Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution

A&E Network to Premiere “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” Executive Produced by Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and Time Studios on Wednesday, June 29 at 9PM ET/PT
The two-part documentary event explores Black comedy through a unique lens, tracing the evolution and social awakening of the courageous comedians who dared to push against the constraints of their time and spoke truth to power.
[via press release from A&E]
A&E NETWORK TO PREMIERE “RIGHT TO OFFEND: THE BLACK COMEDY REVOLUTION” EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY KEVIN HART’S HARTBEAT AND TIME STUDIOS ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 AT 9PM ET/PT

TWO-NIGHT EVENT TRACES THE HISTORY OF BLACK COMEDY AS A MEDIUM OF POWERFUL SOCIAL COMMENTARY VIA INTERVIEWS WITH COMEDIANS, HISTORIANS AND ACADEMICS INCLUDING KEVIN HART, TIFFANY HADDISH, W. KAMAU BELL, MICHAEL CHE, STEVE HARVEY, SHERRI SHEPHERD, WAYNE BRADY, AISHA TYLER, DL HUGHLEY, AMBER RUFFIN AND KATT WILLIAMS

New York, NY – May 24, 2022 – A&E Network will premiere the new two-part documentary event “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” exploring the progression of Black comedy and the comedians who have used pointed humor to expose, challenge and ridicule society’s injustices and to articulate the Black experience in America. Executive produced by Kevin Hart’s HARTBEAT and TIME Studios, the documentary explores Black comedy through a unique lens, tracing the evolution and social awakening of the courageous comedians who dared to push against the constraints of their time and spoke truth to power. “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” is co-directed by Mario Diaz and Jessica Sherif and premieres Wednesday, June 29 at 9pm ET/PT and Thursday, June 30 at 9pm ET/PT on A&E. “Right to Offend” will also be available on demand and to stream on the A&E app and aetv.com.

The documentary traces the history of Black comedy and its under-appreciated legacy of driving social change across the 20th and 21st centuries. From Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley and Dick Gregory during the civil rights movement, Richard Pryor in the 70s, Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg in the 80s, to the power of In Living Color and Def Comedy Jam in the 90s, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle in the 2000s and groundbreaking modern-day comedians and creators like Key & Peele, Issa Rae, Amber Ruffin and Tiffany Haddish. Across four hours, “Right to Offend” explores the rare position these artists and many more hold in our society as both entertainers and truth tellers that speak to audiences in ways no other performers can.

Featuring interviews with some of the greatest comedy minds of all time as well as a rich collection of archival material, the two-part event reveals the personal stories and tribulations faced by many Black performers in attaining greater acceptance and opening the doors for a true representation of the Black experience. The documentary also traces how each generation of comedians built upon the foundations created by their predecessors to help evolve and push the boundaries of comedy as a means for social change and fought for a greater definition and understanding of what it means to be Black in America.

Full list of interviewees:
W. Kamau Bell, Comedian
Alonzo Bodden, Comedian
Dr. Todd Boyd, Author and Academic
Wayne Brady, Comedian
Kevin “Dot Com” Brown, Comedian, Co-Founder “Uptown Comedy Club”
Michael Che, Comedian
Louis Chude-Sokei, Author and Academic
Tommy Davidson, Comedian
Michael Eric Dyson, Author and Academic; Author, “Is Bill Cosby Right?”
Wayne Federman, Comedy Historian; Author, “The History of Stand-Up”
Andre Gaines, Filmmaker, “The One and Only Dick Gregory”
Nelson George, Filmmaker and Cultural Critic
Christian Gregory, Dick Gregory’s Son
David Alan Grier, Comedian
Tiffany Haddish, Comedian
Michael Harriot, Journalist and TV Writer; Author, “Black AF History”
Kevin Hart, Comedian, Actor, Producer & Entrepreneur
Steve Harvey, Comedian
Bambi Higgins, Academic, Author, “Laughing Mad”
Lil Rel Howery, Comedian
DL Hughley, Comedian
Norman Lear, Television Producer
Darryl Littleton, Comedian and Writer
Daryl Mooney, Paul Mooney’s Son
Dwayne Mooney, Paul Mooney’s Son
Garrett Morris, Comedian
Mark Anthony Neal, Author and Academic
Kliph Nesteroff, Comedy Historian; Author, “Comedians”
David Peisner, Entertainment Journalist; Author, “Homey Don’t Play That: The Story of In Living Color”
Russell Peters, Comedian
Elizabeth Pryor, Richard Pryor’s Daughter
Rain Pryor, Richard Pryor’s Daughter
Donnell Rawlings, Comedian
Tony Rock, Comedian
Amber Ruffin, Comedian
Allison Samuels, Entertainment Journalist
Scott Saul, Author, “Becoming Richard Pryor”
Amanda Seales, Comedian
Sherri Shepherd, Comedian
Bob Sumner, Co-Creator, “Def Comedy Jam”
Eddie Tafoya, Comedy Historian; Author, “Icons of African American Comedy”
Robin Thede, Comedian; Creator, “A Black Lady Sketch Show”
Kenan Thompson, Comedian
Joe Torry, Comedian
Aisha Tyler, Comedian
Jimmie Walker, Comedian; Cast Member, “Good Times”
George Wallace, Comedian
Marsha Warfield, Comedian; Cast Member, “The Richard Pryor Show”
Katt Williams, Comedian
Tony Woods, Comedian

“Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” is produced by TIME Studios for A&E Network. Mario Diaz and Jessica Sherif are co-directors and executive producers. Ian Orefice, Loren Hammonds and Alexa Conway serve as executive producers for TIME Studios. Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, Pookey Wigington and Mike Stein serve as executive producers for HARTBEAT. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serve as executive producers for A&E. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution.”

About A&E Network

A&E leads the cultural conversation through high-quality, thought provoking original programming with a unique point of view. Whether it’s the network’s distinctive brand of award-winning disruptive reality or groundbreaking documentary, A&E always makes entertainment an art. The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV. For more press information and photography please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.

About TIME Studios

From one of the most globally iconic brands, TIME Studios is an Emmy Award(R)-winning television, film and immersive studio focusing on the development, production and distribution of truth-based premium unscripted and scripted storytelling that moves the world. With technical innovation and a brand defining visual language that dates back 99 years, TIME Studios aims to impact communities and the world at large with ideas that forge true progress. Combining the industry’s leading creators with TIME, one of the most trusted brands that reaches an audience of over 100 million people globally, TIME Studios is uniquely positioned to bring massive audiences to the world’s most impactful stories. Recent projects include: Jeen-Yuhs (Netflix), Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space (Netflix), Katrina Babies (HBO), Black Gold (Paramount+), Big Vape (Netflix), John Lewis: Good Trouble (CNN Films), Amazing Grace (Neon), Right to Offend (A&E), Ricky Powell: The Individualist (Showtime), Mass Effect: The Story of YouTube, Kid of the Year (Nickelodeon/CBS), TIME 100 (ABC) and the first scripted project for TIME Studios, Women of the Year (Amazon).

About HARTBEAT

Founded by Kevin Hart, HARTBEAT is the global, multi-platform media company creating entertainment at the intersection of comedy and culture with a mission to keep the world laughing together. HARTBEAT delivers comedy through its three divisions: HARTBEAT Studios, which finances, develops and produces innovative content; HARTBEAT Media, which connects with consumers around the world through events and the company’s expansive distribution network; and PULSE, the company’s branded entertainment studio that serves as a creative and cultural consultancy to brand. HARTBEAT’s flagship consumer brand, the LOL! Network, reaches audiences across its O&O social media, audio, and OTT partners. Led by an award-winning team, HARTBEAT is a valuable partner to the biggest entertainment companies, platforms and brands in the world, driving cultural currency and generating sales, subscriptions, buzz, and conversation with some of the most coveted audiences.

A&E Network Greenlights Documentary Programming Events “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” (wt) and “Secret Origins of Hip Hop” Featuring Busta Rhymes, Eve, Fat Joe, Grandmaster Flash, Ice-T and More
Across four hours, “Right to Offend” explores black comedy through a unique lens, tracing the evolution and social awakening of the courageous comedians who dared to push against the social constraints of their time and spoke truth to power.
[via press release from A+E Networks]
A&E NETWORK GREENLIGHTS DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMMING EVENTS “RIGHT TO OFFEND: THE BLACK COMEDY REVOLUTION” (WT) AND “SECRET ORIGINS OF HIP HOP” FEATURING BUSTA RHYMES, EVE, FAT JOE, GRANDMASTER FLASH, ICE-T AND MORE

TWO-PART EVENT “RIGHT TO OFFEND” TRACES THE HISTORY OF BLACK COMEDY AS A MEDIUM OF POWERFUL SOCIAL COMMENTARY

EIGHT-PART “SECRET ORIGINS OF HIP HOP” EXAMINES THE MOMENTS THAT SHAPED SOME OF THE GENRE’S MOST ICONIC STARS THROUGH THEIR OWN EYES

New York, NY (March 3, 2021) – A&E Network has greenlit two new documentary events – “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” (wt) and “Secret Origins of Hip Hop”- adding to the network’s robust slate of nonfiction storytelling. “Right to Offend” explores the evolution of black comedy and comedians who have used pointed humor to expose, challenge and ridicule society’s injustices and to articulate the black experience in America. From Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley during the civil rights movement, to Richard Pryor in the 70s, to groundbreaking modern-day comedians and creators like Chris Rock, Jaime Foxx and Lena Waithe, the documentary explores the rare position these people and many more hold in our society. “Secret Origins of Hip Hop” from Mass Appeal (“Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men”, “Rapture”) follows some of hip hop’s biggest stars, including Busta Rhymes, Eve, Fat Joe Grandmaster Flash and Ice-T, as they share the stories and events that molded them into the artists they became. Collaborators, friends, family and the artists themselves will take viewers to where their stories began and trace the hidden moments that shaped their artistic points of view.

Across four hours, “Right to Offend” explores black comedy through a unique lens, tracing the evolution and social awakening of the courageous comedians who dared to push against the social constraints of their time and spoke truth to power. Featuring interviews with some of the greatest comedy minds of all time as well as a rich collection of archival comedy material, the two-part event reveals the personal stories and tribulations faced by many black performers in attaining greater acceptance and opening the doors for a true representation of the black experience.

In each one-hour episode, “Secret Origins of Hip Hop” delves into the inspiring origin story of one of hip hop’s iconic stars including hip hop veteran Busta Rhymes, rapper and actress Eve, one of the genre’s first Latino superstars Fat Joe, pioneer DJ Grandmaster Flash, cultural icon Ice-T and more. In intimate interviews, each artist will reflect on the moments that shaped them, the obstacles they have overcome, and the lessons learned along the way. The series further brings these stories to life with rare archival footage, interviews with the artists’ friends and families and the music they created that has helped define the genre. “Secret Origins of Hip Hop” is narrated by the renowned rapper Nas.

“Secret Origins of Hip Hop” is produced by Mass Appeal for A&E Network. Peter Bittenbender and Slane Hatch serve as executive producers for Mass Appeal. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serve as executive producers for A&E.

“Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” (wt) is produced by TIME Studios for A&E Network. Mario Diaz and Jessica Sherif are co-directors and executive producers. Ian Orefice serves as executive producer for Time Studios. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serve as executive producers for A&E.

About A&E Network

About TIME Studios

TIME Studios is the Emmy award-winning television and film division of TIME, the global media brand that reaches a combined audience of more than 100 million around the world. Built on the foundation of TIME’s award-winning visual journalism, which has earned over 55 major awards and nominations in the last seven years, as well as 577 million video streams across all platforms in 2019, Emmy-winning TIME Studios harnesses the access and authority of one of the world’s most trusted and respected brands to bring premium truth-based programming to television and film around the world, while continuing to push the boundaries of journalism and visual storytelling through new cutting-edge mediums including virtual reality and augmented reality.

About Mass Appeal

Mass Appeal is an entertainment company dedicated to telling stories from the perspective of those who shape and shift culture. Since 1996, we have documented the emerging movements that influence popular ideas. Today, Mass Appeal is the elevated voice of Hip Hop and its ever-expanding sphere of influence. Integrated offerings in content, music and creative services stoke Mass Appeal’s ability to maximize the impact of our output. Our diverse school of thought separates us from friends and foes alike.