The Apollo Comedy Hour Explained

The Apollo Comedy Hour is a sketch-comedy that aired in first-run syndication^{[1] [2] [3]} from 1992-1995. The series was filmed the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. It was produced by the same people who produced It's Showtime at the Apollo.^[4]

Format

Like a similar syndicated show from around the same time period, Uptown Comedy Club and the Fox series In Living Color, Apollo Comedy Hour featured a cast of young hopeful comedians, guest stars and a new musical act for each episode.

Cast

The cast was primarily black^[5] and Hispanic, with sketches primarily written around their personal experiences and observations. Series regulars included Paula Jai Parker,^[6] Grace Garland, Lisa Nicole Carson,^[7] Debra Wilson, and Ian Edwards. Randl Ask and later Ilan Kwittken were the only white cast members. The show was hosted by Phyllis Stickney.^[8] Mary Flowers^[9] served as music talent executive.

Meanwhile, Patrice O'Neal's first television appearance was on The Apollo Comedy Hour. Other performers featured included Derrick Fox, Yusuf Lamont, Kool Bubba Ice,^[10] Gil T,^[11] A.G. White,^[12] Deirdre Boddie-Henderson,^[13] Mike Yard,^[14] John Henton,^[15] Charles Walden,^[16] Damon Rozier, Freddie Ricks,^[17] Darryl Littleton,^[18] Daran Howard,^[19] Tony Woods,^[20] and Alonzo Bodden.^[21]

Stations

City	Station
Atlanta
Baltimore	WMAR 2
Boston	WLVI 56
Chicago	WGN 9
Cincinnati	WKRC 12
Cleveland	WJW 8
Colorado Springs	KXRM 21
Denver	KWGN 2
Derry	WNDS 50
Detroit	WJBK 2
Dothan	WTVY 4
Eugene	KEVU 34
	WKFT 40
Lakeland	WTMV 32
Lansing	WLAJ 53
Little Rock	KASN 38
Los Angeles	KTLA 5
Meridian	WTOK 11
Miami	WBFS 33
Milwaukee	WITI 6
Orlando	WFTV 9
Panama City	WJHG 7
Philadelphia	WPHL 17
Salt Lake City	KOOG 30
San Diego	KUSI 51
Seattle	KTZZ 22
Spokane	KAYU 28
Washington, D.C.	WJLA 7
West Palm Beach	WTVX 34
Yakima	K53CY 53

Notes and References

1. News: King. Susan. September 13, 1992. Preview '92 : Syndicated Hype : There's Whoopi, Cosby and don't forget the return of Kung fu fighting. Los Angeles Times.
2. Book: Moon, Allen, Spencer, Linda. Reel Black Talk: A Sourcebook of 50 American Filmmakers. 1997. 355. Bloomsbury Academic . 9780313298301.
3. Book: Beech, Wendy. 14 March 2002. Against All Odds: Ten Entrepreneurs Who Followed Their Hearts and Found Success. 137. John Wiley & Sons . 9780471436898.
4. Book: Brooks, Marsh, Tim, Earle F.. 24 June 2009. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. 72. Random House Publishing . 9780307483201.
5. Book: Littleton, Darryl. Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh. 2008. 221. Hal Leonard Corporation . 9781557837301.
6. Book: The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. 2003. Ballantine Books. 0-345-45542-8. 1223.
7. Book: Oh, Minya. February 2000. Vibe Feb 2000. 154.
8. News: Winslow. Harriet. September 13, 1992. HELLO, 'WHOOPI!'. The Washington Post.
9. Web site: DRAGUTAINMENT: FABULOUS FAKES, AT THE APOLLO ON APRIL 28. April 27, 2012. Black Star News.
10. Web site: Comedy Night at The Guild Theater. February 22, 2019. St. HOPE.
11. Web site: GIL T. Comic Cure.
12. Web site: Comedian A.G. White. A.G. White.
13. Web site: Could you Spare some Social Change, please?. WOW Cafe.
14. Web site: Comics…As Seen on TV! with Mike Yard (HBO's Def Comedy Jam) and Mike DeStefano. Goldstar.
15. News: Johnson. Allan. January 2, 1994. LAUGHS TRAIL 'SINGLE' STAR FROM TV TO STAGE. Chicago Tribune.
16. Web site: Charles Walden & Damon Rozier. NIGHTOUT.
17. Web site: Your Name. Museum of the Moving Image.
18. News: Roberts Ott. Leilani. January 31, 2013. Laugh and live longer with comedy. Muskogee Phoenix.
19. News: August 31, 2005. Banjo player at the UU Dome. Tampa Bay Times.
20. Web site: Love and Laughter Comedy Show. Local Stubs.
21. Web site: Alonzo Bodden still looking for challenges 14 years after 'Last Comic Standing'. Ferraro. Robert. November 5, 2018. NJArts.net.