Press
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arsenio
Hall to Host The Blacklist: 100 Greatest Power Moves, Five-Part TV
One Original Special Premiering Sunday, November 9
Silver
Spring, MD (BlackNews.com) - Beginning Sunday, Nov. 9, TV One will
premiere an original, five-hour special chronicling the unforgettable
moments, cultural movements and personal achievement that have advanced
the black race and helped change the course of American history over
the past century in The Blacklist: 100 Greatest Power Moves. Arsenio
Hall, the groundbreaking television host who literally changed the
face of late-night television, will host the special, which will air
over five consecutive nights, covering 20 "Power Moves"
each night, culminating with the top 20 -- and the #1 moment -- on
Thursday, November 13.
The
Blacklist will encompass Power Moves from a wide cultural and historic
perspective, from unwavering civil rights leaders to Nobel Prize-winning
literary giants to independent-thinking film directors to a pop star
who "Beat It." The special will highlight African-American
pioneers and awe-inspiring moments such as: the 1968 Olympic Medalists
proudly raising their fists in the air in support of Black Power;
Thurgood Marshall's induction into the Supreme Court; the birth of
Motown records; Bill Cosby becoming the knowledgeable, advice-giving
father figure for the American television audience; Michael Jackson's
"Thriller" becoming one of the top selling albums of all
time; the emergence of Rap music as a voice of the inner city; Malcolm
X's stance of self-preservation "By Any Means Necessary";
the steadfast determination of the Little Rock Nine as they helped
to desegregate the school system; and, of course, Barack Obama's historic
bid for the Presidency.
With a unique blend of reverence, "tell it like it is" attitude
and a little bit of humor, this highly entertaining series promises
to give a historical perspective, as well as, an inspirational walk
through of the best and most celebrated moments of the African-American
experience. The Power Moves will be presented with a fast-paced display
of memorable imagery, the most-up-to-date graphic technology and soulful
music, transporting the viewer to times and places that should never
be forgotten.
Through
in-depth interviews, viewers will hear firsthand accounts of many
of these Power Moves from those who witnessed or took part in these
moments or personal achievements, lived to talk about it and reflect
on their impact on the American culture. The special will include
commentary from scholars Michael Eric Dyson, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante
and William Jelani Cobb; cultural critics Chuck D, Michaela Angela
Davis and Emil Wilbekin, Hip Hop pioneer Russell Simmons, rising politician
Kevin Powell; and a host of celebrities and comedians for a lighter
and somewhat irreverent view of the Power Moves.
"Viewers
love list shows, and at TV One we wanted to create one that would
not only capture attention, but would provoke discussion online and
around the water cooler about the events, people and moments that
have truly impacted American culture and even shaped our world, society
and identity," said TV One President and CEO Johnathan Rodgers.
A
popular stand-up comedian, Arsenio Hall hosted Fox's The Late Show
in 1987 and the syndicated late-night series, The Arsenio Hall Show,
from 1989-1994. Changing the face of late night television by capturing
young, multi-ethnic viewers across the country, the show provided
a forum for cutting edge comedy, politics and the television debut
of such pop superstars as Mariah Carey, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Boyz II
Men, and countless others. Although entertainment was a priority for
Hall, he also conceived of his show as a space where audiences, especially
youth, could be educated.
The
Blacklist: 100 Greatest Power Moves is produced for TV One by Dark
Matter Entertainment. Executive producers are Jason Bolling and P.J.
McSwain.
Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvoneonline.com) serves more
than 43.7 million households (Nielsen July 2008 estimate), offering
a broad range of lifestyle and entertainment-oriented original programming,
classic series, movies, fashion and music designed to entertain, inform
and inspire a diverse audience of adult African American viewers.
TV One's investors include Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK; www.radio-one.com],
the largest radio company that primarily targets African American
and urban listeners; Comcast Corporation [NASDAQ: CMCSA and CMCSK;
www.comcast.com], the leading cable television company in the country;
The DirecTV Group; Constellation Ventures; Syndicated Communications;
and Opportunity Capital Partners.
CONTACT:
Lynn McReynolds
410-268-0275
lynn@mcreynoldselek.com