The Richard Pryor Show was a short-lived and controversial comedy variety series starring Richard Pryor. It premiered on NBC on Tuesday, September 13, 1977 at 8:00 p.m. opposite ABC's popular television shows Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days. The show was produced by Rocco Urbisci for Burt Sugarman Productions. It was conceived out of a special that Pryor did for NBC in May 1977. Since the special was a major hit, both critically and commercially...
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The Richard Pryor Show was a short-lived and controversial comedy variety series starring Richard Pryor. It premiered on NBC on Tuesday, September 13, 1977 at 8:00 p.m. opposite ABC's popular television shows Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days. The show was produced by Rocco Urbisci for Burt Sugarman Productions. It was conceived out of a special that Pryor did for NBC in May 1977. Since the special was a major hit, both critically and commercially, Pryor was given a chance to host and star in his own television show.
The Richard Pryor Show lasted only 4 episodes during the 1977 season. It was a far cry from the goofy, cookie cutter "bad comedy skits with songs" type of variety show that dominated the airwaves of the day. Pryor's program was a true variety show, featuring an unpredictable mix of satire, social commentary, conceptual comedy, improvisation, slapstick, and the occasional dramatic bit. From the start, the show faced controversy about its time slot and subject matter. Pryor...
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