The Apollo Comedy Hour | |
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Genre | |
Directed by |
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Starring |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 3 |
No. of episodes | 78 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Moses Edinborough |
Producer | Ben Hill |
Camera setup | Multi-camera |
Running time | 60 |
Production company | Apollo Theatre Productions |
Original release | |
Network | Syndication |
Release | September 27, 1992 – January 1, 1995 |
Related | |
It's Showtime at the Apollo |
The Apollo Comedy Hour is a sketch-comedy that aired in first-run syndication [2] [3] [4] from 1992-1995. The series was filmed the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. It was produced by the same people who produced It's Showtime at the Apollo . [5]
Like a similar syndicated show from around the same time period, Uptown Comedy Club and the Fox series In Living Color , Apollo Comedy Hour featured a cast of young hopeful comedians, guest stars and a new musical act for each episode.
The cast was primarily black [6] and Hispanic, with sketches primarily written around their personal experiences and observations. Series regulars included Paula Jai Parker, [7] Grace Garland, Lisa Nicole Carson, [8] Debra Wilson, and Ian Edwards. Randl Ask and later Ilan Kwittken were the only white cast members. The show was hosted by Phyllis Stickney. [9] Mary Flowers [10] served as music talent executive.
Meanwhile, Patrice O'Neal's first television appearance was on The Apollo Comedy Hour. [11] Other performers featured included Derrick Fox, Yusuf Lamont, Kool Bubba Ice, [12] Gil T, [13] A.G. White, [14] Deirdre Boddie-Henderson, [15] Mike Yard, [16] John Henton, [17] Charles Walden, [18] Damon Rozier, Freddie Ricks, [19] Darryl Littleton, [20] Daran Howard, [21] Tony Woods, [22] and Alonzo Bodden. [23]
Caryn Elaine Johnson, known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg, is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality. The recipient of numerous accolades, she is one of few people to receive an Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Academy Award, and Tony Award, collectively known as the EGOT. In 2001, she received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
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Nathaniel Stroman, known professionally by his stage name Earthquake, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist and radio personality. He presently hosts a radio show entitled, Quakeshouse for SiriusXM and Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Network. His first Netflix special entitled Chappelle's Home Team- Legendary: Earthquake was produced by Dave Chappelle and his Magic Lemonade production entity in February 2022.
Patrice Lumumba Malcolm O'Neal was an American comedian and actor. He was known for his stand-up comedy career and his regular guest appearances on the talk show Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and the radio show Opie and Anthony.
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