D.L. Hughley Interview

D.L. Hughley is one of the most popular and highly recognized standup comedians on the road today and has also made quite an impression in the television, film and radio arenas. First and foremost a standup comedian, in May 2014 he starred in his 6th stand-up comedy special “Clear”. D.L. donned the author’s cap in 2013 and released his first humorous book titled, I Want You to Shut the F*ck Up and also created and starred in the satirical documentary special for Comedy Central “D.L. Hughley: The Endangered List”. The Endangered List premiered to rave reviews and was honored with a Peabody Award and by the Television Academy Honors.

D.L.’s list of projects and accomplishments also includes The Kings of Comedy tour and movie, hosting of BET’s Comic View and Def Comedy Jam, hosting his own Comedy Central talk show, serving as a weekly contributor to the nationally syndicated radio show, “The Tom Joyner Morning Show”, and currently hosting his own nationally syndicated radio show.

D.L. and I sat down recently after his sold out show at the Houston Improv. D.L. was very down to earth and articulate. Here’s our conversation...

Some basic stuff first. How long you been in the industry?

About 25 years, since ‘89.

How did you get your start?

Talking shit around barber shops. You know back then they used to have more than one hustle. They used to cut hair, sell weed, do taxes.. so I started off in the barber shop.

What about your first opportunity performing? Who gave you your first shot?

Robin Harris. He was opening up for a group called Blue Magic and he let me go up before him. This was in Los Angeles at a club called the Total Experience Lounge.

Who would you say were your comedy influences in your early days?

Robin Harris and, of course, Richard Pryor. But one of my biggest comic influences was Marvin Gaye. Because I think he painted a picture with his music that was so vivid it was almost like you were there. And it was timely. So you’d be able to put on a Marvin Gaye album and it mirrors what’s going on today. So that inspired me to always seek that kind of relatability.

ROBIN HARRIS

What about non-professional influences?

I'd have to say my parents. I grew up with a father who worked hard and a mother who was an old school mother with my brothers and sisters and I. Although, my siblings were nothing like me. I always felt like I was on the outside looking in. So comedy seemed like a natural kind of endeavor because it was a solitary endeavor and you didn’t need anybody to help make it happen. Plus you could be a self-starter.

You’ve got a long and varied resume... from the Kings of Comedy tour, to your sitcom, the radio show, the CNN gig. I’ve read that stand-up comedy is your main passion; your home base that you always come back to. What would you say is the hardest thing about stand-up comedy?

I think the hardest time I have is coming up with a consistent creative inspiration. You know, it’s hard after you’ve done a stand-up special to come up with a whole new show and leave behind new material that you fine tuned over months.

Speaking of specials, you have anything coming up?

Well besides our syndicated radio show, I have a book coming out called “Black Man, White House”, a comedic anthology of President Obama’s two terms as president, and I’m doing a movie where we try to get the Black man the same protections as endangered animals. It’s called Endangered List II. We start shooting in February 2015.

Sounds exciting. Do you have a release date for the book yet?

Nothing concrete yet. We should be wrapping it up in about April of 2015. It may come out around election time or so.

No new comedy specials on the calendar?

I’ll tell you, I did something that I’ll never do again. I did two comedy specials within a year and a half and I’m gonna wait for two or three before I do it again. We did Reset that came out in 2012 and Clear that was just released in May of 2014. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.

Oh? Why is that?

I think it takes a long time to develop an act that you’re comfortable with. It’s like cramming for a test. It was hard. Two specials is three hours’ worth of material and that normally takes years. We had to manufacture and break that material in in a year and a half so.. it wasn’t easy. THEN I needed to come up with another new show once they were done.

Do you find it hard coordinating work and family life?

Well, it was rougher when my kids were younger but it’s better now that they are older. They have jobs of their own now. They understand that my career requires a little bit of sacrifice. I hope that I’ve at least taught them to value whatever time they have with their families and still be committed to whatever endeavor they’ve chosen.

I noticed in your act tonight that you don’t shy away from the current events like the Mike Brown killing, Eric Garner, etc. A lot of entertainment personalities don’t touch those topics publicly. What do you think about the absence in the industry of people speaking out about police overreach and brutality?

I think that you’ve gotta do what you’re comfortable doing. If you’re not comfortable doing it then you comment and it’s not authentic it can sound disingenuous. I think that some may speak out, some write letters, and others may silently support campaigns. I think it’s important to do whatever you see as important. For me, I can’t be the type of artist that sees what’s going on and not address it in some kind of way. Other people may not feel that way. Ultimately you have a responsibility to your artistic view and vantage point that no one can encroach on. Obviously, if you feel like it’s important you’ll say something about it and if you don’t, you won’t.

Now, let me know if this is getting too personal but I’ve spoken to a few Black families living with Autism and it seems to be a topic rarely addressed in the media. Wondering if maybe I can get a comment from you on the subject. I know you have a son with Aspergers syndrome. What’s your experience? Do you have anything you’d like to share?

What’s funny is, Black people think you can pray away everything. If you can pray gay away, I guess you can pray having a mental disability away. Prayer isn’t just about God doing something it’s about you doing something yourself. Even David had to go to the battlefield. He didn’t just sit there and wait for God to do something. That’s the same thing with families facing a supporting a relative with mental disabilities. There’s a tendency to have an over-dependency on a spiritual presence when that should be one part of your support system. You can have a preacher AND a psychologist. God might put upon your heart to find the right doctor or therapist. That’s what I’ve always noticed about us as a people. We tend to be reticent to avail ourselves of some of the advantages to living in a country where you can go to a doctor or talk to a psychologist. We think preachers can do it all when in reality they can’t. You have to reach out and create a support system for your family. Educate yourself regarding the family member's diagnosis. I remember when we first found out my son had Aspergers my wife cried and prayed. I just kind of thought it was just another thing for a Black man to get over. Another thing to have to deal with.

My son is 26 now. He had a birthday recently. He wasn’t so slow that he didn’t want a present! (Laughter) “I want the new iPhone!!”, he said. I was like, go get it. You’re a grown man. I mean, I put up the money but I wasn’t getting no presents and cake for a grown man!

What’s the big picture for you with your career for 2015 and beyond? Are you...

First I’ve gotta live to SEE 2015! (Again, laughter)

Yeah, well... don’t get pulled over. But, are you taking it to some other level or..?

I kinda just want to make sure that I’m doing what I want to do. That I’m being true to my artistic vision and I’m being as clear as I can be. And to still work as hard as I always have.

Any pearls of wisdom for upcoming comics?

I’ve never seen anybody successful at telling a young dude anything (Laughter). I’d say do what you love and know why you’re doing it. One of the wisest things I ever heard was Chris Rock say “you don’t have to know what you will do, just know what you won’t”. I think that’s an important view to have.

v. ray

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