By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Richard Pryor, the legendary multi-talented entertainer considered one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, is the subject of a new, career-spanning 13-disc collector’s set containing more than 26 incredible hours of comedy.
Time Life’s “The Ultimate Richard Pryor Collection: Uncensored” features his most memorable stand-up and television performances together for the very first time.
The groundbreaking set includes all four of his full-length concert films — “Live & Smokin,” “Live in Concert,” “Live on the Sunset Strip,” and “Here and Now.”
It also features his 1977 NBC TV Special and all four controversial episodes of “The Richard Pryor Show” featuring Robin Williams, Tim Reid, Marsha Warfield, Paul Mooney, Sandra Bernhard and more.
Also included are memorable TV appearances on “The Merv Griffin Show,” “The Dick Cavett Show” and “The Tonight Show;” the feature film “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling,” written, produced, and directed by Pryor; never-before-released footage from his infamous first film, “Uncle Tom’s Fairy Tales,” lost since 1968; exclusive footage of Pryor’s final performances, a tribute event at The Comedy Store and two acclaimed documentary films: “Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic” and “I Am Richard Pryor.”
Extras including deleted scenes, outtakes, a no-holds-barred interview with Pryor’s widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor, a collector’s booklet and more. Visit TimeLife.com/RichardPryor for additional details.
DUTY CALLS: Hot off winning a Tony Award for her starring role in Broadway’s “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” Adrienne Warren has nabbed a part alongside Viola Davis, John Boyega (“Star Wars” Eps. 7-9), Thuso Mbedu (“The Underground Railroad”) and Lashana Lynch (“No Time To Die”) in “The Woman King.”
Gina Prince-Blythewood (“The Old Guard,” “Love and Basketball”) directs the historical epic inspired by the true events that happened in the Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. It shoots this November in South Africa.
LIKE A DIAMOND: Founding member Otis Williams has enlisted his old Motown mate Smokey Robinson (who wrote “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” among many other songs) to craft another hit for the Temptations as part of their 60th anniversary.
The single “Is It Gonna Be Yes or No,” from their forthcoming 2022 album, is now available with Robinson adding vocals along with current members Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Willie Greene and Mario Corbino; and musicians Dave Garfield, Freddie Washington and drummer Steve Ferrone of Average White Band fame.
TASTY QUIP: “This is the first year that I really understand what it means to be alive and to live in the moment. It’s the first time that I have an understanding of how fragile life truly is, how hard life can be at times, and therefore how important it is to stop and smell the roses during the good times. I thought I knew that at 21 or 30, but I didn’t. Whoever tried to condition women to feel that we are supposed to be old or unhappy when we turn 40 got it ALL THE WAY F’d UP. This has absolutely been the best I’ve felt in my life. I’m so grateful to be GROWN, GROWN!” – BEYONCE after reaching her milestone birthday
CLIPPETTES: Two rescheduled shows open a month of music Oct. 1 with Hall & Oates at the Hollywood Bowl; and The Millennium Tour with Omarion, Bow Wow, Pretty Ricky, Yin Yang Twins, Soulja Boy and Ashanti arriving at The Forum …
Country music superstar Kane Brown brings his Blessed & Free Tour to Staples Center Oct. 2. Meanwhile, Maroon 5 has a homecoming concert at Banc of California Stadium; Dionne Warwick is at the Saban Theatre; and guitarist Pat Metheny’s new trio Side-Eye jams the Theatre at Ace Hotel …
Hulu’s upcoming Mike Tyson mini-series has found its Don King in Russell Hornsby (“BMF,” “Grimm”). He will join Trevante Rhodes (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” “Moonlight”) who stars in the title role …
Motivational author/actress Tabitha Brown visits the El Rey Theatre Oct. 4 in support of her new book, “Feeding the Soul (Because It’s My Business)” …
Musician/composer/producer Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah brings his jazz imprint to The Vermont Hollywood Oct. 6; as hip-hop is represented by Princess Nokia at the Fonda Theatre and Trippie Redd at the YouTube Theater …
“Untitled” Dave Chappelle Documentary screens Oct. 7 at the Hollywood Bowl followed by a special live performance by the comic and friends …
Also that evening, leading Spanish language rock artist Juanes’ Origen Tour lands at The Observatory; Los Lobos hits the Lobero Theatre; Dynasty Typewriter at The Hayworth presents “The Late Late Show” bandleader/comic Reggie Watts; and Grammy Award winners Ranky Tanky perform the timeless music of The Gullah culture at Newbury Park’s Stagecoach Inn Museum.
DIVORCED: After 11 seasons, Cynthia Bailey announced on Instagram that she’s calling it quits on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Rumors have it that she will be replaced by Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross, one of African singer/entrepreneur Akon’s wives and perhaps former RHOA cast member Sheree Whitfield.
TC ON TV: Oct. 1 – “My Name Is Pauli Murray” (Amazon): A documentary about the non-binary Black activist, lawyer and poet who influenced Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and others. “Vince Carter: Legacy” (Crackle): A look at the NBA’s longest career athlete with observations by his peers. “The Many Saints of Newark” (HBO Max): A prequel film to “The Sopranos” with Michael Gandolfini and Leslie Odom Jr. “Welcome To The Blumhouse” (Amazon): The horror anthology series returns for a second season with “Bingo Hell” starring L. Scott Caldwell and “Black As Night” with Keith David and Asjha Cooper. “Swallow” (Netflix): Kunle Afolayan’s film adaptation of Sefi Atta’s book set in 1980s Lagos, Nigeria. “Friday Night Vibes” (TBS): W. Kamau Bell and Baratunde Thurston join Tiffany Haddish and Deon Cole. “The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World” (ABC): Whoopi Goldberg hosts with Anthony Anderson, Marsai Martin, NFL Hall of Famer Doug Williams, Christina Aguilera and Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” Halle Bailey. “The Kennedy Center At 50” (PBS): Hosted by Audra McDonald with Robert Glasper, Bettye LaVette, Dianne Reeves, Common, Keb’ Mo’, Christian McBride and more. “Tha God’s Honest Truth” (Comedy): Charlamagne explores “Critical Racist Theory.”
Oct. 2 – “iHeartRadio Music Festival” (CW): J. Cole, Nelly, Dua Lipa, Darius Rucker and Hootie and the Blowfish.
Oct. 3 – “Grace Notes” (BYUtv): Kirk Franklin and Amy Grant “iHeartRadio Music Festival” (CW): Night 2 features Billie Eilish, The Kid LAROI, Lil Baby, Coldplay, Journey and Khalid with special guest Tate McRae. “Uncensored” (TV1): Anthony Hamilton
Oct. 4 – “The Outsiders?” (YouTube): This new six-part docuseries from visionary filmmaker and photographer Simon Frederick brings to life the Black experience through stories and personal anecdotes of creatives who are shaping popular culture.
Oct. 5 – “Level Playing Field” (HBO): “The Assist” examines the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream’s landmark role in the election of Senator Raphael Warnock and the ongoing fight against voter suppression in Georgia. “American Masters” (PBS): “Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It” “2021 Hip Hop Awards” (BET): Nelly will be honored; Big Daddy Kane will perform a tribute to Biz Markie; and Young Thug, Gunna, Bia, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, Trina, Tank and Remy Ma are featured. “Our Kind Of People” (Fox): Oak Bluffs celebrates Juneteenth in “Hot Links & Red Drinks.”
Oct. 6 – “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” (Hulu): With “Protect Ya Neck” in hand, the Clan hustles to get it on airwaves and in stores by any means necessary in this episode directed by Nijla Mu’min (“Jinn”). “The Canvas: Los Angeles” (Fuse): A series giving an intimate look into the unconventional journeys of some of the city’s most enigmatic visual artists making their mark today.
Oct. 7 – “Marriage Boot Camp” (WE): Four new hip hop couples face the music including N.O.R.E. & Neri, Monie Love & Tuff, Mally Mall & Treasure and Siir Brock & Amber Laura. Resident counselor Dr. Ish Major and Judge Lynn Toler return.
IN MEMORIUM: “What enabled [MELVIN VAN PEEBLES] to go where others had not gone before was that he saw rejection as an opportunity to do better. He didn’t think you were defined by what you faced, but by how you faced it and overcame it — and he faced it and overcame it with grace. I remember he once said to me, “Son, birds are aerodynamic. They’re beautiful when they fly. They make sense. But bumblebees? They’re not aerodynamic. They’re just little fat things. But since they don’t understand aerodynamics, they fly anyway.” – MARIO VAN PEEBLES to the Hollywood Reporter on his trailblazing father (“Sweet Sweetback’s Baad Asssss Song,” “Don’t Play Us Cheap,” “Watermelon Man,” “Three-Day Pass,” “Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death”) who died Sept. 21 at the age of 89
