Before 'In Living Color,' There Was Robert Townsend’s 'Partners in Crime'
Robert Townsend has almost made a career of being underrated. He funneled his frustrations of being typecast in Hollywood into 1987’s Hollywood Shuffle, maxing out his credit cards but creating an undeniable work of art. But Townsend also used his cachet to bring work to his funny friends. Collaborating with the Wayans family, John Witherspoon, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson, and more, Townsend created a series of comedy specials that took the shape of an old-school variety hour. In the Partners in Crime HBO specials, Townsend served as a master of ceremonies more than a central figure. He curates stand-up from his friends, filmed sketches, and musical performances. Partners in Crime 3 starts with flappers doing the Charleston to Bobby Brown, then some Tommy Davidson impressions, then a Star Trek parody where Vulcans eat soul food. It’s a wild ride.
Diallo Riddle loves that unmoored feeling that comes with a good variety show. You never know what’s going to happen next, and a creator can explore all aspects of their comedic sensibilities. His new IFC show with writing partner Bashir Salahuddin, Sherman’s Showcase, looks back at decades of this fictional Soul Train–like show. You know how The Simpsons uses Krusty the Clown’s show to make fun of all TV? Sometimes it’s Laugh-In, sometimes it’s a serious debate show with AFL-CIO chairman George Meany? Sherman’s Showcase is as if someone made a whole show of that, with original songs in every episode and John Legend doing a self-aggrandizing parody of himself. Riddle says that the audacity to throw all the spaghetti on the wall comedically came in part from watching these Townsend specials.
Ahead of the debut of Sherman’s Showcase and his other new series, Comedy Central’s South Side, Riddle recently chatted with Vulture about why he loves to create comedy within the variety-show format and why Townsend’s Partners in Crime specials deserve more fans and recognition today.
share