Christine Acham — Revolution Televised: Prime Time and the Struggle for Black Power

Abstract

"In Revolution Televised, Christine Acham explores the intersection of popular television and race as witnessed from the documentary coverage of the civil rights and Black Power movements, the personal politics of Flip Wilson and Soul Train's Don Cornelius, and the ways in which notorious X-rated comic Redd Foxx reinvented himself for prime time. Reflecting on both the potential of television to effect social change as well as it limitations, Acham analyzes Richard Pryor's politically charged and short-lived sketch comedy show and the success of outspoken comic Chris Rock."