Veteran Thespian Documentary Needs Our Support

The grandson of Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis  is seeking assistance for a documentary about the veteran actors.  Read more at his Kickstarter page.

The N Word/Bounce TV

I wasn't born until late 1968 in Los Angeles county.  Like some who grew up on the Westside/LAX area during this time, my few friends were a range of colors and many were the product of a mixed relationship.

When the ING became mostly Black in the 70s, I was pretty shocked to hear kids using that word like they'd been hosed down by law enforcement, chased by dogs or told they couldn't eat somewhere.

I'm not judging though my opinion is that if you're a baby boomer (or born earlier), you have the first-hand knowledge of what it is really like to be discriminated.  Not saying that it doesn't happen today but you will find there are many who initially bring it on themselves (example: Jena 6 case from 2007).

Anyway, I mention this because Bounce TV has been a helluva education.  I can't stress this enough.  For one, I didn't know Blacks did so many western-style movies back then.

Fred Williamson is not one of my favorites when it comes to his actual films though I respect how him and Pam Grier handled their business (they get paid residuals).  The Legend of Nigger Black Charlie did not hold me the way Thomasine & Bushrod did but I found this account rather interesting.


Now speaking of Bounce TV, there are a few programs they should really take out of their lineup as of 5/28/12.

1. Blues Brothers 2000 - or show the original, which was way better, before showing this for the umpteenth time.
2. The List - Wayne Brady is only entertaining ...in that one Dave Chappelle bit
3. Ali - just because it's bunk
4. Leonard Part 6 - even as Mr. Cosby was at the top of his game during this time, this will always be his off-moment
5. Love For Sale - Mya, that video model....mmm,just get the rights to Video Girl with Megan Good

Now, if you can find old episodes of Baby I'm Back, that show where Bernie Casey played a single father  (can't find it online) or Pipe Dreams with Gladys Knight and then-hubby Barry Hankerson, I'll cancel my Redbox account

Donna Summer and What I Don't Miss About Cable

As you know, the music and art community lost the great Donna Summer to advanced lung cancer on 5/17/12.  More than a disco singer, all she did was bring it better than Diana Ross, with a little more polish than Chaka, more glam and less gospel than Aretha yet she is much more than the Queen of Disco.


While I'm disgusted at celeb tweets calling her Donna 'Summers', I have good news if you didn't know already.


Bounce TV is doing a tribute starting today with an appearance on Soul Train, followed by the 1978 musical comedy 'Thank God It's Friday'.


Do you know how sick I was (and I'm sure you are too, if you're paying TW, Cox, etc) of BET/TVOne supposedly giving someone a tribute during the commercial break and it cuts off after a few seconds?  "EBT" finally got it somewhat right but it was a trilogy of Etta James, Heavy D and Whitney Houston.  This wouldn't be bad if they passed the same day or week but they let their respects play all the way through for the whole 60 seconds!  I mean really, they can give Lil Wayne every drip drop of a second of a track it sounds like a preschooler wrote or show that tired-@ss My Wife and Kids.  However, they can't pay proper attention to those who helped to pave the way for them to have a medium in the first place.


Anyway, on a lighter note.  Ms. Summer held it down for a long time, in other words she looked damn good.  This is not an attack on those who love their sweets *raises hand* but after age 40, staying trim becomes a challenge. 


Here is a guest appearance on the 90s sitcom Family Matters -

Bounce TV: The First Month + A Tip

I am loving this channel.


Never knew Richard Pryor, Vonetta McGee and others made so many movies in the 70s and 80s.  Since I wasn't born until the end '68, I missed out on quite a bit and some things cannot be found on Amazon.


And of course, I work around Soul Train reruns!


While I am saving money and my last nerve not dealing with the cable company, I do have a few concerns.

1. Why is it when you go to the site, it acknowledges your area but you have to use the drop-down menu when looking at the schedule?  For example, I'm in L.A. but the website defaults to the East Coast schedule.
2. Why are some shows on the schedule mis-labeled?  I've seen a few movies that were supposed to be comedies labeled as 'Drama' and vice-versa.  If they need a volunteer panel to help them sort, I can donate a few hours a month.
3. How come older movies (before 1960) on the schedule do not have a summary?  Once again, I can give them some of my time to help them work this out.
4. Speaking of the newer movies, why are those in constant rotation?  There is a reason they went straight to DVD and for the most part, they're just too weak (dull/ bunk/waste of time)  to be shown at a franchise movie theater.

My new movie recommendation is Dysfunctional Friends.  Despite the weird casting (Terrell Owens, Stacy Dash), this dark comedy is not bad.  Each character is unique, annoying and lovable all at the same time!


Tip of the Day:  Be careful when reserving with Redbox.  They're more than happy to deduct from your card but should you not pick it up, they take forever to reimburse you.  So when you place your reservation, be 99.99% percent that you will pick up by 9 in the PM.  Later!

If You Can't Let Go of Your VHS

I know, LOL.  I bought a combo DVD/VHS for less than $100 about six yrs ago thinking I did something great but not far away was that Blu-Ray.

Here's a site I ran across that sells VHS tapes. 

I figured they could tell me who was in 1972's Melinda (it comes on Bounce TV), so why not a little shout out.