One of TV's best, is on PBS. (any awards, yet?)?!
Question: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/
The show "African American Lives" was incredible.. in that it takes black celebrities that don't know their lineage (which is pure TV, and 'as usual' for attention/ratings)... but then, through intensive research & thoughtful presentation... reveals true-stories and shows the reality/drama of actual lives, and brings the audience closer to OUR PAST as a nation. It's amazing that there's records, of these lives -- and the stories are astounding. Anyone who cares about history should appreciate the effort. Anyone that sees TV for what it can be, should be doing jumping jacks over this show. I'd like to see this production rewarded, and this show supported across a season or seasons... is it? too bad the folks in LA are too obsessed with reality-TV when there's idea like this floating around... that mix real history, great stories, real lives & drama with present lives, celebrities and Results of hard work (investigation).
Answers: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/
The show "African American Lives" was incredible.. in that it takes black celebrities that don't know their lineage (which is pure TV, and 'as usual' for attention/ratings)... but then, through intensive research & thoughtful presentation... reveals true-stories and shows the reality/drama of actual lives, and brings the audience closer to OUR PAST as a nation. It's amazing that there's records, of these lives -- and the stories are astounding. Anyone who cares about history should appreciate the effort. Anyone that sees TV for what it can be, should be doing jumping jacks over this show. I'd like to see this production rewarded, and this show supported across a season or seasons... is it? too bad the folks in LA are too obsessed with reality-TV when there's idea like this floating around... that mix real history, great stories, real lives & drama with present lives, celebrities and Results of hard work (investigation).
The one that just came out lately with Tina Turner, Chris Rock, Don Cheadle etc was actually the second series. I haven't seen the first but would love to. I found the whole thing fascinating. I was really interested in the story of Don Cheadle's ancestors who were slaves to a tribe of native americans. Their whole scenario was fascinating and bizarre. I also totally understood what Chris Rock was saying about not knowing that any one who came before him had made it. I get that, feeling like I come from a long line of people who had nothing and did nothing. He finds out that there are truly inspirational, succesful people that he is descended from. I teared up when he did. You realize that he had a longing for something like that probably his whole life and never thought that he'd get an explanation like that. It was beautiful.