Chris Rock's Sundance winning film, 'Good Hair,' hits theaters this week
By Eunice Moseley

By the brief discussion with Chris Rock on his "Good Hair" film, released to theaters this week, I think there were a lot of things that influenced him to do a documentary film on the concept of "good hair." He said not only did his brief conversation with his daughter (five at the time) asking him why she didn't have "good hair," but his love for Michael Moore's documentaries and the fact that there were no documentary films on "hair" was a driving force as well.

"When she said it I didn't panic, because if you over-react, they'll see that and they will over-react. So I played it off and said, 'your hair is beautiful, want some ice cream?'" recalled Chris Rock about that day which sparked his interest in "good hair.".

"It was oh so hard to sell this," Rock pointed out. "Even after winning the Sundance Film Festival, we were still looking."

Well Chris and Kevin O'Donnell (producer), Jeff Stilson (writer/director), and writers Lance Crouther and Chuck Sklar found a partner in HBO Films and eventually theatrical release through Liddell Entertainment and Roadside Attractions. There are cameo appearances throughout the documentary by Nia Long, Ice-T, Paul Mooney, Dr. Maya Angelou, Salt n Pepa, Eve, Rev. Al Sharpton and Raven Symone all being interviewed by Chris on the subject of "good hair."

"I was excited about it... I tried to be honest about my hair," Raven Symone said about her contribution to the film. "I think people need to stop hiding."

Raven also admitted that when she was on the Crosby Show that he didn't allow them to do anything with their hair, as fair as chemically change it.

"I think it is still a sensitive subject," actress Nia Long said about the conversations that the "Good Hair" film is provoking. "My son at nine said, 'Mama you scary when your hair is short!'"

The documentary follows Chris Rock and crew to barbershops to talk to men about their hair issue and in particular their women's hair issues; he goes to beauty salons and get shock with how much money women spend on weaves and how it effects their relationships at home; he takes us to the Bronner Brothers Hair Show to be amazed at seeing 100,000 people come together to learn about hair and hair products; he travels to scientific laboratories and learn the shocking reality of the chemicals we use in our hair, and then he travels to Indian Temples to explore where the hair for weaves come from, all with shocking discoveries that are sure to provoke "hair" discussions across the country.

Of course the film has lots of laughs with Chris Rock as your host, that goes without saying, but it's the education that amazes me and I think will amaze the audience. Before leaving Rock added that he is working on a DVD on the origin of the Jhery Curl.

"We found six guys that still have their hair in a Jhery Curl!" Chris laughed.

Sounds like good clean fun and I am all for that. The Roadside Attractions film "Good Hair" is released to theaters on October 9, 2009. Log onto www.GoodHairMovie.com for more information.

TV One premiers fourth season of 'Who's Got Jokes' with host Bill Bellamy
Comedian/actor Bill Bellamy host TV One's "Who's Got Jokes" comedian competition and on October 10, 2009 at 10:00 p.m.ET a fourth season will air. Rodney Perry and Tommy Ford co-host the showcase with judges this first episode to include actress Terri J. Vaughn (All of Us/The Steve Harvey Show), R&B singer and reality star Ray J, and actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game). "Who's Got Jokes" is also executive produced by Ralph Farquhar (The Parkers/Moesha).

"There was a whole family there," actor Tommy Ford said. "I think thats what makes the whole show special."

This season TV One, at the request of Ralph Farquhar, takes the show to Las Vegas, so there will be some big "Vegas" surprises.
"Vegas brings the people," Bill Bellamy said about the experience. "People come there to have a good time."

Tommy added that they challenged the executive producer to make it bigger and Bill starts to tell a story about a tiger experience, but it was so funny that he could hardly get the story out. Tommy helps him out by saying the show will give the audience the "full Vegas experience."

Of the comedians that will be competing Bill said they reminded him of how hungry he was in his early career. They travel from city to city, from club to club looking for talent.

" None of them have more than five years in the business," Bill pointed out. "Some crashed and burned, but it made it great TV."

"We had a lot more women (this season)," executive producer Ralph Farquhar added.

"Oh yea and they were good (ones)," Bellamy said. "Especially this girl name Jackie, Jackie Fabulous. She is infectious, lovable and clean."

Other episode judges will include actresses Kym Whitley and LisaRaye McCoy, former NBA baller Eric Snow and comedian George Wallace. For more information on TV One's "Who's Got Jokes" log onto www.TVOneOnline.com.