Soul Train's 25th Anniversary (1995) (TV)

From the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California it's the black-tie silver anniversary celebration of the greatest black-themed music and dance show in history. Arsenio came out of his hole (his words) to man the podium for the hosting duties. So-so comedy combined with excellent musical performances make for a better than great evening.

Soul Train's 25th Anniversary (1995) (TV)

Cast: Arsenio Hall, Don Cornelius, Al Green, M.C. Hammer, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Curtis Mayfield, Rosie Perez, Diana Ross, Barry White, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder

Going Home to Gospel with Patti LaBelle (1991) (TV)

From the south side of Chicago, this is absolutely fantastic, front to back. From the opening call to action by the Reverend P. David Saunders to the final close this is a testament to glory and the power of the gospel. God Bless Patti LaBelle.

Going Home to Gospel with Patti LaBelle (1991) (TV)

Cast: Patti LaBelle, Edwin Hawkins, The Barrett Sisters, Albertina Walker, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Calvin Bridges, DeLeon Richards, Ricky Dillard and the New Generation Chorale, The Sue Conway Victory Singers and The Chicago Praise Chorale

Magic Hour, The (1998) TV series 1998-1999

At times it seemed like anyone with any name recognition was handed a talk show. This is the one handed to Mr. Johnson. EXACTLY the same as every talk show before or since, groundbreaking was obviously not on the agenda. A fun watch just the same.

AVAILABLE EPISODES

Howard Stern

2 July 1998

Next to Last Show

5 August 1998

Final Show

6 August 1998

The Magic Hour (1998) TV series 1998-1999
Cast: Magic Johnson, Sheila E, Craig Shoemaker, Tommy Davidson, Peter Michael

All Day and All Night (1990) (TV)

Enthralling, engrossing and absolutely entertaining. Wonderful stories of the early Memphis music scene, from the musicians themselves.

All Day and All Night (1990) (TV)

Host: Center for Southern Folklore

Motown Revue Starring Smokey Robinson, The (1985) TV series

'Motown Revue' a Reprise Of 60's Variety Shows
By Stephen Holden
Published: August 9, 1985

An eerie sense of time-warp permeates ''The Motown Revue Starring Smokey Robinson,'' NBC's amiable attempt to revive old-time television variety shows. Musically, the hour-long program gambles on the notion that Motown's 1960's song catalogue is a communal touchstone for millions of pop nostalgists who can't get enough of those oldies but goodies.

And the success of ''Motown's 25th Anniversary Special'' certainly suggests that such might be the case.

But ''The Motown Revue,'' which stirs together comedy skits and music into a familiar formula, lacks the explosive energy of a concert special. The Motown veteran Smokey Robinson makes a genial, but somewhat distant, host who doesn't have the vaudevillian razzmatazz of Michael Jackson moon-walking through ''Billie Jean.'' Singing his signature hits ''More Love,'' ''You've Really Got a Hold on Me'' (accompanied by a video of himself being tossed around the ring by a female bodybuilder), and ''Being With You,'' Mr. Robinson comes off as a sweetly genteel Mr. Nice Guy.

Much of the show's humor depends on a familiarity with 60's trivia. One running joke involves a record store clerk answering customers' questions about old Supremes hits. And the performing styles of Motown's 60's vocal groups are amusingly kidded in a mock-advertisement for ''The Detroit Institute of Choreography.'' Steering clear of any sexual suggestiveness, the jokes involve such things as Mr. Robinson's being mistaken for Lionel Richie, and Stevie Wonder's having been an air-traffic controller. Even guest star Vanity, Prince's explosively sexy former protege, is presented as a soft-focus romantic balladeer.

''The Motown Revue,'' which was produced and directed by Steve Binder, is the first show of a five-part musical-variety series. With its heart planted firmly in 1965, it is as wholesome as granola.

AVAILABLE EPISODES

Season 1, Episode 1

1965

9 August 1985

The Motown Revue Starring Smokey Robinson (1985) TV series
Host: Smokey Robinson