Def Comedy Jam was a certified pop culture sensation, running five seasons on HBO (from 1992 to 1997) and launching a host of African-American comedy stars, including Dave Chappelle, D.L. Hughley, Chris Tucker, Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Bellamy, and host Martin Lawrence. But more importantly, it brought the candid musings of black nightclub comics into living rooms of all colors, creating not only new stand-up tropes (“white people do this, but black people do that”) but cultural awareness (and giving voice to a fair amount of homophobia and misogyny, but let’s stay upbeat here).
2017 marks 25 years since the show’s debut, so it’s not surprising that in our anniversary-obsessed culture, they’re having a little reunion. And it’s also unsurprising that the birthday special will run on Netflix, proud home of Things You Remember Loving, although it does seem strange that HBO let this one slip away (fun fact: HBO also airs comedy specials! Has for quite some time). At any rate, Netflix has released a teaser, running down the mix of famous alums and DCJ-inspired newcomers who will pop in to kiss Russell Simmons’ ring:
Def Comedy Jam 25 will premiere on Netflix this fall.