OWN Documentary Spotlights Roberta Flack; Tyler Perry Fires Up New Drama Series; NAACP Image Awards Takeaways
‘For Your Love’ In CIC Classic TV Series Spotlight
OWN Documentary To Pay Tribute to Roberta Flack
OWN will shine a spotlight on Grammy Award-winning writer/producer/singer Roberta Flack in a documentary set to debut on March 12. The OWN Spotlight: Roberta traces the music icon’s journey from her early piano lounge performances to international stardom, while also highlighting her enduring commitment to civil rights and social change. The two-hour special, part of the cable network’s OWN Spotlight presentation for Women’s History Month, features rare archival footage of Ms. Flack, who passed away in 2025, as well as interviews with the late Rev. Jesse Jackson and Peabo Bryson, according to the network.
Tyler Perry, Netflix Set Firefighting-Themed Drama Series
Prolific writer/producer Tyler Perry will executive produce a new drama series for Netflix as part of his multi-year production deal with the streaming service. Where There’s Smoke follows the lives of a group of firefighters as they balance the challenges of their profession with struggles and fractured relationships within their personal lives, according to the streaming service. Where There’s Smoke follows Perry’s other original series projects for Netflix, including Beauty in Black, which was recently renewed for a third season, and Miss Governor, which recently ended its run after one season.
From Abbott Elementary to Michael B. Jordan: Three Takeaways From the NAACP Image Awards
The 57th NAACP Image Awards once again spotlighted the power and influence of Black talent in the entertainment industry, with several standout moments highlighting both contemporary excellence and lasting legacy. Here are highlights from the February 28 ceremony:
– Abbott Elementary dominated the TV comedy category, winning top honors for comedy series, as well as individual awards for Quinta Brunson (Outstanding Actress), William Stanford Davis (Outstanding Supporting Actor), and Janelle James (Outstanding Supporting Actress).
– Netflix’s Straw was a big winner in the limited television category, winning statuettes for Outstanding Program, Outstanding Actress (Taraji P. Henson), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Glynn Turman), and Outstanding Supporting Actress (Teyana Taylor).
–The awards show celebrated a number of industry legends who paved the way for today’s performers. Actress Viola Davis received the Chairman’s Award, while hip-hop trailblazers Salt-n-Pepa were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Michael B. Jordan was honored with Entertainer of the Year as well as Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his starring role in Sinners. Overall, Sinners won 13 NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture.
A full list of NAACP Image Awards honorees can be found here.
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Celebrity TV Birthdays (Feb. 26-March 4)
Feb. 26: Erykah Badu (The Piano Lesson). Feb. 28: Tasha Smith (Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse). March 1: Alexis Fields (All American). March 2: Method Man (Power Book II: Ghost). March 3: Tone Loc (Roc), Robert Gossett (The Closer).
CIC Classic TV Series Spotlight: `For Your Love’
Series Debut: March 1998
Number of Seasons: 5
Series Stars: Holly Robinson Peete, James Lesure, Tamala Jones, Dedee Pfeiffer, D. W. Moffett, Edafe.
Series Synopsis: The sitcom centered on three couples at different stages of their relationships, who often leaned on one another for advice as they navigated the ups and downs of love. Sheri (Pfeiffer) and her husband, Dean (Moffett), represented the seasoned married couple, Malena (Peete) and Mel (Lesure) were newlyweds, and Bobbi (Jones) and Reggie (Edafe) were still in the dating phase.
Acknowledgements/Accolades: Created by Yvette Lee Bowser (Living Single), the series initially aired for one season on NBC before moving to The WB, where it continued for four additional seasons. The show earned praise for its positive portrayal of Black love, highlighting charismatic, accomplished professionals navigating committed, relatable relationships.
Where to Stream: For Your Love is available on The Roku Channel.
CIC Vintage Video: Holly Robinson Peete looks back at her most popular TV characters, including Malena in For Your Love.