<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $13 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $38 million </Td> </Tr> <P> The Original Kings of Comedy is a 2000 American stand - up comedy film directed by Spike Lee and featuring the comedy routines of Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac . Filmed in front of a live audience at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, the comedians give the audience their views about African - American culture, race relations, religion, and family . The film was produced by MTV Films and Latham Entertainment, and was distributed by Paramount Pictures . The film was shot over the last two nights (February 26 and 27, 2000) of the Kings of Comedy tour with Harvey, Hughley, Cedric, and Mac . Its on - stage routines are intercut with brief sections of video footage showing the comedians backstage, promoting the show on the radio, at the hotel, and during a basketball game . The film spawned into multiple spin - offs and films . </P> <P> Steve Harvey, the star of The Steve Harvey Show, is the master of ceremonies for the show . Unlike his sitcom character, Harvey's on - stage routines use a significant amount of profanity; as the show's M.C., Harvey is given three short sets instead of one long one . </P>

When did the kings of comedy come out