TAGGED AS: Comedy, movies, Podcast
(Photo by Everett)
When a movie is considered such an unquestionable classic, is so much a part of the popular culture, and has given us so many classic characters and lines (“Sexual Chocolate!”), it can be a shock to learn that its Tomatometer score is a touch out of step with its reputation.
Such has been the experience of many fans of the beloved Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America, who – with long-in-the-making sequel Coming 2 America landing on Amazon Prime Video this month – have recently stumbled onto its Rotten Tomatoes page to discover it’s… only at 71% on the Tomatometer?
Not bad, sure, and safely in the Fresh zone, but hardly befitting Zamundan royalty.
We’ve heard your spit takes, America. And read your tweets. And so here we are, taking on the tale of Prince Akeem’s quest for love in Queens in our latest episode of Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong (A Podcast from Rotten Tomatoes).
Joining hosts Jacqueline Coley and Mark Ellis this week is Sharronda Williams, host of PayOrWait on YouTube and all-round excellent Tomatometer-approved critic. Together, the trio breaks down the megastardom of Eddie Murphy in the late 1980s, why the movie came to be so important for Black audiences, the behind-the-scenes tensions you never knew were there, and, of course, just how off that Tomatometer score really is.
Listen Now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Podcasts | Radio Public | Deezer | iHeart | Art19
Check in every Thursday for a new episode of Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong (A Podcast From Rotten Tomatoes). Each week, hosts Jacqueline and Mark and guests go deep and settle the score on some of the most beloved – and despised – movies and TV shows ever made, directly taking on the statement we hear from so many fans: “Rotten Tomatoes is wrong.”
If you have a suggestion for a movie or show you think we should do an episode on, let us know in the comments, or email us at rtiswrong@rottentomatoes.com.
Meet the hosts
Jacqueline Coley is an editor at Rotten Tomatoes, with a focus on awards and indie coverage but with a passion for everything, from the MCU to musicals and period pieces. Coley is a regular moderator at conventions and other events, can be seen on Access Hollywood and other shows, and will not stand Constantine slander of any kind. Follow Jacqueline on Twitter: @THATjacqueline.
Mark Ellis is a comedian and contributing editor for Rotten Tomatoes. He currently hosts the Rotten Tomatoes series Versus, among others, and can be seen co-hosting the sports entertainment phenomenon Movie Trivia Schmoedown. His favorite Star Wars movie is Jedi (guess which one!), his favorite person is actually a dog (his beloved stepdaughter Mollie), and – thanks to this podcast – he’s about to watch Burlesque for the first time in his life. Follow Mark on Twitter: @markellislive.
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