Friday, Nov. 3, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.
It seems like a no-brainer.
Take three of the top comics in the urban market, put them on one bill, cleverly titled "The Kings of Comedy," and tour across the United States.
Nevertheless, Steve Harvey, one-third of the comic trio, along with Bernie Mac and Cedric The Entertainer, wasn't convinced it would work.
In fact, when promoter Walter Latham first approached Harvey with the idea, guaranteeing he could make more money with the tour than as a solo performer, the comedian pulled a Cuba Gooding Jr. in "Jerry Maguire."
"I said, 'OK, pal, I just need a contract that says that and I need a deposit,'" Harvey said in a recent phone interview.
As it turns out, Harvey needn't have worried.
"The Kings of Comedy Tour," which began in 1998, went on to gross $18 million its first year and $19 million the next, making it the highest-grossing comedy tour in history, Harvey said.
As Mac said in a separate phone interview: "Critics were saying it wasn't going to last -- it was too urban. (But) the numbers keep escalating."
And now that the tour is on its third leg, the numbers will only increase, especially with the addition of the Queens of Comedy, featuring a trio of female comics: Adele Givens, Mo'Nique and Sommore.
"The 2000 Crown Royal Kings of Comedy Tour," featuring the Queens of Comedy, is set for Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
It's been quite a ride for the Kings. Through the tour and its accompanying film, "The Original Kings of Comedy," directed by Spike Lee, which was released this summer and has grossed $44 million so far, the trio found an increased exposure beyond the limits of the urban market and into mainstream America.
"It's definitely brought a lot of industry notoriety," Cedric, also in a separate interview, said. "It's one of those things where I've been successful among my peers and core audience for many years. The success of the tour as well as the movie has brought a lot of interest now."
Including among fellow comics -- although not always in a positive way.
Harvey said he was watching an episode of HBO's "The Chris Rock Show," which featured Martin Lawrence as a guest, when the host took a verbal shot at the tour.
"He said, 'Hey, Martin, me, you and Eddie (Murphy) ought to go out on tour and be the real kings of comedy,' " Harvey paraphrased. "Well, they're not. So what the hell are you talking about, Rock?
"Martin's too busy making $20 million a movie; Eddie's too busy making $10- to $15 million a movie. When are you going to get Martin to quit making $20 million a movie to come out here (on tour) and tell some jokes so he can make $100,000 a show? They don't have time to come out with you and tell jokes."
Still, for the increasingly popular Rock to have noticed the tour is a compliment in and of itself, no matter how backhanded that gesture might be. Which, oddly, could be a reflection of the comedians themselves.
At times biting, at times poignant, all the Kings never cease being funny -- no matter how nonpolitically correct they may be.
For example: Mac's monologue about taking care of the children of his drug-plagued sister after a court awards he and his brother joint custody, which is a film highlight.
It's a particularly funny bit, especially when he riffs on the various traits of his nieces and nephew and how he has learned to handle them, including some questionable disciplinary tactics. By doing so, he manages to take a simple Bill Cosby-like story of the antics of children and plunge it precariously close to the edge that Richard Pryor so carefully navigated while doing standup.
But then, that's always been Mac's style, as it has for the other Kings.
"I (don't) think it matters to what degree you say something as long as it's done in a joking matter," Mac said. "The audience knows I'm joking; they know I'm not going to hit a kid in the throat or stomach. It's funny."
And in a culture that seems to be obsessed with policing itself on sensitivity, the Kings are a welcome change; a throwback to the way things used to be.
"That's why I'm glad I do comedy, so I can point out all that stuff," Mac said. "I can say it through humor. I've got the power of the mike and I can just say it -- and it needs to be said."
Including tackling racial differences, especially among whites and blacks. It's tricky territory, one few comics could successfully negotiate, which they realize.
"We say what we say, we are who we are," Harvey said. "It's just as African-Americans we have a unique viewpoint. We can show the world through the eyes of what an African-American sees and thinks to a degree."
Added Mac: "We're all the same; we're all serial killers. You've never seen a black serial killer, but blacks will kill you over cereal. It's just the truth."
Such an approach wouldn't be possible, however, without some comedic trailblazers, especially Pryor, who recently had a nine-CD boxed collection of his comedy albums released.
Perhaps it's an oversimplification to say that without Pryor there would be no "Kings" tour, but Harvey agreed. And all three comedians were unanimous in their praise for Pryor and what an inspiration he was for them.
But when told of a recent critical piece on Pryor's legacy that called many of today's comics -- including the Kings -- essentially a watered-down version of the comedian, Harvey bristled.
"That's absolutely true," he said. "There are no more Richard Pryors. There are no more Michael Jordans. There are no more (Muhammad) Alis. These people come along once in a lifetime.
"The greatest standup to ever pick up a microphone was Richard Pryor -- hands down. All we are is mere images of him and we show glimpses of him, but none of us is him. There will be no more him."
And soon there will be no more Kings.
Nov. 18 marks the end of the road -- at least for now -- for the comedians performing together. Each expressed an interest in touring solo and having the luxury of 45 minute-plus set, instead of the 25 to 30 minutes tops they have now.
Plus, there are film and TV projects. Mac is rumored to have nabbed a role in the "Oceans Eleven" remake and Harvey and Cedric have the "Steve Harvey Show," which recently taped its 100th episode.
That's not to suggest, however, the trio won't work together again. Each left open the possibility of a reunion tour at some time; plus, Cedric recently inked a deal with Universal Pictures for a religious comedy film, a project he developed especially for the Kings, including former member D.L. Hughley, who appeared on last year's tour and in the movie.
But no matter what happens next, they said it's all been fun.
"We've had a successful run with this tour," Cedric said. "I think it's always wise to end it when you're on top."
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