Black History Month comes alive on television

PREVIEW
	Black History Month Various Networks This week, check local listings

Where the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences failed to recognize African American filmmakers and artists this year, television networks are taking careful note for Black History Month. Several major television networks are highlighting the works and talents of black Americans for Black History Month, which runs through the end of February.

The most notable presentation, "4 Little Girls," is a Spike Lee documentary that received the only Oscar nomination for an African American filmmaker. "Girls" portrays the 1963 Birmingham, Ala., church bombing which claimed the lives of four young school girls. Constructed through candid interviews of all of the girls' immediate families, film footage and home photographs, the documentary presents an intimate portrait of the social character of Birmingham and a view of the horrible crime that possibly was a response to the beginning stages of the Civil Rights Movement. Airing on HBO on Feb. 23, 26, and 28, "4 Little Girls" includes interviews with noted people such as Bill Cosby, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King, as well as former Alabama governor George Wallace.

Along with Lee's powerful documentary, HBO also is re-airing some exciting performances of Chris Rock and Ving Rhames. You may have missed Rock's hilarious,"Chris Rock's Bring the Pain" last week, but you'll still be able to enjoy HBO's other offeri

Courtesy of Warner Bros. A&E remembers the talent and style of Duke Ellington in a program on Feb. 22.

ng, "Don King: Only In America," in which Ving Rhames stars as boxing promoter Don King. Rhames, best known as Marselis Wallace in "Pulp Fiction," won a 1998 Golden Globe for his role as King. "Don King" airs tomorrow.

Just as Chris Rock's comedy is ripe for new generations, the imitations and antics of Bill Cosby have bridged multiple generations. "Uptown Saturday Night," airing on Encore today and tomorrow, is a 1974 comedy featuring Cosby as well as comics Flip Wilson and Richard Pryor, and heavy-hitters Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier.

Poitier, who directed "Uptown Saturday Night," is also in the a spotlight this month. The first black actor to be nominated for and win an Academy Award, Poitier has been a pivotal figure in the film and television industry. You can see Poitier in "Mandela and DeKlerk," airing on Feb. 26 on Showtime. Poitier's talents bring the South African battle over apartheid to life.

Another Showtime drama, "Blind Faith," airing on Feb. 24, stars Charles S. Dutton, Kadeem Hardison and Courtney B. Vance. A tale of a gay black man in the '50s, the powerful acting and story tackle the issues of racism and homosexuality in the family and community.

The filmmaking of Showtime is usually well received and critically acclaimed, receiving nominations at the Golden Globes and Emmys annually. To promote aspiring filmmakers, Showtime supports the "Sixth Annual Showtime Black Filmmakers Showcase and Grant Program" the program gives filmmakers $30,000 to make a short feature, which are being aired throughout the month.

Another awards program on TBS, "1997 Trumpet Awards," honors achievements of African Americans in medicine, law, entertainment and politics. The awards are presented Feb. 23 along with a 90-minute special about young African Americans.

Showtime, HBO and TBS are not the only major cable networks with programming to commemorate Black History Month. Beginning on Feb. 23, the History Channel is showing Alex Haley's epic story of slavery, "Roots," along with the two features, "Harlem Hellfighters" and "For Us, the Living." "Harlem Hellfighters" chronicles a Harlem-based infantry unit in World War I. Airing on Feb. 21, "For Us, the Living" highlights the life of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.

An in-depth look at the musical genius of Duke Ellington and the political prowess of Nelson Mandela are revealed in two A&E programs, airing on Feb. 22 and 26. "Duke Ellington: Reminiscing In Tempo" portrays Ellington's rise to the Harlem Cotton Club. Part of their biography series, "Biography: Nelson Mandela" discusses his struggle over apartheid in South Africa.

No television programming would be complete without one of its most successful entertainers and philanthropists, Oprah Winfrey. Through her talk show, her book club and her acting performances, Winfrey has been an inspiration for television viewers across the United States. On Feb. 24, the Lifetime special will premiere: "Dinner With Oprah." She talks with Toni Morrison, author of the Nobel prize winning "Beloved" and the recent "Paradise."

Winfrey's studio Harpo Productions presents a two-part film, "The Wedding," based on a novel by Harlem Renaissance writer Dorothy West. The film stars Halle Berry and Eric Thal and will air on ABC on Feb. 22 and 23.

Courtesy of PBS Bill Cosby, shown here in "Kids Say the Darndest Things," starred in "Uptown Saturday Night," (1974) which will air on Encore today and tomorrow.

02-17-98