MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO, THE: WILLIAM S. PALEY TELEVISION FESTIVAL 1999: MOESHA {TAPE 2 OF 2} {LONG VERSION}
Summary
Continued from T:56985. Tape two of two. One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Museum of Television & Radio's William S. Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Directors Guild of America Theatre Complex, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television, and is dedicated to television's creative community. This evening honors "Moesha" -- a comedy series about Moesha Mitchell, a vivacious African-American teenager living in Los Angeles with her father, stepmother, and wisecracking younger brother. Museum television curator Ron Simon welcomes the panel and an additional panelist, actor Jon Huertas (Antonio), to the stage. The panelists then discuss the ways in which they became involved with "Moesha": Spears, Finney, and Farquhar explain that Brandy was cast after they had developed a script and CBS asked them to find a young star to ensure the show's success; Brandy recalls that she immediately identified with the character of Moesha and the realistic approach of the program; Ralph states that she was impressed by the program because it dealt with the coming of age of an African-American girl and portrayed positive relations between a stepmother and daughter; Paulk, Bentley, and Wilson discuss their previous work experience with Brandy and with Farquhar through the programs "Thea" and "South Central"; and Lyttle comments on the challenges the show faced when it was rejected by CBS, as well as on the symbiotic relationship between "Moesha" and the young UPN network. The writers and story editors continue to speak about the development of their careers through hard work and the support of Speaks, Finney, and Farquhar. Bady, Cardenas, and Brock explain that they began in entry-level jobs but were eventually given the opportunity to work as writers; Edmonds and Brown state that their previous experiences as television writers led to "Moesha"; and partners West and Smith recall their years of struggle in the television industry.
The panelists then comment on the program's mission to address social issues and to present a positive image of African-American life that is relevant to a wide audience, and the writers and actors speak about the collaborative effort that goes into "Moesha."
Next, panelists answer questions from the audience members, leading to a discussion of the following subjects, among others: the need for African Americans in the industry to provide opportunities for new talent; the criticism that falls on celebrities in the public eye; plans for a "Moesha" spinoff; the benefits of syndication; the challenges Brandy faced as a new actress; and the importance of an education as a foundation for work in television.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: March 10, 1999 Wednesday 7:58 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:10:47
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:56986
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ron Simon … Moderator
- Demetrius Bady … Panelist
- Lamont Bentley … Panelist
- Mara Brock … Panelist
- Calvin Brown … Panelist
- Silvia Cardenas … Panelist
- Jacque Edmonds … Panelist
- Ralph Farquhar … Panelist
- Sara V. Finney … Panelist
- Jon Huertas … Panelist
- Shar Jackson … Panelist
- Larry Lyttle … Panelist
- Brandy Norwood … Panelist
- Marcus T. Paulk … Panelist
- Sheryl Lee Ralph … Panelist
- T. Smith … Panelist
- Vida Spears … Panelist
- James West … Panelist
- Yvette Wilson … Panelist
- William Allen Young … Panelist