Based on Alex Haley’s novel, the craze for a mini-series, Groundbreaking Show launching “Roots”, is one of the most watched series in television history, with an estimated 100 million people tuning in for the finale alone. Tyson repeatedly said that no matter what other parts he took, people always referred to him as Binta, his “root” character. As Kunta Kinte’s mother, Tyson had only a few scenes, but they were essential to the very foundations of the story, which helped make the ugliness of slavery real for a large audience.
Stream it DirectTV; Buy on it Amazon, Funding now, Google Play, Voodoo And YouTube.
Saturday Night Live (1979)
Before anyone could accuse Tyson of being a reputation-TV comedian, she mocked her own image during her article as the first Black Woman to host “Saturday Night Live.” Due to the lack of variety in the show at the time, it meant sharing a lot of sketches (and monologue) with Garrett Morris (who also did Tyson’s Ersong), the only black member of the cast at the time. Token Minority Window-Dressing Act, Black Resentment Drama Workshop – in their best bits, they jokingly quarrel about racial issues. BONUS: Tyson sings!
Stream it Bloom And Hulu.
‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ (1991)
As Sippy, Tyson turns out to be a secret weapon in a film that is apparently about a relationship between other women – a story of love and friendship between ID (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth (Mary-Lewis Parker), as Ninny says (Jessica Tandy). Evelyn (Kathy Bates), who then inspires her to change her life. Sippy is a mother to her own family as well as to White, and Tyson gives the character a quiet monstrosity that may surprise you. It certainly surprises the local clansmen.
Rent it Amazon, Funding now, Google Play, ITunes, Voodoo And YouTube.
The Help (2011)
In this popular adaptation of Katherine Stockett’s 2009 novel, Tyson will have to fight for attention among heavyweights with a famous (and Oscar-nominated) contest. She succeeds in the end with her unforgettable portrayal of Constantine, the beloved black maid and the goat who raised the white girl skater (Emma Stone), just sadly set aside on her side. Despite Tyson’s soon-to-be screenscreen, her character has grown throughout the film – and finally broken your heart.
