Recommended by NEA Today School Library Journal's Site of the Week
Kathy Schrock's "SOS Web Site of the Week"
Johnson Subvention Award, Society for American Music
Based on the classic radio show, this sitcom ran on CBS from 1951 to
1953 and was notable for its all-black cast...a situation which would not
be repeated for more than two decades. Alvin Childress was cab driver Amos,
Spencer Williams his gullible pal Andy, and Tim Moore the conniving Kingfish.
The shows are in public domain, and are now being reproduced - with widely
varying degrees of quality and episodes available - by several different
companies, which you'll find at the Amazon link.
Once reviled for perceived stereotypes - Bill Cosby worked with the NAACP to prevent it from entering syndication - the show has experienced a new appreciation and interpretation in recent years. In fact, it's even entered a new life as a theater production. For an interesting perspective on its history, I recommend the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Cosby played Chet Kincaid, the gym teacher at an urban high school whose
good heart gets him into a lot of predicaments. Relying heavily on Cosby's
inimitable sense of wit, this show found gentle humor in situations and
relationships rather than in trotting out the usual black stereotypes...or
laugh track. Guest performers included Henry Fonda, Cicely Tyson and Lou
Gossett Jr. The music by Quincy Jones received an Emmy nomination.
This comedy/variety show aired on NBC 1970-1974, and was an enormous
hit. These shows hold up well even after more than 30 years and the guest
stars are a Who's Who of the 1970's.
Sanford and Son was the second TV series from Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin,
who created the groundbreaking "All in the Family" the year before.
"Sanford and Son" aired from 1972-1977 and was NBC's most popular
prime-time series for four of its five seasons, earning four Emmy nominations
and a Golden-Globe Award for Redd Foxx during its run.
Fat Albert and the Cosby kids aired from 1972 to 1984 and enjoyed one
of the longest and most successful runs in Saturday morning cartoon history.
Live action bumpers featuring Bill Cosby were set around animated episodes
of Fat Albert and the Cosby kids, a series about a group of urban adolescents
growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood. The show was based on Cosby's
60's stand up comedy monologues about his childhood. The episodes revolved
around the daily life lessons learned by Fat Albert and his friends. Topics
ranged from social issues to personal introspection and were blended with
humor and music.
Clifton Davis plays Clifton Curtis, who inherited his father's D.C.
barbershop. He's a successful business and ladies man, but still lives
with his opinionated mother.
All in the Family begat Maude, which begat Good Times.
It centered on the Evans' family (Florida, her husband James and their
three children) who lived and thrived on the South Side of Chicago. Esther
Rolle (Florida) has said that producers originally wanted to cater to the
stereotype of the fatherless black household, but she insisted upon (and
got!) a husband, played by John Amos. This was a solid and groundbreaking
black family comedy in its earlier seasons, but unfortunately midway through
its life it deteriorated into a parody, with too much emphasis on the J.J
character (Jimmie Walker of "Dyn-o-mite" fame. More than one
critic and scholar has likened this character to the stereotypical "Zip
Coon.") Both Rolle and Amos had left the show by the fourth season.
A spin-off of All in the Family, this show broke ground in several
categories, including TV's first affluent black family (the Huxtables wouldn't
arrive until nearly 10 years later) and the first mixed-race couple. Though
broad, the humor explored and smashed stereotypes, and attracted large
audiences during its run from 1975-1983.
A funny, funky, late-70's comedy featuring high school pals Raj, Dwayne
and Rerun, Raj's bratty little sister Dee, Shirley and Mama all struggling
to grow in a lower middle-class black neighborhood.
Includes all 4 shows. Bonus 57-Minute The Richard Pryor Special !
The bonus DVD also includes outrageous bonus material: Rarely Seen 27-minute
Richard Pryor Monologue, 42-Minute Roast Segment with Outtakes, DVD-Rom
Scripts for Unfilmed Scenes including "Gay Nightmare" and "From
Television City, Hollywood - Whitey for a Day".
Based on the book by Alex Haley, this miniseries is as fresh and exciting
today as it was back in 1977. One of the many myths about African American
history had been that blacks were unable to trace their roots; for example,
though thousands of blacks fought in the American Revolution, the DAR didn't
admit black members until one year after the nation's Bicentennial. Alex
Haley exploded the myth by tracing his genealogy back to Kunta Kinte, an
African slave brought here in the 18th century.
This special 25th Anniversary set includes commentary by executive producer
David L. Wolper, and actors LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, Ed Asner, John
Amos, Sandy Duncan, Leslie Uggams, Stan Winston and many others. Behind-the-scenes
documentary: Remembering Roots. DVD-ROM features: Roots family tree
and web site links
I hesitate to include this as "black tv," but do because the
show was a pop culture phenomenon from 1978-1986 - and is still widely
parodied today! Two kids from Harlem are adopted by their mother's wealthy
employer after the mother dies, taking them from rags to riches. The DVD
includes Commentary by writer Fred Rubin; "A Look Back at Diff'rent
Strokes featurette with all-new interviews from Todd Bridges, Conrad
Bain, and Charlotte Rae; "Whatchoo Talkin' Bout?" featurette
on Gary Coleman.
"Nell Carter shines as Nellie Ruth "Nell" Harper, the
role that twice earned her Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations, and
helped redefine the meaning of "family." Available for the first
time ever on DVD, Gimme a Break! is the funny, hip and sometimes poignant
portrayal of the Kanisky family: widowed Police Chief Carl; his three daughters
Katie, Julie and Samantha; and their unflappable housekeeper-turned-surrogate
mother (Carter). ..Featuring renowned guest stars such as Danny Glover
."
The Cosby Show , which dominated Thursday evenings from 1984
to 1992 turned out to be one of the biggest and longest running hits in
American television history. The show revolved around the day-to-day situations
faced by Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) and their
five children. The Huxtables, an upper-middle-class family, were unlike
any other African-American family previously seen on television. Their
everyday adventures, which helped revive the situation comedy, centered
around Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf), their eldest daughter, Theo (Malcolm Jamal-Warner)
their somewhat of an underachiever son, Denise (Lisa Bonet), their eccentric
daughter, and the two younger siblings, Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) and
Ruby (Keisha Knight Pulliam.) Read an interesting analysis called Cosby Redux
by Mark Anthony Neal in PopMatter.
Marla Gibbs plays a sharp-witted housewife who finds herself mixed up
in the lives of the eccentric fellow tenants in her apartment complex.
She lives with her contractor husband, Lester (Hal Williams) and their
14-year-old daughter Brenda (Regina King.) Aired from 1985-1990.
Amen (1986-1991) Still waiting for a DVD release
Sherman Hemsley plays Deacon Frye, head of the First Community Church
of Philadelphia, who is trying to keep everything in his church firmly
under control. His new young assistant, Rev. Reuben Gregory (Clifton Davis)
has some very different ideas of how do things. The parishoners, seeing
that the best path probably lies between the two, play the two squabbling
men off each other to keep things on a more or less even keel. Adding to
the fray is the Deacon's daughter Thelma (Anna Maria Horsford) who gradually
becomes attracted to the new Reverend. One of the most notable members
of the cast is Jester Hairston as church elder Rolly Forbes. Hairston (1901-2000)
was a composer (he originally wrote the song "Amen" for the movie
"Lilies of the Field") , conductor, singer and actor with a long
and busy career. Read more about him at the Internet
Movie Database.
"From the creators of the top-rated THE COSBY SHOW comes A DIFFERENT
WORLD, a fresh funny situation comedy that follows the triumphs, trials,
and tribulations of students of Hillman College. This half-hour spin off
of the top rated THE COSBY SHOW, was the first ensemble situation comedy
to immerse America in student life at a historically black college. Enjoying
a successful 6-run season run on NBC, from 1987 to 1993, A DIFFERENT WORLD
bas been widely honored for its sensitive, intelligent treatment of contemporary
issues." It was originally a vehicle for Lisa Bonet, but she left
the show after the first season.
Frank's Place (1987-88)
Frank Parish (Tim Reid) is a professor from Boston who inherits a New
Orleans restaurant, and decides to try to run it. The show protrayed a
wide variety of black characters from various socioeconomic backgrounds
in realistic and sympathetic situations. Unfortunately, this series ended
after only one season, largely due to a writer's strike. It's not available
on DVD or VHS, and I'd be surprised if it ever is. However, if you're a
die-hard fan, you can obtain it from video collectors who taped the program
when it originally aired. Check the discussion board at the Internet
Movie Database.
This show was a spinoff of "Perfect Strangers." It featured
the Winslows, a somewhat bland middle-class family, but really found its
audience with the introduction of the nerdy next-door neighbor Steve Urkel
(Jaleel White.)
Will Smith stars as a teenager from inner city Philadelphia who's sent
to California to live in with his wealthy relatives in the hopes that they
will "straighten him out and teach him some good old-fashioned values,"
but Will soon takes his rightful place as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Created and produced by Keenan Ivory Wayans, the show featured comedy
sketches, parodies, music and dance, and made stars of Damon Wayans, Jim
Carey, David Allen Grier, Chris Rock and Jamie Foxx. Unfortunately, most
of the funniest music parodies were cut, probably because Fox didn't secure
the rights to the music.
Hangin' With Mr. Cooper (1992-1997, ABC) NOT YET RELEASED: The
studio is currently not producing this title on DVD, but to be notified
when it is available, enter your e-mail address at Amazon.com
. You'll also be voting for this release; they'll let the studio know
how many customers are waiting for this title.
Mark Curry starred as Mark Cooper, a former NBA basketball player who
moved back to his hometown to become a coach at his old high school. The
ensemble cast included his old friend Robin Dumars (Dawn Lewis), a music
teacher, the sexy Vanessa Russell (Holly Robinson Peete) Mark's cousin,
Geneva Lee (Saundra Quarterman), and her daughter, Nicole (Raven-Symone)
and the formidable principal, P.J. Moore (Nell Carter.)
"When it appeared on the Fox TV network in 1993, Living Single
was one of the first sitcoms to portray the everyday doings of a group
of African America friends living ordinary American lives. It also pretty
much launched the acting career of rap artist Queen Latifah (who performed
its theme song) before she moved onto a thriving profession as a movie
star. The format was nothing new, but it quickly became a hit and ran for
five successful seasons. The setting was the office of urban-lifestyle
Flavor magazine, where Khadijah James (Latifah) was editor, and the New
York apartment Khadijah shared with roommates Synclaire (Kim Coles) and
Regine (Kim Fields). There were frequent drop-ins by Khadijah's friend
Maxine (Erika Alexander) and the duo of bickering best-friends from the
apartment upstairs Kyle (Terrence T.C. Carson) and Overton (John Henton).
"
"Sister, Sister is a half-hour comedy series which chronicles the adventures of a reunited set of identical twins, Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell (played by real-life identical twins Tia and Tamera Mowry). The teens live with their adoptive parents, conservative businessman Ray Campbell (Tim Reid) and brassy, outspoken Lisa Landry (Jackee Harry) in the suburbs of Detroit. Together, this unconventional blended family is learning lessons in life, laughter and love."
"Malcolm McGee is a responsible and sensible 20-something who ends up sharing a Kansas City apartment and a business venture with relentlessly enthusiastic tow truck owner Eddie Sherman. A fast talker with outlandish frenetic energy, the schemes of Eddie always seems to get the two into hot water. But no matter what the situation, these opposites always end up bailing each other out even if they drive each other crazy. When the guys unexpectedly became recipients of a considerable sum of money, Malcolm and Eddie decided to buy not only the old Irish pub below their apartment, but the entire building, including the garage, as an investment. As new bar owners, the guys gave the place a facelift by turning it into a sports bar and renaming it McGees. As Malcolm manages McGees and Eddie tries to bolster his fledging one-man/one-truck towing operation into a fleet, success for these two could be as simple as staying out of trouble. Starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner (best known as Theo from The Cosby Show)and Eddie Griffin (Undercover Brother, John Q)."
This hilarious box set includes 3 DVDs: Unleashed, I Might Need Security
and the Never-Before-Released DVD, Foxx in the Foxxhole (Jamie Foxx's HBO
Special). It's a great opportunity to watch the star develop.
This versatile actor comedian has taken the entertainment business by
storm. His irreverent brand of comedy was launched on the popular 90's
variety show "In Living Color" where he "rocked your world"
as Wanda the masseuse. From television and film to stand-up, Jamie Foxx
has proven that he is truly an entertainment renaissance man. He starred
in his own television sitcom "The Jamie Foxx Show" and has appeared
in over a dozen major motion pictures including Ali, The Players Club and
Any Given Sunday. BET's Journeys In Black gives you a glimpse into the
life of Jamie Foxx, one of the most popular and hard working entertainers
of our time.
Johnnie Cochran began his career as a deputy attorney for the criminal
division of the city of Los Angeles, and went on to start his own practice
where he took on civil rights and criminal cases against the Los Angeles
Police Department. Cochran is probably best known, however for representing
high profile clients such as O.J. Simpson, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs,
and Snoop Dogg. This volume of BET's JOURNEYS IN BLACK provides an up-close
look at this brilliant legal mind.
Often ridiculed and criticized, but never ignored, Harlem, New York
native Al Sharpton has become a modern media fixture when it comes to issues
of civil rights. His brash style was developed in his early days as a child
preacher. That same style has evolved into a controversial public image
which has allowed him to become a figure of political influence in New
York City, and a representative of civil rights on a wider scale.
Visionary entrepreneur Russell Simmons is largely credited with helping
to bring hip-hop from its roots in the world of DJs, MC, graffiti, and
breakdancing on the New York underground to a whole new level that would
allow it to be both a major cultural force and a lucrative industry. Along
the way, Simmons himself made his fortune by creating business and entertainment
entities Def Jam Records, Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam, and Phat Pharm
clothing.
There are singers and then, there's CeCe Winans. CeCe not only possesses
an awesome vocal talent, but more importantly, she exudes an overwhelming
warmth and a genuine affection for her fans that separates her from many
celebrities. Her fans have returned the love with a staggering array of
accolades. CeCe has collected six Grammies, ten Dove Awards, five Stellar
Awards, several gold and platinum albums, a host of Top Ten R&B hits
and eight #1 contemporary Christian music singles.
Luther Vandross' sound has virtually been the soundtrack of R&B
over the past 20 years. The veteran R&B singer first realized his love
of music as a youngster going to the legendary Apollo Theater in his native
Harlem, N.Y. He listened to the radio constantly and developed a love for
the classic soul of the sixties and seventies. Since then Luther has gone
on to develop a smooth classic soul sound that is his alone, when you hear
one of his songs there is no question that the voice behind the music is
Luther.
Truly one of the most the most prolific singers in the history of recorded
music, Patti LaBelle's career is still going strong after five decades.
From the 1960s with Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, the seventies with
LaBelle and from the eighties to the present as the premiere female Soul
singer, Patti has set the bar too high for most to reach. Her uninhibited
stage performances are legendary; when she performs live she gives the
audience her all. BET's Journeys In Black Presents Patti LaBelle in all
her glory, featuring performance footage, interviews and testimonials from
Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, former President Bill Clinton and more.
Musical original Kirk Franklin carved his own niche in the world of
gospel music by adding elements of hip-hip to traditional choir arrangements
with his groups The Family, God's Property, and The Nu Nation.
To some, Louis Farrakahn is a leader and spiritual guide. To others,
he is a dangerous disseminator of misinformation. No one, however, can
deny the passion he brings to his speeches or the power he has to bring
his followers together. This volume of BET's JOURNEYS IN BLACK presents
an in-depth interview with the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam
in which he discusses the factors which have shaped his life.
Follows the lives and loves of four professional women and their friends.
The show aired on UPN until that network merged with the WB to form the
CW. Stars Tracee Ellis Ross (Joan Clayton) Golden Brooks (Maya Wilkes)
Persia White (Lynn Searcy) and Jill Marie Jones (Toni Childs.)
All 12 uncensored and unblurred episodes with commentary on 5 from creators
David Chappelle and Neal Brennan. Deleted scene/gag reel (30 mins.) "Ask
a Black Dude with Paul Mooney" featurette (20 mins.)
Viewing this DVD (which is basically just 3 episodes - 68 minutes) helped
me understand why Chappelle had grown unhappy with the show, and the fact
that it was released to milk a few more dollars out of the Chappelle Phenomenon
helped me understand why he was disgruntled with network greed. Unless
you need it to complete the Chappelle's Show collection, I recommend you
rent or borrow this one and donate the money you save to your favorite
charity.
THE CORNER presents the world of Fayette Street using real names and
real events. The miniseries tells the true story of men, women and children
living amid the open-air drug markets of West Baltimore. It chronicles
a year in the lives of 15-year-old DeAndre McCullogh, his mother Fran Boyd,
and his father Gary McCullogh, as well as other addicts and low-level drug
dealers caught up in the twin-engine economy of heroin and cocaine. HBO(R)
original Miniseries 6 one-hour episodes
SOUL FOOD: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON follows the lives of Teri Joseph
(Parker), the oldest sister and a successful lawyer who is overwhelmed
by her own success, Maxine (Vanessa Williams), the middle sister who is
a stay-at-home mom aching for something more, and Bird (Malinda Williams),
the youngest sister and hairdresser who is married to an ex-con who can't
seem to get away from his past. All in all a fairly typical American family
with issues just like everyone else: they bicker over small problems, and
then pull together when confronted by a big crisis which they must work
together to overcome. Aired 2000-2004 on BET.
The main character, Bernie Mac (as himself), takes in his sister's 3 children when she enters rehab. He uses "tough love" to try to lead them on the straight and narrow...but of course that's never as easy as it sounds.
Produced by Russell Simmons and hosted by Mos Def, this groundbreaking
HBO series presents poetry for the hip-hop generation, performed before
live audiences.
This collector's DVD features the five highest-rated episodes of "The Steve Harvey Show," starring Steve Harvey and "Cedric The Entertainer" Harvey is Steve Hightower, former '70s R&B star who lands a music-teacher gig at a tough urban high school with the help of coach Cedric Robinson (Cedric). Aired 1996-2002.
"Like a cross between Moesha and Sabrina the Teenage
Witch ,That's So Raven centers around a typical teen... with
a secret. Raven (former Cosby kid Raven-Symoné) is a high-spirited
high school girl who can see the future. In the popular Disney Channel
comedy, she's joined by friends Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol) and Eddie
(Orlando Brown), parents Tonya (T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh) and Victor
(Rondell Sheridan), and younger brother Corey (Kyle Massey). Drawn from
the first two seasons, Supernaturally Stylish features three episodes:
"That's So Not Raven," "If I Only Had a Job," and "He's
Got the Power." In the latter, Eddie develops psychic abilities after
a comet passes over the city. Along the way, he gets the girl--Haylie Duff,
sister of Lizzie McGuire 's Hilary--then just as promptly loses
her when his powers desert him. This handy collection also includes a never-before-seen
episode featuring Raven's favorite band, Boys in Motion. "
This show offered sharp sketch comedy at its best, and I loved the versatile
ensemble cast. But like so many innovative shows, the time slot was switched
so frequently that it never built a following. The 22 episodes here include
6 that were never aired. Aired 2002-2003
"Shaquille Gets Real. This unique 6-episode DVD takes an exclusive
inside look at the day-to-day of the NBA's big man with a big heart and
even a bigger sense of humor, Shaquille O'Neal. Follow him both on and
off the basketball court during his first season with the Miami Heat. Go
behind the scenes and hang with Shaq, his teammates, his friends, and his
family. "
This animated comedy series is based on Aaron McGruder's award-winning comic strip. It follows the misadventures of Huey, a ten-year old African-American boy who is the cartoon's angry voice of reason and self-styled revolutionary.
"Inspired by his childhood experiences, comedian Chris Rock narrates
the hilarious, touching story of a teenager growing up as the eldest of
children in Brooklyn, New York during the early 1980s."
Created by Myra Brock Akil, this was a spin-off of the UPN/CW series Girlfriends. "Being the wife or girlfriend of a pro-football player might sound like a glamorous and stress-free existence, but Melanie Barnett (Tia Mowry) is about to discover the truth. Melanie’s boyfriend, Derwin, is the new third-string wide receiver for the San Diego Sabers. While Derwin worries about the plays on the field, Melanie learns about the power plays that NFL wives use to get their men the best agents, managers, endorsements, merchandising deals and even the “in” charity. As she deals with egos, groupies and image consultants, Melanie is finding out how “the game” is played among the women behind the athletes."
