One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
HBO And Russell Simmons To Recall 'Def Comedy Jam' In New Series
Russell Simmons. (Photo by Michael Kovac / Getty Images)
HBO and Russell Simmons have announced a six-episode series of All Def Comedy to start airing in December. The new series is an extension of the stand-up special the network aired last November, as well as Simmons' iconic comedy show Def Comedy Jam which ran from 1992-1997 and then again in 2006. The show will feature up-and-coming stand-up comedians who have been featured on All Def Digital's weekly comedy showcase. Installments will be taped at the Avalon Theater on October 10 and 11. Tony Rock, younger brother of Chris Rock, will host.
Simmons' Def Comedy Jam has a legacy of starting the careers of some of the most successful black comedians in U.S. history, like Dave Chappelle, Bernie Mac, Chris Rock, and Chris Tucker. It featured almost exclusively black lineups for every show; a first for televised stand-up shows and still scarce in mainstream comedy works.
Deadline also reports that Russell Simmons is looking to bring back his Def Poetry Jam franchise and has spoken with Chance the Rapper about possibly hosting the series, this time titled All Def Poetry.
If the iconic days of Def Comedy Jam are any indication, All Def Comedy might be the breeding ground for the next generation of comedy talent.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
