In this captivating discussion, the legendary Richard Pryor dives into his tumultuous past as one of the greatest stand-up comedians. He shares how growing up in a brothel shaped his comedic voice and perspective on race. The conversation explores the interplay between addiction and creativity, emphasizing how he transformed personal struggles into groundbreaking humor. Pryor also reflects on the fallout with Paul Mooney and the evolution of comedy, solidifying his lasting legacy as a transformative figure who tackled society's toughest issues head-on.

Dive into 'Brewster's Millions' as they spend $30M in 30 days, reflecting on capitalism and comedy classics. Explore character dynamics, unfair game removals, and the loneliness of sports stars. Discuss film quality, genre shifts, and the enduring charm of frivolous spending scenarios in this comedic adventure.

Paul Schrader’s upbringing was steeped in the contradictions of religion, which helped him explore the contradictory characters in his screenplays, like Travis Bickle, Jake LaMotta and the protagonists of his recent films, First Reformed, The Card Counter and Master Gardener. Paul talks with Marc about his early career as a film critic, his rejection of Hollywood filmmaking, his experience directing Richard Pryor, and the sibling dynamic he brought to Raging Bull. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.