Whenever I tell someone that notably foul-mouthed druggy comedian Richard Pryor had a kids’ show in the mid-80s on CBS, the reaction is invariably something along the lines of “No way. Get the fuck out of here!”

But it’s true, he did, even if the Internet has fewer than 9000 references to it, it really happened. Richard motherfucking Pryor had a kids’ show. Pryor’s Place was a sort of an edgier version (rip off?) of Sesame Street. Pryor played himself, and a number of other roles—including a Rastafarian street musician (with a totally shit Jamaican accent) and a return of Mudbone, his ancient wino sage character—along with child actors and puppets. The deliriously weird program was produced by Sid and Marty Krofft—who else—written mostly by Paul Mooney and had theme music by Ray Parker Jr., who was also in the opening credits.

“(Whoa-oh-oh) Let’s get on over to Pryor’s Place (Whoa-oh-oh) We’re gonna party, so don’t be late. We’ve got friends who live in the street The craziest people you’ll ever meet on Pryor’s Place! (Whoa-oh-OOOH) Pryor’s Place!”

Gonna party at Pryor’s Place, eh Ray? I don’t think he thought that one all the way through…
 

 
Pryor being Pryor, the show did try to tackle issues somewhat heavier than Sesame Street would, such as racism, shoplifting, adoption, bullying and so forth. Thirteen episodes were produced in total, and despite leery opposition to Richard motherfucking Pryor hosting children’s entertainment by some CBS affiliates in the deep South, the show aired in repeats until mid-1985.

There were tons of celebrity cameos in Pryor’s Place, from the likes of Marla Gibbs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Scatman Crothers, Sammy Davis Jr., Kim “Tootie” Fields, Shirley Hemphill, Pat Morita, William (Blacula, King of Cartoons) Marshall, Willie Nelson, John Ritter, Rip Taylor, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams and Henry Winkler.

Below, a complete episode of Pryor’s Place from 1984: