January 2013 – The Radio Dan Show

By Eric Delgado

One of the greatest situation comedies of all time, The Honeymooners, ran for a measly 39 episodes.

That’s a crime.

But it happened, and even though it did, the show remains iconic, influential, and enduring, for almost 60 years.

20 years later, another show ran for 39 episodes, but this time, almost no one noticed.

Another crime!

Because it too, was brilliantly written and acted, filled with warmth and hilarity. A show that truly spoke to the times.

Yup, what the hell am I talking about, right? I’ll tell you, suckah! It starts in the early 70’s. Television, just like Hollywood features, is beginning to recognize that there is a segment of the American population that buys televisions, watches the shows, buys the products advertised, and is being ignored.

And so a new age was ushered in, with sitcoms catering to the African-American, and America in general.

Good Times. Great for a while, Responsible for a while, hilarious for a while. The Jeffersons. Great for a shorter while, good for a while, responsible for a minute or two. Sanford and Son. Good…irreverant. That’s it.

And these things mattered. Because of course, that was the mood of the time. A movement was occurring. The world was watching. But were these shows authentic? Hard to say, after all, there wasn’t much to compare with, and it’s not like the average African-American was being consulted. Check the credits, you won’t find many working behind the scenes.

So, these shows are understood to be, authentic. Agenda driven as well. The Jeffersons is conveying to us that there has been a great deal of progress, with more to be had. Good Times is conveying to us that there are places most people don’t care to know about, where the opposite is happening. Sanford and Son is telling us that basically, poor and unsophisticated is the same in any language, creed, or color.

In 1974, a show called “That’s My Mama” debuts. And while it had its moment, it was brief.

Season one. 26 episodes, it picks up an audience.

Season two. Changes are made. Big changes. And it doesn’t finish the season.

And then its gone, and then its forgotten.

And then I get a good look at it.

Because I was a fan in 1974, a little teeny afro havin’ fan. and many years later, it was time to revisit that fandom.

And you know what I saw?

I saw authentic like I’d never seen! The most natural, organic, genuine behavior, that was 100% indicative of the time. I saw the thing that other shows were trying to get across.

Esther Rolle, Florida on Good Times, had tremendous difficulty with the way the character J.J. was behaving. John Amos left the show over it. JJ had become a clown and was being touted for it. And America loved it. So it stuck. See ya John Amos, shut yer trap old Esther Rolle.

On That’s My Mama, the agenda was clear. Show some legitimate African-Americans that aren’t being tremendously oppressed, and also aren’t rolling in the dough. Show them interacting with family and friends, and situations of the time.

The dialogue from season one is outstanding.

So are the situations. The show doesn’t pull any punches, and doesn’t concern itself about whether they’re throwing them. It just seems as if what happens, happens.

Authentic.

It goes like this.

Clifton Davis plays Cliff. He is a Vietnam vet who has taken over Dad’s barber shop in Washington DC. Single, good-looking, mature, well-intentioned, immature, occasionally selfish, and eventually, on the right course. He is a wonderful yet flawed human.

Theresa Merritt plays Mama. She’s Cliff’s overbearing, big hearted, big-mouthed Mama. She loves everyone.

Theodore Wilson, (Sweet Daddy from Good Times) plays Earl, Cliff’s best friend, a mailman. Fun-loving, super spazzy, and loyal. Earl saved Cliff’s life in Vietnam.

Ted Lange plays Junior. If you have any access at all, do yourself a favor. SEE this character! There is no one like him, anywhere!

He currently heads the list of the most under-rated sitcom characters in history, with no challenger in sight. He is unquestionably the reason to see the show, for his entrances, his gyrations, his one-liners, and his catchphrases. Phenomenal.

Then there’s Lisle Wilson, Cliff’s straight-laced brother-in-law. Another fantastic character, completely harmless and unassuming, and sweetly hilarious.

That ends season one.

Then comes the crime.

Because my guess now, is that what was going on with Good Times, and the like, was being considered. The show was softened, mainstreamed.

Season one has a jazzy, funky, instrumental theme. Season two has a sweet catchy pop theme with fun lyrics.

Season one had Earl almost losing Cliff’s barber shop to a loan shark. Season two had Cliff selling out to “the man” for a corporate gig.

Season one had Mama’s favorite nephew turning out to be a ruthless drug dealer. Season two had Earl pretending to be an intellectual in order impress a chick.

And audiences were unimpressed, and soon gone. And wow, no one knew what happened!

But now, I know why.

Just another crime in the inner city.

It’s currently airing on TV-ONE. You have been formally hipped up. Now go seek it.

By Dan Delgado

I must admit to having low expectations when walking in to see Parker, the new actioner starring Jason Statham. At one point I did have higher hopes, having read several of the books the character is based on, but a low rottentomatoes.com score and the spoilery trailer itself changed that.

Statham plays Parker, a no-nonsense thief who seems to have a heart of gold. The movie starts off fine, with a heist at a state fair and ends well with a heist in Palm Beach, FL. However all that stuff in between is a bit middling. Cliche’s pile on as Statham looks to get even with a crew he worked with who double cross him. A lot of it a by the numbers movie with a few surprises thrown in. Surprises like it’s excessively bloody and violent (which is okay with me).

Statham is very choice for the stoic Parker and Jennifer Lopez is fine as Palm Beach real estate agent who gets roped into his revenge plot, though her desire to run away with him is a mistake in the script. She should be more terrified of this guy. Done right and Parker would kick off a new series of films. Done a little better than average, like this is, will probably not. Go with low expectations and you’ll be fine.

Month: January 2013

Jan. 30th, 2013 Show

Jan. 29th, 2013 Show

Appreciation for That’s My Mama

Jan. 28th, 2013 Show

Quick Reaction: Parker

Jan. 24th, 2013 Show

Jan. 23rd, 2013 Show

Jan. 22nd, 2013 Show

Jan. 21st, 2013 Show

New Commercial

Stitcher Widget