Friday, October 20, 2017

The Multi-Talented, Underrated and Very Sweet Rain Pryor

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rain Pryor.  That interview can be found at On the Beat With Rain Pryor.  I wasn't very experience with interviews then and I probably could have asked better questions, but I did have a lot of fun and this one is still one of my favorites.
Of course, as the daughter of the legendary Richard Pryor, Rain grew up around show business, but she carved her own career as a comedian and actress.  She gained a lot of exposure on tv's Head of the Class, but she also did other television projects, such as Rude Awakening.  Rain also did some great work on stage as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald in two separate productions.
When I saw she was scheduled to perform at a comedy club near me, I immediately contacted her about an interview.  To my delight, she accepted.
After enjoying her set on stage, I introduced myself and she immediately was very pleasant and talkative.  I was more caught up in the moment than actually prepared with some great questions, but I don't really care.  I had a lot of fun doing this.
A couple years later, I met Rain again at Wizard World and she remembered the interview.  We talked for several minutes and once again I walked away feeling good.
I don't profess to know Rain personally, but I just got a really warm feeling from her.  She seems like a genuinely nice person, who'd you'd love to have in your group.  She's naturally funny.  She's probably a lot funnier than people realize.  
It's experiences like this that really make me love what I do.  I was already a fan of hers, but I became an even bigger fan.
I highly recommend Jokes My Father Never Taught Me, a wonderful book written by Rain a few years back.  It's warm, loving and funny, but also honest and open.  You can also follow Rain Pryor Productions to get the latest news and thoughts fom Rain!
Rain Pryor and me in Alsip, IL-October 2011.

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