]

I miss richard pryor. He was funny, but he was more than that.

[@cherylalt101]

honeysucklecat Pryor was unbelievably funny and he made it easy for both white and black people to laugh about themselves and each other without being offended. By pointing out some of the differences between the races or really the cultures, Pryor showed us how much we had in common, all just people. And OMG honeysucklecat, you are so right, he was definitely so much more than funny!

[@Virjunior01]

Man, he and Gene Wilder. The ultimate team.

[@Scarfac390]

Agree, he's more than funny, he's hilarious

[@BigThumpSC]

Absolutely. Love this brutha. Rest easy Rich!

[@PFFlyer64]

Amen! Nobody like him in the world.

[@Rphcp]

Dick ended up doing exactly what Richard was talking about 😂😂😂

[@fleshtrashheat]

yup, that reminded me of Goodfellas!

[@wandertree]

@@TheJadedView I think Dick was terrible! So smug and elitist, and clearly looked down on anyone non-white and non-celebrity. And I say that as a Conservative woman who hates identity politics and the constant race baiting from the left.

[@cyborgchicken3502]

@@TheJadedView this is why identity politics is complete and utter BS and the modern trend of "woke" writers is nonsense, they're not being progressive or diverse a all, what they're doing is perpetuating stereotypes

[@StreetHierarchy]

@@wandertree conservative woman? Shut yo ass and get back in the kitchen!

[@johnlaughlin266]

That’s right and that was close to his last show

[@RerememBerering]

Michael Scott interviews Richard Pryor.

[@benofficial5437]

Hahahahaha not as funny as Michael Scott but I get what you're saying. No awareness by Dick.

[@nancybabbage1169]

if you really want to see an episode of The Office watch his Eddie Murphy interview.

[@teamyordle23]

pippity poppity give me the zoppity

[@PresidentLincoln]

I would say this is more like David Brent

[@optimus]

"Everytime....EVERYTIME BLACK PEOPLE WANNA HAVE A GOOD TIMEEEEE...."

[@danielsahlemariam2367]

Shows like this should be called actual talk shows. Shows like Fallon and Kimmel are small-talk shows.

[@alexdasliebe5391]

😆

[@farandwide7176]

Even worse. Its devolved into scripted and rehearsed small talk.

[@JulianZehr]

nailed it.

[@thesmilingvagrants]

@Rowan Melton That's cause bill burr can't be contained you seen the cereal clip?

[@mariamacebekhulu2629]

Well said

[@mauricejones3387]

He is so intelligent, you can see it in his eyes. This is why he changed comedy!! He also really started to push Dick in the interview and take it over.

[@moeblar3154]

Richard Pryor is the definition of humanity. I really miss this man. God rest his soul.

[@j0daze]

Richard said "that was 3 years ago, that's not me now" Try telling that to the twitter mob in 2019!

[@MiguelRamirez-bk7eb]

j0daze people be apologizing for something they said 10 years ago. Imagine the backlash if they start saying: " well that was 10 years ago, it doesn't apply".

[@younghove01]

Lol.

[@Nosgoth73ad]

Nice!

[@LokiDWolf]

I thought the same thing! I mean if you said something in 1998 you must be the SAME person now in 2019! So, apologize!!! Huh?!

[@adonissinoda2527]

I can't. Don't have one :(

[@stevenjohnson7442]

Richard Pryor, knows exactly what Dick Cavett, means but just wants him to give a good explanation.

[@Taima]

What's with the comments? Were you running out of breath writing?

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Thanks. Your not getting mean. These r two intelligent people and it takes time for communication.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Hes not letting him off the hook either. Cavett probably expected him to go into a comedy routine about white guys trying to sound black but pryor wasnt playing today. Maybe he was tired of racism....

[@vinces3005]

Pryor knew there was no good explanation.

[@jeffryhammel3035]

@@allosaurusfragilis7782 Yeah. I really think that Richard was just tired of it all.

[@LilyOfTheTower]

Theres more to this interview than just "the interviewer is racist". It was a very important discussion to have on television in those days. People needed to hear Pryor. They also needed to hear what Cavett responded with and how Pryor went further to prove his point. People are far too easily offended and quick to label. Listen to the nuance. This was growth, slow growth but growth. And it was done by two mature men not calling names or belittling. It was an genuine conversation with Pryor being the bigger man by not turning to anger or immaturity but educating.

[@brachiator1]

The problem was that Cavett wasn't really listening to Pryor. But it was interesting to see that Part of the question was about an old Interview.

[@The600sTunnel]

Cavett said the same with Eddie Murphy.

[@Lochlanist]

Why is it his job as the one going through the racial trauma to educate the racist. Very problematic that you self define him as mature for not showing emotion to a very racially problematic individual. It's sad that you put that burden on blackness instead of shaming the white racist.

[@KingNiros]

What Dick was asking had nothing racist about it. It was actually a simple question which makes perfect sense. He just went about it wrong. Dick was asking about typical black lingo that was used at the time. Just as there is typical black lingo that is used today. You can listen to it on movies and tv and in the real world. Does every black person talk like that? Uhh, no. Do some, yes of course. He was asking if he trusted a white writer to write his dialogue the way a black writer who used the lingo would. But uh....let's just blow it way out of whack instead, as this comment section has shown. It's easy to "find" something when people are looking for it. It's like we live in the world of the brain dead. People are so damn quick to throw a label on someone, morons.

[@brachiator1]

@@KingNiros Yawn. Pryor answered the question. He preferred that a writer be creative and write something interesting about a character. Cavett didn't pay attention and trivialized it into a dumbass question about writing black dialog. Cavett also double downed and made it about race in a stupid and insecure way by asking if white people could write for Pryor.

[@budte]

I loved Richard Pryor playing opposite Gene Wilder. Fantastic comedy.

[@robertszekely8686]

They were awesome together.

[@williestyle35]

Simply genius pairing Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder! They were so dynamic and funny whenever they were together! _Silver Streak_ (with a great "supporting cast" - Jill Clayburgh, Patrick McGoohan [ _The Prisoner_ ], Ray Walston, Ned Beatty, et al.), _Stir Crazy_ (and _Brewster'a Millions_ ), are among my favorite comedy movies, all time! Eddie Murphy would eventually (few years after this interview) also be in a fun movie with Richard - _Harlem Nights_ . Good comment

[@JM-ex2lj]

The interviewer was acting exactly how Richard Pryor said writers should NOT

[@pantheraonca8687]

Exactly

[@Cymricus]

haha right

[@johnw8984]

This time the interviewer was a complete jerk watch him interview John Lennon 15 years earlier Dick Cavett was the best there ever was doing interviews this was just a s***** interview. Because he came off sounding ignorant

[@nikoskabbadias]

@@johnw8984 He was exactly like that with Eddie Murphy too. In fact he called Murphy the N word. He just cannot understand how someone can be black and be a person.

[@jnnx]

Know what I mean?

[@dhornjr1]

I love hearing Richard Pryor talk. Such a smart dude...

[@dhornjr1]

@FiatDuster Yeah, all the great comedians are highly intelligent. Dave Chappelle, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Bill Burr, Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory.

[@flywielubitz2852]

Every interview I have seen on here, there is this feeling of quality and calmness I really miss on todays TV shows. And yes, there is always one stating this in a similar way, but it feels important.

[@flowerfairies4685]

and someone will say it again in the next video. lets keep the cycle going!!!

[@athame4597]

TV has progressed and a formula is followed based on what gets views this is boring😴

[@bluedjules]

You should go check out Skavlan. He's a great Swedish-Norwegian interviewer, doing many of his interviews in English. Generally, from my experience, many European continental interviewers never lost this calmness. It really is something from the English-speaking world to only deliver 'fast food media' these days.

[@shinHis3]

@@athame4597 It's not because of TV. It's because of the internet. The same reason mainstream media promote outrage culture - they can't compete with the internet. Most people I know already don't watch TV much. They're trying to fight the inevitable by making TV clickbaity.

[@athame4597]

@@shinHis3 this conversation is strictly about TV we're not talking about the internet and yes TV has progressed even in the 90s when everyone watched it it was completely different than in the 70s and yeah who watches TV anyways lol I cut the cords around the time Hulu came out

[@msjackson6131]

My Dad took my sister and I to see this when I was 13-14 yrs old. He was always listening to his comedy records . We grew up with Mr. Richard Pryor. RIP DADDY AND RICHARD 🙏🏽❤️❤️

[@davidhanley1015]

Amazing ye were very lucky what a man.

[@markread7333]

"Excuse me stewardess; I speak jive...."

[@insearchof9903]

AIRPLANE LOL

[@TotalTennisGeek]

This.

[@MrJoe-yw5ex]

Classic spoof comedy movie. I believe it was Mrs. Cleaver-Barbara Billingsly that played the interpreter😂😂😂😂but not sure.

[@richardsantanna5398]

what did he mean by jive turkey

[@TotalTennisGeek]

@@richardsantanna5398 Old slang, basically meaning

[@thehairybeast9707]

6:16 "He didnt have to do it cause i did it.". Eddie would be the first to agree.

[@cheebateam]

How would you know?

[@pedenmk]

Richard Pryor was one of the funniest men ever. A great actor also. R.I.P. MR PRYOR.

[@ualreadyknow9746]

NO....he was THE funniest man EVER

[@pedenmk]

@@ualreadyknow9746 he was good

[@ualreadyknow9746]

@@pedenmk NO...he was GREAT! infact he was the GREATEST

[@pedenmk]

@@ualreadyknow9746 YEAH yeah yeah lol

[@ualreadyknow9746]

@@pedenmk find me a funnier man than richard pryor & i will retract my comment......take all the time you need

[@chrischatten7475]

Richard always comes across as a gentleman in interviews & very articulate and intelligent where other comedians just make an ass of themselves trying to be funny all the time

[@reforest4fertility]

Cavett’s like talking himself into a corner.

[@danoutlaw0116]

That first question was kinda dumb

[@gkus7008]

@Andrea Mendenhall gracious lol? It was just a lesson that needed to be taught

[@reforest4fertility]

@Andrea Mendenhall Whose lesson is it that being gracious was Cavett's place, being the host...in a few ways.

[@GitanaRusa2012]

Andrea Mendenhall Pryor was more than polite and gracious. He answered Cavett’s question clearly and immediately but Cavett for some bizarre reason wouldn’t let it go. I love Cavett but here he was embarrassing himself and creating discomfort for the guest.

[@astrogeral]

Pryor what a such intelligent person....

[@mrfester42]

Pryor's insight into human nature and the human condition was as sharp as a knife and if you're perceptive enough, it's obvious how sensitive he was as a human being. I once heard his wife say in an interview (after his death) that they both had been invited to Bill Cosby's house for dinner with Cosby and his wife Camille and were somewhat uncomfortable when Cosby tried to lecture him about his rough language and other things he didn't approve of about his act. Pryors wife went on to say in the intervbiew that Cosby was clean on the outside but filthy on the inside whereas Richard was dirty on the outside but clean as an angel on the inside. It made me smile hearing that.

[@davidhanley1015]

Cosby the dirtbird.

[@streamofconsciousness5826]

Cosby tried the same thing with Eddie Murphy. I was surprised his name did not come up when Richard was taking about predecessors smoothing the road.

[@00bikeboy]

Richard looking pretty sharp here.

[@wisconsinlonnie4143]

Diamond tie pin. Raw!! I'm Wisconsin Lonnie and I approve this message ™

[@thehairybeast9707]

3 years sober will do that to a man and getting to the low point that forces you to get there will make you do a lot of growing as a person.

[@beverlyboo9075]

I like what Richard said when Dick mentioned something he had said years ago. He said then you can't hold me accountable because it was years ago and my feelings have changed.

[@jasonchandler2463]

IN OTHER WORDS HE WEASELED OUT OF ACCOUNTING FOR WHAT HE SAID,TO CHANGE LIKE THAT MEANS YOUR UNSTABLE AND UNSURE IN YOUR BELIEFS.

[@user-go2xi7zq5q]

Jason Chandler no it means you changed. And developed or grew as a human

[@montywoodside]

Unfortunately that’s not something you can do against all these Twitter mobs in 2020...

[@coolguy2418]

Sounds like you're gonna use this excuse when you cheat on some poor guy

[@KJ-ej6vi]

I think jason chandler was making a joke of people that never change, hence the all caps

[@kitcobain444]

God I miss the life force of Richard Pryor..."JoJo Dancer, Your Life is Calling" is one of his best most candid films. Please watch it if you haven't already. Rest In Power, Mr. Pryor.

[@Pb-ij4ip]

Cavett is probably my favorite interviewer of all time. It’s interesting to see him jack something up so badly, realize it, and try to dig himself out...and pretty much fail. And it’s amazing to see Pryor take it for what it is, reject the premise entirely, and keep going, all without being nasty about it. Pryor’s comment about being grown up is very poignant. It definitely turned awkward in a hurry but there’s still a lot of good stuff in this one.

[@trixielane6885]

I don't understand it see what others are seeing and hearing and I never liked dc

[@EarthWalkerOne]

​@@trixielane6885 Dick's show was kind of special trainwreck of a show. He put his foot in his mouth a million times because he would ask questions other shows wouldn't, or had guests other shows wouldn't have on. Dick's racism isn't one of hate, but of ignorance and wanting to be accepted by his idea of black people and be thought of as cool. Dick's ignorance here gave Pryor the opportunity to say some deep things.

[@uncoolcentral]

First time I’ve ever seen a Dick Cavett gaffe. Respect for both of those dudes, even if Dick was far from his best here.

[@vargviper7192]

Richard Pryor was one of my favorite comics growing up. He was purely brilliant as a stand-up and the characters and voices he brought to the stage were tremendously captivating. Thank goodness for audio and video recordings that keep it all alive for generations to come.

[@clydezackery_hootie26]

Mud Bone

[@freddyb6105]

This might be the most insightful interview I've seen with Richard Pryor

[@kellyberesfordcole1771]

Me too no lol

[@MrPavePaws]

Richard Pryor & Gene Wilder Best comedy duo I've ever seen. Every movie with those guys together is always enjoyable. Brewster's Millions...loved it!!

[@AllenSmithe]

Gene wasn't in Brewster's Millions. Stir Crazy and Silver Streak were the other ones and iirc the role of the sheriff in Blazing Saddles was written for Pryor as well but he was too consumed by his addictions to do it.

[@MrPavePaws]

@@AllenSmithe Never said they were in that movie. I mentioned Brewster's millions because it's a movie that Richard did that was quite good. [X] None of the above. And you left out HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL.

[@MrPavePaws]

@@AllenSmithe Gene did Willie Wonka. The prat fall, my favorite part, at the beginning was Gene's idea/demand YOU LOSE! GOOD DAY, SIR!

[@leofender8044]

i can’t remember which film is was... convinced it was Hear No Evil See No Evil... where Gene’s trying to do stereotypical “black guy” body language, how he walks etc, and it’s exactly a visual representation of what’s being asked about the script writing

[@smartphonetutor5086]

@@leofender8044 Silver Streak. Bathroom scene. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJikqamroLxsmqM

[@llchase326]

Richard Pryor was one of the co-writers on Blazing Saddles, and hardly anyone knew that.

[@pdcasablanca]

And he was supposed to play the black sheriff as well. But the chaos of his life took over :(

[@slupperd]

These interviews are great, no quick cuts and edits, just chatting and any time there is an awkward moment or aside, the two adults are just allowed to hash it out with mutual respect.

[@rebekah1362]

It's amazing. Time really does see us all fade away. Imagine, where once these two celebrities were once well known and respected, there is now an entire generation of people who have no idea who either of these men are. And the generations of actors, actresses and performers who came before them are either long forgotten or have now been relegated to irrelevance. Fame is fleeting, celebrity is relative and the only thing that lasts are the relationships you have with the people you love and the memory you leave with them alone.

[@devonjames7999]

You actually don't have that either everything dies and eventually turns to nothing once you die and and everyone that knew you dies those relationships and memories die. Nothing last forever. Everything is fleeting.

[@nlvon]

As King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of vanities. All is vanity”. One of the coldest truths about life.

[@sept-do5qe]

Well said.

[@DW-indeed]

All we are is dust in the wind, dude.

[@edub9930]

We came from nothingness & we go back to nothingness

[@roel.vinckens]

What a man. The importance of everything he did and said cannot be overestimated.

[@erniellerena]

I love Richard Pryor's composure during this. He's not quick to aggression. Got mad respect for him.

[@jamstonjulian6947]

@uncletigger There's a double standard, though, where some black people want to hold on to their culture whilst reject the idea that there is such a thing as "blackness". You can't have it both ways. If you want to be seen as the same as any other person and not distinct from other races then holding onto such terms as "African American" in 2019 or saying that white folk "don't understand what it means to be black" is counter-productive. If you were born in America, and most of your family was born in America, then at some point you have to accept that you are American, and accept all the good and bad history that goes along with that.

[@erniellerena]

@uncletigger I never considered it to be normal talk. I understand what you're saying. I don't agree that every white person believes they talk normal compared to anyone else. I believe everyone thinks they speak normal from their point of view. White people talk different throughout the US. They also have their accents. Southerners speak differently compared to people from California. Each state has its own way of talking. People from Minnesota speak differently. You go to Texas or Louisiana they speak another way as well. I'm not going to argue that white people know black people so well or vice versa. I do believe if a person is motivated they can learn to speak a certain way. I think that was Dick's point. Unfortunately the way he said it didn't sound so good. It was kind of awkward like you said. Let me ask you do you think a black writer can write for white actor if so what's the difference?

[@honestperson6280]

Ernie Llerena You can tell Richard Pryor was getting a bit irritated from the questions Dick Cavett was asking him throughout the interview, yet he kept his cool.

[@toscodav]

Is was an innocent honest conversation. Wouldn't warrant aggression from anybody. You have a very myopic view of the world. Simple milleneal generation thinking.

[@toscodav]

Milleneal are trained in school to be triggered by racism.

[@Musabe009]

Richard sober sounds amazing. I wish he was still with us.

[@peace6692]

Richard laughed at everyone including himself. That's why he was loved so much. The world's best comedian ever!

[@nemo227]

This was the first time I witnessed Cavett putting both feet in mouth.

[@crzxm]

No big deal, French bow.

[@nemo227]

@@crzxm I've used a French bow in the past but my bass has a German bow.

[@crzxm]

@@nemo227 you mean you're a German bow user.

[@nemo227]

@@crzxm Occasionally.

[@bh9262]

@leahcim38 Agreed!

[@hughjones4049]

"Richard, can you help me out here, I need to borrow a SHOVEL." "Well, sure, I mean, if you want". "Ok, can I have a BIGGER SHOVEL now?" "Well, ok, if you need to". "This hole's getting really deep now. But I feel like I just need to... KEEP DIGGING." "Well, I can't stop you but... what are you doing?" "Right I just need a giant shovel now. Just gotta keep digging myself deeper into this hole".

[@moniqueloomis9772]

😂😂😂

[@BiGfukkinA]

Exactly

[@chrisgibson5267]

Winning post!

[@heggy_69]

Listen I've got friends that are diggers, I think I kinda know the scene

[@dknox90803]

He was incredible. If they ever make a Mount Rushmore of comedy he needs to be on it. He’s the best of all time.

[@mattpeckham667]

Cavett is usually such an astute interviewer but I feel like he just dropped the ball on this. Pryor is making a legitimate point---most, if not all white writers attempting to sound "black" end up sounding phony, or forced. Cavett thought he could do it, and he ended up sounding exactly that. Clearly no offense was intended, but he just totally proved Pryor's point. Always refreshing to see two intelligent people having a real discussion.

[@TRJ2241987]

"Of course I can write dialog for black people, I play with them on the basketball court sometimes!"

[@TGTN_Network]

Not phony or forced. just ignorant, racist, (at that time) and downright offensive. At that time white writers were laughing at black people not with them.

[@dwaynehaddock2054]

I don’t think he drop the ball, he just prove his point, but like u said 2people having intelligent conversation seeing it from 2different views

[@multiwale1]

Oh u wait till u see the one with Eddie Murphy 😂

[@brandonwiley4054]

All race sound dumb writing for other races in comedy

[@c0uchsl0uch]

Pretty impactful, seeing Richard's wheels turning and answering calm and cool and really conveying a thought with few words

[@Msosa1974]

“If you haven’t stolen from Richard Pryor, then you’re not very funny.” Damon Waynes

[@-----itsaspear4322]

It's Wayans, reported

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Richard seemed like such a great guy ...intelligent ...so much charisma

[@BackSeatHump]

That was really uncomfortable. Cavett had his foot 7 yards into this mouth.

[@RRansomSmith]

@Marque Markofthebeast sounds more like you like it.... 🤔

[@TheYoutubeG.O.A.T]

@Marque Markofthebeast pretty sure youre the only one who thought that lmao.

[@Petergonzaleztv]

nah it's scripted genius

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

It’s astounding how sharp and lucid Richard was after all the drugs and alcohol...phenomenal.

[@wellofcire]

is a closed-off, arrogant sort of way

[@randommthrfkr6568]

@@wellofcire kind of like what you're doing right now

[@wellofcire]

@@randommthrfkr6568 ok-'peewee' h. ....

[@djcaseuk]

drugs.....and alcohol? i find it astounding you split those into two seperate things. also why is it so often the ones on drugs who come up with the funniest things that make us laugh or end up being the best artists. pretty sure all of the best musicians were on drugs.. maybe we should demonise the ones who make them illegal, not the ones taking them haha.

[@JasonMartinez-h4r]

where do you thing the lucidity stems from

[@flawedhypothesis]

That sad slow realization that the person you're talking to has trouble seeing you as wholely, distinctly human.

[@KoolHandJuke]

Richard's act often pointed out racial differences, but feigns ignorance when called out? If that was scripted, they didn't pull it off.

[@artfernandez7127]

@John Doe Yes and would say the same about whites not truely relating to the life's obstacles Hispanics have had to navigate through integrating in the North American society.

[@brixan...]

It's not that deep

[@Covid--ts5cw]

Well, he is talking to a black.

[@20FreeWill]

I dont agree . Stereotypes do exist . Black people have a voice they do and a certain vocabulary when the imitate white people .

[@judygavan222]

Congrats on your 3 years of sobriety. You seem very content and in touch with you feelings and you express yourself with a sense of calm. Alcohol addiction is tough to beat. Both my parents were alcoholics and unfortunately neither of them achieved sobriety. My mother lost her life to alcohol when she was only 57. I was 31 when she died. I had my second child, who was only 3 months old. Her unexpected death had a profound affect on all of us. I never had an issue with alcohol, but I have struggled with depression, which has plagued me most of my life. My depression was a result of the fighting, beatings and verbal abuse from my parents. I made sure my children would never know the inside of a bar or experience the abuse that I suffered. My children, however, had to deal with the affects of my depression and the eventual divorce from their father because of his alcoholism and abuse. I share this with you so that you know I can relate to how difficult it is to overcome alcoholism. I am proud of you and I am sure your family is proud and thankful too. One day at a time. I wish you well💜

[@simmonsrenos9111]

You know he's dead right?

[@show_me_your_kitties]

Aww this is so wholesome. You talked like he is still here. I'm going to start doing the same ❤

[@jubileej1629]

​@show_me_your_kitties the fact that you found his comment wholesome shows me you are the kind of person that sees beauty in the world and in every little thing. Bless your heart ❤

[@MzMary801]

"..you can't just hang my ass out here like this." 😄 Love interviews like this.

[@theactualcanadian8300]

I haven't paid much attention to Richard Pryor, only for the fact that he just never fell on my radar, but I'd wish he did. I've recently watched a bit of his stand-up and it doesn't disappoint, but his films are on a different level, especially JoJo. This guy is a legend, a hero and just a genuinely nice guy.

[@sclmplsoulstar]

You and I same whatsapp group 👊🏾

[@PFFlyer64]

I loved his "passing the torch" commentary. He was a gift from God to Human kind. I miss his great heart.

[@TheExtremeCube]

This is so much more real than todays average talk show

[@stevenh4797]

Prior was so thoughtful and sincere in this interview, even without the contrast of Cavett sticking his foot well into this mouth.

[@BenjaminGessel]

Huh. Ok...

[@tleilaxu42]

It's less Cavett putting his foot in his mouth than it is Pryor running circles around him.

[@terry4137]

Steven H, I got what Cavett meant! If your honest you do too. However, Pryor speaks well so I understand why Pryor didn’t get it on a personal level.

[@stevenh4797]

@@terry4137 Sure, we can all imagine people consciously talking "street" "black" just like we can all imagine people talking "white" "frat boy," etc. Look at the context though- Pryor just said he wants people to write characters for him as humans. I heard him saying, "hey, can we just focus on me as a human, and let me show what I can express about humanity," and then Cavett just keeps at the, "you know, jive... I could write jive for you..." Tone. Deaf.

[@BenjaminGessel]

@@tleilaxu42 This comment just sounds a bit "self righteous", honestly... As in, when you try to make a more "astute" observation of someone, or two people in this case, but you just miss the mark somehow (but you sound utterly convinced that you have "nailed it"), it's a form of pride + you still lack awareness of others on the much deeper level you want, but not to worry, this is a rather common thing amongst humanity in general... Aka most of the comments for this video...

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Not to many great comedians, walking the earth...Richard was one of them #Greats 😃👣💞🎭🎪

[@sebastianbolt7886]

There are lots of great comedians today, there are just too many.

[@prowellerable]

Look at pryors demeanor and body language. He exudes confidence and control...strength and a grasp of himself and his surroundings. Great job!👍🏾

[@CloudSpirals]

Some people would call it passive aggressive.

[@prowellerable]

@@CloudSpirals and others would call it self awareness, confidence and being perceptive. He's not being aggressive in any since of the word, passive or otherwise. He clearly sees that cavet is not centered and just allowed him to look foolish. If you say that's passive aggressive then I guess to you that's what it is.

[@CloudSpirals]

@@prowellerable I didn't say it myself. Just that 'Some would'. I love Richard Prior, and his work.

[@prowellerable]

@@CloudSpirals no problem, I understand, I was just countetpointing

[@inproper3952]

Richard is so dead serious, never seen him this way.

[@phoenixman8569]

I had forgotten Dick Cavett had interviewed so many actors, singers and comedians that influenced a generation, and sadly most of them that are no longer with us but Dick Cavett himself is still with us as 83.......

[@trixielane6885]

Really

[@brandnewog]

Speaking slang isn't to hide speech, it's literally telling the person you're speaking with, "Hey, relax. Be yourself with me. Without judgement. I see me in you."

[@barbarastanwyck4288]

AAVE is its own dialect with its own set of grammar and vocab. The problem (which the question Cavett asked readily pointed out) is that people without any real understanding of its use try to emulate it and, as Pryor said, come out sounding ignorant and repeating caricatures instead of real people. There's a relatively new term used to describe this-"Imagined Black Language". It's what Cavett started using during the interview, which is why it was so awkward for Pryor and not at all "inclusive." Interesting stuff to consider! Your intent to make people feel more comfortable could have the opposite outcome.

[@patcampion716]

Glad to see this old clip, Richard really comes off as a genuine good guy, so glad we had Richard Pryor, he was behind some of the best comedic movies of all time.

[@jrod7017]

"3 years, and God's been with me" -Richard Pryor.

[@kendrastrange18]

I love that it basically came to "idk wtf I'm sayin" from Cavett.

[@TS-qv1dv]

People don't like to see celebrities grow up because then they can't live vicariously through them anymore 💯

[@nieceypiecey100]

He stuck his foot in his mouth as soon as he said “I’ve been around...”

[@patcoffey8649]

nieceypiecey100 +ö

[@TheVanillatech]

@Andrea Mendenhall NO! They can be HUMAN, but if their skin is WHITE then they cannot ever, not ever in a million years, ever have any idea at all about black people. EVER! And if they do then they is a racist! XD

[@1traphistory]

@@TheVanillatech **are

[@mrmr3343]

If anybody has ever watched Cavett, especially his early shows from 68' through 74' they know this is an incredibly rare miss. Cavett was brilliant.......

[@cliveedwards2958]

Thanks for saying it..Cavett was 99.9 times out of 100 on the money..he is human! I'm from the UK and I cant think of any chat show host who is as consistently excellent as he is..surely we must cut him some slack?

[@eejaypea]

I only recently discovered Cavett, but have noted a lot of similar comments. So often, he seems to come from that well-meaning but ignorant place that makes him think he is an ally to women and black people without any real idea of their experiences. I love that he always seems so willing to be corrected and to learn, especially given that he is so willing to state his own initial (often ignorant) opinions. He scoffed at the idea that white people shouldn't take Asian roles when speaking to James Earl Jones, who quickly put the record straight.

[@cliveedwards2958]

@@eejaypea we all have our faults..he, at least, is willing to take it on the chin..he doesnt have the arrogance of many chat show hosts, and I believe his motives are honourable...its a hard world to live in these days where your every move is scrutinised and then some..I wouldnt make the grade for sure..all in all I really think Dich Cavett a very decent, balanced man.

[@elisemiller13]

@@eejaypea This is what comes of a conversation where one person has a tendency toward making assumptions...Rather than asking a question to discover where the other persons view or experience can inform. I had a friend that consistently used to drive me crazy and exhaust me doing that...because I was put in a position, a box of presumption and it's just a complicated way to try and communicate, especially for an interviewer. (fortunately, Richard was clear, articulate and very gracious. He was able to as he said, teach by the way he was then living).

[@strangevisions5162]

@@eejaypea "He scoffed at the idea that white people shouldn't take Asian roles when speaking to James Earl Jones, who quickly put the record straight." are you saying black people shouldn't take white roles?

[@k2datrack]

Damn, Richard Pryor shouted out Dick Gregory! 🙌🏾

[@HazelTheHare]

2:27 even the video tape machine started to feel uncomfortable.

[@multiplesifl]

This is the equivalent of, "No, I don't know why that wife-beating joke is funny, Don. Explain why it's funny to me."

[@chimcham6762]

Perfectly put 😂

[@ijustwannaleaveacommentony6511]

is that a quote?

[@denisemilfort4581]

"he doesn't have to do that because I did it," facts! Thank you Richard Pryor!

[@zannellerichardson4201]

Richard ain’t here for the foolishness.

[@kshinokevin]

Pryor was serious and wasn't playin' around today... no way, Jose..

The best part of this was when RP said that an interview that was made several years ago don't apply today as he has changed his mind. Imagine that! A person allowed to change his mind and not being persecuted for it.

[@HighlyRegardted]

Did y’all catch when he said “you can’t just hang my ass out here like this” @3:45

[@amonityler9637]

I love this… what a great example of how to disarm micro aggressions 👏🏾👏🏾

[@TheNormal256]

This is how Darryl used to do Michael on The Office. Troll him but do so in a way in which you cannot be accused of being aggressive or breaking any sort of rules…….but at the same time you make the other person make a complete ass of themselves.

[@trixielane6885]

What micro aggression are you referring to?

[@trixielane6885]

@@TheNormal256 what are you talking about?

[@MrPickledede]

micro aggressions are bullshit

[@gurgleblaster2282]

@@trixielane6885 probably him talking about "vernacular" and imitating said "vernacular". That being said as others mentioned these conversations were important to have and this interview was a step in the direction of progress.

[@tombradford7035]

Really miss Richard, what an original guy.

[@Brentford-rf5sh]

I speak as someone who isn't too familiar with Dick Cavett (I'm British, his shows were never shown on UK tv), however I've noticed, whenever he has an African-American as a guest, I find Cavett is so cringe-worthy! Generally speaking, I enjoy watching his interviews, but I have seen him interviewing James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Whoopi Goldberg to name a few, and his usual relaxed and calming persona becomes so erratic and embarrassing, his questions relating to African-American culture becomes nonsensical and mildly insulting, which usually leaves his guests visibly mortified, confused and ill-at ease.

[@kaytsippy1981]

Yeah, it is so difficult to watch. He is an ignorant and defensive white person. A racist essentially. I can't believe he thought he was so WOKE he could write in some unspecified universal black vernacular. Super cringe!

[@nathanbogart3191]

He seemed interested in understanding. Even if his notions were way off. People can learn and grow, and sometimes this is what it looks like.

[@subterfusion4005]

Cavett just strikes me as culturally naive here. He's obviously not intending to be offensive, but it seems pretty obvious he doesnt immediately grasp the offensiveness of his speech. He does stop digging the hole which is a good first step. Pryor is just incredulous, poor guy. Im sure looking back Cavett was so embarrassed. I wonder if Pryor ever returned to the show.

[@potatoking2217]

@@kaytsippy1981 I wouldn't say he's racist, just ignorant and awkward around black people. There is a difference.

[@Eorzat]

Kate Armitage I’m not sure if you (and most of America these days) knows what “racist” means if this interview is your example of it...

[@mujahidali4344]

Mr. Pryor kept his composure.!!! Respect!!!

[@mulletATheart]

Wow. What an incredibly patient man Richard was.

[@SilvaSiren]

Richard Pryor refused to be played by Cavett...he took him to task!

[@ncooty]

I've never thought Cavett was a good interviewer, but he has always seemed sincere, respectful, and unafraid. That said, he very often clumsily stumbled through sensitive topics and too often treated people as spokespersons for their characteristics rather than just treating them as individual people. That is, he often fixated on a trait--especially anything potentially sensitive--and then asked series of questions practically prefaced with "As an X person..." By the same token, Pryor here was a little too coy. He knew very well that in all of his acts and portrayals, he amped up a dialect that isn't at all how he sounded in this interview. He _knew_ that, and he _knew_ that's what Cavett was clumsily asking about, yet he played dumb here. In that sense, at least Cavett was making an effort. The smarter tack for Cavett would've been to ask Pryor why he talked with those affectations in his performances... not to catch Pryor out, but to provide the guest with more open-ended inquiries. (Instead, Cavett framed it with the assumption it was race-related rather than allowing Pryor to define the dialect.)

[@bbrown333]

This is actually very true.

[@jonsegerros]

only intelligent comment i saw on here

[@SG-jy7em]

I really like the way you said that. I’m going to start using the term “spokespersons for their characteristics.” I every so often am treated this way as a black person, but never knew a succinct way of defining that experience.

[@thescoobymike]

I'm just as lost as Richard the whole time lol wtf is Dick talkin bout

[@sofrshsocln4]

Thing is, and it's weird at best, bc he knew legendary Black figures and also interviewed them, that he was trying to prove a point by showing how ridiculous a thing was, then go and do that very thing, knowing better. But his White peers prob didn't get that, unless they knew the same ppl. It's crazy that sober Pryor is genuinely seeing the bs but not going tf off inside, like young Pryor would've.

[@scottseward9819]

Code switching. For example, I’m black and grew up in the suburbs, and have also worked in fortune 500 companies, where I’ve always been one of very few, if not the only black person around. So the way I speak at work, or around my white friends is much different than how I talk when I’m around my black friends or in a majority black setting. It just happens naturally. White people will always say “you talk white” or “you’re not really black because you don’t say this or you don’t do that”. But if I were to talk ‘black’ around them then I would be judged and most likely excluded from certain jobs and social settings. I think Richard Pryor knew exactly what Dick was referring to but he was doing a horrible job at explaining it and it seemed Richard just wanted to see him dig a hole. Or he just didn’t feel like addressing it.

[@Playthellgb42]

It is Richard Pryor who does not make sense...as is often the case in interviews, which is quite different from performing a comedy skit, at which his brilliance is without peer or precedent.

[@MajinErick]

In those days, talking about systematic stereotypes and racism was not so open on conversation.

[@neilsoulman]

@@scottseward9819 exactly, " code switching," still awkward to discuss, dont think they had a word for it then. Richard knew what he waa doing in the interview, way ahead of his time.

[@mathildedlihtam382]

I think we can all agree that Dick Cavett, more than most other media personalities from his era, made a genuine effort to break down American social barriers… and also made a complete ass of himself on a regular basis. I really appreciate that his KZbin channel posts clips like this as acknowledgement! There’s a lot to learn from this conversation.

[@checkoutmyplaylist6047]

He Ignored The Mutual Respect Of Pryor As a Man ..

[@ronniechilds2002]

"He doesn't have to do it 'cause I did it." 100% true.

[@BrandonSL500]

This guy keeps digging and digging himself deeper and deeper lol

[@joz411no8]

I have to wonder if Mr. Cavett learned a valuable lesson about black people, by Mr. Pryor’s response to, “I think I could write for you...” That was such a teachable moment and Mr. Pryor was zen like with how he handled it.

[@greggh]

Did Cavett bang his head against the wall 80 times before this interview? He was startlingly dense here.

[@ferise1]

Gregg H it was fine! Wtf you people talking about

[@CALISUPERSPORT]

You guys are overplaying this interview so fucking much, lol. Cavett was asking a deeper level question, Pryor took offense to it, and used that power to try and push around Cavett a bit.

[@ferise1]

Luna EB release what

[@ferise1]

Luna EB oh

[@kortlendunst3982]

He was afterwards for sure

[@jocelynhkcarter]

Jocelyn Carter: I love Richard, always. Rest in paradise.

[@YangBalanceYin]

This interview became incredibly cringe... Extremely quickly...

[@Unlucky-Dube]

He made it slightly awkward on purpose, I'm sure you're still cringing from when replied 'you too' to your waiter 14 years ago when he said 'enjoy your food' cringing all the way home and for the rest of your life.

[@starduck8014]

yeah awful

[@spiros6515]

your comment made me cringe extremely quickly. why is it that people on the internet now seem mega sensitive to any level of awkwardness.

[@toscodav]

Um. This is the way television used to be. Real conversations aren't always comfortable. You would probably prefer the heaping helping dose of bullshit you get on TV today.

[@terracottapie]

I have a hunch that Richard Pryor maybe wanted to make a point, and asked Dick to play the dumb white guy, beforehand, and he was classy enough to oblige. Dick is usually much more quick on his feet intellectually than that. I don't buy that he was that oblivious.

[@kevinberger3501]

I can write for you Richard. In the Caribbean, I understood what people were saying while they were serving me at a hotel.

[@spinnact]

Just imagining him handing Richard Pryor a script with all his lines written in patois

[@kevinberger3501]

@@spinnact cringe 😬

[@OmgAuntySuzanne16]

Ignorant much!?

[@techreviews.heretoday.gonetomo]

" It was like I was running, but I wasn't really running".."Ok you know that lamp in the Livin room?..It was broke before I was even born".. funny stuff :^)