TV

FOX’s “Showtime at the Apollo” 2016 primetime special

In case you missed it, Showtime at the Apollo returned in a big way last night with a two-hour primetime special on FOX, hosted by Steve Harvey.

“This theater made me who I am today,” Harvey said, calling it a “proving ground” not just for himself, but for everyone who has performed on the weekly Amateur Night competitions over the past several decades. “If you think you’re funny, we’ll let you know. And if you’re not, we’ll let you know,” Harvey said.

Clips showed early performances from Adam Sandler, Cedric the Entertainer, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan from the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Harvey also hosted the TV showcase.

George Lopez and Jay Pharoah performed short sets in primetime for the Apollo crowd on Monday night’s special. And at least one comedian, Will Mars, performed as part of the special’s Amateur Night, making it all the way to the finals, where the audience voted for a winner at the end of the show. Mars made Harvey crack up with a joke referencing his love for Eddie Murphy.

You can watch the entire special of Showtime at the Apollo on FOX.com.

Mike Epps, Anthony Anderson and Gabriel Iglesias also offered nostaglic thoughts on doing Showtime at the Apollo.

And here’s a look back at young Fluffy on the show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bnhxee7_Hg

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

View all posts by Sean L. McCarthy →