A Vic Damone Paradise*

(* Vic Damone is an Italian guy who married a black woman, i.e. he is the ironic reference I make for this posting. Just in case you were wondering)

What is it with black comedians and imitations of Italian guys? That set-up accounts for quite possibly the two greatest segments in Stand-Up Comedy History. In one corner we have Eddie Murphy doing an impression of an Italian guy after seeing Rocky in “Raw” (“Eh paisan you in line to see Rocky? Great fucking movie!) and in the other corner we have Richard Pryor imitating some Mafia guys (“You guinea cocksuckaaaaa!!!”)

I think it’s safe to say these two pieces of art represent the highest boundaries that man kind has ever reached. They are true perfection. I spend at least 20 minutes a week crying over what has happened to Murphy. His triumphant run during the mid to late 80’s of “Trading Places”, “Beverly Hills Cop 2″, and “Coming to America” has to be the greatest run of artistic achievement by a single human being since Picasso’s blue period. And no this is not up for discussion. Much like Elvis, Pat Benetar, and the guy who played Joey Gladstone on “Full House” his career flamed out well before it’s time.

Thanks to the magic of YouTube, we can enjoy these stunning cultural achievements in modern day (below). Murphy vs. Pryor? If someone put a gun to my head? I’ll go with Murphy but only because I do a better imitation of his one. Pryor’s is too gravely. Get 3 drinks in me and I’ll show you.