in pop culture

Clash of the Choirs

It would have been easy to write about politics today. But with so much going on in the presidential campaign, I figure everybody else will be talking about that already. So today I decided to take a little pop culture diversion. Anybody who has ever read this website in January knows how much I love American Idol. Although the last two winners have disappointed me, the show itself continues to entertain every year.

So last night when I turned on the television and decided not to go to the gym, I was looking for something to keep my interest. Clash of the Choirs almost did that. It's a 4-day reality show in which celebrities recruit singers from their hometowns to compete in a choir sing-off. Kelly Rowland, Nick Lachey, Michael Bolton, Blake Shelton and Patti Labelle select and lead the choirs. To be honest, I wasn't blown away by the show or the choirs. That is, until Patti Labelle took the stage.

Posted in pop culture on December 18 2007, 9:25AM | Read More | Comments (21)

Sean Johnson Fills The Screen

It's not every day you get to interview the boss, but that's sort of what I'm doing today with my interview of Sean Johnson. Well, Sean isn't really my boss, but he does produce the TV talk show I host on BET J, and he authorizes the paychecks I receive. So please forgive me if I pitch him a softball or two. Don't want to upset the guy who pays me.

I first met Sean at a Black Entertainment and Sports Law conference in Puerto Rico several years ago. He was an entertainment lawyer before he became a big TV producer and network executive. Now Sean is a producer of several shows on BET J and a creator of several other shows. He's the force behind so many different projects that it's hard to name them all. You may not know him by name, but if you've ever watched BET J, you've seen Sean's influence.

Posted in pop culture on December 12 2007, 12:26AM | Read More | Comments (7)

'A Piece Of The Pie' With Damon Evans

I have wanted to interview Damon Evans for years. I met Damon almost three years ago after he contacted me about an article I wrote on this site called "We're Moving On Up." In that irreverent piece, I compared the relationship between President Bush and Condoleezza Rice to the relationship between Tom and Helen Willis of "The Jeffersons."

It was an easy comparison to make because "The Jeffersons" was probably my favorite TV show from childhood. It ranked higher than "Sanford & Son," "Get Smart," "The Avengers," "Man From Atlantis," "Dallas" and "The Carol Burnett Show," all of which I also loved. As a middle-class black kid growing up in the mostly white suburbs of St. Louis, "The Jeffersons" was the closest thing to my life on television. And Damon Evans as Lionel was a key part of the cast. So today, 35 months after I first met him, I finally get to publish my interview with the man himself.

Posted in pop culture on December 4 2007, 12:36AM | Read More | Comments (30)

He's Back: The Return of Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby is back, and this time he's got backup.

Cosby, who caused a firestorm of criticism a few years ago for his comments about blacks, is back with a new book, a new attitude, and a new partner. Cosby appeared on Meet The Press on Sunday with noted Harvard professor, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, to pitch their new book, Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors.

His message: It's time for African Americans to get our act together. But is Cosby attacking black people or uplifting them? The answer may depend on who you ask.

Posted in pop culture·race on October 18 2007, 3:30PM | Read More | Comments (117)

Hip Hop v. America

As the new fall television season begins this week, Black Entertainment Television is taking an unusual turn. Tonight at 8, BET begins airing a special three-part series called "Hip Hop v. America." The show was taped as a town hall meeting last June in Los Angeles, seemingly as a response to the nationwide discussion that started after the Don Imus scandal.

It was a full day's discussion broken up into segments, so I'm not sure how BET will edit it and what will actually make it on the air. But if its done right, you should see a lively and long overdue conversation about sexism, violence, homophobia and materialism in hip hop. The show, hosted by Toure and Jeff Johnson, features Nelly, T.I., Master P, Chuck D, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Michael Eric Dyson, NPR's Farai Chideya, former Essence magazine editor Diane Weathers, commentator Stanley Crouch, author Karrine Steffans, and myself, among many others all talking about the role of hip hop in contemporary America.

Posted in pop culture·race on September 25 2007, 9:55AM | Read More | Comments (60)

The Boxer Rebellion

One day last summer I was walking home from the gym in Harlem when I noticed a young shirtless man walking slowly in front of me. He was walking with the familiar side-to-side swagger of young men in hip hop as I followed far behind. By the time I approached him, I realized the reason he was walking so slowly. His pants were sagging so far down that the full length of his boxer shorts were exposed. He must have heard my footsteps as I approached from behind because he turned around just as I got closer. He scowled a look that could kill, pulled up his pants and then stood on the edge of the sidewalk until I walked by.

What was that all about? If you're going to walk around half naked in the streets, don't get offended when people stare at you like you're crazy. And as much as I appreciate the right of all people to dress the way they want, I have to be honest. I certainly would not want my kids to dress like thugs, and I'm glad that my two teenage godsons don't. I once had a prospective intern (who I later hired) who dressed this way to his job interview with me, and I had to warn him that he would never get a job in most places dressed like a thug. But having said all that, I am still troubled by the new trend, reported in today's New York Times, of cities that are outlawing sagging pants.

Posted in pop culture·race on August 30 2007, 11:59AM | Read More | Comments (90)

Stars (Jones) Will Shine

Nathan Hale Williams Reviews

Star Jones is smart! Very smart. I have always admired that about her. She’s so smart she did exactly what I told her to do to revive her career. Well, I actually never spoke to her personally, but she has followed my instructions to a tee. And, it seems like it has worked out for her…so far. Roughly one year after her abrupt departure from The View, Ms. Jones (ne’ Reynolds) today returned to daytime television with her eponymous show, Star Jones. Ironically, she has returned to Court TV, which is the network where she launched her television career almost 16 years ago.

Last August, I was in the middle of a heated debate with a friend and colleague regarding the then, Mrs. Jones Reynolds’ future in entertainment. My friend was adamant that Star had committed one of the deadliest sins in TV by crossing Barbara Walters. I argued that Star’s actions when leaving The View were the right thing for her future and that she would certainly be fine. She said, “she’ll never work on television again. No one is going to hire her.” I said, “she’s Star for a reason. It won’t just go away. No matter what you think about her she is smart. And, that’s all that needs to be said.” Well, what a difference a year makes.

Posted in pop culture·viewpoints on August 23 2007, 10:52AM | Read More | Comments (33)