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Legendary actresses Diahann Carroll and "Star Trek's" Nichelle Nichols were the Blacks who were presented honors at the recent "TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV" at the Hollywood Palladium.

Carroll received a special tribute honor, The Groundbreaking Role Award. Oscar winner Halle Berry presented her the award, which is presented to an actor who changed the course of TV history with a memorable, groundbreaking character.

Carroll, who had performed on Broadway, in films and nightclubs, became the first Black woman to have her own prime-time show in 1968 when she starred in "Julia." What better person than Berry to present Carroll with the honor. Berry, who won an Oscar for Best Actress last year for her role in Monster's Ball, was the first Black woman ever to win the coveted Best Actress award (JET, April 8, 2002).

Carroll's TV son on "Julia," Marc Coppage, attended the event to help honor the beautiful performer.

"Dynasty," the 1980s prime-time soap where Carroll portrayed Dominique Deveraux, TV's first Black "bitch," was recognized with the Soapiest Show in Primetime Award.

Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Lt. Commander Uhura, the lone Black on the Starship Enterprise on TV's long-running "Star Trek," was among those honored with the Pop Culture Award, presented to "Star Trek." The award is presented to a show that has crossed the line from television series to pop culture phenomenon. Nichols also made TV history in the 1960s when her character kissed Captain James T. Kirk, played by White actor William Shatner. It was TV's first interracial kiss.

A highlight of the evening included the reuniting of Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges and Conrad Bain of "Diff'rent Strokes" TV fame to present an award for Funniest Food Fight. It was the first time in more than a decade that the trio had appeared on television together since the series.

Other memorable moments included Ray Charles performing Georgia on My Mind and Ja'Net Dubois, who won fame on TV's "Good Times," singing Movin' On Up, accompanied by a 35-person choir. The song, also written by Dubois, is best known as the catchy theme song for "The Jeffersons." The tune is so popular that rap star Nelly once used an interpolation of it for his song Batter Up.

The network TV Land, created in 1996, features a broad mix of sitcoms, dramas, westerns, variety shows and classic commercials, which it refers to as retromercials.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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