ETI presents John Witherspoon’s “Cookin’ for Poor People” web series – Ham Hocks

The world will forever remember comedic genius John Witherspoon.

Witherspoon, who grew up as one of 11 children, often recalled his family’s financial struggles in interviews. Though he and many of his siblings went on to be successful (his brother William worked for Motown and co-wrote Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”), Witherspoon never forgot the sting of poverty.

The experience became central to his comedy before his passing, he hosted a YouTube show, “Cooking for Poor People,” where he appeared shirtless under an apron bearing a picture of his own face and introduced each episode with the tagline: “Because when you’re hungry, everything tastes good.” (The show’s theme song is a riff on his indelible bathroom scene from “Friday.”)

Actor and comedian John Witherspoon, best known for his role as Ice Cube’s character, Craig’s Dad in “Friday”, “Next Friday” & “Friday After Next” passed away in his sleep from a heart attack on October 29, 2019. Before he went to sleep that night though he posted one final video to his YouTube Channel where he regularly cooks and shares his recipes.

If soul food is what you like, episodes will include John Witherspoon cooking Meat Loaf, Biscuits & Gravy, Chicken, Pasta, and more!