I want to start by writing this review with the second episode of APPLE TV’s talking heads show as it was the most powerful. This two-part documentary, which focuses on the struggles and hard-fought gains of black performers in Hollywood was inspirational and educational.
An impressive roll call of Oscar winners and superstars told their stories of how they became “number one on the call sheet” (a term used for the most important actor on the set) and who had inspired them.
Viola Davies, Halle Berry, Cynthia Erivo, Angella Bassett and Octavia Spencer are some of the women appearing in the second episode stacked with unbelievable actors, and I would be here all day to name every single one. It is a celebration of black excellence in Hollywood and of the now somewhat obscure actors who paved the way.
However, as much they are heading in the right direction there is still a long way to go. Only one African American woman has won best leading actress and that was Halle Berry, but its clear there is still racism, not to say sexism too that these talented women must put up with constantly.
We also hear from great actors that are at the top of their game who are yet to get the recognition that they deserve. Cynthia Erivo was robbed at the Oscars in 2020 which was heartbreaking. Octavia Spencer and Viola Davies have received best supporting Oscars, but I really believe that they should have won the lead actress awards as their parts were so substantial. It feels like no matter how big the part, it is always marginalised and becomes second string.
There is a whole segment where Whoopi Goldberg explains that even when she was on top after her role as Celie in Spielberg’s The Colour Purple, she still wasn’t first choice. Memorable roles in Sister Act were attained only because Bette Midler wasn’t available, and Patrick Swayze had to fight her corner for her to be alongside him in Ghosts.
Gabourey Sidibe speaks beautifully about not conforming to the beauty standards in Hollywood and that there were no make-up or hair stylists available for her to collaborate with. She just didn’t feel wanted.
They also talk about Hattie McDaniel, the first black Oscar winner in 1940 for Gone with the Wind who had to receive her award away from the limelight and could not even sit with her white nominees.
So, progress has been made but the overriding feeling from the women was of resilience, without which not matter how much talent you may have, success would be hard to achieve.
The first episode focuses on male stars and has a mixture of the new generation with the old such as Micheal B Jordan, John Boyega and Daniel Kaluuya matched with Lawrence Fishbourne, Jamie Foxx and Idris Elba. It’s the same format and Director Reginald Hudlin uses archive footage and interviews to make it seem new and fresh.
Again, the actors talk about the experience of being number one the call sheet and we get to hear from Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, two undoubted heavyweights. They give depth and colour and add an extra dimension to the story, especially Freeman who was nearly 50 before he had success.
We also get to see Eddie Murphy’s career and he showed us that as a black comedian breaking into mainstream films like Coming to America and Beverly Hills Cop, he paved the way for so many of the black actors working today. He tells us some great anecdotes about his career, and you can see how Will Smith, who was Murphy’s biggest fan used him as a template.
One sour note was Will Smith himself, who came across as arrogant and self-deceiving in the way he kept playing down his own ethnicity.
They had director cameos giving their insight, such as Quentin Tarantino which was not needed as they didn’t really add anything. I did like how they spilt it into two episodes, but perhaps for some people it might be a tad too long.
The deep lying racial tensions and minority issues that haunt America were there to see and no matter how much wealth and success these stars had achieved, discrimination has remained part of their lives. They are scarred by it.
Number 1 on the Call Sheet is still a joy to watch and is a great homage to black Hollywood past and present and you can’t deny the impressive list of stars on show. It has some great footage of old and new movies and makes you want to go search for some old classics to watch.
The current list of black stars lives a world away from the ones who came before them, but you can tell there is still a way to go to get to a level playing field.