BRAVO CELEBRATES ACHIEVEMENTS OF ESTABLISHED AND BURGEONING AFRICAN AMERICAN ACTING TALENTS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
SHOWCASE OF CRITICALLY PRAISED NEW YORK STAGE PERFORMER SARAH JONES AND HER HILARIOUS CAST OF CHARACTERS IN ONE-WOMAN SPECIAL "THE SARAH JONES SHOW" TO PREMIERE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13
INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO EXPLORES THE CAREERS OF MORGAN FREEMAN, JAMIE FOXX AND WILL SMITH WITH ENCORE BROADCASTS SUNDAYS IN FEBRUARY
NEW YORK -- January 6, 2004 -- This February, Bravo salutes the careers of African American actors and introduces viewers to a remarkable new performer in recognition of Black History Month. Encore presentations of Morgan Freeman, Jamie Foxx and Will Smith's appearances on "Inside The Actors Studio" hosted by James Lipton, and the debut television appearance of 2004's New York stage sensation Sarah Jones, celebrate veteran, versatile and about to explode acting talents.
In the tradition of Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, and Anna Deavere Smith, some of the stage's great female multi-character performers, Bravo is proud to introduce Sarah Jones in her self?titled television debut "The Sarah Jones Show," an hour-long variety/performance special premiering Sunday, February 13 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
"The Sarah Jones Show" is a true showcase for this hugely talented writer and chameleon-like performer who Entertainment Weekly named one of the breakout stars of 2004. The one-hour special incorporates many of the characters featured in her critically praised, award-winning off-Broadway stage show "Bridge & Tunnel" which was presented and produced by Meryl Streep who, no doubt, knows a thing or two about talent. "Bridge & Tunnel" is expected to make a move to Broadway this spring.
In her special on Bravo, Jones brings an array of characters to life. They include both men and women of varying ages and ethnicities who work to challenge traditional ethnic and socio-economic stereotypes as well as traditional gender roles. She portrays Joey, the Italian-American cop struggling to stay politically correct; Rashid, a young rapper-wannabe dealing with some "issues"; Nereida, a young Latina with a quick wit and even faster tongue and Miss Lady, a homeless woman with attitude. Her sketches range from one-person monologues performed in front of a live audience to multi-character pieces where Jones intermingles and plays off her other personas, to "on the street" remotes where Sarah interacts, in character, with the unsuspecting public.
In one of the glowing reviews Jones received for her one-woman show "Bridge & Tunnel" Variety wrote, "How much longer can the sensationally talented Sarah Jones remain the in-house darling of the downtown crowd? Her days of obscurity have got to be numbered." Bravo is proud to do its part in lifting the veil of obscurity off this amazing performer whose star is clearly on the rise.
"The Sarah Jones Show" is a Bravo original special produced by Jumbolaya Productions. Executive producers are Nancy Stern and Mary-jane April and Sarah Jones.
Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby"/"The Shawshank Redemption"), Will Smith ("Ali") and three-time 2004 Golden Globe nominee Jamie Foxx ("Ray"), each achieving critical and box office success, review their careers to date with host James Lipton in encore presentations of Bravo's Emmy-nominated series "Inside The Actors Studio"
Jamie Foxx Encore presentation Sunday, February 13th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT
Morgan Freeman Encore presentation Sunday, February 20th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT
Will Smith Encore presentation Sunday, February 27th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT
Bravo is an arts and culture network featuring a variety of programs presented in an original and engaging way. Currently seen in more than 77 million homes, Bravo is the television destination for viewers who want creativity, experimentation and innovation. Offering programming with a unique point of view, the network features original series and specials, feature films (both independent and mainstream) as well as performance specials and compelling documentary series. Its critically-acclaimed and award-winning original programming includes "Inside the Actors Studio," "Celebrity Poker Showdown," and Cirque du Soleil specials and series, as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." The network's latest hits include "Blow Out," "Showbiz Moms & Dads," and the improvisational sitcom "Significant Others."
Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been a NBC Cable Network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980.
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