Dark Side of Comedy

Watch Dark Side of Comedy

  • TV-14
  • 2022
  • 2 Seasons
  • 7.3  (457)

Dark Side of Comedy is a documentary series that explores the personal struggles and controversies surrounding some of comedy's most legendary figures. Premiering on Vice TV in 2022, each episode profiles a different comedian, tracing their path to stardom while also delving into the darker aspects of their lives and careers.

The show begins by examining the life and work of Richard Pryor, widely considered among the most influential stand-up comedians of all time. It details Pryor's rough upbringing in a brothel run by his grandmother, where he endured sexual abuse at a young age. This trauma informed his raunchy, uncensored brand of comedy that tackled taboo subjects like race and drug use head-on. However, Pryor's career was marked by self-destructive behavior, multiple marriages, drug addictions, and infamous incidents like the time he set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine. The episode explores how he channeled these demons into his groundbreaking comedy.

Another episode focuses on Andy Kaufman, the eccentric performer who shocked audiences in the 1970s and 80s with his bizarre alter egos and commitment to blurring the lines between truth and fiction. It analyzes Kaufman's early obsession with trickery and pranks, tracing it back to his lonely childhood. The profile also covers the extreme lengths Kaufman went to stay in character and undermine the entertainment industry's conventions, including his infamous feud with wrestler Jerry Lawler and his final months spent insisting he was dying of a rare cancer as a prank.

Dark Side of Comedy also examines the tumultuous life of John Belushi, the hard-partying founding member of Saturday Night Live who struggled with drug addiction and depression before dying of an overdose at age 33. It includes interviews with Dan Aykroyd and other former SNL colleagues about Belushi's reckless behavior and agonizing comedown after his swift rise to fame. Despite his personal demons, Belushi's completely uninhibited physical comedy left an indelible mark on pop culture.

With its unflinching look at comedians' troubled lives behind the laughter they inspired, Dark Side of Comedy offers a poignant celebration of their groundbreaking art as well as a cautionary tale about the high personal cost of pushing creative boundaries. Without excusing bad behavior, it aims to understand the psychological wounds, insecurities, and inner turmoils that drove these comedy legends. The show captures how their darkest impulses were translated into pioneering, culturally resonant humor that still resonates today.

Dark Side of Comedy is a series that ran for 2 seasons (22 episodes) between August 16, 2022 and on Vice TV

Dark Side of Comedy
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Seasons
Gilda Radner
10. Gilda Radner
December 19, 2023
Gilda Radner was SNL's first female star. But her pioneering success was plagued by trauma, eating disorders, heartbreak and cancer, all of which she turned into comedy material.
Norm MacDonald
9. Norm MacDonald
December 12, 2023
On SNL and beyond, Norm MacDonald was legendary for his fearless comedy. But his controversial persona concealed a serious gambling problem and a secret that he took to his grave.
Ellen DeGeneres
8. Ellen DeGeneres
December 5, 2023
Ellen DeGeneres revolutionized TV with a unique brand of positive humor, but behind the scenes a massive controversy was brewing--one that would tarnish her image forever.
Family Matters
7. Family Matters
November 28, 2023
"Family Matters" is a wholesome sitcom of the 90s, but the success of the show led to issues for many cast members who still deal with trauma and addiction.
Tracy Morgan
6. Tracy Morgan
November 21, 2023
Tracy Morgan survived drug-dealing, hyper-competitive SNL, and substance abuse. But a brutal car accident and two-week coma made him finally confront his childhood demons.
Phil Hartman
5. Phil Hartman
November 14, 2023
Phil Hartman was a beloved SNL and Simpsons cast member, but his squeaky clean image was at odds with a toxic marriage that descended into a tragic murder-suicide.
Carlos Mencia
4. Carlos Mencia
November 7, 2023
Carlos Mencia was one of the biggest comics in America until accusations of joke theft led to one of the most dramatic downfalls in comedy history.
Joan Rivers
3. Joan Rivers
October 31, 2023
Joan Rivers' insults made her a comedy icon, but the pressures of a male-dominated industry led to eating disorders, self-loathing, and a deadly addiction to plastic surgery.
Sam Kinison
2. Sam Kinison
October 24, 2023
Sam Kinison revolutionized comedy with a vulgar, sexist act, but his appetite for cocaine and chaos would lead to a dramatic downfall at the height of his massive success.
Robin Williams
1. Robin Williams
October 17, 2023
Robin Williams' suicide shocked the world. While he was one of the most successful comedians ever, he was struggling privately with crushing health and psychological issues.
Description
Where to Watch Dark Side of Comedy
Dark Side of Comedy is available for streaming on the Vice TV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Dark Side of Comedy on demand at Philo, Amazon, Hulu, Vudu, Viceland, Sling and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    August 16, 2022
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (457)