BILL VAUGHAN'S TASTY CLIPS: Belafonte, 'Black Boys' Docs Among Peacock Premieres
Peacock, the new NBC streaming service is spreading its wings with an impressive slate of documentaries premiering this week.
Among the offerings:
“A Most Beautiful Thing,” begins airing Sept. 4 narrated by Common and produced by NBA stars Grant Hill and Dwyane Wade, along with Grammy Award winner 9th Wonder, who composed the score.
It chronicles the first U.S. African American public high school rowing team, composed of young men from the West Side of Chicago, many of whom were in rival gangs.
"Every day, Americans of color face a long list of challenges and oppression, a list too long and too painful to recite here," said Hill. "With the recent events that have transpired, it is even more meaningful to be a part of a project which shows young black men in a positive, human, and hopeful way. The protagonist of the film, Arshay Cooper, and his extension of an olive branch to members of the Chicago Police Department, moved me in deep and profound ways. He is a leader of his generation and his name will be one that soon everyone will know."
“The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show” debuts on Sept. 10. From executive producer and MSNBC host Joy Reid and director Yoruba Richen comes this look back at an almost-forgotten moment in American history during which the legendary entertainer and civil rights activist filled in for host Johnny Carson for an entire week amidst a backdrop of riots across the country and the Vietnam War.
His guests that momentous week in February of 1968 included Aretha Franklin, Sidney Poitier, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy.
In addition to never-before-seen footage, Belafonte appears to offer his perspective, along with Questlove and Whoopi Goldberg.
“Black Boys” follows from executive producer, activist and two-time Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins. This documentary serves as a rare glimpse into the emotional landscape of Black men and boys. Interviews with rapper Vic Mensa; NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony; NFLers Greg Scruggs, Cris Carter and Chris Long; sports journalist Jemele Hill; poet/activist Malcolm London; and former U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. John King Jr. are featured.
"Our intention with this film and future films like it is to give visuals to the reality that the humanity of Black people lives on a wide spectrum," said Jenkins. "This project is focused on the humanity of Black boys. No segment group is monolithic. What we are displaying in this film is how Black boys' bodies have been commodified, our minds completely disregarded, and our feelings, creativity, and love painted over by society. Operating in a society that fears them, Black men and Black boys face a unique kind of trauma. We need white people, and everyone for that matter, to see that the identity of the Black boy is under attack as early as preschool to adulthood. We all have a responsibility to help map the future of our children, and how our children preserve the world around them. Next up is Black Girls!"
HIP HOP HOORAY: Over 120 lots of rap memorabilia including the Notorious B.I.G.’s famed crown and 42 teenaged love letters written by Tupac Shakur will be up for bid by Sotheby’s auction house on Sept. 15.
The collection comprised of unique artifacts, photography, fashion and art pieces and more may be viewed in advance from Sept. 11 – 15 at www.sothebys.com
A portion of the proceeds will benefit hip hop programs coordinated by “Uncle” Ralph McDaniels of “Video Music Box” fame for the Queens Public Library Foundation.
TASTY QUIP: “Chadwick [Boseman] came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson. You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years.” – Former U.S. President BARACK OBAMA
CLIPPETTES: Will Smith and his “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” castmates Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro and DJ Jazzy Jeff are slated to tape an unscripted reunion special celebrating the series’ 30th anniversary for HBO Max. It will air around Thanksgiving …
The 2020 Virtual Blues Music Awards, held earlier this year, will air exclusively on B.B. King’s Bluesville, powered by Sirius/XM beginning Sept. 4 at noon with rebroadcasts through Sept. 7. Shemekia Copeland is the host with appearances from Bettye LaVette, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Miller, Elvin Bishop, Keb’ Mo’, William Bell and Fantastic Negrito; along with archival moments from Koko Taylor, Honeyboy Edwards and Taj Mahal …
Kicking off with a special video opening from Democratic Vice-President nominee Kamala Harris, Grammy Award-winners Brandy and Monica celebrated R&B music and the culture on VERZUZ/Instagram Live with over 1.2 Million viewers. Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Halle Berry, Adele, Solange, Mariah Carey, Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Missy Elliott were among the celebs checking in …
“Muhammad Ali: The Untold Story,” a look at the icon’s legacy through the pages of a powerful memoir written by Dr. Abuwi Madhi, the champ’s confidant and business manager of 13 years, will launch Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. with a virtual event at www.muhammadaliuntold.splashthat.com/. The author; Dr. E. Faye Williams, Pres. of the National Congress of Black Women; producer/director Leslie Small (“2 Minutes of Fame,” “Undercover Brother 2”) and more will join the livestream …
Wyclef Jean opens the Apollo Theater’s 2020 Fall season with a special virtual concert marking the first-ever, complete performance of his Grammy-nominated, Double Platinum album, “The Carnival.” It streams live at www.apollotheater.org on Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. …
The 45th annual Gracie Awards, presented by The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) will air live Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. Honorees include Katy Perry, Tamron Hall, Michelle Williams, Naomi Watts, Angela Yee, Natasha Lyonne and Amy Poehler. Gayle King, Danai Gurira, Norah O’Donnell and Dr. Sanjay Gupta will also appear at @AllWomenInMedia on Facebook and Instagram, as well as the Alliance for Women in Media’s YouTube page.
TC ON TV: Sept. 4 – “Mulan” (Disney+): The Coronavirus delayed live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1998 animated hit about the young woman who became China’s legendary warrior premieres on the streaming service for subscribers – and the additional fee of $29.99. “Noughts + Crosses” (Peacock): The British series imagines an alternate world where England was colonized by Africa through the eyes of young adults in love but divided by color. “Anthony” (Peacock): In 2005, 18-year-old Black student Anthony Walker was murdered in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack in Liverpool that shocked the nation. This feature film examines its impact by exploring what may have happened had he lived. “The New York Times Presents” (FX): “The Killing of Breonna Taylor” examines what happened in Louisville, Kentucky when police executed a warrant that resulted in her death.
Sept. 5 – “Delicious Miss Brown” (Food): The third season opens with Kardea Brown grilling out with the girls. “Black Love” (OWN): The docu-series created by husband-and-wife filmmakers Codie & Tommy Oliver returns with back-to-back episodes featuring couples such as Dulé Hill & Jazmyn Simon, Jemele Hill & Ian Wallace, Bill & Kristen Bellamy, and Deborah Joy Winans & Terrence Williams discussing “Where Love Begins” and “Newlyweds.” “A Chance In The World” (Bounce): Terrell Ransom, Jr. stars in this fact-based film about an orphaned boy who endures the abuse of his foster parents (Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Kelly Owens) and siblings. While searching for his biological family, he meets a caring teacher (Tom Sizemore) who will change the course of his life.
Sept. 6 – “Bernie Mac: In My Own Words” (Starz): Here is the story of the poor kid from Chicago’s south side who became one of the top comics of the modern era before succumbing to Sarcoidosis. “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz): The spin-off of the two-time NAACP Image Award-winning drama "Power" follows Tariq (Michael Rainey Jr.) navigating his new life, in which his desire to shed his father's legacy comes up against the mounting pressure to save his family. Naturi Naughton and Shane Johnson are also back with new cast members Mary J. Blige and Cliff “Method Man” Smith (who told The Wrap his lawyer character is like “Johnnie Cochran…but with that slight hint of narcissism — i.e., our president.”). “Uncensored” (TV1): Larenz Tate
Sept. 7 – “Killing Michael Jackson” (Bounce): This documentary, featuring never-before-seen footage, is presented by the three detectives, Orlando Martinez, Dan Myers and Scott Smith, who led the original investigation into the icon's death.
Sept. 8 – “Extra” (Syn): Rachel Lindsay (“The Bachelorette”) is a new co-host as the entertainment news series opens its 27th season.
Sept. 9 – “L.A.’s Finest” (Spectrum): After being put on hold due to cries for police reform, the “Bad Boys” spin-off starring Gabrielle Union, Jessica Alba, Duane Martin and Ernie Hudson gets released. “Woke” (Hulu): Lamorne Morris (“New Girl”) portrays a cartoonist, based on artist Keith Knight, dealing with PTSD in this live-action/animated comedy series with voices supplied by Cedric the Entertainer, Keith David, Cree Summer, JB Smoove, Nicole Byer and more.
Sept. 10 – “Tamar Braxton: Get Ya Life!” (WE): After nearly losing everything, including herself, Tamar is determined to turn her life around and take matters into her own hands by sharing her truth in a revealing new docu-series that follows her every move.
TASTY QUIP: “Inhale and exhale this moment. Thank God for the unique beauties and wonders of the day. We should take advantage of every moment we can to enjoy the simplicity of God’s creation, whether it be clear skies and sun or clouded over with gloom. And hey, if the air is this clear right now, and it does rain tomorrow, I might even put jars and bins out and catch the rain. Throw that in the water filter and I have a water more alkaline than any bottled brand out there.” – CHADWICK BOSEMAN in a final text to his “Marshall’ co-star Josh Gad. Rest in Power, King!
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at [email protected], via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.