American Soul

Previously on American Soul

I've been pricing recording studios.

We could press a single if we pool our cash.

Who the hell is Ilsa DeJarnette?

She's nobody, Red. It's just business.

If I have to choose today, I choose dance.

You want to relive the pain of Germany?

At least I was alive and it meant something.

-I thought I was under arrest. -Not today.

Thanks again for all your help, JT.

Give Mama her medicine.

Give me what I need, baby.

Give Mama her medicine.

If you walk out that door, you are choosing

Soul Train over this family.

We'll talk about this later.

I want to buy Soul Train.

Yes, yes, yes. Harmony is key.

And if you would like to hear more

from the glorious Gladys Knight,

all you have to do is stay right here.

My name is Tyrone Taylor,

and we'll be right back on The Soul Show,

Big whoop. Dick Clark's doing another dance show. s.

We need to focus on season two.

-And what makes you think we'll get a second season, Brooks? -Oh, come on.

You can't be casual with my money. That is theft,

-plain and simple. -Casual?

I have never been a nine-to-five man for you, Don, so please,

talk to me like the guy that gets it done anytime

and every time you call.

put money behind

the black dance show by the upstart Chicago Negro,

or Do-No-Wrong Dick Clark.

Now, you're the numbers man,

-which way would you go? -I hear you, Don,

I do, but you're wrong on this.

All this is is a little competition.

And I got no problem with Dick wanting competition,

but this, this is war.

Maybe I should take it back.

My mama used to say it's the sinning sort of woman

-that wears a red dress. -It's beautiful, Mama.

You gonna shine at Uncle Pete's party.

I will, won't I? Let's keep it.

Simone!

Hey, girl, how you doing?

-You looking good. -And who do we have here?

Mama, this is Ms. Tucker,

-JT's mom. -You seen Jeffrey?

He was supposed to give me my medicine.

I ain't feeling too good.

-Uh... -Uh, let's go to the car, sweetie.

-Ma. But... -Let's go.

What, you too good to talk to me?

That uppity little bitch wasn't too good to be in my place,

-all up on my boy, now, was she? -Rest assured, Ms. Tucker,

Simone won't be bothering you again.

-Let's go. Let's go. -Mama.

What is this?

-Must be Simone's. -Uh-huh.

It was on the left, and you said

everything that's on the left is yours, so...

Kendall Clarke, digging John Denver?

Shut up.

Where you been hiding that voice?

You're the only singer here.

I'm dancing my way to the top.

Don't bring the whole collection.

My place is a closet and I'm squeezing you in as it is.

You know it's not too late to change your mind.

I really think your mom would like that.

Got a lot of packing here. Thanks.

Just looking out for your mom, Kendall.

She wants you to stay.

I don't know what they teach in the Army,

but my father taught me that a man always stands by his word.

And if you really cared about my mom,

I wouldn't be the only one leaving.

Clarke residence.

This is Rhythm Road Records,

-calling for Encore. -Wait, what?

We have a half price discount and we were wondering

if you were interested in recording.

Say that again?

You know this don't have to be a problem, Don.

You think I ain't had hustlers try to muscle in on me?

A little wire snip here, splash of gas there,

next thing you know, the competition's up in smoke.

I appreciate the offer, but think I'm gonna choose

mind over muscle on this one.

All right.

Conrad Johnson? If that's the mind we counting on,

-you in a whole heap of trouble. -Just because you don't like

-his politics... -I don't like anybody think they got the right to speak

-for everybody. -Wake up the chef,

have him cook up a couple of T-bones,

'cause me and my boy might be here for a while.

Conrad, what's up, brother?

Evelyn?

It's good to see you, Tessa. You look incredible.

Thanks. It's good to see at least one other person over 20.

I think my shoes are older than half the girls in here.

What can I say? It's a young girl's game.

Which one's yours?

A lot of the dancers bring their instructors.

-Nobody minds, as long as... -I'm not here with...

I'm auditioning for the troupe.

That's terrific.

I mean, Danilova's back on stage in New York

and she's what, 60-ish?

So, you're here with a student?

Not exactly.

Good afternoon, dancers.

My name is Evelyn Douglas,

I'm the codirector of Dance Zeitgeist,

and I will be conducting your auditions today.

Here you go.

When you ready for a real drink, just let me know.

Well, this turned out to be a productive trip.

I get to reconnect with an old friend and make a new enemy.

You got to excuse Gerald. He holds tight to certain ideas.

Which idea is that?

I got here on Martin's coattails or I'm some black messiah

sent to save our people?

You always had thicker skin than me. I don't know

-how you've managed it all these years. -You remember

that street preacher in Chicago?

Used to camp out on 47th with a megaphone?

Preached the same message over and over?

"Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you."

Everybody thinks you're doing right,

you're definitely doing something wrong, Don.

-You know what it took to get here, CJ? -There's no point

-in chasing David when you need to go after Goliath. -I've had enough

scripture for today, man, just say what you're saying.

Dick can only do what the network allows.

They're the real power here.

Now, we plant a protest on their doorstep, the game changes.

A peace march is not getting me a second season, CJ.

We put our people out there, Don,

telling the world what they stole from us,

public perception turns.

They start losing sponsors, Dick's done.

How do we make it happen?

Well, every successful protest has three things:

men, moxie and money.

How much money we talking?

Enough to win.

Five, six, seven, eight.

As you can imagine, we hold a high bar

of expectation for our dancers.

My bar's a little higher than most.

Tour jeté, and don't be boring about it.

I'm sorry, did you think we were done talking?

We're not talking, you're yelling.

The boy buys drugs for his mother.

That makes him a criminal and a fool...

You are not being fair, Mama.

I will not let him drag you into everything

your father and I fought so hard to keep you out of.

You and Jeffrey are over.

I'm so tired of everyone treating me like a child.

-You need to lower your voice... -And I am not going to San Diego.

-You can go by yourself. -That's perfect,

'cause the only place you're going is church and school.

-You are grounded. -What about Soul Train?

What about Soul Train?

I hate you.

I'll go with you.

I'd be happy to keep you company.

Help drive, if you need.

No, Nate, you don't have to do that.

I'd be honored.

I'd like that very much.

All right. Let's not get too pleased with ourselves.

Tomorrow, you will each perform for our advisory board.

- And if you think I... - Axel, come back here.

-Baby... Oh. -My apologies, everyone.

Your timing's perfect.

Finalists, allow me to introduce you

to our creative director, Prescott Mayer,

a brilliant dancer and an even better husband.

We'll get out of your way.

Oh, hang on. I'm just about to demonstrate