I AM THE GREATEST: ADVENTURES OF MUHAMMAD ALI/NBC/1977-78 *(Cartoon Character) Muhammad Ali (as Himself), a
black boxing champ travels the world battling evil.
I SPY/NBC/1965-68 *(Bill Cosby/costar) Alexander Scott, a black
American secret agent who toured the world with his white partner in the
guise of tennis professionals. Bill Cosby was the first black performer to
have a starring role in a regular dramatic series on American television.
Robert Culp appeared as his white partner, Kelly Robinson.
I'LL FLY AWAY/NBC/1991-92 *(Regina Taylor/costar) Lilly Harper, a black
housekeeper working for a white southern lawyer's family in Bryland County
during the backdrop of early 1960's civil rights movement. Also featured
were Bill Cobb's as Lilly's father, Lewis; and Zelda Harris as Lilly's
daughter, Adelaide. In the fall of 1993, PBS aired a follow-up "I'll Fly
Away" TV-movie with now 63-year-old Lilly Harper reminiscing with her
grandson. This Emmy-winning show ran for 38 episodes.
IN LIVING COLOR/FOX/1990-94 *(Keenan Ivory Wayans) Comedy variety program
strong on satire and spoof featuring a cast of mostly black performers
including Keenan Ivory Wayans, S.W. Shawn Wayans, Damon Wayons, Kim Wayans,
Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier, T'Keyah "Crystal" Keymah;
Marlon Wayans; Anne-Marie Johnson; and Kim Coles. One of their funny skits
included Keenan Wayans and Damon Wayans as Tom & Tom, the Brothers
brothers, two token black preppie, yuppie entertainers who acted like
white people and laugh at such jokes as "How do you baby sit a little
black kid ? (Velcro on the ceiling!).
IN THE HEAT OF THE
NIGHT/NBC/CBS/1988-95 *(Harold Rollins/costar) Virgil Tibbs, a black
Philadelphia trained police detective who returned to his small southern
hometown of Sparta, Mississippi to work as Chief of Detectives for a white
police chief. Other cast included Anne-Marie Johnson as Virgil's high
school teacher wife, Althea Peterson-Tibbs; Geoffrey Thorne as Deputy
Wilson Sweet; and Crystal Fox as police dispatcher Lu Ann Corman. During
the 1991 season white police chief Bill Gillespie began romancing black
city councilwoman, Harriet DeLong played by Denise Nicholas.
IN THE HOUSE/NBC/1995-99 *(LL Cool J, a.k.a. James Todd Smith/costar)
Marion Hill, a black NFL star and landlord who shared a Los Angeles house
(he lived in the garage) with Jackie Warren (Debbie Allen) a divorced
single legal secretary with two children (whom Marion often babysat). Also
featured were Maia Campbell as Jackie's teenage daughter, Tiffany; Jeffrey
Wood as Jackie's young son, Austin; and John Amos as Marion's trainer, Sam
(Marion was a pro football player sidelined by an injury). Later in the
series, the Jackie Warren character was written out of the script so
Marion (still caring for Tiffany) spent more time at the sports rehab
clinic that he ran with Maxwell Stanton (Alfonso Ribeiro), a
Harvard-educated Doctor. Its staff included Kim Wayans as Tonia, the
clinic's physical therapist. Phil Morris also appeared as Dr. Goldwire in
a few episodes.
INK/CBS/1996-97 **(Charlie Robinson) Ernie Trainor, black
journalist assigned to the police beat for a New York City newspaper.
THE INSIDERS/ABC/1985-86 *(Stoney Jackson/costar) James Mackey, a black
streetwise, ex-con gone straight (and Prince look-alike) who helped a
freelance writer with his various expose' assignments for Newspoint
magazine.
THE INTERNS/CBS/1970-71 **(Hal Frederick) Dr. Cal Barrin, young black
physician and one of five interns working at New North Hospital under the
mentorship of crusty Dr. Peter Goldstone.
IRONSIDE/NBC/1967-75 **(Don Mitchell) Mark Sanger, an ex-delinquent
black youth who became aide and bodyguard to wheelchair bound chief of
detectives in the city of San Francisco. Later in the series Mark studied
to be a lawyer. Joan Pringle appeared as Diana Sanger, Mark's wife.
IT TAKES TWO/ABC/1982-83 **(Della Reese) Judge Caroline Phillips, a black
Chicago court official and friend of white female assistant district
attorney, Molly Quinn.
IT'S A LIVING/ABC/1980-82/SYN/1985-89 *(Sheryl Lee Ralph/costar) Virginia "Ginger" St.
James, a vampish outspoken, black aspiring fashion designer, who worked as
a waitress at a roof top restaurant (Above the Top) in Los Angeles with a
bevy of other beautiful colleagues. Ralph, who graduated from Rutgers in
1977 (their youngest female graduate) received a Tony Award nomination for
the Broadway extravaganza "Dreamgirls". Ralph's character was introduced
on IT'S A LIVING during the 1986 season. Also featured was Edye Byrde as
Ginger's Grandmother.
IT'S SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO/USA/SYN/1987+ *(Sinbad) Sinbad, black host of this weekly talent
program featured top black singers, dancers and comedians during the
1989-91 season. Other hosts included Steve Harvey; Rick Aviles (1977-91);
Kiki Shepard; Rudy Rush; Mark Curry (1992-93); Howard "Sandman" Sims. Tim
Gibbons produced the program. As of 2002 the syndicated show SHOWTIME AT
THE APOLLO has a new host (MO'NIQUE) and a new executive producer, Suzanne
de Passe.
The Apollo Theater is located in Harlem, in New York City. It's motto:
"Where Stars are born and legends made."
