Raisin this. Raisin that. Raisin' hell.

Exception – As many of you know, I don’t talk about TV here. This is an exception. 

It’s as if this television production of A Raisin in the Sun is the second coming of the Lord.

Am I to feel all warm and fuzzy about this particular production merely because no one takes a bullet to the brain; and it is without pimps, drug dealers and whores?

I don’t.

Is this production lovely and marvelous because the characters are nice and some of the players are respectable, likeable or award-winning actors and because the work is a praiseworthy drama about an impoverished black family?   

Please.

It is not a matter of good performances by the actors. It is not a matter of whether or not this is a good production. These things are not in question here. I’ll get the kudos out of the way, so as not to be misunderstood. Yes; Lorraine Hansberry was a talented playwright who crafted an exemplary, timeless piece of work. It has been a great stage play and motion picture (starring the illustrious Sidney Poitier). These productions were magical and extraordinary for all the obvious reasons, reasons I won’t go into here.

Okay.

But this most recent television production? Yeah, it’s all fine and good. And?

This production is yet another television remake of this work. Enough. The work has been produced several times, in varying forms. See the following:

1959 - Debut - Broadway Play
1961 - Motion Picture
1973 - Tony Award Winning Musical; titled, Raisin
1989 – Made-for-TV film
2004 - Broadway Revival, and…
2008 - yet another Made-for-TV film

I saw Sean Combs on one of those morning shows, I believe it was -- just a few days ago. 

He said something along these lines:

[I’m glad… I’m doing this because… This is good or necessary…] “because this will bring the story to a new generation.”

This is utter nonsense. This is a sale. theblackactor.com is not buying. This is a vehicle for him to showcase his acting talent as it were, and we’re all supposed to be happy about this because the vehicle chosen (A Raisin in the Sun) is the well-loved, highly regarded work from the respected and highly valued playwright (and screenwriter), Lorraine Hansberry.

I don’t buy this nonsensical rhetoric for one split second.  Marketing.

For a new generation?!!  This is absurd.

Similarly, should we change or create for a new generation the works of Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin; the Bible, the Koran? These “works” (as well as a plethora of films) have stood the test of time without remodeling or reworking. I’m quite certain this new generation can obtain Sidney Poitier’s film version, for example; and watch it, understand it and appreciate it.

If you, Mr. Combs, want to give something to the new generation, then give them something, you zillionaire: hire a talented screenwriter and build a NEW production, with new ideas –- a good story, with interesting characters. Bring on a talented director and a talented cast, etc., etc.

[Not that he’s reading this; I’m just sayin’]

It is easier, no doubt, to give them what they already have (while at the same time riding the coattails of someone else), and to appease your own self-serving interests under the guise of giving to the new generation. This is laughable.

And to suggest that the new generation would be unaware of this work had it not been for Sean Combs, is a weak, baseless argument; one without merit, as far as I’m concerned.

Serving the new generation? Okay. More self-serving, I'd say.

Comments

[Mes Deux Cents]

Hi TBA,

"Am I to feel all warm and fuzzy about this particular production merely because no one takes a bullet to the brain; and it is without pimps, drug dealers and whores?

I don’t."

Hey I resemble that remark! Lol

But seriously; you make a good point; they could have just shown the original version.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Mes Deux

Hi Mes Deux.

Yeah; they could have. Thank you for understanding my point. Exactly.

[regina]

Ha!
Very well put!

[Afrodite]

I sucks! I missed it and everyone is talking about it.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Regina

Thanks, girl. LOL.

@ Afrodite

It'll prolly be on YouTube or video or something before all is said and done, Combs will see to that. LOL.

[Jackie]

Hey, you are absolutely right. A prime time showing of the movie would have been great. All this great stuff is still available for the new generation to go to. But will they? As any teacher will tell you, sometimes you have to go where they are.

[Concerned Black Filmmaker]

"I’m quite certain this new generation can obtain Sidney Poitier’s film version, for example; watch it, understand it and appreciate it." -- TheBlackActor

Exactly. I'm like, "why?"

We don't take risks. We don't believe in ourselves to try something new with today's talent. We rely on the recipe that works. We're so... cowardly.

And as for Mr. Sean P.Diddy Combs, he's probably the most egotistical person in the history of the entertainment business. To think he can fill the shoes of Poitier speaks volumes of his ego alone.

I saw the television version. Everyone was good except for P. Diddster. I was embarrased for him. My advice to the Diddster: Stop acting while you still have some dignity.

He may have talent but it doesn't lie anywhere in the acting department.

P.Diddy had trouble staying in-the-moment. He would be there for a beat then won't come back until several beats later, usually scaling over a couple of scenes featuring his character.

So, when it came down to the emotional scenes, it was a complete mess. Those scenes proved to me that he never connected with the soul of Walter Lee. He looked like he was pretending to be upset. I could tell he didn't understand the values at stake. It could be his director's fault for this, but he was dealing with an archetypal dilemma. Anyone could pull it off if they can connect with life's shortcomings and misfortune. I guess it speaks volumes about Mr. Diddy himself.

I never once believed he was Rashad's son and I never bought his marriage. I'm not comparing him to Poitier, but despite life's adversities, I believed the connection between his Walter Lee and Ruby Dee. There was no chemistry in this recent rendition. Diddy also seemed more like his wife's son rather than her husband. I guess it all goes back to Diddy hardly ever being in the moment.

Being self-conscious is Diddy's main problem as an actor. He is too aware of himself. He never lets go of his public persona to encapsulate the soul of his characters. In this film, I caught him trying to look cool when saying 80% of his lines. Part of giving a great acting performance is the ability to let go and dare to make a fool of yourself. P.Diddy may have that but not when the public is watching him, and that takes away from his acting. For example, remember when he was trying to joke around with the family? You can tell he didn't think what he was doing was even funny. So, he forced it, making it all look like... acting.

Despite P.Diddy, the rest of the cast was excellent. That was Sanaa Lathan's best performance since "Love & Basketball". Rashad was the queen of the hour, or should I say three hours. And everyone else did a great job as well.

More advice for Mr. Diddy: stick to setting trends in music and pop culture.

[Televisiontraci]

I agree, I also think if you re-do something you should make it better. I spent the whole movie wishing for Sidney Poitier. Sean Combs definately took it down a notch...or two.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Jackie

Well, maybe. You make a good point.

@ Concerned Black Filmmaker

It's funny. I've not seen it yet but I already know your assessment is on-point accurate. LOL. :) I can totally see him doing -- or not doing, as it were -- all the things you say.

I recorded it. I just can't bear to watch him. But I'll give in. I didn't have to watch it to publish this article. I'll get around to watching it. LOL.

He strikes me as being unable to display any vulnerability. Your remarks don't surprise me at all.

@ TelevisionTraci

No surprise. No surprise at all.

[Orville]

I co sign with you theblackactor. ABC threw the black community a bone with this three hour TV movie. The movie is definitely a way for Combs to gain some respectability in Hollywood. It also is a role that should of went to a younger and talented black male actor. Unfortunately, Hollywood is all about profit and not about the craft of acting. However, A Raisin In The Sun doesn't ignore the paucity of black entertainment on the mainstream networks. There is more to black theater then this one play. Sean Combs is a complete flake and has a huge enormous ego this creep totally ruined the movie for me. I thought the women Sanaa, Phylicia, and Audra were amazing. Hollywood acts like this is the ONLY play Lorraine Hansberry made. She actually had a second play called The Sign In Sidney Burstein's Window and that play had 100 performances on Broadway.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Orville

I totally agree -- except the part about the actresses. I can't cosign cuz I haven't viewed it but I am certain they were great in the pic.

Yeah, they act as if this were the only play ever produced by black in the history of the universe.

Jeez!

[Eb]

I fell asleep on it... so if it couldnt hold my attention.. Diddy and his bad acting... I know those younger then me turned the channel to watch flavor of love or something else.

[theblackactor.com]

@ EB

I still haven't watched it. No interest, whatsoever. One day. LOL. Ah... Flavor of Love. Hmm Hmm Hmm.