The Filtered Excellence: September 11, 2020
Bob Geldof once asked “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Once a week we take a break from comedy to bring you this week’s picks of the best things to watch, the most interesting things to do, great things to try, the best picks to read, our favorite things to listen to and more.
WATCH THIS
The Sit In. In February 1968, Johnny Carson, sensing a need to address the political unrest happening around he nation, handpicked Harry Belafonte to host The Tonight Show for a week. In turn, Belafonte used the show as a forum to address social issues and present some of the best and brightest in Black entertainment (15 of the 25 guests who appeared that week were African-American). Sadly, two of those guests, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Senator Robert Kennedy would be assassinated within a few months of each other. In this new Peacock documentary, director Yoruba Riuhen interviews Belafonte, Dionne Warwick, Buffy St Maire, Petula Clark, Whoopi Goldberg, Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, Tamron Hall, Jason King and Robin Thede about that landmark week in television from the vantage point of host, guest and a viewer. Incredibly, only two episodes from that week exist, but Riuhen gets around this by using archival news footage, and tracing Belafonte’s life and career arcs that led him to guest hosting. To see Dr. King engaging with Paul Newman (who was making his first ever talk show appearance), tell a humorous antidote, and eerily forecast what lay ahead, is reason enough to see this doc. It’s an insightful and important look back at a pitoval moment in TV history. The Sit In is available now on Peacock.
Greatness Code. This new Apple + documentary series features LeBron James, Tom Brady, Alex Morgan, Usain Bolt, Shawn White, Katie Ledecky and Kelly Slater all speaking about the defining mental, physical and spiritual moments that happened to each of them at crucial times in their careers. Backed up by archival footage and animation, it gives you new insights into their preparation, and the obstacles they had to overcome to cement their places in sports history. It’s loaded with pearls of wisdom that doesn’t just apply to athletic arena, but in every walk of life. An uplifting, inspiring series. The Greatness Code is available now on Apple +.
Directed By Albert Brooks. Whether he’s taking on the pitfalls of dating, the illusion behind the American Dream, media manipulation, and even the after-life, Albert Brooks has been presenting cutting, self-deprecating, but always hilarious films for over 40 years. This month, The Criterion Channel will be presenting the seminal films Real Life (which pre-dates the concept behind reality TV by nearly two decades), Modern Romance, Lost In America, Defending Your Life and Mother. There’s also interview features with Brooks, Julie Hagerty, and James L. Brooks as they discuss making Lost In America. It’s a great way to get re-introduced, or turn someone onto, the brilliance that is Albert Brooks. Directed by Albert Brooks is available now on The Criterion Channel.
LISTEN TO THIS
Got To Be Tough by Toots & The Maytals. The music world was dealt another cruel blow when Toots Hibbert, leader of Toots & The Maytals, died this week from COVID-related complications. Even sadder is that the group was gearing up to promote their terrific new album, Got To Be Tough. Working with Zak Starkey’s Trojan Jamaica label, the group cut the album in just two extended sessions, which gives the collection, a vibrant, in the moment feel. It contains songs that taps into today’s social unrest (Just Brutal, Freedom Train, Warning Warning, Drop Off Head), a spirited reworking of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (featuring Ziggy Marley, Sly Dunbar, Cyril Neville and Zak’s dad, Ringo Starr), and the celebratory Having A Party. Its fitting that the final song, the reggae/rocker Struggle, has Toots passionately making a call for peace. While no one saw the end coming, there’s definitely a sense of urgency in all of the songs. It’s a stirring end to a career that has been nothing short of exceptional. Got To Be Tough by Toots & The Maytals is available now through Amazon, Apple Music and all major streaming services.
READ THIS
Vanity Fair. For its September edition, Vanity Fair called in acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates to guest edit an issue devoted to social justice. Artists Amy Sherald, who gained national attention for her White House portrait of The Obamas, painted a portrait of Breonna Taylor for the cover, while Coates traveled to Louisville to speak with Taylor’s mother LaToya Ruby Frazier. Director Ava DuVernay (Selma, When They See Us) talks with activist Angela Davis, and the portfolio, You Said Hope, features the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, House Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, members of the NAACP Legal And Defense Educational Fund, actors Billy Porter and John Boyega, among other activists, and writers. There’s also an oral history featuring all who were at the center of the protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death. As always with Vanity Fair, this issue has dynamic writing, and amazing photographs – most of which were done by photographers under the age of 30. It’s a bold statement that gives an extended forum to issues that affect underserved communities. The September issue of Vanity Fair is available now.
DO THIS
The 9/11 Memorial Museum. As we pause to remember those we lost during 9/11 attacks, The 9/11 Memorial Museum has reopened its doors to the public. Social distancing, masks and face covering are mandatory and hand sanitizing stations will be available through the facility. A must see destination for anyone who wants to honor the fallen. Go to www.911memorial.org for tickets and more information.
Wear A Mask.
Practice Social Distancing.
Wash Your Hands.
Stay Safe.
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