You may have forgotten (or not been born yet), but in 1989, James Brown had a bit of a dark period. He was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife and appeared on Sonya Live In L.A. almost immediately after posting bail. The interview was — for lack of any other words to described such a thing — insane. Brown said all kinds of messed up stuff like “it’s a man’s world” when asked about literally beating his wife with lead pipe. It’s totally terrible, but maybe enough time has passed that we can laugh at it?
At least Jordan Peele can laugh at it and in turn, make us almost spit out our drink. The comedian unearthed the infamous James Brown interview and recreated it word for word. This is important for two reasons: one, he’s shedding more visibility on how Brown was, sadly, right. It’s really a man’s world and the entire incident had little effect on Brown’s career when any sane person would think it should at least be a little ruined (not to mention the other various charges the singer has faced). Two, it’s actually pretty hysterical.
Peele is spot on. It’s almost impossible to tell him and James Brown apart. We can’t stop laughing. Also, props to the person playing the interviewer (is that Sara Silverman? It’s hard to tell with the hair.) because she nailed it too.
Check out Peele’s recreation of the interview below:
Here’s the original interview, too.
