DEBBIE NORRELL
I love to laugh and enjoy going to comedy clubs. Just the other day I was thinking, “what has happened to some of my favorite comedians?”
I know what happened to one of my all-time favorites, Robin Harris. He died in March of 1990 apparently in his sleep, he was 36 years of age. I enjoyed him on stage and in the movies. His career was really beginning to take off. I often hear other comedians using his material.
The next person on my mind is Paul Mooney. I have not seen him for years. A brief search on the Internet confirmed that is he alive and will be performing in New York on Nov. 1 at the B. B. King Blues Club as well as D.C. on Nov. 3 at the Howard Theatre. I sure would like to see him live.
I’ve always thought he was one of the smartest comedians. He was always on the mark with current events. Mooney is 74 years old now. He has served as a writer for “Sanford & Son,” “Good Times,” “The Richard Pryor Show” and “In Living Color.” He was born in Louisiana and grew up in Oakland, Calif. He ran away from home and joined the Charles Gody Circus, becoming the first African American ringmaster. In a handout circulated at one of his comedy shows at Caroline’s on Broadway, Mooney was quoted as saying, “When I was ringmaster, I was doing jokes. I think funny.” Mooney’s “big break” is attributed to his meeting and working with Pryor.
Next on my all time favorite list is Don D.C. Curry. He was the host of BET’s “Comic View” for a while. He is going to be at the Macon, Ga., Auditorium on Nov. 21 with J. Anthony Brown and Michael Colyar. Now that is good line up. Curry played the sex crazed uncle in the movies, “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.”
And where in the world is Shucky Ducky? Shucky Ducky is the stage name of comedian Cecil Armstrong (born in 1956), a native of Dallas, Texas. He has appeared on “Def Comedy Jam.” He has also been the ringmaster of the UniverSoul Circus. He is known for the catchphrase “Shucky Ducky Quack Quack.” He describes his catchphrase as meaning disappointment or excitement. Looks like he last performed in Nashville in July, I am going to see if I can become his Facebook friend and keep up with him.
I am still a huge Chris Rock fan and have several of his DVDs. The light bulb just came on, here is what I will do. I will go on Amazon and buy some of the DVDs of my favorites, especially Paul Mooney, and then when the weather warms back up I’ll become a groupie. Can you tell I’m “jonesing” for some good comedy. Shucky Duck Quack Quack!!!
I’m going to continue to check the ticket master list for this comedians when they are in driving distance I’m heading out. Perhaps you would like to join me.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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