Netflix Instant Nudge: Richard Pryor

Nothing new here. And if you like stand-up, you should have seen these already. Two Richard Pryor concerts are available: Live on the Sunset Strip, and Here and Now.

I can't recommend one over the other. Sunset Strip, recorded in 1982, is a slicker performance with a more cooperative audience. They respond well to the rhythm of his performance and they know when to be quiet. It goes smoothly.

Here and Now, filmed in 1983 is in front of a New Orleans crowd that tries to interact with Pryor a little too much. Some people in the audience challenge Pryor's claim that he's sober, and they interrupt some of his moments with nervous energy. His attempts to create the image of man broken by drugs is cracked by applause and some awkward laughter. Pryor stays in character, tho the line is sometimes hard to see.

At some points he gets a little aggressive with his responses, but he never loses the audience.

These performances were filmed after Pryor, while freebasing cocaine, set himself on fire. In Sunset Strip he tells the story, and even ends with a joke I remember laughing about with my elementary school friends.

Here and Now is often referred to as a combination of documentary and performance. It's really just a performance with a slightly extended behind the scenes intro.