'The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Peacock's documentary
In 1968, the United States was rife with racial tensions as the country was embroiled in protests against the Vietnam War. In the midst of the Civil Rights protest that year, Jamaican-American singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte stepped in for Johnny Carson as the host of 'The Tonight Show' for one week in February. Belafonte proceeded to use the platform to introduce White America to his world of art and activism.
Belafonte's illustrious career means that "the sit-in" — taken from Belafonte's speech thanking the producers and Carson for allowing him to do so — is but a footnote in history now. However, a new documentary from NBC's streaming platform, Peacock, will dive into that special week when Belafonte brought on well-known African American performers such as comedian Nipsey Russell, actress-singer Diahann Carroll, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, and more obscure artistes such as folk singer Leon Bibb.
Rev Martin Luther King Jr and Sen Robert F Kennedy also made historical appearances. Read on to know more about the documentary.
Release date
'The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show' will be available to stream on Peacock on September 10.
Plot
In early 1968, as riots rocked American cities and the Vietnam War tragically escalated, legendary entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte took over Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show' for one whole week. With a guest list that included Bobby Kennedy and Aretha Franklin, Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Sidney Poitier, for five historic nights, Belafonte introduced a fractured, changing country to itself.
'The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show' tells that almost-forgotten story and how this historic week set the stage for the confluence of late-night and politics that we see today, using archival recordings which were difficult to obtain because NBC used to tape over shows until 1971.
Both Martin Luther King Jr and Robert F. Kennedy appeared as guests of Belafonte's on 'The Tonight Show' in February 1968. In April that year, King was assassinated and two months later, Kennedy was assassinated as well.
Cast
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, actor, and activist, known as the "King of Calypso" for popularizing Caribbean music. Belafonte was an early supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s and was a confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for political and humanitarian causes, such as the Anti-Apartheid Movement and USA for Africa.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an actor, comedian and author who is one of 16 entertainers to have won the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. She is known for her work in Steven Spielberg's 'The Color Purple', 'Ghost' and 'Sister Act'.
Director
Yoruba Richen
Yoruba Richen is a film director, screenwriter, and producer known for her work in 'The New Black', 'Promised Land', and 'Sisters of the Good Death'.
Trailer
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