In the words of Anthony Anderson, Tiffany Haddish, Steve Harvey, Regina King and more, Phat Tuesdays tells the unbelievable story of how one man, Guy Torry, moved mountains to launch an all-Black comedy night at The Comedy Store. Black comedians were shut out of mainstream, “white” comedy clubs in the 90s, and had to find their own venues in South LA where Martin Lawrence, D.L. Hughley and Robin Harris showcased their talents. Then, comedian Guy Torry launches Phat Tuesdays, an all-Black comedy night at the world-famous Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip. It quickly became the hottest club in Los Angeles, attracting basketball superstars like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and John Salley, musicians like Prince, Tupac and Snoop Dogg, and celebrities like Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, and Mike Tyson. 

We step back in time to watch comedians like Nick Cannon, Chris Tucker, Bill Bellamy, and host Guy Torry himself get their break in film and television on the Phat Tuesdays stage. Phat Tuesdays even became a beacon for female comics like Tiffany Haddish and Kym Whitley, as well as comics of other marginalized ethnic groups like Russell Peters and Jo Koy. It was a place where Black comedians like Cedric the Entertainer, Dave Chapelle and Lil Rel could practice their craft and be seen by Hollywood kingmakers. Phat Tuesdays was lightning in a bottle and not only did it help launch the careers of many of the legendary comedians you know and love today, but it became an important platform to make sure those comedians’ voices were heard.

The following episodes will premiere on February 4th:

Episode 1 – Hood to Hollywood

In the words of today’s biggest comedians, Phat Tuesdays tells the story of how many of those voices were shut out of mainstream aka “white” comedy clubs in the 90s, and how they found venues in South LA where Martin Lawrence, D.L Hughley and Robin Harris showcased their talents. After the LA riots, comedian Guy Torry, a recent transplant from St. Louis, following in the footsteps of his big brother Joe, launched Phat Tuesdays, an all-Black comedy night at the world-famous Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip.

Episode 2 – This is How We Do It

Phat Tuesdays becomes the hottest club in Los Angeles, attracting basketball superstars like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and John Salley, musicians like Prince, Tupac and Snoop Dogg, and celebrities like Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, and Mike Tyson. Many comedians get their big break on the Phat Tuesdays stage like Nick Cannon, Chris Tucker, Bill Bellamy, and host Guy Torry, and become stars in film and television. 

Episode 3 – Who Got Next?

Phat Tuesdays becomes a beacon for female comics like Tiffany Haddish and Kym Whitley, who recount the sexism they faced in many parts of the industry while comics of other marginalized ethnic groups are inspired by Phat Tuesdays and are invited to perform there. Even well-known white comics appear on the show, like Bob Saget. Then, legends Dave Chappelle, Steve Harvey and more break down the science behind what it takes to be on stage and how Phat Tuesdays was lightning in a bottle. But as other comedy clubs imitate their formula for success, Guy must choose between continuing the night or focusing on his own career. Meanwhile a new generation of today’s hottest comedy stars launches on social media, and the many legends of Phat Tuesday return for a special tribute, including J.B. Smoove, Cedric the Entertainer, Luenell and many others.

Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy is produced by Amazon Studios, Original Productions, Phat Tuesday Productions and Grammnet Productions.