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While he's widely known for his comedy series, 'Malcolm & Eddie,' along with co-star, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and his role in the 2002 comedy film, 'Undercover Brother' as the film's title character, comedian Eddie Griffin continues to make people laugh on and off the screen.
Coming out on home video next week is the 'Eddie Griffin: You Can Tell 'Em I Said It' uncensored and extended DVD, which will make its television debut on Comedy Central February 20 at 1:00 a.m. ET/PT.
Within the show, Griffin shares his thoughts on his love for Michelle Obama, who really makes up the Tea Party, Tiger Woods and why Cleveland should get over LeBron James.
Since his last mainstream stand-up performance, the 2003 award-winning Comedy stand-up special 'Dysfunktional Family,' the Kansas City, Missouri native has gone on to do several films, such as 'Scary Movie 3,' 'My Baby's Daddy,' 'Date Movie,' and 'Norbit' with Eddie Murphy.
Blackvoices.com caught up with Griffin as he talked about his new skit and keeping his game going after 20 years in the business. Here are excerpts from the interview.
How does it feel to be back on the stage and how do you keep the jokes so fresh?
Eddie Griffin: I never left. It's called living day by day, taking it one day at a time.
Were you limited to how much you can do for TV?
EG: Well, the actual television airing on the 19th is pretty much a raw cut. Comedy Central loved it so much they didn't really want to cut it. On the DVD, you will see the extra forty minutes. So it's all there.
Is there a signature joke that you like to do in all your shows?
EG: Yeah, Michael Jackson on crack.
You talk about the president and his wife. There are certain jokes that a black comedian can tell that are different from what a white comedian can do. Do you think that holds true?
EG: Of course, man. A Jewish comedian can get up and tell Jewish jokes that if I walk up there I would be black balled out the business for a hundred thousand years. It just depends on whose culture is in front of whose culture.
What keeps you grounded?
EG: Family. That's it. The people that knew you when. When I want to chill out I chill out with my kids. They crack me up. I don't have to be the funny one in the room.
With the films you've done, were you able to add some flavor to your lines instead of just working with the script?
EG: That's usually why they hire me, for my ability to adlib. Most of the producers and directors say, 'Here's a roadmap and I'm going to let you figure out how to drive on it.'
Why do you think that comedy never gets old?
EG: Well, whenever you have a world in the state that it's in and you see revolutions going on all over the globe, I think that people need to laugh. Laughing gives you a chance to sit back and say, 'Wow. We are taking ourselves a little too serious here.' It gives you a chance to put everything back into perspective.
Whether people see this on TV or on DVD, what do you want them to remember from your performance?
EG: Just that they are witnessing one of the greatest that ever lived.
Comments: (9)
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By: rasfanta on 2/19/2011 10:59AM
Not so familiar with your comedic material but like the way you smashed up ruskie's red sports car.
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By: G.E.N. on 2/19/2011 10:58AM
He ranks with the best, in the top 10 probably.
He definately has a unique style that many newbies have to approach.
I'm glad he's back in force, and I hope to see much more of his talent.
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By: mancha de platano on 2/19/2011 1:11PM
I'm so glad that Eddie had family~ so glad~If I was to compare Eddie to another comidian who was great/is~ that would be Lenny Bruce....The difference between the two~ family~ Eddie has family~ Lenny Bruce didn't have familt surrounding him like Eddie. that's in a personla way. In the comedian way, Eddie and Lenny have educated the generations that have listend to them. Their acts of comdedianship/Genius are never forgotten.That is how they are a like. Ache'
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By: luvingmylocks on 2/19/2011 9:34PM
This is another fool that airs their dirty family laundry on live t.v.Just the other night he was so glad to be recognized by Lopez, the night life comedian, he had to embarrass his family about when he was young he thought his name was m*****f****r because his mother only called him these offensive words and he forgot his real name I found that to be very offensive to the family and the AA WOMEN AS MOTHERS.You don't have to use your family as a tool to get over,as a comedian I'm sure he could have come up with a better monolog.shameful. I am glad it was late night and I hope the young black kids were away from the tube.
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By: COMEDIAN STEVE TURNER on 2/20/2011 1:52AM
EDDIE GRIFFIN TAUGHT ME ALOT IN THE 20 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN DOIGN COMEDY. I USED TO OPEN FOR HIM AND I KNOW 1ST HAND THAT HE IS THE FUNNIEST COMEDIAN ALIVE! HANDS DOWN. FOLLOWED BY ME. .....
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By: ukno on 2/25/2011 12:29AM
It's amazing how cats totally missed the truth about his family jokes as he tie them to his upbringing "AS TO NOT FALL IN WITH THE WRONG CROWD AND GET THROWN IN PRISON ON SOME DUMB A$$ S#%#" as these kids are doing today. Open up your ears rather than you FAT mouth and listen to the man he was speaking the the truth about the bible acccording to "CHRISTIANS" and religion and how deep S##% really is nowadays.
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By: ukno on 2/25/2011 12:29AM
And another black people NEEDS to STOP patternize themselves as to how to act around WHITE people as if their way is the right way to act. WAKE UP EVERYBODY IF WHAT THE MAJORITY ON T.V. AS THE MEDIA WOULD HAVE TO SEE THAT IS NOT JUST THIS COUNTRY NOR THIS WORLD. You don't walk outside your door and just see BLACK people as to how not to be DON'T LOOK DOWN ON THE BAD PEOPLE HAVE BECOME IN YOUR RACE THEY COULD'VE WANTED TO SAME THINGS YOU HAVE AND JUST WASN'T OR IS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN THEM THE WAY YOU DID.
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By: De Borah on 3/11/2011 11:45PM
Don't get it twisted, this is an intelligent man. I have been listening to him for years and if you listen carefully, he is ALWAYS teaching in his comedy. If you want to get learn and laugh at the same time, this is your man. I simply love this man. If he is appearing within 100 miles of my home in Rancho Cucamonga, California, I'M THERE.
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By: Dorothy Rayner on 3/23/2011 3:32PM
Leave Eddie Griffin along. He is teaching us what is gong on behind closed doors. He is an educator in his way. His knowledge and wisdom is opening many eyes for all of us, no matter where you are young or order. He has taught many lessons on sitcom, movies, and comedy. He knows a lot more than what he is releasing, we are to dumb and ignorant to listen and read between the lines. I enjoy his comedy will continue to support him. Laughter is good medicine for the bones. Even the WOG tell us this in the Book of Pr4overbs, read it sometime we might learn something about us. Enjoy life while we have breath, once last breath no more physical living. Stop hating and start loving in spite of yourself and others.
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