Honoring all actors who brought us everything from Blacula to Cabin in the Sky to Purple Rain to The Thing With Two Heads -- and everything in between!
Long before Mary J sang about finger lickin' good chicken, there was another Black female star who took a stab at it but knew she looked silly. Since I didn't get cable until I was grown, I had no idea that the late Ms. Shirley Hemphill had a cable comedy show. Personally, I don't know what's funnier - the fact that Colonel Sanders was rumored to be a racist (snopes.com) or that Shirley, in real life, wasn't thinking about any man that couldn't pay her.
I think had she come along about 25 years later, Miss Hemphill would've had a helluva career in comedy that would've gone beyond a few guest spots in Martin or CB4 (1993). While I'm always happy when newcomers give dap to old schoolers, her presence always has a special place in my heart.
What was your favorite Shirley episode from What's Happening? Mine was Shirley's Date because decades later, when I was on bedrest, I ran across the episode on YouTube. The comments made me wet my drawers and then I thought about it...'Why would a dude in a suit come to the hood for a date with a waitress who ain't topless? And take her to a teen house party before there was a House Party?' Anyway, thanks to all for making me laugh before having to change underwear.
Before Purple Rain and The Revolution, the fancy suits and hairdos, a young Prince Rogers Nelson - donning anything from gold spandex to a trench coat with leg warmers - could be seen on several music programs like Don Kirschner's Rock Concert and Midnight Special. On his left was a sometimes spiky-haired guitarist Dez Dickerson, whose attire was a mashup of New Wave/thrift store chic, playing his ax. When you saw bassist Andre Cymone to his right, you knew the string solo would rival that of Ernie Isley and the late Jimi Hendrix.
In the song "1999", Dickerson sang the most memorable line - "Life is just a party and parties weren't meant to last". Also, his guitar solo on Little Red Corvette (1983) was named in Guitar World's Top 100 that same year. That would be one of his last recordings with The Purple One. Yup, how time flies.
Shortly after, he was replaced by Wendy Melvoin, who would go on to write movie and TV scores with former keyboardist Lisa Coleman. While Dickerson made a brief musical appearance in Purple Rain, he's been mainly behind the music scenes for 40 years. At one point, he found his musical home in the Christian genre, where he was an A&R person for Starsong Communications. He also ran his own Christian rock label, Absolute Records.
Dez also wrote a book, a personal account of his time with Prince, which was published in 2003. Since his departure, he's remained active in the music scene and kept a low profile except for appearances at SXSW. When asked by journalists about his last conversation with Prince before his untimely passing, Dickerson wasn't about that life.
Today, he's suffering from a few ailments but has not yet publicly disclosed what or his reason for a Go Fund Me campaign. Reddit posters had some interesting takes on the subject, including money Dickerson rightfully deserved during Prince's peak musical period. Before his health took a turn, he also worked as a host for a Tennessee radio station.
During my last blog hibernation, I met a film buff and we're doing the damn thing. Problem is, he loves science fiction, thrillers, and anything violent. While I don't have a vast blaxploitation DVD collection, he was entertained by JD's Revenge and Willie Dynamite. Lightweight think pieces like Five on the Black Hand Side and Snowy Day in Oakland are like taking Nyquil in the afternoon for him.
So, in celebration of Dad's Day, we go to see The Blackening. While still getting over the reserved seating concept in addition to matinee prices being in the two digits, we find a relatively comfortable spot. And...it wasn't bad...but not that great either.
It kinda reminded me of if in Living Color were updated and made it to the silver screen but toned down to say what we're thinking...and then some. Problem with this formula is that it can be mediocre but brilliant with the right comedic timing. Some may disagree with me but I'd suggest this list for your horror flick bingeing pleasure.
In Cinnamon, Pam Grier has again resurged in her role as that bad ass woman that gonna make everything alright. Looking awesome for her years, she, along with Hailey Kilgore (Jukebox from Raising Kanan) star is this Tubi original movie about a young woman trying to make her way in the world.
Damon Wayans also star's as the titular character's shady boss, along with a host of newcomers. Released June 23, I'm surprised this film hasn't received more attention with it's mix of drama, comedy, and action. My assumption is that many still think of Tubi as "that channel" for hood flicks with bad acting and almost storyline.
It looks like today is a new day...and at the moment, you're getting quality entertainment at no charge outside of an internet connection. As budgeting has become a greater concern than ever, I know I'll be checking back more often.
Well folks, I know it's been a couple of minutes and I'm still getting my mental engine lubed up. If you're blessed to see a new day, make it the best you can! LATER
Before Thundercat, Rick James, and even Prince...Sly Stone was that musical genius to bridge black, white, and women and men into a single funk odyssey. His songs explored racial unity and other social matters of the day to an unforgettable beat. In fact, Sly set the template for modern recording acts like The Internet and many others.
For those of you who watch those Ed Sullivan reruns in hopes of catching this iconic performance, YouTube comes through. If you're familiar with the episode that featured The Doors, censorship (as in "high" or "higher" in reference to drugs) may be the reason why this segment is so hard to come by.
This performance on the Mike Douglas Show is also worth a watch.
For years, there's been an online debate about the cast and storylines of this iconic sitcom from the 70s. Where did Carl go (or better, what was his purpose)? What did that kitchen door lead to? Were Willona and James more than friends? Many of us probably will never know the truth behind the scenes or why creator Norman Lear made these interesting choices.
You're probably like me where in the past few years you've probably had time to binge in front of the set and ponder a few things. I did when I was on bed rest a few years ago. While it seems like a Good Times series remake is out of the question for now, we can have a little fun with these facts about the popular show.
The J.J. Evans character was loaded with charm and talent, making him a somewhat unlikely match for a bevy of beauties during its run from 1974 to 1979. Have you ever noticed that women who were overly affectionate are still working actors today? Yup, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Debbie Allen, Debbie Morgan, Tina Andrews, and the late Rosalind Cash had success in front of and/or behind the camera.
But what about the others? Let's see what they're up to.
Beverleigh Banfield who played the original T. C. (Bookman's assistant), is still active in the business. After taking guest starring roles in the 80s and 90s, her last acting credit was as a voiceover artist in the cartoon Static Shock. Since the 2010s, she's parlayed her talents as a producer and director. She's alive and well at 69 years young.
Rosanne Katon was in an early episode where her snob parents wanted their teen daughter to date someone who wasn't from the PJs. From the mid-70s through the 80s, Katon starred in a number of guest roles and was also known for being one of the first Black Playmates. She quietly retired from acting by the early 90s to focus on family and humanitarian efforts.
Renee Brown didn't play a love interest but a painting student of J.J.'s who quietly forced him to eat a big piece of humble pie during a local art competition. After starring in a number of 70s sitcoms and light crime dramas like James at 16, Brown retired from acting in the early 80s to focus on family.
Ta Tanisha played one of J.J.'s early girlfriends that didn't exactly have his back yet he was so whipped. Anyway, her career goes back to 1969 when she guest-starred on an episode of Mod Squad and remained pretty busy from the 70s to the 80s with sporadic appearances. She also made an uncredited appearance on Alex Martin's (daughter of Whoopi Golberg) reality show in the 00s.
Rolanda Douglas is one of the few actresses who played different roles on the sitcom. First, it was the snobbish girlfriend who was ready to go and cared less about a burned Penny Gordon. Then she was the second T. C. who actually did make a move on the lean, chocolate, loving machine after undergoing a makeover. Her acting credits range from 1976 to 1987.
Brenda Sykes was J.J.'s chain-smoking date who proved an important lesson about the dangers of tobacco products. Besides an extensive list of acting credits for the small and silver screen, she's also known as the former wife of musician and poet Gil Scott Heron. This 1978 role was also her last, according to IMDB.
Fay Hauser played the married woman who wanted to have her cake and eat it at J.J.'s expense (or his developing ulcer). At 74 years young, she's still booked and busy with recent credits including Glee and Shameless. Hauser also has recent producer and director credits to round out her long list of roles that go back to 1978.
While it's nice to see the majority of these actresses are healthy and well, here are some other things that may have been overlooked.
Dap Sugar Willie (above), who played Lootin Lenny, got his start on the comedy circuit. Like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor, he sold albums of his performances and this was also a promotional tool that landed him roles in a number of 1970s sitcoms. Sadly, he died in 1994 at the age of 55.
Penny (played by Miss Jackson, of course) is actually named Millicent, which is a clever but odd name choice for a Black child of the 70s.
If you think Bernadette Stanis (Thelma) has disappeared from the silver screen, you're mistaken. Since the show's end in 1979, she's made numerous appearances on sitcoms, done voiceovers, and also attended the prestigious Julliard to upgrade her thespian skills. Her last credit was on TV One's Family Business series which stars Ernie Hudson.
Well, it's good to be back y'all and I hope you can stop by every few weeks where we deliver something different.
Lately, I've been watching old Ed Sullivan reruns on the digital broadcasting channel and there are many Black comedians who were either underrated or seemed to disappear from the planet by the time us Gen X's were old enough to understand. I've also discovered other old programs that show an entire host of funny chocolate folks, like Mr. Watson but here's a couple of videos you might like.
This is a new feature I chose to add because 1) Life's too short to not get in a good laugh at least once a week, and 2) I would like to shine a brief light on those comedians that may not be household names today.
Been away longer than I planned but thought I'd return with good news. My favorite mag, Wax Poetics, is currently taking orders for the posthumous tribute edition. Issue 67, according to the email I received last night, will be free of ads with full color pages throughout, available as a hard or soft cover copy.
For those not familiar with Wax Poetics (WP) magazine, it's pretty much the Lexus of all periodicals that represent hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and all the subgenres. Issue 50, which was originally released back in 2013, featured the music legend and featured extended interviews with those who were once close to him musically. This also was for pre-sale and though re-released in May 2016, is the best-selling edition in the magazine's history.
As for the collector's value, most WP issues bring in a nice return, as most give intimate details and/or exclusive interviews with recording artists of past and present. I was able to sell my David Bowie/ATCQ issue for almost three times what I paid for it. Remember back in the day when you went over someone's house and they had the latest issues of Ebony or Jet spread across the coffee table? If you've got little ones (or kids at heart) that like to scribble on things, you might want to keep these hidden at all costs.
Happy New Year folks, I'm restructuring here and realize I still owe you an old-school countdown. I didn't want my first post to be an obit but this is a true story I can't get out of my head. As you may know, jazz trumpeter and anti-Apartheid activist Hugh Masekela died at the age of 78. At this time, there is no direct cause but, like many musicians who have left us in recent, I'm happy for his contributions. However, I didn't realize some years ago how grateful I should've been to be in his presence or to celebrate what was a historic moment. Back in the early 90s, I was a big super-brat woman/baby who really didn't know if she was coming or going. One day, I woke up and decided that I was going to attend Job Corp in Downtown L.A. because it was free. It was not one of my best moments but on top of free job training, medical care and food (I didn't live there), I could go to events for free. Not long before dropping the program for good (I also worked a full-time job near LAX), I got an invite to see a newly-freed Nelson Mandela at the L.A.Coliseum. Didn't have to work that evening but me and about a half-dozen folks packed into some car and got pretty good seats. Once again, very fortunate to have not experienced the nosebleed section. Looking back, the concert was long. Very long. And back then, on top of drinking and partying, I ingested a lot of caffeine (and this was a couple of decades before energy drinks were a way of life) so I can remember being near tears because I had to coordinate how to get back home without risking my life. But in-between, I had a hoot explaining to my reformed gangbanger buddies why Paul Simon, Sting, and many others with pink toes were there to celebrate the South African hero. However, amusement turned into anxiety when Mr. Masekela went into a set that lasted more than an hour long. Sting and James Taylor's sets were less than 15 minutes and other notables (whom I don't remember) were restricted to maybe one song. Since then I have not seen so much love and unity for mankind displayed on a single stage. Gangsta rap was beginning to cross into the mainstream and the riots were less than two years away. My generation has few leaders, as many seem to care more about commerce instead of a solution to make things better.
The irony is that while gangsta rap is supposed to be about being a badass, I've yet to see any of its representatives take a real stand against a minor injustice...just abuse or battery against a woman. Anyway, I still have a thing about Soul Train reruns and ran across this rare episode with Mr. Masekela and fellow trumpeter Herb Alpert.
Yeah, sorry so slow. Decided to go for a second degree and now I'm paying the price. Still haven't decided the future but I thought I'd throw in some ol school jams while thinking this through. As for the second video above, I wanted to get a live performance since few people remember what the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose looked like. Though only the lead singer slightly resembles someone from the lineup, I can tell this performance is from the 1980s. So if you know anything about this group, give me a shout out!
Jazz drummer and singer Grady Tate got his start with Quincy Jones band back in the 1960's. He later recorded the somber ballad Suicide is Painless for the M*A*S*H* movie.
Shortly afterwards, Tate and the late Ray Charles would be the most recognizable voices behind the funky Saturday morning cartoons for Gen Xers. Eventually, this would lead the popular jazzman to a second career in education. Read more about Mr. Tate's life here.
Think about it. Hot looking females not only strapped but make target every time. A dope soundtrack. Everyone speaks in urban slang. Violence. Maybe hard narcotics. At the film's climax, someone either died or is badly hurt, either physically or emotionally.
Is this a bad thing or worse, unoriginal? Not necessarily, as one of my favorites, Power, has at least three of the above named factors. Additionally, the cable drama is more popular with viewers than Fox Network's Empire, especially in the last couple of years. While I won't use this post to tear down Cookie and 'em, one thing I will state is the emotionally complex scenarios used in Power make it more meaty than most shows that use a similar formula of a brother who used slangin' to come up.
What about when we make TV shows, big-budget movie and now...stage plays where you have the elements but the story line is "simple"? Maybe even predictable...can it still be as fun as watching Blacula or even New Jack City. Well, a new play, THUGS and the Women Who Love Them, is getting mixed reactions at best. Courtesy of Deadline Detroit.
Based on a 2004 fictional series by Wahida Clark, the play was adapted by producer Melvin Childs and has made short stops in major cities in the past few months. Casting includes mostly C/D-List entertainers like Ray J, Lyfe Jennings, and reality show superstars (meaning they get continuous work to act a fool on TV). The only notable on here is Jamal Woolard, who played the title role of Biggie Small in 2007's Notorious.
Some people see the original blaxploitation movement as a way to crawl before walking, as only a handful of actors were offered legitimate (nice, articulate character) roles before. I once had a debate with a former co-worker about why these types of films should never exist. While my sentiment was that people needed to get work (and I was only about 20 at the time), she came back much harder. THIS IS HOW PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES SEE US.
My head was spinning because at that time, no one knew who Rodney King was, L.A. had only one riot, and while Pill Bill Cosby was using his popular sitcom to gradually lecture the viewers about what was right about the world of upper-class blackness, I knew my place in the world. That was a utopia in my mind where everyone got along and no one saw stereotypes - just good and bad people.
Who would think more than 25 years later that hip-hop (no matter how watered down these days) cannot be used in a different format to tell a story of the streets? They may not get my money but I feel that people have a right to express themselves by telling their truth. However, I will be happy when there are more Rainbow Johnsons on my TV screen than Cookie Lyon types.
No, he wasn't the typical Hollywood actor discussed on this blog but a unique presence he was. If you love straight-to-DVD movies or the comedy shows from the 90's to present, chances are this dude cracked you up at some point.
While May had the potential to be a household name, there were some obstacles that prevented this from happening. During one short career slump, May appeared on Celebrity Fit Club, where he appeared to be handling his morbid obesity. My favorite is the mailman from the early-2000s flick, For Da Love of Money starring Pierre (B.A.P.S.)
Here's a subtle reminder of how the establishment sees us (yes, even today in 2017). Think about it, how often are we featured in ads about investments and other financial services? While I'm glad to more of us in ads referring to small business ownership and advanced education, spending wisely is the real key to success IMHO.
Don't trust the big name institutions? Try these instead! (Courtesy of Watch the Yard).
P.S. Thanks to my cuzzo Shadana for posting this on Facebook last month.
Sorry for not posting sooner but I had to share. Especially since it's coming on at 11:30 tonight PST on Comedy Central. If you miss The Boondocks or appreciate the comedy of three teens just hangin', this is so worth checking out. Now, in case you've never seen this half-hour cartoon, it is kinda like 21st century What's Happening. Three teens - one overweight, one silly, and the leader, of sorts - with a love for b-ball (there are some LeBron references in most episodes) and girls. However, there's no neighborhood Big Mama for everyone to love and fear almost equally. In addition, the sexual and drug references make this better-fitted for Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network. But in between some of the crass humor are rhetorical jokes that reflect current policy and social situations, as well as some joke targeted to the Gen X crowd.
The early episodes of Sanford and Son were the best...particularly those dealing with affairs of the heart. When it came Grady's turn, it was just cold-blooded all around. His fiancee (played by Norma Miller) tried to place brother on lock. Not gonna give away the entire plot but it's one of the best laughs anyone with a pulse can have.
Anyway, according to sources Ms. Milller is still around and feeling good at 97 years young. Here's a 2016 article,r where she shares her secrets to a long life.
Most people don't remember when the J. Geils Band made the R&B charts back in the early 80s. Yep, "Flamethrower" was that jam of doing the Cabbage Patch.
Yesterday,
J. Geils was found in his home (cause unknown as 4/11/17) but if you're scratching your head...
I had to clarify that the media wasn't talking about Peter Wolf, the long-time frontman that's had his share of problems. Geils , 71, chose to stay in the background as founder and guitarist.
Sorry, if I'm a little MIA, had back-to-back exams and projects to complete. But I've been lurking on the some of the blogs about what some of these new entertainers REALLY think about Black women. Now, being from L.A., I think people should date who they please but respect their own as well, whether it be Black, Brown, or whatever. Seems the rappers have particularly strong feelings. While Kendrick Lamar has praise, others go in on women with dark brown skin, natural hair, and features that are far from keen (but if you have an Inflata-Booty you MIGHT be allowed to party with those who don't have half the wealth they floss). Anywho, I was so into my gym time today that I let my music tracks do their thing and ran across this gem by Meshell Ndegeocello. A truly underrated sis whose Plantation Lullabies CD (from 94/95?) was truly on point. Talk about reading sellout brothers for pure filth...
You've most likely seen the commercials and wondered what's up, as there's not much to be found online. Is is really like Netflix for black folks? Being the blaxploitation movie junkie that I am, I decided to give the free trial a shot.
Will this rare movie ever make it Bounce TV's new streaming service?
So the sign-up process is pretty cut and dry. I load this onto my Chromebook mainly because the memory won't have to fight with Adobe CC on my laptop for space. Plus the device is less than a year old and because it's so finicky about what a person can download, there's room for a streaming service. At four dollars a month, it's half the price of Hulu (with commercials) but in viewing the inventory, it takes a moment to see if it's worth THAT much. Brown Sugar has the standards (the Superfly and Shaft trilogies), along with some flicks that are seeing new life like ABAR, the Black Superman and my favorites Willie Dynamite and Hit Man with Bernie Casey. Upon second glance, I notice a few that aren't familiar but I remember that movies like Black Starlet have alternate titles (Black Gauntlet). This was the case in one of my favorites that I don't own, Black Sister's Revenge, also titled 'Emma Mae' in the Brown Sugar catalog. So what is my conclusion? Basically, if you like to collect (VHS tapes included), this might be a waste of money. Or, if you have a great relationship (as in you don't mind the interruptions) with YouTube, you can take a chance on movies that may be there one day and gone the following week. If you're Amazon friendly, I've always had good service with Gateway Cosmetics and other vendors that specialize in Black movie sales. Brown Sugar streaming is great for the binge watcher with no space for a bunch of discs or watches in the peak hours. As far as the experience itself goes....it was Saturday and its me with the Chromebook. I look up a movie from 1968 with Max Julien that I think I saw but not 100% sure. It takes a moment to load, so I go get snacks (3-5 mins). Upon return, I recognize the opening theme but sit for the first 5 minutes. Not even into opening scene, there's buffering. Okay, things take time and this movie is as old as I am so let's refresh. Ten minutes in, there's no semblance of a plot and the thing is buffering when I remember that I never saw Charleston Blue. It's not in Brown Sugar's inventory so off to YouTube I go where I get a clean picture with few interruptions and it costs...ZERO. Not condoning bootlegging but if someone knows of a standing store in the L.A. where legit blaxploitation movies are sold, hit me up! Anyway, I do have a suggestion. Why not add the indie flicks that Bounce used to air before they got 90-early 2000s sitcom fever. Seriously, I love Half and Half too but remember the show only aired for three seasons and was definitely affected by the writer's strike near the end. Fine @ss Lamman Rucker made those episodes watchable before its unfortunate demise. Okay, digressing here. I'm really digging indie movie like the ones Aspire shows in the afternoon but my favorite from the early days of Bounce are Drop Squad, The Stick Up Kids, and the one where a pre-nose job Kerri Washington was a window dresser/booster. Sorry (hangs head but snickering). So Bounce, what's up? Can we get something different since you don't quite have 100 movies in your catalog (more like 75 as of Feb 2017)? About a third of those are shown on network and basic cable from time to time, so maybe faster load times. I've had a similar experience with Google so I'm not knocking your efforts, just suggesting a little fine tuning for the long run.
Yeah, sorry so slow. I still haven't found a copy of the Right On mag featuring 1980s new wavers of color. But, I have a good memory and other resources so here we go. Most people remember The Bus Boys from that Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, "The Boys are Back in Town". Long before a really funny Mr. Murphy decided to use the Gardena,CA natives (go South Bay!), they made a few other hits that were memorable - just too much for pop radio at the time. To catch up with these guys, check out their website. There's a nice documentary that talks about the black L.A. experience that I will probably share in a future post.
Last year, I was doing the theme thing for my weekly music video post. Some of you responded accordingly and it helped me keep on track. There was mention of black rock artists and I thought this would be something special. Still a work in progress but I was able to find a few times that we were allowed to express ourselves differently - no 3-piece suits or gowns, choreographed dance moves and babymaking music not allowed. I bring you Nappy Cherry...
I was in the 7th grade when I first heard about this band. It was in an issue of Right On magazine with a cover that showed Prince in his Dirty Mind phase and the entire issue gave props to brothers and sisters doing it differently. Unfortunately, this classic cover is hard to find online more than 35 years later. Even worse, my collection got jacked from my storage bin and has yet to be recovered since I moved nearly 20 years ago. But I'll give a recap. Prince, Nappy Cherry, the Busboys, and I wanna say Fishbone, were featured and not long after, some traditional R&B acts began to incorporate the high-pitch synthesizers, fast drum beats, and quirky lyrics into their albums. Though some songs left a lot to be desired (like She's Only 17) and even marked the end of some acts like Ozone. However, being different also worked for Cameo. Though known to serious oldheads for babymaking music (Sparkle, Why Have I Lost You), they decided to switch gears (and gradually losing members, remember when there used to be like 10 dudes on the album cover?) to something more fun that incorporated the essence of R&B music. This is my favorite track from that period.
