The Original Kings of Comedy

The Original Kings of Comedy
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySpike Lee
Written bySteve Harvey
D. L. Hughley
Cedric the Entertainer
Bernie Mac
Produced bySpike Lee
Walter Latham
David Gale
Starring
  • Steve Harvey
  • D. L. Hughley
  • Cedric the Entertainer
  • Bernie Mac
CinematographyMalik Sayeed
Edited byBarry Alexander Brown
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • August 18, 2000 (2000-08-18)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$13 million
Box office$38.2 million[1]

The Original Kings of Comedy is a 2000 American stand-up comedy film directed by Spike Lee and featuring the comedy routines of Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac. Filmed in front of a live audience at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, the comedians give the audience their views about African-American culture, race relations, religion, and family. The film was produced by MTV Productions and Latham Entertainment, and was distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was shot over the last two nights (February 26 and 27, 2000) of the Kings of Comedy tour with Harvey, Hughley, Cedric, and Mac. The show is intercut with footage of the comedians backstage, promoting the show on the radio, at the hotel, and during a basketball game. It was a critical and commercial success. The film's popularity led to multiple spin-off films.