TVLand Awards Recognized by Jet Magazine

[JT]

I was at a doctors office a few days ago, and I picked up the March 24, 2003, issue of the black-oriented magazine "Jet." I was shocked to see a four-page article about the TVLand Awards! Here is the actual article from the magazine:

DIAHANN CARROLL AND NICHELLE NICHOLS WINNERS AT TVLAND AWARDS

Legendary actresses Diahann Carroll and "Star Trek's" Nichelle Nichols were the Blacks who were presented honors at the recent "TVLand Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV" at the Hollywood Palladium.

Carroll received a special tribute honor, The Groundbreaking Role Award. Oscar winner Halle Berry presented her the award, which is presented to an actor who changed the course of TV history with a memorable, groundbreaking character.

Carroll, who had performed on Broadway, in films and nightclubs, became the first Black woman to have her own prime-time show in 1968 when she starred in "Julia." What better person than Berry to present Carroll with the honor. Berry, who won an for Best Actress last year for her role in Monster's Ball, was the first Black woman ever to win the coveted Best Actress award (JET, April 8, 2002).

Carroll's TV son on "Julia," Marc Coppage, attened the event to help honor the beautiful performer.

"Dynasty," the 1980s prime-time soap where Carroll portrayed Dominique Deveraux, TV's first Black "bitch," was recognized with the Soapiest Show in Primetime Award.

Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Lt. Commander Uhura, the lone black on the Starship Enterprise on TV's long-running "Star Trek," was among those honored with the Pop Culture Award, presented to "Star Trek." The award is presented to a show that has crossed the line from television series to pop culture phenomenon. Nichols also made TV history n the 1960s when her character kissed Captain James T. Kirk, played by White actor William Shatner. It was TV's first interracial kiss.

A highlight of the evening included the reuniting of Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, and Conrad Bain of "Diff'rent Strokes" TV fam to present an award for Funniest Food Fight. It was the first time in more than a decade that the trio had appeared on television together since the series.

Other memorable moments included Ray Charles performing Georigia on My Mind and Ja'Net Dubois, who won fame on TV's "Good Times," singing Movin' On Up, accompanied by a 35-person choir. The song, also written by Dubois, is best known as the catchy theme song for "The Jeffersons." The tune is so popular that rap star Nelly once used an interpolation of it for his song Batter Up.

The network TVLand, created in 1996, features a broad mix of sitcoms, dramas, westerns, variety sows and classic commercials, which it refers to as retromercials.


Though the article contains a misspelling and a somewhat exaggeration (Two seasons is hardly long-running), I thought it was pretty good. You're probably thinking how that fit four pages. Well let me tell you, they have some great pictures, 15 in all. Here is a list of those in the pictures:

1) Diahann Carroll and Halle Berry, 2003
2) Diahann Carroll and Marc Copage, 1968
3) Diahann Carroll and Joan Collins, 1984
4) Diahann Carroll and Marc Copage, 2003
5) Nichelle Nichols, 2003
6) Nichelle Nichols, 1966?
7) Conrad Bain, Todd Bridges, and Gary Coleman, 2003
8) Conrad Bain, Todd Bridges, and Gary Coleman, 1978?
9) Ray Charles, 2003
10) Jan'Net Dubois, and daughter Rani Dubois, 2003
11) Esther Rolle, Jimmie Walker, Ja'Net Dubois, Ralph Carter, and Bern Naddette Stanis, 1976?
12) Keshia Knight-Pulliam, 2003
13) Keshia Knight-Pulliam and Bill Cosby, 1987?
14) Rodney Allen Ripey, 1970s
15) Rodney Allen Ripey and Mason Reese, 2003

Overall, pretty good.