Nobody working since 1970 is not influenced by Pryor. The older guys like Dangerfield, Sahl, Foxx, Carson, King all told jokes. Pryor, like Woody Allen, worked entire story arcs, but you didn't have to be a New Yorker to find him funny; he was always pointed but never morose.

He worked blue but at the same time told stories with an innocence that nobody until Eddie Murphy could touch - Flip wilson came close, but he was maybe too cute, too much schtick - Pryor was the mischievous kid who was always a charmer, edgy without a hint of bitterness. There were times I thought he'd give me an aneurism.

• King Richard