Tavis Smiley
One of Jonathan Demme's last works, a 2016 short documentary hosted by Tavis Smiley.
STILL BILL is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.” With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Withers has written the songs that have – and always will – resonate deeply within the fabric of our times. Filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack follow Withers and offer a unique and rare look inside the world of this fascinating man. Through concert footage, journeys to his birthplace, interviews with music legends, his family and closest friends, STILL BILL presents the story of an artist who has written some of the most beloved songs in our time and who truly understands the heart and soul of a man.
Broadcast journalist Tavis Smiley hits the road in 2008 with friends Cornel West, BeBe Winans and other prominent African Americans to explore the contemporary experiences of black men and to ask them: "What do you stand for?" Set against Barack Obama's rise to presidential power, Smiley and his fellow travelers offer diverse perspectives on African Americans' soul music, historic struggle for equality, current race relations and more.
On the road documentary with Prince and the New Power Generation during their 2004 Musicology tour from the west coast Los Angeles' House of Blues to the east coast's Madison Square Garden in New York City with press stops along the way and behind the scenes concert footage.
Tavis Smiley features a unique mix of news and pop culture to combine for one thought-provoking and entertaining program. A hybrid of news, issues and entertainment, it features interviews with artists, activists, newsmakers, politicians and everyday people. Since its first season, the show has won four NAACP Image Awards for "Outstanding Television, News, Talk, or Information (Series or Special)." Taped at KCET studios, Tavis Smiley is the first West Coast talk show for PBS and is produced by The Smiley Group Inc./TS Media Inc. in association with KCET/Hollywood.
