Paul Mooney on his career and relationship with Richard Pryor | American Masters | PBS

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On April 6, 2007, comedian Paul Mooney reflected on the mechanics of stand-up comedy and his unique role as best friend to comedy’s all-time greatest, Richard Pryor. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).

Chapters:

00:00 Mooney finds comedic timing in school and Army
03:00 How Mooney became a confidant of comedy’s giants
04:29 Mooney’s lifelong friendship with Pryor
07:09 Mooney and The Richard Pryor Show
09:25 On Pryor’s self-doubt and helping him accept his greatness

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Now in its 38th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards—including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special—two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.