D.L. HUGHLEY: Still No Apologies

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

DL Hughley D.L. Hughley's fourth solo stand-up HBO special premieres this weekend and he's doing it all his own way -- with no apologies.

That's why it's called 'D.L. Hughley: Unapologetic.'

More News

Taped before a live audience at the historic Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C., the hour-long special features the South Central Los Angeles native's take on: the immigration debate; Cuban refugees; airplane restrictions; the "n" word; Don Imus and freedom of speech; the price of gasoline and cocaine; the NRA; and much more.

It also captures his interactions with hapless audience members in the first row.

"People who know me, know what I'm about," Hughley, 44, said in a recent interview. "People who know me, know who I am. And people that are fans, will be fans. People that aren't, aren't."

"I just can't truck in apologies for a perspective that is clearly all mine, and for something that was clearly a joke," he continued. "I like to think that I'm pretty good at what I do, so I hope people will laugh, have a good time and enjoy themselves."

In the late 1990s, the former gang member was part of the hit "Original Kings of Comedy Tour," which played to packed houses in more than 50 cities across the country and was later the subject of a feature film directed by Spike Lee.

Hughley made his HBO debut on 'Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam,' and went on to star in three solo specials on the network, including a 1992 edition of 'One-Night Stand,' a 1994 'HBO Comedy Half-Hour' and 1999's 'D.L. Hughley: Going Home.'

His other TV credits include the popular ABC sitcom 'The Hughleys,' which ran four seasons, the special 'Shocked and Appalled' and the talk show 'Weekends at the D.L.'

He recently starred in the drama series 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.'

'Unapologetic' will also air Sept. 28 (1:30 a.m.), Oct. 1 (11:00 p.m.), Oct. 4 (10:15 p.m.), Oct. 9 (3:15 a.m.), Oct. 15 (11:30 p.m.) and Oct. 21 (midnight).