All Jokes Aside was a comedy club in south-side Chicago which catered almost exclusively to the African-American sector. It opened in 1992 with 275 seats, and ran for "less than a decade". The club's success led to a Comedy Central series as well as a second location in Detroit. In 1994 the company had a turnover of $470,000.
Notable Performers
- Bill Bellamy
- Cedric the Entertainer
- Earthquake
- Mike Epps
- Jamie Foxx
- Adele Givens
- Donald Glover
- Godfrey
- Eddie Griffin
- Kevin Hart
- Steve Harvey
- D.L. Hughley
- Martin Lawrence
- Ali LeRoi
- Luenell
- Bernie Mac
- Henry Spoon
- Carlos Mencia
- Mo'Nique
- Charlie Murphy
- Patrice O'Neal
- Chris Rock
- Craig Robinson
- Sherri Shepherd
- J. B. Smoove
- Robert L. Hines
- Sommore
- Sheryl Underwood
- Thea Vidale
- Katt Williams
Documentary
A 2002 documentary produced by John Davies and Reid Brody and aired on PBS, called "Phunny Business: A Black Comedy," interviewed many of the performers and the management of the club, and documented the club's demise.
References
Magazines:
- Need a laugh when you're on the road? (Vol. 25 No. 9 ed.). Earl G. Graves, Ltd. April 1995. p. 130. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
black comedy clubs around the country
- ^ Who's laughing now? (Vol. 26 No. 2 ed.). Earl G. Graves, Ltd. September 1995. p. 30 & 33. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
Books:
- Hicks, Margaret; foreword by Mick Napier (2011). Chicago comedy : a fairly serious history. Charleston, SC: History Press. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-60949-211-3. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- "Phunny Business: A Black Comedy (Trailer)". YouTube. Retrieved 20 July 2024.