I enjoy honoring Black History Month (BHM) on my blog because there are so many excellent Christmas episodes, specials and TV movies with exceptional African-American cast members. There are also many outstanding and touching Christmas TV story lines aimed at black audiences. This month I'm highlighting just a few of my favorites.
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"Make it funky now" |
The TV sitcom
Everybody Hates Chris takes its inspiration from the life experiences of comedian Chris Rock. Rock even serves as the show's narrator. The first holiday episode is 2005's "Everybody Hates Christmas."
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Drew, Chris and Tonya consider what they want for Christmas. |
This story takes place at Christmas, 1982. The only thing Chris wants for Christmas is a personal cassette player but his parents inform him that they need a new hot water heater more urgently. The 13 year-old is asked to make the sacrifice this Christmas so his younger siblings, Drew and Tonya, can still receive their presents.
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Remember when Walkmans were all the rage? |
Though he’s disappointed that he won’t get a present under the tree, Chris finds he rather enjoys the favor and privilege his mother gives him for being mature about the situation.
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"You told Tanya WHAT?!" |
Meanwhile, Drew insists on convincing his younger sister Tonya that there is no Santa Claus. Not only does Drew get punished but his truth-telling makes Tonya skeptical about everything she's ever been told by her parents.
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Chris' racist teacher organizes a food drive for the underprivileged |
And, Chris’ teacher at school offensively assumes that the Rock family are in desperate need of charity. She organizes a food drive and repeatedly donates canned goods to the only black kid in school, Chris.
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Chris' dad Julius accidentally lets slip about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy at the dinner table. |
In the end, Tonya learns that she's grown up enough to know that she was told to believe in Santa Claus so she would learn about the spirit of giving. She proves how grown up she is by giving Chris one of her Christmas presents: a game of checkers. But Tonya also demonstrates she's still a little girl by being an ungracious winner, obnoxiously beating Chris at his new board game.
This Christmas episode of
Everybody Hates Chris can see viewed on the First Season DVD, disc 2.
Never saw this. Watched this show in its first season and then lost track of it, somehow. Have to catch the reruns somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI see that it's currently airing on Nick, BET and it may even be running on a local station. I'll post it on a SET YOUR DVR listing the next time it cycles around.
DeleteAwesome as always, Joanna, thanks.
ReplyDeleteBTW, and I am sure you know about it, but have you used the website Locate TV? You can set up an account and it will alert you when a show or movie you want to see is airing, even just specific episodes of certain shows! http://www.locatetv.com/