Apropos of nothing, here’s a great clip from Robert Townsend’s 1987 debut Hollywood Shuffle, which satirizes movie critics (in particular Siskel & Ebert) and strings together a bundle of inspired movie parodies – Dirty Larry is a particular highlight.

I wrote about Hollywood Shuffle as a “Film That You Probably Haven’t Seen But Definitely Should”, and fully stand by that assessment. Things have been quiet on the Townsend front, with his last film credit the little never-seen Phantom Punch, a biopic of boxer Sonny Liston, with Pulp Fiction buggeree (and hugely underrated dramatic actor) Ving Rhames in the lead role.

It is a shame that Townsend, who showed insight and real talent with his debut, has faded into near directorial obscurity with TV movies and straight-to DVD family fare. Here’s hoping he can make a comeback some time soon.

“What you say honky, sucka, pig-head, jive turkey ,fool!”