Sunday, April 15, 2007

HISTORY, CHANNELED: JACKIE ROBINSON

April 15th, 1947
Opening Day

Sixty years ago this day, Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first black player in the major leagues, taking the field in a game against the Boston Braves.

Jackie Robinson appeared as himself on various talk shows and game shows ('I've Got A Secret' and 'What's My Line?') in his lifetime, and even on an episode of 'Sesame Street'.

But he's also been portrayed in various TV shows and TV movies by actors:

TV SERIES:
Antonio Lewis Todd (Jackie Robinson)
. . . "Cold Case" (2003) {Colors (#3.4)} TV Series

Tico Wamai (Jackie Robinson)
. . . "Everybody Hates Chris" (2005) {Everybody Hates Promises (#2.7)} TV Series

TV MOVIES:
Andre Braugher (Jackie Robinson)
. . . Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson, The (1990) (TV)

Blair Underwood (Jackie Robinson)
. . . Soul of the Game (1996) (TV)

TV SPECIALS:
John Lafayette (Jackie Robinson)
. . . "ABC Afterschool Specials" (1972) {A Home Run for Love (#7.2)} TV Series

Jesse Simms (Jackie Robinson (Memorable Moments Re-Enactment))
. . . 2002 MLB All-Star Game (2002) (TV)

And even over in the sketch comedy dimension, Cedric the Entertainer portrayed Robinson in several episodes of 'The Steve Harvey Show'.

Jackie Robinson once said that he just wanted to be respected as a human being. Hopefully, his many televersions have portrayed him as that, and more....

BCnU....
Toby OB

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