I just ordered these four specials on yesterday.


Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime originally aired on December 20, 1987
Take No Prisoners: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime II originally aired on September 18, 1988
The Mutiny Has Just Begun: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime III originally aired May 19, 1989
Playing the Nutroll: Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime IV originally aired on September 16, 1989


A lot of people say this may have begin the back comic boom from the late '80 until the early '90s as a quote on the back covers says "before IN LIVING COLOR and Before DEF COMEDY JAM."


In 1987 when this debuted, Townsend was one of the hottest young comics in the games, and was even offered as the host of the Late Show (Which later turned out to be friend Arsenio Hall, which morphed into the Arsenio Hall Show.) At the time, he was probably only second to Eddie Murphy in the "Black Pack." His close friend, Keenen Ivory Wayans was a major part of these specials serving as comedian, writer, producer and influenced his show "In Living Color" only a few years down the road.


Major players who were featured on these specials included:
Keenen Ivory Wayans
Mr. Paul Mooney
Damon Wayans
Robin Harris
Franklyn Ajaye
John Witherspoon
David Alan Grier
Sinbad
Tommy Davidson
Shawn Wayans
Marlon Wayans
Kim Wayans
Reynaldo Ray
Don Reed.

I loved the original and vaguely remember Arsenio Hall being on that one. Great show!

What late show was this that turn into The Arsenio Hall Show?

funkpill said:

This one ...

oh dang!!!

yeah..i remember this

Where is he I LOVED HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE?

LittleBLUECorvette said:

I remember that!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

I sooo remember this!!!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

I loved all of them and had them on VHS for a while

I saw them all and loved them. I also loved Hollywood Shuffle.

Good stuff.

I remember this stuff. What ever happened to Robert Townsend?

illimack said:

He was a visiting prof at GSU last year.

illimack said:

From what I been hearing, he's doing alright. Was told if all goes well this year he shoud be abe 2 make it 2 the family reunion. We couldn't do it last year cause of money and high gas prices.

illimack said:

He just finished up producing/directing a film titled "Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy." The list of comedians on the documentary is great. The Wayans family, Cedric, Paul Mooney, Dick Gregory, DL Hughley and Mr. Bill Cosby among others.

I loved all of umm. I watched them all when they aired and the repeats too.

HBO