DOG ASIDE: In 1983, Pryor signed a five-year contract with Columbia Pictures for $40,000,000….and he started his own production company, Indigo Productions. This resulted in the mainstreaming of Pryor’s onscreen persona and softer, more formulaic films like Superman III (1983)….which earned Pryor $4,000,000…. and Brewster’s Millions (1985), Moving (1988) and See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989).…
DOG ASIDE: In 1969, Pryor moved to Berkeley, California….where he immersed himself in the counterculture and rubbed elbows with the likes of Huey P. Newton and Ishmael Reed. He signed with the comedy-oriented independent record label Laff Records in 1970….and in 1971 recorded his second album Craps (After Hours). Two years later, the relatively unknown comedian…
DOG ASIDE: In 1963, Pryor moved to New York City and began performing regularly in clubs alongside performers such as Bob Dylan and Woody Allen….where on one of his first nights….he opened for singer and pianist Nina Simone at New York’s Village Gate. Simone recalls Pryor’s bout of performance anxiety as follows….”He shook like he had…
DOG ASIDE: Born on December 1, 1940 in Peoria, Illinois….Pryor grew up in his grandmother’s brothel….where his mother, Gertrude L. (Thomas), practiced prostitution. His father, LeRoy “Buck Carter” Pryor (June 7, 1915 – September 27, 1968) was a former boxer and hustler. After his alcoholic mother abandoned him when he was 10….Pryor was raised primarily by his grandmother…
DOG ASIDE: Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, and actor….who is currently listed at Number 1 on Comedy Central’s list of all-time greatest stand-up comedians. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues….which employed colorful vulgarities and profanity….as well as…
DOG ASIDE: This video is dedicated to the 19 members of the Evansville Purple Aces team and coaching staff….who lost their lives on that dreadful day on December 13, 1977….when the Air Indiana Flight 216 Douglas DC-3 carrying the University of Evansville basketball team….crashed on takeoff at the Evansville Regional Airport in Evansville, Indiana. The aircraft…
DOG ASIDE: NBC’s Al McGuire previews the 1985 NCAA Men’s Basketball Finals between the high flying Phi Slamma Jamma of the Houston Cougars vs the North Carolina State Wolfpack….. in interviews with Houston Coach Guy V. Lewis and NC St Coach Jim Valvano…..followed by McGuire’s 1983 all freshman team with Kenny “Sky” Walker (Kentucky), Tim…
DOG ASIDE: In this video clip….NBC’s Al McGuire interviews prior University of New Mexico Lobos Coach Norm Ellenberger….then provides a thumb-nail sketch of Alburquerque, New Mexico…..the sight of the 1983 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four…..which was eventually won on a last second shot by Jim Valvano’s North Carolina State Wolfpack team over the high flying…
DOG ASIDE: In 1977, Marquette Golden Eagles Coach Al McGuire led his basketball team to the National Championship….and in this NCAA men’s basketball Final Four special….he provides us with his all time tournament teams…..comprised from Al’s Glossary of all time “coast to coast” players in the running game…..all time “chip shot” players comprising of the…