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TV Says “Amen” to James Brown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Quick! Hurry up and turn on TV One and you can catch James Brown … sort of. To honor the memory of the late, great Godfather of Soul, TV One has switched around episodes — now in the 2:30 p.m. Thursday time slot, it’s an “Amen” rerun in which Deacon Frye (the singular Sherman Hemsley) impersonated Brown singing “Living in America.”
Even better, Brown himself — the real deal — shows up at 9 a.m. Friday on another episode of “Amen.” It’s the two-part series finale, with Brown guest starring in the second part. And it’s just one of many different ways that television is choosing to honor the Hardest Working Man in Show Business over the next few days.
First, the funeral (that is, the public ceremony honoring Brown Saturday in Augusta): The all-news cable channels are still working on their coverage plans at this moment, while the local network affiliates say they’ll cover events in the course of their newscasts. Same for VH1 and MTV, which plan to air news briefs and some online features.
Then there are the specials looking at Brown’s life and legacy: On Friday at 10 p.m. GPB (the major public television network here in Georgia) re-airs the excellent American Masters film, “James Brown: Soul Survivor.” From his humble beginnings and unmatched showmanship, the funk music he helped create and the Civil Rights era he helped provide the soundtrack for, to interviews with everyone from Little Richard to Chuck D, it’s all here. Meanwhile, BET has two different Brown specials slated to run several times over the next few days. “Soul Brother # 1: Remembering James Brown” debuts Saturday at 9 p.m. (re-airing 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday, and 11:30 p.m. Monday). At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, it’s “The Godfather of Soul: Celebrating the Life of James Brown,” BET’s recap of the various Brown memorial events. That re-airs at 11 p.m. Monday.
Finally, TV is dipping back into its archives to showcse other examples of Brown at his best — that is, when he was being James Brown, albeit in the unlikeliest of settings. Friday at 10 a.m., TV One has a classic episode of “Showtime at the Apollo,” which Brown guest-hosted. That’s followed at 11 a.m. by a rerun of “New York Undercover,” the gritty cop drama in which Brown somehow showed up as the musical guest (“Wait, stop or I’ll sing “I Feel Good!”)
But wait, it gets better! GSN — aka, the Game Show Network — has come up with an old “What’s My Line” in which Brown was the mystery guest! It first aired in November 1968, and featured Arlene Francis, Phyllis Newman, Gawn Grainger (don’t ask me, I have no idea who that is) and Soupy Sales trying to guess Brown’s identity. It airs at 3:30 a.m. Monday on GSN (right after one at 3 a.m. starring a then little-known congressman, Gerald Ford, in case you care).
Soupy Sales helping to send of James Brown. That sounds just about right for a man who broke all the molds, twice….
Comments
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By David Hubert
December 29, 2006 8:08 PM | Link to this
This man, James Brown, was truly a one of a kind human being. He had such vision in his music and his stage presence was simply electrifying.
May you rest in peace, James ……. you have done yourself proud.
By Randy
December 29, 2006 8:29 PM | Link to this
As painful as it is to let the Godfather go, I’m glad to see the response he has received in death. While many in my adopted hometown of Augusta frequently used his name as a punchline, the majority of us recognized him for the legend he was. One of the most interesting displays of affection for Mr. Brown came from the European cyclists when the Godfather arrived to fire the starting gun for the first stage of this year’s Tour de Georgia. To witness firsthand cyclists that would later compete in the Tour de France absolutely lose their composure and climb over the barricades to shake his hand, it was wonderful. Mr. Brown was subject to foibles, but that’s not what we should remember. His legacy and body of songs will speak volumes for his character. That is what I choose to remember. RIP Mr. Brown. We love you and we always will.
By Lloyd Cope
December 29, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this
Last night I had the honor of viewing his body at the world famous Apollo theater in Harlem, New York.
It was truly an amazing event. The lines of people wanting to get inside and see him streatched fully around 2 city blocks on both sides of the Apollo Theater.
It took us almost 4 hours to get in. While we waited in the line, people sang, danced and told stories about James Brown.
Across the street from the Apollo a electronic store blasted a medley of James Brown’s recordings. people on that side of the street, danced and sang throughout the afternoon and evening as up to 10 different news satellite trucks from all the major networks recording it.
I can’t tell what an amazing day it was. To see thousands of people of all colors come out to pay their respect to Mr. Brown was heartwarming. To see hundreds of police officers doing their jobs and so see helicoptors swarming above was overwhelming. It was almost like someone of royalty had died.
By Lloyd Cope
December 29, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this
Last night I had the honor of viewing his body at the world famous Apollo theater in Harlem, New York.
It was truly an amazing event. The lines of people wanting to get inside and see him streatched fully around 2 city blocks on both sides of the Apollo Theater.
It took us almost 4 hours to get in. While we waited in the line, people sang, danced and told stories about James Brown.
Across the street from the Apollo a electronic store blasted a medley of James Brown’s recordings. people on that side of the street, danced and sang throughout the afternoon and evening as up to 10 different news satellite trucks from all the major networks recording it.
I can’t tell what an amazing day it was. To see thousands of people of all colors come out to pay their respect to Mr. Brown was heartwarming. To see hundreds of police officers doing their jobs and so see helicoptors swarming above was overwhelming. It was almost like someone of royalty had died.
Thanks James.
Lloyd Cope Burlington, New Jersey
By gail
December 30, 2006 9:56 PM | Link to this
I deeply am troubled by the many artist that say they owe their success to Mr. James Brown, but none besides Michael Jackson and Rev Hammer showed up to his funeral. I’m sure we will see these “too busy to attend” peddling their new cd’s on New Years Eve shows, but none could take the time to be seen at the Apollo, his private funeral, or public homecomming in Augusta. Let’s remember that..the next time they utter how important James was to them, yet, it wasn’t worth the price of a plane ticket to demonstrate it in person. CNN was the only channel to show his homecoming in it’s entirety. Where’s the Love?????
By J Bobbit
December 31, 2006 1:49 PM | Link to this
Elvis would of been proud of how the “Soul Side” of Music Kings was celebrated. When Elvis died if would of been imposible to have the coveage. The thing that strikes me is the way Al and the family and friends of James Brown put the New York and Augusta thing together. You can find a link to download the Augusta service Program at http://JamesBrowns.com and you will see it looked like something from 1960’s cut and pasted style almost. But what mattered was pulled off in JB style I do believe.
I was in LA when Ray Charles died and the service was much the same from a TV stand point. I think that proved that these stars and big lifes need to be remembered the way they lived..on stage.
Way to go James Brown and Friends, he would be proud of what you did