Black History Month 2009: Day 20

Well boys and girls, we are moving right along in the countdown and we are in the top ten. Luke assured me the top ten would be amazing and yesterday's pick definitely got it off to a good start. And speaking of good starts, I'm glad to hear Tiger Woods is due to make his first start since the 2008 U.S. Open next week, during Black History Month! There's no better way to cap off a great B.H.M than with the game's best (and only) Black golfer making his triumphant return. Alright, let's move to Luke's #9 pick.

February 20, 2009
#9 - Michael Wilbon - "PTI"

Read Luke's full post here (you know you wanna)

Luke's Take: But, without question, the biggest reason I love Wilbon is his relationship with Tony Kornheiser. There is little doubt that these two enjoy working with each other, which is why PTI has been so successful. They have outstanding chemistry. They play off each other like John Stockton and Karl Malone. They poke fun at each other like an Abbott and Costello routine, and together they have a winning formula similar to MJ and Scottie Pippen. This is why whenever Wilbon or TK is not on the show, I don't watch, because even though the name hasn't changed, the show just isn't the same.

My Take: I remember the first day PTI came on. I just happened to be watching ESPN that day. What I remember from the show is just how funny and informed these two guys were. So I tuned in all week. After Friday's show, I was hooked. PTI is the perfect format for sports talk. You only get so long to argue about a certain thing and then, you must move on. And like Luke said, the rapport Wilbon and TK have is what makes the show so great.

Like Like, I don't watch the show when Wilbon or TK is gone. It just isn't the same. Wilbon brings a lot to the show too. He brings a hip flavor to it that TK could never bring. He also is good for a rant or two each week that are on point. And because he is Black, he can always bring a unique perspective to the show that TK can not bring. And while many think Stuart (I'm full of myself) Scott is the most important or popular Black TV personality on ESPN, I beg to differ. ESPN would not be the same without Wilbon and neither would this historic list by Luke.

B.H.M. Quote Of The Day: "It isn't where you came from, it's where you're going that counts." ~Ella Fitzgerald

Black History Month 2009: Day 19

Time for the TOP TEN! No, it's no David Letterman list, it's better than that. It's the top ten Black TV characters/personalities as chosen by my friend Luke. It really is hard to believe that we are down to the final 10 days in Black History Month. In some ways, this is very depressing as that means the time is ticking before I am subject to criticism and insults again. But I am also very excited because I wanna see this top ten. I talked to Luke earlier and he said the top ten really stood apart from the rest. Let's do it to it.

February 19, 2009
#10 - Leslie David Baker as "Stanley Hudson" - "The Office"

Read Luke's full post here (Office clips galore)

Luke's Take: Stanley is the product of having worked so long under Michael Scott. Stanley is apathetic, stern, typically above all the humor or craziness that is surrounding him (clearly focused on his cross-words), and loves pretzels. Which is why I love Stanley. Just when you think you have his character cornered, he surprises us. He appears to have an uncaring attitude, but had plenty in the tank to yell at Ryan for getting too close to his daughter. Those random Stanley moments often act as the lifeblood for The Office.

My Take: I couldn't agree more with what Luke said about Stanley. I've slowly become a rabid "Office' fan and every time Stanley says something, I laugh. It's because no matter the moment, he has a one-liner ready and waiting to employ. In most cases, it is so simple, it's hilarious. And in a show with such an amazing ensemble cast, he is one of the few that stands out because while he should be more in the background, his hidden sense of humor comes to the foreground, making him an audience favorite.

I don't know what else can be said about Stanley so I'm going to stop there. All I know is that this is start of the top 10. And that excites me because Stanley is a strong character, especially right now in television. When it comes to token black guys on comedies, he might take the cake, or maybe more fitting in this case, the pretzel.

B.H.M. Quote Of The Day: "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." ~Muhammad Ali

Black History Month 2009: Day 18

Hard to believe but we are on the verge of Luke's top 10 best Black TV characters/personalities. Black History Month is flying by and since it's only 28 days, it flies by a lot faster than most months. You ever wonder why they chose February of all the months? I mean, not like Valentines Day or President's Day really makes one think Black History Month. Conspirators can look at the 28 days for the reason but I try not to. I'm just glad we have a month in general. So who did Luke choose today?

February 18, 2009
#11 - Bernie Mac - "The Bernie Mac Show"

Read Luke's full post here (seriously, do it)

Luke's Take: There is just something about Bernie that is hard to put spell out. He is unique in almost every meaning of the word. He has his own style, his own charisma, his own mannerisms, and without question, his own flavor. Bernie is quick to yell at his kids (actually his sister's kids in the show, but not important), but deep down is a softy who loves his children dearly. Bernie always seems to have a trick up his sleeve, or a plan to hatch. Whether it is going to Vegas for the weekend, or just out with the guys to a basketball game ... and like clockwork, something always goes wrong.

My Take: When I heard Bernie Mac died last year, my heart sank. At just 50 years old, he had so much life to live. But more importantly, he had so many more laughs to give. I watch The Bernie Mac Show everyday before I go to work and everyday, I laugh. There's something so real about Bernie Mac. His humor is really based off of real life. He doesn't twist it. He just tells it like it is. Things have changed since he grew up (and his childhood was not easy) and he's not afraid to point those differences out.

I really wish The Bernie Mac Show got more credit than it did. First off, it was on FOX so it didn't get much publicity. Also, its time slot moved multiple times, causing it to lose ratings. But if one watches this show, you'll see it's just as funny and heart-warming as The Cosby Show was. He truly will be missed. Luke had a hunch that I would love this pick. Well, he's right. You can't go wrong with the Mac Attack.

B.H.M. Quote Of The Day: Whatever success I've had, I always like to top it. ~Bernie Mac

Black History Month 2009: Day 17

Hello again and welcome to the countdown of Luke's favorite Black TV characters/personalities of all-time. I hope this countdown is taking your mind off of the terrible financial times we are in here in the United States. These are tough times I know but we will get through this. Just think. 50 some years ago, Blacks and Whites in Augusta, GA weren't exactly always getting along. But now, things are much better. So Hakuna Matata peeps. Things will get better. But enough of my pep talk. We have a countdown to continue.

February 17, 2009
#12 - Victor Williams as "Deacon Palmer" - "The King Of Queens"

Read Luke's full post here (do yourself a favor)

Luke's Take: Without trying to get too wordy, Deacon has a cool name, usually remains cool during ridiculous situations, and well ... is just a cool guy. He is a guy that I would want to hang out with, go to the bar and grab a drink. Or go to a basketball game, play some cards, basically any other guy situation. I also love how he throws in the "black card" from time-to-time, but it usually is in a humorous manner. But, at the end of the day, he comes off as a guy I would love to have as a friend.

My Take: If I were to compare this pick to an Alex Rodriguez at-bat, I'd say this is a homerun (post-Steroids). As Luke so eloquently said, Deacon is just a cool guy. In some ways, he reminds me of well, me. No, not saying that I am cool (far from it) but in the way he interacts with Doug reminds me a bit of myself. The random "race card" being played. The way he always goes with Doug's crazy antics. And just how chill he is when Doug gets all worked up.

Yet again, I noticed how Luke has picked another person that has a black-white relationship. I think a trend is sort of showing up. In some ways, these characters resemble the friendship Luke and I have (which is a damn good one). But another thing to notice is that while Deacon is the token Black guy in the show, he seems to bring out the best in Doug, even more so than his wife. I like to think I do that for Luke too, but that's debateable. Anyways, great pick Luke. Deacon is definitely an underrated Black TV character of our generation.

B.H.M. Quote of the Day: Do the right thing. ~Spike Lee

Black History Month 2009: Day 16

Well, it's been an eventful day to say the least for me. It started with me not getting out of bed for a good 3 hrs because I just didn't feel like it. Then, I did a story about an upstart women's flag football league. Later, I went to a girls high school basketball game that had aq combined 7 points scored in the first quarter. And then participated in a 90-minute conference call about fantasy baseball. Yeah. But now comes the best part of every day in February. Time to reveal the next person in Luke's favorite Black TV characters/personalities.

February 16, 2009
#13 - Adewele Akinnuoye-Agbaje as "Mr. Eko" - "LOST"

Read Luke's full post here (good LOST videos)

Luke's Take: Mr. Eko is in ever definition of the word ... memorable. He chooses his words carefully. He always seems to know what is going on. He remains loyal to his brother, to his faith, and to his new friends on the island. When Mr. Eko made his appearance in Season Two, I instantly became a fan. He soon became my second favorite character on LOST. His run on the show was much too short, but he will never be forgotten.

My Take: I didn't get into LOST until September 2008 but one reason I am glad I did is because of Mr. Eko. He is exactly what many of us strive to be. Thoughtful of other people's feelings. Have a strong faith in God (or something). Incredibly knowledgeable and aware of his surroundings. Also, he was devoted to his family. So much so, he killed a man to save his brother.

Unfortunately, Mr. Eko didn't stay on LOST long enough. But he will forever go down as the best Black character on the show, though the competition for that spot is not exactly tough. I hope he does emerge once again in TV because I think he really is a great actor and is just another example of a Black man who isn't always getting into trouble. Great choice Luke, though I saw it coming since the Black Smoke Monster post.

B.H.M. Quote of the Day: "We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice." ~Carter Woodson