The Buzz: ‘Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy’ An Homage to Black Comedians in the 90’s
The importance of historical context and inclusivity. In the 1990’s, the burgeoning popularity of hip hop and comedy brought Black artists to the forefront of mainstream entertainment. What helped to facilitate this and bring it more to producers and agents’ attention was Phat Tuesdays at the Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard. Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy is only three episodes long, but it is filled with interesting facts and takes on not just Phat Tuesdays, but how to be a great comedian, the hurdles Black comedians faced and the importance of inclusivity and giving people a chance to become successful no matter their race, gender or sexual orientation. Just like Phat Tuesday, all of the comedians interviewed for the mini series are hilarious, making the series a laugh out loud documentary that is well worth watching.
A great documentary or docu-series is usually informational, based on the idea of either giving historical context or filling in the blanks about the human experience. It is based in reality and is a form of both entertainment and education for an audience. Historical context and information is king, and Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy understands this. Many people know famous comedians like Nick Cannon, Chris Tucker and Martin Lawrence, but they may not know how they became famous. The center point of the docuseries is that they all got their big start at one place during a specific period of time. When Guy Torry got permission to have Phat Tuesdays, a once-a-week comedy show for Black comedians at the Comedy Store, a time and place became solidified in not just the history of comedy, but a place where Black comedians were given a voice and found a way into the very White entertainment industry at the time. The 1990’s flourished with original Black television shows and movies, and a lot of the talent was hired after being seen performing during Phat Tuesdays. The documentary does not try to posit that without Phat Tuesdays there would not be Black comedians in the mainstream, but it does explain that it was a place where Hollywood agents and producers found talent. The time and place became intertwined.
The docu-series is mostly filled with interviews from many of the people that were there at Phat Tuesdays between 1995, when it started, and 2005 when it ended. This includes Tiffany Haddish, Snoop Dogg and Dave Chappelle. These interviews don’t just contain comedians, as some of the waitresses at the Comedy Store are interviewed along with other celebrities that were there to attest to what Phat Tuesdays were like. The interviews shed light on both the experience and historical significance. For example, when Chris Tucker talks about how he first started performing on Phat Tuesdays and Guy Torry explains how he heard the audience erupt in laughter that shook the room, these are both visceral explanations of what it was like at Phat Tuesdays. Later in the episode, Chris Tucker explains that after performing during Phat Tuesdays, he was approached to act in Friday (1995) and then, The Fifth Element (1997), launching his acting career. Chris Tucker is well known for these performances and a part of the public’s collective knowledge as a famous comedian. That is the historical significance.
The show stays fresh by not just talking about Phat Tuesdays, but also comedy as an art form. There are moments where the show talks about how every comedian bombs on stage multiple times in their lifetime, or how a great comedian does not stick to a script, but rather reads a room to figure out what type of humor the crowd would respond to. The comedians being interviewed are also asked about social media and the new outlet for Black comedians. They take a moment to recognize social media as the new Phat Tuesdays, the new way for comedians to become recognized and seen by a wider audience.
The multifaceted topics in the series makes it fascinating to watch. The director Reginald Hudlin, who has directed the classic cult comedy House Party (1990) and produced films like Django Unchained (2012), understands that since the documentary is based off of a comedy club and Black comedians, he highlights just how funny these comedians truly are. During the interviews, there are jokes and gags throughout. There is footage from Phat Tuesdays in the 1990’s that, even without context, are hilarious. The show isn’t just informational and historical, it is genuinely funny. It isn’t a dry documentary, it is filled with humor and people reminiscing on a fun part of their life.
In the last episode, a topic covered in the show is about the struggles of Black female comics and how Guy Torry would give these comedians a chance when other managers or producers would take advantage of them. He provided an outlet for them and other people to be successful in their field. This really gets to the heart of what the show is about, giving all types of people the ability to succeed in any industry. Inclusivity is about voices being heard and having a seat at the table. Phat Tuesdays is an example of how inclusivity in comedy in the 1990’s and support for other Black artists paved the way for successful careers, shows and movies to come out. Support is something that there needs to be more of and Phat Tuesdays exemplifies that ideal.