Word Association - Saturday Night Live

In this vintage SNL sketch from 1975, an employer (Chevy Chase) interviewing a man (Richard Pryor) for a job asks him to take a word association test. [Season 1, 1975]
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[@marshallmcdowell3369]

The eye twitch after saying “Dead Honky”. That had me rolling

[@jessicademetro1699]

He was the man

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

YES😄😄😄😄

[@donsingleton2635]

@@glorymosbyfloyd3878 i*777

[@michaelmarino7391]

He was almost ready to break character, that's why his eye was twitching.

[@richardblackwell4082]

That was the sell at the end of the skit!!

[@TJDawgs72]

It still blows me away that they were able to air this on national television. For the folks that didn’t grow up with Richard Pryor… You really missed something amazing. He was such a talented and funny man.

[@kmn9181]

At the time Everyone was poking fun And making the reality real Now it is gone again. All in the family. The jeffersons... SNL Gone

[@scootover7]

Richard Pryor is one of the best when I think of great comedians of all time

[@russs7574]

Such a golden age of comedy...Pryor, George Carlin, David Brenner, Robert Kline, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, John Byner, Redd Foxx, Don Rickles and on and on. Awesome.

[@kitomad7357]

It's not surprising it aired at that time. No way would it be done today because everyone is too famn sensitive. My nephew got yelled at by some girl in school because he said "I have a pencil she can use" instead of "I have a pencil 'they' can use." she flipped out on him in front of his whole class because he used the wrong pronoun. That behavior has been condoned so how could we ever expect to get rid of division of racism or anything for that matter?

[@linuxandwindowshelp7652]

Because all the offended liberals took over that sues if you fart

[@fredofromchicago777]

Plus Richard Pryor wrote the skit. A true master at his best.

[@MH-zg5yw]

That is incorrect. Paul Mooney wrote the sketch. Mooney had also co-material for three of Richard Pryor's albums

[@I.SQUIRT.5150.KatieSukmeov]

@@MH-zg5yw rest in peace Paul Mooney and Richord Priors

[@bensocrazy7264]

The real genius was in the background. Paul Mooney.

[@phillipbrown2318]

Pryor facial expressions are Masterful.

[@jculver1674]

The comic timing here is brilliant. Notice how Pryor's comeback to hearing the n-word is instantaneous. He doesn't give the audience a chance to be shocked at hearing the word, even for a moment, because it would let the air out of the sketch. This kind of comedy takes surgical precision to get right, and Pryor was a master at it.

[@ValiantVisions314]

Man this whole skit was on point...

[@nonokayakjack]

True. I will say though at 53 I remember that era and back then that word didn't elicit the kind of reaction as it does now.

[@17Helton]

Yes the timing is critical also the build-up as it got progressively harsher RP got quicker almost trigger happy. Excellent skit. I wonder who wrote it? 🤔

[@geekdivaherself]

@@nonokayakjack I suppose it was different depending on where you were. I am a 52-year-old white Miamian and the N-word was banned. I heard it once as a kid, used by a white adult who I didn't know. I was puzzled, so I went home and asked Mom what it meant. Without pausing or looking up from studying, she said, "It means that the person saying it is an idiot." I said, "Oh," and left that word alone thereafter. In high school, I learned what it meant by context in newspaper discussions of the word being used in rap music. I started noticing it more thereafter, so...

[@TWOhype23]

@@geekdivaherself damn your like special huh?

[@KanikaC932]

It's Richard Pryors facial expressions that make it even better!! I have watched this too many times!!

[@asill.6668]

🤣🤣🤣

[@arcadiaberger9204]

He was a brilliant physical performer, even if a lot of his reputation did come from audio recordings of his stage act.

[@joelluongo7419]

Yeah.. both his facial and physical expressions made this comedy skit memorable! Pryor did the same responses with gene wilder. Pryor wasn't interested in dominating the scene.. the comedy genius is in the retort.

[@philkleinman7002]

I remember watching this when it first aired. "Dead honky" made my entire family lose it, truly legendary. Was never a huge Chevy Chase fan, but Richard Pryor was a comic genius and trailblazer.

[@PotrzebieConolly]

Thank you. My hearing's not to good and there's no CC. I didn't know just what Pryor had said.

[@jacktorrance2633]

Why does it matter if you were never a "huge" Chase fan?

[@williamratcliffe7794]

Same here, though my dad had gone to bed my mother and I almost lost it as the words esculated. Pryor's facial movements made the whole sketch a classic. He was brilliant

[@chriskrausesmovie]

What did your family lose plus your legendary

[@johngotti3487]

because he wanted to say it goofball fym 😂@@jacktorrance2633

[@javaturtlegirl]

"Saturday Night Live" was so cool and bold when I was young, and I forgot how much I miss Richard Pryor. He definitely paved the way for the black comics of today! A true comic genius!

[@OldSkullInn]

I was watching Pryor and Carlin as a kid, and still love the style of storytelling. It's so open and emotional. It's real. It's not hack about airlines and gossip rags. Just straight to the top shelf, holy hell we gotta talk about it, in your face true comedy.

[@Seadansr1]

thank you for showing the unedited version

[@orangefox1231]

I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING!

[@bighuge1060]

True. In an age when every other rap song contains that word and the world has no problem with it, it's refreshing to see this sketch unedited.

[@americangiant1003]

While I am no fan of saying the "N" word in cases such as this for historical "entertainment" purposes, censoring it would take away the meaning of this skit.

[@davesutherland1864]

I am not sure there would be much left of an edited version.

[@bigsassyster]

Sitting here in 2020, I was very surprised it was even still on their site, let alone unbleeped.

[@401RISaint]

“Wanna end racism, make fun of it...” - Mel Brooks.

[@kennethlatham3133]

Right! And don't pull any punches. Don't pussy out and make everything politically correct in your production; that wouldn't make any sense. You've got to get dirty to cook up a masterpiece.

[@chrisbaker5983]

How do we end racism? Don't talk about it. Morgan Freeman

[@mitchellhughes5180]

@@chrisbaker5983 I have an idea! How about don’t be a racist?🤷‍♂️

[@401RISaint]

@The Inquisitor wanna bet?

[@tacsman]

So much for that idea lol.

[@mr.j.perala2861]

Richard Pryor, a true comedy legend. R.I.P.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Probably the greatest comedian who ever lived, with only Carlin as his one real competitor.

[@freeheeler09]

@@Gunners_Mate_Guns - Comedians have so many styles that it is hard to say that one is best. Pryor and Belushi were amazing, but Robin Williams is up there too!

[@mr.j.perala2861]

John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor and George Carlin. They are all great comedians.

[@waldosordo5743]

He wasn't joking.

[@christophergraham7517]

Yeah ... Pryor died in 2005 and it's 2021, but sure ... "R.I.P." ... whatever you say

[@ricarleite]

This is it, folks. The greatest SNL sketch of all time. Groundbreaking, EXTREMELY simple (no special effects), two actors sitting down, speaks VOLUMES and is layered. Cutting edge provocative and intelligent.

[@kingstonsean]

And impossible to do today.

[@crushycrawfishy1765]

@@kingstonsean It was also "impossible" to do it then too. You could easily do it today, but the shock value has worn off. You need to do more than just say (racial) expletives at a person of a race/group and have it just be that. There needs to be more or a different angle.

[@47imagine]

Yes we know it's a good skit. Quit being a drama queen.

[@ronolaman]

​@@crushycrawfishy1765in

[@ShaneisRight]

@@47imagineSTFU! NOW! He didn't say anything that would offend you.

[@marios3202]

We're all missing the true genius in this sketch: it was written by Paul Mooney, one of the funniest, greatest men to ever live. Hats off to all THREE legends for this amazing sketch.

[@charlesc.b2435]

Well said.

[@Secular_Monk]

I didn't know it, but I'm not surprised it was written by Paul Mooney. The dude was always pushing the envelope!

[@darthfunkninja9011]

I was telling my friends about Paul Mooney after speaking about Norm Macdonald. I have been covering comedy this evening. Everything needs to be repeated and these masters recognized.

[@thediaz07]

f$ck Paul Mooney. Yeah Mooney was funny but what he did to Richard Pryors son is unforgivable.

[@ferrykent433]

Rest in peace Paul Mooney

[@oldtimer794]

Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock Dave Chappelle, etc., they all stood on the shoulders of this giant, Richard Pryor. Without question, the funniest man who ever made us laugh. Love him forever.

[@mikebutler1641]

Yes only the black comedians learned from him...

[@yuanxiu37]

​@@mikebutler1641yes

[@russs7574]

Never fails to amaze me the sort of chemistry he had with Gene Wilder.

[@michaelmiller5877]

I remember watching this live when it actually aired on TV. Chase and Pryor were true geniuses.

[@kasession]

Me too. It's actually one of my favorite SNL episode.

[@LouisHarvileyJr]

Me Too 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@markozbunjol625]

Chase is delusional, Pryor is great

[@michaelmiller5877]

@@markozbunjol625 that is what makes the skit so great.

[@thomasharris5151]

The true genius was Paul Mooney, because it was his idea and he wrote the skit. RIP Paul..!👌🏾💎🌂🐰😎👑

[@nvalle23]

I went to see Chris Tucker at the Pantages theater in Hollywood about 25 years ago. He took a moment to acknowledge Richard Pryor sitting in his wheelchair in the audience. That was such a long standing ovation. Being in the presence of a genius...

[@mattjones4285]

RIP to the writer of this skit - Paul Mooney.

[@sarahisaraccoon2233]

+

[@MimiYuYu]

What a legend

[@alohamark3025]

Genius. But it took Richard Pryor to respond to the N-word with outrage and the right amount of emotional fire. Mooney is also remembered for his writing on Sanford and Son.

[@chestinejohnson9173]

I remember when this aired! 😂😂😂🤣

[@serpentines6356]

I remember it too! I was cracking up. Oh, I wish the kids would lighten up, and just enjoy the comedy again!

[@christhornton1785]

Richard Pryor was the funniest guy EVER. He could say so much with just a look. Miss him.

[@sideboob4276]

@Chait Singh Are the emojis a way to convince us to agree with you?

[@sideboob4276]

@Chait Singh Who here disparaged Chevy Chase?

[@sideboob4276]

@Chait Singh I guess that's too difficult a question for you so I will answer it. The answer is: No one disparaged Chevy Chase! Pretty simple.

[@whyhavingfun]

He could talk about ANYTHING and make me laugh. What an amazing comedian. I miss him.

[@rafaelnegron7007]

The KING of comedy. Everyone else imitates him.

[@bicuriousdirtbikeboi2594]

“You’ll be the richest janitor in America please don’t hurt me.”

[@DKWhite-mk6qb]

Hey I got a new job with a couple weeks off getting paid for it

[@seakc87]

$15k in 75 NYC is worth about $74k now. I'll take that.

[@oldrocker74]

@@seakc87 That sounds about right...

[@Lamtitude]

@@StephenKershaw1 in the 70’s that wasn’t bad though because the cost of living there wasn’t as high as it is now.

[@Huntstouch1]

@@StephenKershaw1 if you can’t live off of 72k a year you a dumbass idc what state you in

[@stellarwind1946]

Pryor’s comedic timing is impeccable in this

[@EmilyLucille523]

This would never ever fly today.

[@Misguidedchild0351]

EmilyLucille523 it didn’t fly then either

[@hektorlinko]

Remember All in the Family and the Jeffersons? Crazy times. lol

[@jessicademetro1699]

Never

[@sherrydawson7715]

Oh dear God no it absolutely would not that's why I appreciate the old All in the Family and The Jeffersons and the Sanford and Son episodes that were absolutely not politically correct but still gave us all great comedy

[@betsyduane3461]

@@Misguidedchild0351 Yes it did

[@johnalang]

Prior's face twitch at the end is priceless

[@Icebeast77]

One the greatest skits ever, 2 icons bouncing off each other. This face twitch at the end on Pryor always makes me laugh hard lol.

[@rafaeltiano]

amazing how they didn’t break with the audience reaction, truly professionals

[@steelsolidnet]

Richard Pryor was a pioneer. He would say what everyone else was scared to and still have everyone laughing.

[@holeymcsockpuppet]

That's what real comedy is. The ability to tell the truth and in the process get them to laugh.

[@arcadiaberger9204]

@@holeymcsockpuppet The motto of every great comedian since long before Aesop has been, *_"Speak Truth To Power."_* The greatest comedians were granted the honor of wearing a laurel wreath. Why is a laurel wreath such a great honor? Perhaps because of the legend that a laurel is never struck by lightning: *_Sic Evitabile Fulmen._* By wearing a laurel wreath, a truly great comedian could speak truth without having to fear reprisal from the Sheriff, the King or even from Jove Himself.

[@holeymcsockpuppet]

@@arcadiaberger9204 personally I like Oscar Wilde's quote... "If you are going to tell people the truth, make them laugh. Otherwise, they'll k¡ll you."

[@markozbunjol625]

Carlin is better

[@chasecook5483]

@@markozbunjol625debatable

[@jaydaniels6172]

Pryors mannerisms, facial expressions, body language absolutely make this scene. His face change when Chevy Chase says 'tar baby' is priceless!

[@michaeldavis6914]

I hear a lot of people praising Richard Pryor (As they should) but Chevy Chase was also absolutely brilliant.

[@jingomcbright3687]

I'm also white. I have always liked Chevy Chase ever since a woman told me I kinda looked like him. This turned out to be her dirty fantasy, we even wore matching parkas at one point. I would absolutely recommend this experience.

[@stevenanderson4553]

Pryor is the GOAT!

[@WickedAwesomeGardening]

Just the way he takes a few seconds after tar baby before changing his facial expression and bringing his eyebrows down, is perfect timing. The audience was already laughing, but just that one little thing got an extra laugh.

[@adultishgambino1]

I didn't realize SNL does sketches where the cast aren't looking at the cue cards the entire time

[@carlof.cantaverojr.2606]

This was a time with comedic actors that do not exist anymore, alas.

[@tfinnegans_wake6182]

@Texas Chainsaw Jesus yeah. Breaking character, while sometimes funny, has kind of become their cheap parlor trick.

[@steveconkey7362]

Actually, if you watch Pryor's eyes he is reading each word from the card.

[@mex1b]

Jada Loro yes. It's called having talent and being funny! Lol. Unlike these days.

[@NewhamMatt]

@Texas Chainsaw Jesus It would happen on occasion. In the Stupid People sketch, where Candace Bergen stuffed her line, there was plenty of breaking in that sketch. The way the show is run nowadays, cue cards are a necessity, because the sketches continue to be rewritten all the way up to broadcast. Bill Hader - notorious for never making it through a Stefon sketch without breaking - never knew exactly what was on the cue cards before he read them. Consequently, he didn't have a chance to zone out while reading the cards.

[@shaunwright6425]

Rest In Peace Paul Mooney (the writer of this sketch for those that might not know)

[@Mockduck2020]

That is what I came her to find.

[@michaelsherron5750]

Yeah, just found that out today.

[@trickydown6969]

RIP comedy. He would have been canceled today.

[@serpentines6356]

Yeah. Thanks for that. Good writers, and good actors to act things out just right! How lucky we are to have those creative ones!

[@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129]

@@trickydown6969 He definitely would've been cancelled today if more people knew about what he did to Richard Pryor Jr.

[@blachubear]

Rest In Paradise to Richard Pryor & Paul Mooney(who co-wrote this sketch). I was 7 years old back in 1975 and saw this when it first aired live. It blew my mind away.

[@superduperjoi6800]

Immediately went here

[@NatureLover-62]

@@superduperjoi6800, as did I when I leaned of his death yesterday. Such an amazing writer in his life and was instrumental in such times when these types of words were never mentioned, yet alone on a national level. RIP Paul Mooney who brought us some memorable writing and utilizing such an incredible talent.

[@readmelancholystrumpetmaster]

Oh, shut the fuck up

[@lizziebowen4503]

And John belushi!

[@thepainter9549]

Had to give your comment a like as we’re the same age and I remember watching SNL as a kid. Richard is the GOAT and Paul was brilliant too!

[@brianburton1129]

This is one of the greatest and most controversial skits and moments not only in saturday night live history but in television history as well. Absolute classic!!!!!!!

[@bobwoods1302]

South Park says hi.

[@arcadiaberger9204]

@@bobwoods1302 *_South Park_* should say, "Thank you."

[@fbomb7184]

In the early 80’s all the good shows said the N-word. Jeffersons, Good times, Different Strokes, All in the Family, Sanford and Son = N-word.

[@bobwoods1302]

Well ya. I was 6 years old in 1975 but I think I remember this skit and thought it was scary. You need to be an adult obviously to get stuff like this. I loved Pryor back in the day but like a lot of standup, it doesn't age the best. At least that 's what I`m finding as I get old. @@arcadiaberger9204

[@owensthilaire8189]

Folks were way less inclined to be offended just for the sake virtue signaling back then.

[@mariovision705]

How could they both stay in caracter and not just burst out laughing? Classic sketch thank you for posting

[@RW77777777]

Chevy's not in character...

[@starrynight8599]

Because they are professionals.

[@MaynardJamesKeenan09]

Because they're not amateurs like Jimmy Fallon

[@falstoffe]

Neither one was really "in character." Chevy has a legit issue with Pryor and Pryor has a legit issue with Chase. And both are prejudiced with race grudges to start with. This was not scripted the way it went down: they went off script on their own.

[@ChicagoElite]

Probably wasn’t the first take either.

[@TheLuckyjoenga]

I remember being a kid watching this live! My whole family was crying in laughter at Richard and Chevy! 🤣

[@P90X490104]

I swear while Pryor was twitching, he almost wanted to laugh but held it in

[@mikefusella1829]

it looks like they both are trying not to laugh at points

[@stonewallperformance]

Yeah, during the heat of it all before the N word, you can see Richard is trying hard not to smile

[@acmm50]

At a time when SNL was cutting edge and the country was able to laugh at social situations

[@ractsninjas]

You could NEVER air that on NBC today.

[@93Jubilee]

I heard Richard Pryor in an interview saying that he didn't like the sketch, but it went on anyway and he made the most of it. (It was Chevy Chase's)

[@wgjung1]

It's on NBC youtube channel and why would they make the same jokes.?

[@SuperSupacoop]

thank God!

[@wgjung1]

@Her Eyes On Horizon It's on KZbin and It has almost 140,000 views and I don't really know what you're saying because it seems either you want to listen to the same jokes or you don't know how censorship works. Comedy relies in surprise and censorship only exists when is government mandate. I know that because I from a country that had censorship and the threw people from planes when the violate censorship.

[@ractsninjas]

Watch Eddie Murphy old stand up from the 80s his career would be over in a day if he ever did his full stand up today. So sad because it was some of the best ever

[@Serai3]

That triple beat on the word "honky" is excellent. As is watching Pryor try desperately not to laugh as Chase panics.

[@myownboss1]

This is what I am talking about!!!! As a 55 year old black dude who grew with pre-woke TV, this is GOLD and sure as heck could not be done today! I came here from a new Biographics vlog by Simon Whistler on his KZbin channel on the life of Mr. Pryor. RIP to Mr. Pryor and RIP to the good old days when society had thick skin!!!

[@Egryn]

Isn’t it funny how the older generation can hear the N word and it doesn’t really phase us? This sketch is true comedic genius. Shame we have fallen as far as we have.

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

@Patrick Bendig I wonder if it is because you were around when people used the word in a hateful way. So when it was used for comedy it's no big deal. Kind of like when Chris Rock talked about people boycotting the Oscar's because there were no black nominees. He then said this wasn't the first time there were no black nominees. Before the 60s they didn't boycott the Oscar's because they had 'real stuff to boycott at the time!'

[@jimbarrofficial]

I'm of the same era. Listened to all of Pryor's records as a kid and could recite them verbatim for older audiences to hilarious applause. I miss those days.

[@Egryn]

@@jimbarrofficial our parents and grandparents raised us to be that way. Sadly those it’s because of us the world is this way. The loud, boisterous, ill-manners, undisciplined, fifteen piercings, rainbow hair, 52 gendered kids are our children and we let them become this way. Gen X had it best but we are the machinations of our own societal demise.

[@supernaught1963]

Let's not forget that after Pryor visited Kenya he made the decision to never use the N word again because he finally got context.

[@danielcorreard3746]

this was by far the best skit snl ever did pryor was an amazing comedian god rest his soul he and chevy chase created pure magic on this skit. rip richard

[@JohnDoe-qu7gm]

The face twitching was awesome

[@LinRountreemusic]

“Take a couple of weeks off you look tired”. Classic!! Lol

[@mmpw5775]

Laughing at ourselves....and our stupidity....a lost art.

[@terricklee6268]

you got that right

[@carlawilliams8724]

Wow 😮

[@insightfulhistorian1861]

Most people aren't confident enough to laugh at themselves at all, let alone their stupidity.

[@insightfulhistorian1861]

It's like the saying "it's all fun and games until the joke's on you."

[@charlesjonessr3684]

Well I'm laughing at Richard and Chevy during this skit. Don't know who you're talking about

[@cookiemonster-ix2zc]

I showed this to my daughter. It made her laugh. Old school never gets old. Even I laugh with tears streaming down. Classic

[@mark-ft5cu]

i remember watching this live when it aired. how they kept a straight face during this exchange is a testament to their craft. you saw chevy ready to smile a few times, but he looked down at the desk and not at Prior. Prior's expression s sold the skit.

[@wavealip8059]

"How about starting salary of five thousand dollars?" "Your Momma!" lol

[@madgepenelopemorgan2429]

Hey. Richard said 'YO MAMA!' Not 'YOUR'.

[@zovalentine7305]

Yo mama

[@jefflindsey2783]

Seventy five hundred a year? Yo grandma!!!

[@andrewbarrett1537]

$5,000 / year in 1975 dollars is worth $27,525.19 per year in 2022 dollars. At 8,000 work-hours per year (50 weeks per year accounting for 2 weeks off for Summer and Winter vacation (one week apiece); 5 days per week; 8 hours per day; making a 40-hour workweek) this works out to an hourly wage of $0.62 and a half cents per hour in 1975 dollars, or $3.44 per hour in today's money. That's 1/5 of today's minimum wage of $15/hour. No wonder (besides the previous racism) he yelled "Yo Momma"! $7500 / year in 1975 dollars works out to $41,287.78 per year in 2022 dollars. At the same figures above, this comes to $0.66 point 6 cents per hour in 1975 dollars, or $5.16 per hour in today's money. That's still only 1/3 of today's minimum wage. No wonder (besides the previous racism) he yelled "Yo Grandma"! $15,000 / year in 1975 dollars works out to $82,575.56 per year in 2022 dollars. At the above figures, this comes to $1.87 and a half-cent per hour in 1975 dollars, or $10.32 per hour in today's money. inflation calculator source: www.in2013dollars.com/ As to the "highest paid janitor in America", I really do have to wonder what janitors actually EARNED back then... and today. I know some places simply pay desperate people a low wage 'under the table' to "save money" rather than respecting any minimum wage law. Perhaps the same was also true back then. Or perhaps this skit is mainly about the old unequal pay due to racism, and was bringing the situation up to date for that time and illustrating the kind of indignities that some folks had to deal with then.

[@scottmorrison1561]

@@andrewbarrett1537 At 8,000 work-hours per year - Where did you get 160 hours per week from? this works out to an hourly wage of $0.62 and a half cents per hour in 1975 dollars, ($2.48 for a 40hr week) or $3.44 per hour in today's money ($13.76 for a 40hr week) That's 1/5 of today's minimum wage of $15/hour. (that’s 9% less)

[@ex4life96]

One of the greatest skits in television history.

[@mikefowler2417]

Also saw this live when it aired. You wouldn't see this on TV today. Pryor's brilliance is unparalleled.

[@steverussell7005]

You wouldn’t see this on TV today cause they already made it.

[@chrismillar7593]

@@steverussell7005it would be canceled and you know it

[@steverussell7005]

@@chrismillar7593that’s not a real thing

[@margaretwordnerd5210]

@@chrismillar7593 you and the OP must be too young to have seen it live. Folks who laughed the first time this aired understood the amazing, risky thing these mad geniuses did. It's not just snickering at shocking words and implied threats. They broke taboos that had never been broken in television *and* they were incredibly funny. You're only getting half the jokes. Do you have any thoughts on why nothing like this brilliant skit had ever been done before? The answer is the key to fully appreciate how daring and edgy the skit was.✌🖖

[@kathyduby8150]

Classic. Richard's face. Timing. Chase on it.

[@anngeeclark5959]

I love Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase they both were excellent for this skit. Broke a lot of tension. They remind me of The chemistry between George Jefferson and his friend Thomas Willis. Legendary

[@robertkitson3159]

Yes!! The Jeffersons was a great example of how to deal with racism. Also All In The Family. The interactions between Archie and Lionel (George Jeffersons son) were amazing. They put the racist slurs and streotypes right out, front and center and every time Lionel walked away making Archie look either stupid or like an asshole for what he had said or done. perfect. Also it had Michael and Gloria that would give it to Ol' Archie with hard facts and truths again making him look the fool or racist. I think that is the right way to abolish this racist bullshit. make it look hilarious. make it look like only stupid people think and act that way. call them out and laugh right in their ignorant faces. make a bully, bigot or racist look like a fool in front of people and they will quickly change their ways or move on. either one of which is okay by me. prefer when I make them really mad so all they can do is tell me to eff off because they can't come up with anything that actually works to upset me. lol

[@gabrielesolletico6542]

Ah, I loved George Jefferson!

[@CMBell1985]

RIP Richard Pryor. One of my all time favourites, his work has extra layers when you read about how he struggled with his success and guilt in an environment of racism. His timing was bang on and he was always relevant.

[@jasonbryant1552]

One of the funniest sketches from Saturday Night Live. Loved Richard's face after the first slur. And how Chevy just straight faced the whole thing

[@blockmasterscott]

Richard Pryor was the king of racial humor. God, that guy was hilarious.

[@frankbarnwell____]

this should have a billion views

[@93Jubilee]

@Russell Bentley And head & shoulders above Chevy Chase!

[@labounti]

I'm 42 and to young to know..... I cant recall anything funny he's said. I remember getting kicked out the room when Jo jo Dancer came on.

[@SteveLeicht1]

@@labounti He helped write Blazing Saddles and you can get his standup routines.

[@labounti]

@@SteveLeicht1 I've never watched as an adult. Just recall bits when I was a kid.

[@JorgeGeorgeD]

I'm surprised they even uploaded this.

[@nicosiago5375]

This shit is not to be seen yo. Like leave it in 1975 and don’t promote it to everyone’s recommended

[@Mcelly58]

Why? This is great it shows how far we’ve come and how to make racial humor funny.

[@Joe-wr9fn]

It was uploaded in 2013. It was a different time.

[@jenniferwilliams4011]

@@nicosiago5375 Do you know who wrote the skit? Paul Mooney. The history of the skit might change your mind on why it shouldn’t be left in 1975. Paul Mooney’s quote and a link to the article. “It’s like an H-bomb that Richard and I toss into America’s consciousness,” Mooney wrote. “All that shit going on behind closed doors is now out in the open. There’s no putting the genie back in the bottle. The N-word as a weapon, turned back against those who use it, has been born on national TV.” www.salon.com/2013/11/03/saturday_night_live_and_richard_pryor_the_untold_story_behind_snls_edgiest_sketch_ever/

[@nicosiago5375]

@Steve Gracy I love hopping on KZbin after a good fuck sesh with my sister

[@mrthomas3000]

The first time I saw this sketch and every time after, it made me laugh, but it also made me feel a sense of sorrow for the need for it. Great job by everyone involved

[@Starrman69]

I do miss Richard Pryor!! He was Grreat!! Ahhh, the Good Ole Days!! Back when SNL was actually funny and enjoyable!

[@tyrone_rayray_and_pookie]

I member!

[@AnAmericanGirl4Sure]

Exactly what I was thinking. The Original Not Ready For Prime Time Players, what a Great cast!

[@dustincalhoun8]

I’ve seen this literally for decades... I enjoy the comments just as much.

[@RichardSchaefer-zx9ig]

Absolutely Classic. I remember people roating + rolling on the floor when we heard it live, I was in college.😊

[@jimmcdevitt6084]

Possibly the best comedy skit ever. Loved Richard Pryor... gone too soon.

[@edwardhenry3158]

This was so classic I remember exactly where I was all my friends all of us in a place we called the garage every Saturday night. We had a television couches. It was a man cave before that word became popular. All musicians were rehearsed all our instruments and amps were, but we also had a televisionon Saturday nights, we didn’t have a gig were watching Saturday night live the 70s and this is one of many I remember actually seeing live as it happened. Richard Pryor was the goat and always will be.

[@ericswanson7134]

The look on his face after Tarbaby is priceless..had me laughing!!

[@adolfojacosta]

What is Pryor’s response? I can never understand it. It sounds like “o Fay”

[@rogainegaming6924]

@@adolfojacosta ofay is a slur for whites.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

@@adolfojacosta "ofay" is pig-latin for 'foe' and was used back in the old days, like 100 years ago. It was used by some black folks to refer to some white folks, especially in this earlier era of heavy-duty racism and jim crow. However despite the etymology, I'm not sure it was intended to be derogatory in every single instance of usage.

[@DarkKnight-yz2wg]

Let’s not forget Chevy Chase. Comic legend with Pryor. No SNL without them.

[@gartgart4757]

SNL writer: “Alright I got a pretty solid sketch written up for Richard Pryor but we’re gonna need someone to say ni-“ Chevy Chase breaks down the door: “I’ll do it. I don’t care what it is I’ll say it.”

[@les4767]

You gotta admit...he gets a bit of immortality for being the one saying it in this classic sketch....

[@aebalc]

1975 - Saying nigger was still acceptable. See Archie Bunker, Blazing Saddles etc...

[@mcmullen_photo]

@@aebalc It was never acceptable. People just didn't care enough to stop anyone putting it on TV or in movies.

[@les4767]

@Christopher Evans Agreed, but what is acceptable today, and not acceptable is being taken to an ridiculous level. When the "master" bedroom is suddenly racist, you've gone too far IMHO.

[@straycatttt]

Paul Mooney wrote this sketch. He was the head writer for Pryor. SNL agreed to allow Mooney to write that week at the request of Pryor.

[@user-vy9ev3bc6j]

Richard Pryor´s facial expressions were real funny.. Great talent from both actors.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Paul Mooney's fingerprints are all over this. RIP to Paul and Richard. Two of the all time greats. One most people knew, one far too many people didn't.

[@robloxvids2233]

Paul Mooney was a racist piece of shit. Pryor was cool.

[@TheTimplatte]

So I believe what you’re saying is…”IT WAS MOONEY!!!”

[@jeremyfrost2636]

Any relation to current SNL cast member Kyle Mooney?

[@DJFLDJFL]

I knew very little about Mooney, other than I saw the interview where he says something like "black people can't be racist". And "if I'm racist, I learned from the best...white people". He seemed like a really old, bitter, jaded dude, not really interested in "reality" as much as "his experience".

[@waldenspondmedia1105]

Don't forget to give full credit to the writer of this skit, Paul Mooney - he is a legend!

[@kmo2959]

May he continue to rest in peace.

[@SternLX]

Disputed forever. Chase claims to have hatched the idea of the skit and wrote it. Mooney was credited by the Studio for it.

[@lilivonshtup3808]

Hands down the best SNL skit of all time.

[@elizabradley4797]

Pryor & Chase ~ Top Talent ~

[@dirbyozz]

"Show me something natural like afro on Richard Prior" -Socrates

[@jayglamx3]

😂😂😂

[@tpags7398]

This message is brought to you by The new kung fu Kenny

[@xaviernavy]

Lol

[@sheilahballard1039]

Soo funny! I do miss Richard Pryor's spirit in this country.

[@russs7574]

I feel badly for the people who came along too late to see Richard Pryor in all his comedic glory....from his stand-up, to his work in skits like this, to his movies, especially the ones he did with Gene Wilder. People in the entertainment industry devalue the word "genius" with the way they toss it around like it was nothing. Richard Pryor was truly a comedic genius.

[@marcuslinton310]

Yeah, if only all his stuff was recorded somehow so anyone could still watch it. Shame they never came up with anything like that, huh?

[@russs7574]

@@marcuslinton310 Don't be sarcastic. It makes you sound like a douchey know-it-all. A lot of his stuff has been lost....a lot of recordings of his appearances on network TV, late 60s-early 70s were not preserved. Many times, networks back then recorded over and reused videotape.

[@acubsshadow3750]

The “what’d you say” is my favorite part 😅 U can almost see in Richards mind that he was thinking “did he just say i wanna fight you to the death?” 🤣😂

[@katherinewells3099]

"Dead honky!" Gets me every time.

[@RagnarokMic]

And those flinches.

[@tdeer16]

I used to have the SNL best of Chevy Chase on VHS back in the day. It was non stop laughter gold. Had this clip and other great ones with legends like Aykroyd, Murray, Belushi, Morris, Radner, Curtin and more.

[@RoadieWingZZ]

Hilarious and relevant for the times. I loved SNL back when their cast had talent and they had outstanding guests.

[@thomasharris5151]

The true genius behind this comedic classic was Paul Mooney, because it was his idea and he wrote the skit. RIP Paul..!👌🏾💎🌂🐰😎👑

[@djon34]

I love Chevy but Richard! He was from another planet. I'm glad that I was around during his prime and got to witness it all.

[@nhprman]

This is comedy greatness. Of course it couldn't be done today for obvious reasons, but the use of this language was absolutely necessary in this context, and perfectly illustrated the situation.

[@MiketheratguyMultimedia]

This wasn't just hilarious, this was actually televised. And everyone loved it. That's how much times have changed.

[@ethanwinnegrad3402]

Before the rise of wokeism began raping our soicety

[@djsurjon]

It feels like we are more racist now then b4.

[@MiketheratguyMultimedia]

@@djsurjon We are. We've found sneakier and sleazier ways of going about it. In the 70s people openly called each other whatever they wanted and if it led to a fight then so be it, time to settle things. Now, the media and the internet are tools that are used to keep people constantly indoctrinated in various forms of low-key racism. Back then, people just wanted to get along and have equality. Now, it seems to be everyone's mission to keep humankind divided forever.

[@pho.phonic]

@@djsurjon We are, it’s just these days the most racist people call themselves anti-racist.

[@JudithRudyonald]

@@djsurjon we aren't, at least as a society. The internet, and people like the guy above me, just make it seem that way...

[@Rescue162]

Two of the greatest comedians of all time at one of SNL's best skits of all time. Whether you're white or black, if you "get it", you love it.

[@CanMav]

Three... it was written by Paul Mooney

[@pcbacklash_3261]

I'm actually old enough to remember watching this when it first aired. There's NO WAY they could air something like this today. Richard was something else. 😁

[@paulricelli5520]

You can thank the bleeding hearts and the ACLU for that. Whitey not allowed to say the N word.

[@pedanpontif]

Like Christopher Hitchens would point out that you can get away with a lot of bigotry and profanity on mainstream media as long as you have the word reverend in front of your name. Maybe comedians should do that too?

[@crushycrawfishy1765]

You can do this today without a problem. But there needs to be more than just "say derogatory word" at someone. If you were to release this today people would just go ".........okay and?"

[@J_lady32]

RIP Paul Mooney for those who didn't know, he wrote this sketch, and created one of the best characters on In living color, home the clown......homey definitely don't play that. 😪

[@dmvnation202]

Yes indeed sister!

[@datdude1538]

Negrodamus on Chappelle’s Show as well.

[@ono147]

wow, they actually looked at each other and didn't stare at cue cards, haven't seen that in decades on snl

[@SchlaflosDELUXE]

I thought the exact same thing and was just looking wether somebody else wrote this - and then I found your comment :D

[@22steve5150]

@@SchlaflosDELUXE and they didn't break character and giggle the whole fucking time.

[@fran232]

They were looking at the cue cards sometimes but since the cue cards were in front of them you can’t notice that.

[@russs7574]

Well, I'm sure there were Pryor's cue cards situated behind Chevy Chase, and one of those papers on the desk is probably that page of the script....just in case, mind you. Whether or not they actually read off them during the skit, they were a lifeline, and were nearby.

[@maryjackson1194]

@@russs7574 Chevy Chase had the "personality test" in front of him, and Pryor had his quick wit, rage, and comic timing. I'm sure Pryor didn't have any difficulty coming up with responses, whether he followed the script or not.

[@smokyshroom]

I can't believe this is still on SNL's official channel. Great sketch though 😂

[@fanofafan6480]

Those were the days of very funny writing and acting. Even though it was in 1975 it was a helluva good sketch

[@foreigndrerilla5312]

Take a couple weeks off you look tired 😭😭😭😭 pure gold

[@Eman.coexist]

Paul Mooney wrote this skit! RIP. Brilliant

[@marksoquet8626]

GOOD JOB

[@chiefinspectorshine]

😂 Wow, you can't do this anymore without someone wanting your livelihood! Chase and Pryor... classic! 👍🏾

[@sandouich5892]

There's a reason for that

[@russs7574]

@@sandouich5892 Yeah, the reason is that we've become an oversensitive, thin-skinned, social-media addicted bunch of morons who allow ourselves to be led around by the nose by activists and "woke mobs" of Twitter. We've also lost our sense of humor, and ability to understand both context and nuance when it come to humor. And far too many of us have become intellectually lazy to the point where we no longer wish to form our own opinions. There's your reason.

[@3182john]

@@russs7574 lol

[@jackerboijack412]

@@russs7574 nah no one is that sensitive but the likes of you. But call a black person that word and you’ll regret it

[@jonathanhandy6504]

@@jackerboijack412 lots of baggage with the word. But it's become a problem that entraps some non-blacks and obsesses some blacks. No one wants to be subjected to the word police. In fact this word hurts blacks more than any other, while being used almost exclusively by blacks nowadays. Like some secret handshake in house, but grounds for violence if used by non-members. I would not brag about it as you do.

[@SuperDalite]

Richard Pryor, one of the GOATS. Timing impeccable in the sketch and no one got offended and ran with a hurt feelings report. We could all laugh at one another AND together.

[@beachbunny7256]

The first few years of SNL were pure Gold!! 🎉

[@YourMomsFavoriteCommenter]

I own Mr. Pryor's album "That Ni**er's Crazy" ... dude knew how to stir some controversy. Genius. May he rest in peace.

[@tmac4317]

How about that? Learning your lines and staying in character. Such a novel concept.

[@beccacertifiedpersonaltrai3636]

This is hilarious!

[@brerg8r]

Classic sketch. I had to look up the term "ofay" - I grew up in the 70s in the South, but still never once heard that epithet used.

[@whizbang7130]

Saw this originally when it aired, and we all just laughed and laughed because of Pryor's reaction. Not because it was mean, we could just enjoy each other and everyone had a sense of humor.

[@TransRoofKorean]

There's a reason everyone applauds when he replies so fast, "DEAD honky!!" It's too bad it just wouldn't fly today. And oh man, the way he leans in with his face twitching, hahah....

[@pikkdogs]

In 2020 this would just be “Beep”. “Beep” “Beep” “Beep”

[@danielbjorklund2362]

We had more skinn on the nose way back

[@Jaems_Scott]

In 2020, this would make headline news, get cancelled and have a congressional hearing demanding it be condemned as hate speech.

[@hardworker5588]

A reminder that SNL was entertaining before it went on a 40 year down-hill slide

[@pennyrobinson9772]

@@Jaems_Scott Ya know the other one Pryor did that would get grief these days was him and Belushi doing Samurai Hotel!

[@Jaems_Scott]

@@pennyrobinson9772 = Absurd to think about, but very true. It really is unfortunate how out of control PC culture has become.

[@elijahvincent985]

1:55 Even Richard Pryor is struggling to hold back his laughter!

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

This skit was so Revolutionary and only SNF would have the stones to pull it off. The TV networks were incredibly stuffy and worried about sponsors and ratings back then. So this probably represents the first and last time that "Racial Slurs" were allowed to be used on network TV. RIP KING RICHARD👑

[@mbindoliswaniso6964]

Don't think it would fly today but I laughed my head off! It's about the balance here😄

[@russs7574]

Possibly the single funniest sketch SNL ever did.

[@toddlongo7066]

I remember watching this live, I’m laughing just as hard now as I did then, loved Richard Pryor