On the Real Side A History of African American Comedy

Through laughing, lying, and signifying, the underground tradition of African American humour continues to transform American culture. This comprehensive history discusses black face minstrelsy, Stephin Fetchit, and the Amos 'n' Andy show; folktales, race records, and all-black shows and films; Bert Williams, Moms Mabley, and Redd Foxx; Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Eddie Murphy. Here, in a second edition featuring a new afterword, is the definitive account of how black humour has sustained African Americans throughout their history.

Mel Watkins is a former editor at The New York Times Book Review. He is the author of Dancing with Strangers: A Memoir. He lives in New York City.