Chris Rock once pointed out, “February is Black History Month. Isn’t that nice? The Man gives us February because it’s the shortest month of the year! It’s also the coldest month of the year, just in case we wanted to have a parade.”
Black Entertainment Television, whose schedule is heavily loaded with re-runs of “The Jamie Foxx Show” and “The Wayans Bros.,” takes a different tack on BHM with “Top 25 Events That (Mis)shaped Black America” (8 p.m. Tuesday, Comcast Channel 95).
Outspoken comedian Paul Mooney walks the walk while culture gurus, comedians and celebrities take cracks at historic crimes like slavery and modern misdemeanors like the jheri curl.
Mooney, billed as the “King of Controversy,” is a comedy writer, former radio host, and the man behind Homey the Clown on “In Living Color.” It was his writing that made the phrase “Homey don’t play that” part of popular culture. Today’s TV audiences know him best as Negrodamus on the “Chappelle Show.”
He wears a more controversial face on “(Mis)shaped.” Among those appearing with him are Margeaux Watson, Megan Good, Debbie Allen, Marvet Britto and Mario.
The point, says a BET executive, isn’t to offend with often-pointed humor. “It’s time to shed light on issues discussed at work, the barber shops and beauty salons across the country.” Mooney, who’s vitriolic rampages about race in America make TV executives squirm, vowed recently on National Public Radio that he is dropping the n-word from his act. “It’s not an equal-opportunity word and it’s not a very nice word.”
Civil rights re-lived
Oral histories from those on the civil-rights picket lines and bus rides are featured on “The Voice of the Civil Rights Project,” airing at 9 tonight on KCFR 1340-AM.
The two-part program continues Feb. 26 with oral accounts gathered on the 2004 coast-to-coast Civil Rights Bus Tour.
Around the dial
New voice: Thom Hartmann stepping in at liberal KKZN 760-AM from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., replacing Al Franken, who’s gone off to politics … Happy birthday last Friday to KDVR-Channel 31 anchor Libby Weaver. I’m a gentleman and won’t say how big it was but it has a “4” in it … Spanish-language outlet KKCS 101.9-FM (“La Gran D”) hosting its second free concert on Thursday. Tickets (a must) available through the station … KUSA-Channel 9 anchorman Bob Kendrick race marshal for the 19th annual Runnin’ of the Green 5K in LoDo on March 11 … Quotable: “I am America. I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.” Muhammad Ali, 1975.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
