Trailblazing Black Sketch Comedy: The Story of ‘The Way We Do It’
Sketch comedy is known for vibrant characters, improvisations, and high-energy sketches. Andre Barnwell changed the game with his classic short-lived sketch comedy show.
While shows like “Saturday Night Live” solidified themselves with classic sketches featuring indelible characters like The Blues Brothers, there was a noticeable void in mainstream sketch comedy in its first arrival to television–a void of representation in characters that could resonate with urban America. Fast forward to today. Enter “Wild ‘n Out” and “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” programs that have successfully given black comedians a prominent voice in character representation. Yet, before these modern hits, a groundbreaking series paved the way for today’s black sketch comedy landscape: “The Way We Do It.”
Before Nick Cannon’s “Wild ‘n Out” or “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “The Way We Do It” brought to television high-energy comedic sketches and improvisation, making pioneering history as the first black sketch comedy show to air on television. With a powerful cast of solid standup comics, “The Way We Do It” broke barriers in sketch comedy like no other show.
The show presented a solid cast of top black comedic talent, including Rickey Smiley, Doug Williams, Leslie Jones, Belinda Foster, Darius Bradford, Red Grant, Darren Carter, Speedy, Traci Carter, Chloe Gadson, Jeff Garcia, Roman Murray, Shang, Mike Bonner, and Tommy Chun.
The show’s creator, Andre Barnwell, a visionary TV director and executive producer, aimed to create a sketch comedy series on Black Entertainment Television that could rival “SNL.” As a seasoned executive producer on BET’s “Comic View”, Barnwell used his eye for comedy to trailblaze sketch with black comedic talent, ultimately creating the first show of its kind: a successful black sketch comedy show.
“The Way We Do It” broke barriers, showcasing the brilliance of black comedians in a format that allowed them the freedom to write and perform their own sketches thanks to Barnwell’s respect for his cast and eye for comedy.
Taped live near Warner Brothers Television, “The Way We Do It” brought Hollywood’s finest black comedians to the television airwave, merging the spontaneity of live theater with the polished wit of scripted and improvised comedy. Barnwell’s show not only entertained but also set a precedent, becoming the first black sketch comedy series produced by a black production team that achieved urban and mainstream success on a black network, BET Television.
In an exclusive interview, Barnwell opens up about his inspiration to launch the show:
What inspired the creation and theme of your sketch comedy program? How did you come up with the unique elements that define your show?
AB: I have to say classic comedy shows like “Hee Haw,” “Saturday Night Live” (Eddie Murphy years), and “In Living Color” (first two seasons) inspired me to create my own sketch comedy show, “The Way We Do It.” I wanted my show to feel like live sketch comedy theater.
Can you talk about the casting process? How did you decide on the ensemble of actors?
AB: When it comes to casting, I wanted to be stand-up comedian-driven. I chose and selected comics for the cast. Comics that BET’s audience knew from “Comic View.” Given my limited budget, the majority of the comedians were based in the LA area. I used my instincts to assemble a group that could tell a variety of stories from a Black and Urban perspective.
As a director, how do you approach directing comedy differently from other genres?
AB: I directed the show as if it were live, what we call live to tape in the business. From my experience with stand-up comedians on BET’s “Comic View,” their material is often the funniest the first time they perform it, so I didn’t want to miss out on that content.
What do you admire about comics?
AB: I admire comics’ undying conviction to share their art of comedy with the people as if their lives depended on it. You have to respect their passion for comedy.
“The Way We Do It” not only broke new ground for black comedians but also set the stage for future generations to shine in the world of sketch comedy. Through the visionary efforts of Andre Barnwell and his talented cast, the show established an indelible mark as an outstanding sketch comedy show and the first black sketch show in television history, proving that comedy transcends barriers and unites us all in laughter.
