BILL VAUGHAN’S TASTY CLIPS: Steve McQueen’s ‘Uprising’ comes to Amazon Prime

By Bill Vaughan

Entertainment Writer

Three new documentaries from Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) will premiere Sept. 17 on Amazon Prime Video.

“Uprising” is a vivid and visceral three-part documentary series (comprised of three hour-long episodes) examining three events from 1981 in the United Kingdom: The New Cross Fire that killed 13 Black youths, the Black People’s Day of Action, which saw more than 20,000 people join the first organized mass protest by Black British people, and the Brixton riots.

“Black Power: A British Story of Resistance,” directed by BAFTA-nominated director George Amponsah, is a searing 90-minute account of the Black Power movement in Britain. The documentary examines how the Black Power movement came into being in the UK in the late 1960s. It features rare archival footage of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael’s activities in Britain, and footage of leading figures in the movement in the UK, including Altheia Jones-LeCointe, Darcus Howe and Roy Sawh.

“Subnormal: A British Scandal,” directed by Lyttanya Shannon, is an hour-long documentary examining one of the biggest scandals in the history of British education, where Black children in the 1960s and ’70s were disproportionately sent to schools for the so-called “educationally subnormal.”

All three documentaries explore key themes and events depicted in McQueen’s award-winning “Small Axe” anthology, which is currently streaming on Prime Video. Each documentary features firsthand interviews with key participants in the events, many of whom are telling their stories for the first time.

“It is an honor to make ‘Uprising’ with testimonials from the survivors, investigators, activists and representatives of the machinery of state,” said McQueen, co-director of “Uprising” and executive producer of the three documentaries. “We can only learn if we look at things through the eyes of everyone concerned. Looking at the past is an indication of what we have achieved today.”

BOOK IT: Author/activist Tarana Burke virtually discusses her new book “Unbound: The Story of Liberation And The Birth Of The Me Too Movement” on Sept. 17. Tickets, which include a copy of the book to be sent later, are at EventBrite.com.

On Sept. 18, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Colson Whitehead talks about his latest novel, “Harlem Shuffle,” at Culver City’s Robert Frost Auditorium.  If you can’t make it, Whitehead will be presented virtually by Barnes & Noble on Sept. 22 with tickets including a copy at EventBrite.com.

CLIPPETTES: Janet Jackson revealed to People that her long-awaited album “Black Diamond” will arrive next year with a single to drop before the end of the year. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Siedah Garrett, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Ralph Johnson are contributors

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa presents Audra McDonald: An Intimate Concert on Sept. 17; as Kevin Gates brings his Khaza Tour to The Belasco

“Triplets,” the long in development sequel to the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito “Twins” franchise formerly earmarked for Eddie Murphy, will finally get to filming with Tracy Morgan in the role

Brittany Howard, Jamila Woods and Georgia Anne Muldrow fill the bill of the Hollywood Bowl Sept. 18    

Also that evening, Smokey Robinson croons at The Greek; DJ Quik, Kurupt, Suga Free and Lil Eazy-E are at The Novo; Miki Howard, Cherrelle, comedians Louis Dix and Jay Lamont, Scott Bo Henderson of The Stylistics and more are at the Wilshire Ebell; Terry Steele Sings Luther Vandross at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center; and Trevor Noah headlines the Santa Barbara Bowl, which hosts Gary Clark Jr. the following night

Idris Elba’s popular BBC series “Luther” will return as a feature film for Netflix co-starring Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet,” “Genius: Aretha”) and Andy Serkis (“Marvel’s Black Panther”)

Complex Comedy Night with the Oscar-nominated Lucas Brothers (“Judas and the Black Messiah”) and performer Freddie Gibbs will be held Sept. 20 at The Comedy Store

Durand Jones & The Indications hit the Hollywood Palladium Sept. 21, as John Legend begins a two-night stand with The War and Treaty at The Greek, and Dumpstaphunk does the same at the Teragram Ballroom

Legendary guitarist/vocalist George Benson is in concert Sept. 23 at the Saban Theatre; while Black Pumas perform at the YouTube Theater; drummer Nikki Glaspie and The Nth Power are at The Mint; and rapper Lil Baby is at the Honda Center.

TASTY QUIP: “Cause I can. It’s my body, and I’m so proud of it, and I hope you’re proud of yours too.” – Singer/actress CHLOE BAILEY on Twitter responding to a fan asking “Why are you showing so much skin?’

TC ON TV: Sept. 17 – “Uprising: Limited Series” (Amazon): “Black Power: A British Story of Resistance” (Amazon): “Friday Night Vibes” (TBS): Lee Daniels and Drew Barrymore visit Tiffany Haddish and Deon Cole for tonight’s slate of “Bad Boys” and “Bad Boys II.” “Congressional Black Caucus Foundation National Town Hall” (BET): Moderated by April Ryan. “Phoenix Awards” (BET): Angela Bassett hosts the virtual annual ceremony this year which will include performances by En Vogue, Leela James, Wayne Brady, Ledisi, Mali Music and Jonathan McReynolds, Stokley, Rapsody and Chaka Khan. “The Greatest #AtHome Videos” (CBS): Host Cedric The Entertainer welcomes guest J.B. Smoove. “Soul Of A Nation” (ABC): “Corazón de América – Celebrating Hispanic Culture” airs reports from ABC News’ Sunny Hostin, Alex Perez, John Quiñones, Stephanie Ramos, Cecilia Vega and Gio Benitez. “Tha God’s Honest Truth” (Comedy): Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey (author and radio host of “The Breakfast Club”) gives his take on social issues and more in this weekly half hour late-night series co-produced by Stephen Colbert (“The Late Show”).

Sept. 18 – “2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards” (FXX): Presenters include Debbie Allen, Yvette Nicole Brown, Folake Olowofoyeku (“Bob Hearts Abishola”), Angelica Ross (“American Horror Story”), RuPaul, Roselyn Sánchez (“Fantasy Island”) and J.B. Smoove. “Imperfect High” (Lifetime): Nia Sioux and Sherri Shepherd star in this original dramatic film with a high school setting.

Sept. 19 – “73rd Emmy Awards” (CBS): Hosted by Cedric The Entertainer with appearances by Anthony Anderson, Kaley Cuoco, America Ferrera, Ken Jeong, Mindy Kaling, Billy Porter, Tracee Ellis Ross, Wilmer Valderrama, Kerry Washington and more. “Muhammad Ali: Round One: The Greatest” (PBS): A new four-part documentary following the life and career of the three-time heavyweight boxing champion and activist from acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns (“The Central Park Five,” “Jackie Robinson”). “One Mo Chance” (Zeus): Kamal “Chance” Givens (who wooed VH1’s Miss New York for years) becomes The Bachelor in this show he also executive produces with Jackie Long, Ray J and Princess Love. “Uncensored” (TV1): Kym Whitley

Sept. 20 – “Dancing With The Stars” (ABC): A milestone 30th season premieres with this year’s crop including Kenya Moore (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”), NBA player turned reality star Iman Shumpert and Matt James (“The Bachelor”). “The Neighborhood” (CBS): Margaret Avery (“The Color Purple,” “Being Mary Jane”) guest stars in the fourth season premiere. “The Voice” (NBC): Ariana Grande joins John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton as a mentor.

Sept. 21 – “Our Kind Of People” (Fox): Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham‘s provocative, critically acclaimed book, “Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class,” the series takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for more than 50 years. Yaya DaCosta (“Chicago Med,” “Whitney”), Morris Chestnut (“The Resident”), Joe Morton (“Scandal”), Debbi Morgan, L. Scott Caldwall and Lance Gross star; with tonight’s episode directed by Tasha Smith (“9-1-1,” “Big Sky,” “P-Valley”).

Sept. 22 – “Dear White People” (Netflix): For their final “Volume 4,” the show will be presented as a musical.  “Survivor” (CBS): Based upon how the network’s reality diversity program worked for “Big Brother,” this 41st season should be a blast! “The Wonder Years” (ABC): Inspired by the hit series of the same name, this iteration, set in the late 1960s, takes a nostalgic look at a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama, through the point of view of imaginative 12-year-old Dean. With Amari O’Neil, Dulé Hill, Saycon Sengbloh and the voice of Don Cheadle. “Alter Ego” (Fox): A first-of-its-kind avatar singing competition series with celebrity judges will.i.am, Alanis Morissette, Nick Lachey and Grimes with Rocsi Diaz hosting. “Dr. Mercy” (TLC): Chicago-based dermatologist, Dr. Mercy Odueyungbo tackles extraordinary skin cases.

Sept. 23 – “The Premise” (FX on Hulu): O’Shea Jackson Jr., George Wallace and the late Ed Asner are featured in tonight’s episode written and directed by show creator B.J. Novak.

TASTY QUIP: “Everything has become one giant ANTIC. … Awards shows, social media, and life feels like one gigantic ANTIC. … I miss the days that popularity was actually based on TALENT. … Hit records and hit movies.” – TYRESE on IG Stories 7/2176

As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.