Gaining respect and displaying crossover potential in the realm of comedy isn’t easy to say, let alone do. Very few art forms are as subjective as making audiences laugh and variables such as age, gender and undoubtedly race all play a factor in being a successful comedian. (White people say Seinfeld is the best TV show of all-time; Black folks will tell you it’s Martin.)
So when Time magazine was extremely progressive with their cover space and allowed comedy duo Key & Peele to grace their cover, we did the silent fist bump while simultaneously scratching our heads. The Comedy Central duo splice numerous genres into their comedy skits and have made leeway breaking through the mainstream barrier. But with all due respect, there is no way in Hades they should have gotten a cover before the numerous Black comedians we came up for this list.
While wholesome legends such as Bill Cosby have been covered by Time, we found 17 equally worthy comedians of color who haven’t shared the national attention the storied magazine’s front page brings.
Proceed on through the gallery and try and count how many real tears these Time magazine snubs have made you shed on account of their jokes.
Photo: WENN/Jody Cortes
Photo: WENN
Dave Chappelle
It wouldn’t shock anyone if Key & Peele’s look on Time wasn’t some sort of retribution to Comedy Central for them sleeping on Chappelle’s Show. Before the current struggle, he had the world rolling with laughter well before social media played a part in anyone’s movement.
Photo: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com
Jamie Foxx
The Oscar winner went from a Black celebrity to Hollywood A-lister and he’s still being cast in blockbusters.
Photo: The Source
Martin Lawrence
From standup, to TV to big screens, Martin pretty much conquered everything except marriage. Sounds like everyone else whose graced the cover of a major magazine.
Photo: Dimitri Halkidis/WENN
Bernie Mac
The late, great King of Comedy showed his crossover appeal with his family sitcom. May he rest in peace even while knowing Time didn’t care.
Photo: Derrick Salters/WENN.com
Mo’Nique
That’s Academy-Award winning Mo’Nique to all of you.
Photo: Alberto Reyes/WENN.com
Chris Rock
Time actually uses Chris Rock as their token Hip-Hop voice on occasion but that’s about it.
Photo: WENN
Keenan Ivory Wayans
They say big brother knows best and the 2nd eldest comedic genius of the Wayans family has birthed the careers of all his siblings.
Photo: Carrie Devorah/WENN
Dick Gregory
Mr. Gregory is every bit the Civil Rights activist, accomplished author and entrepreneur as he is a funnyman. He’s a living legend.
Photo: JLN Photography/WENN.com
Katt Williams
Somewhere between the all the permed-out meltdowns and irresponsible spending, Katt Williams had some pretty legendary moments. Time should have taken notice long before the struggle became a sideshow of its own.
Photo: FayesVision/WENN.com
Chris Tucker
The Rush Hour actor only stirs up conversation for his refusal for to do another Friday movie but he’s been a cash cow for Hollywood over his career. Think nearly a billion dollars.
Photo: Elgin Edmonds/Presswire/WENN.Com
Steve Harvey
The multifaceted entertainer has become an American symbol of wholesomeness in the past few years with no signs of slowing down. It seems like only a run at the papacy can get him a Time cover at this point.
Photo: themoviedb.org
Robin Harris
Two words: “Bébé’s Kids.” Or House Party.
Photo: Hugh Dillon/WENN.com
Kevin Hart
Hart is crushing box-office records by the holiday weekend. It would be nice for him to get the roses while he could smell them.
Photo: Warner Bros.
Wanda Sykes
The only difference between Wanda and Ellen is…her show got cancelled?
Photo: Elgin Edmonds/Presswire/WENN.Com
Cedric The Entertainer
Cedric Kyles couldn’t have picked a better stage for himself. His TV Land series, The Soul Man was just picked for another season, he’s the new host for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and according to IMDb, he has three movies dropping in 2014. He’s a winner.
Photo: WENN
Eddie Murphy
No words for this one. No excuse, either.
Photo: YouTube
Richard Pryor
Pioneers aren’t born everyday and not only did Richard Pryor have direct influence on the careers of every comedian found in this list, he even showed white ones how it’s done on any stage.
