- if living with oppression is a sin, then i'd be guilty! - [narrator] oppression for black men. if only he wasn't so dark. (audience laughs) - another show that really served up our comedy and our music, our culture, was "showtime at the apollo." - for a lot of artists to make a name for themselves, you had to come through the apollo and prove yourself. - and don't you know backwards begin with a b? (audience laughs) - the apollo theater is a very magical place. you can literally feel the energy of every performer that ever performed there. - i was reading about michael jackson 'cause you know all about the nose, and i don't get it. 'cause they tell me he can't breathe late at night, just... (shrill vocalizing) (audience laughs) "i want my black nose back." (shrill vocalizing) (audience laughs) - they always say if you can perform on that stage, you can perform anywhere in the world. - but the whole family had their noses worked on.