We had about 15 minutes before BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley went on the air live from Washington, DC. The lights, monitors, and microphones were cued, and my questions were at the ready. I was told my guest—director, writer, and actor Robert Townsend—had arrived at the California studio. The plan was to discuss his new film, B.A.P.S (Black American Princesses), starring Halle Berry. I was looking forward to an engaging conversation about the new film and other matters. “Yo, Tavis, you seen the movie; how was it?” a crew member asked. Now, I love Townsend’s work. Hollywood Shuffle, The Five Heartbeats—great movies. B.A.P.S, on the other hand: hated it! “Man, the movie was so horrible. It was the worst piece of sh** I have ever seen in my life,” I told my crew, adding, “and what I really can’t understand is why Halle would allow herself to be in such a horrible movie. I mean it was just that bad.” After a few chuckles, we went about the business of preparing for a good show.
