I might be the only black woman on the Eastern Seaboard he hasn’t seen The Color Purple on Broadway. I have doubts that, no matter how good it is, it can approximate the magic of this scene (my favorite) in the movie.

Watching this unbelievably cheesy NBC 60th anniversary special, featuring Nell Carter, Marla Gibbs (hilarious intro), and Alfonso Ribeiro, it’s sort of crazy to see, not only how many classics were on that network at once, but how many famous black characters there were in 80s sitcoms.

I didn’t actually wake up expecting to have you guys fall out of your desk chairs laughing at the Weather Girls’ 1982 “Raining Men” video. I actually woke up shivering, because it’s finally turned cold in NYC, and I tried to think of a song about cold weather. Instead, the Weather Girls popped into my head.

There’s something so beautiful about the Weather Girls, because these are two women with crazy voices who would never get a record contract today. And if they did, they certainly wouldn’t have a pop hit. There is also something so beautifully awful about this video, especially since they really thought they were doing something. Enjoy!

The biggest problem with Eddie Murphy’s unsuccessful push to dominate the the music industry along with the film industry in the 1980s was that he was actually serious. When you have a Jamie Foxx voice, it sort of makes sense to release an album even though you’re a comedian and actor. When you have an Eddie Murphy voice? Doesn’t make as much sense.

As for the “Party All The Time” video, it’s truly brilliant in its simplicity. Although, had I been Eddie Murphy, Rick James’ scene-stealing antics (and hair) would have been pretty annoying. Also, it’s interesting to note that Mel B claimed in few months back that the reason she and Eddie broke up was because he used to receive visitors at 2am and “party all the time,” probably with Johnny Gill. How things change!

Forget the brilliance of “When Doves Cry” (it’s not really up for debate, is it?), who can crawl naked across a flower-strewn floor like Prince, recent recipient of Vanity Fair’s “best soundtrack ever” honor? No one, that’s who!

Thank god for advanced in video technology, right? Because if videos still looked like Dennis Edwards’ “Don’t Look Any Further” then MTV wouldn’t even play videos anymore. Oh, wait.

Anyway, the videos might not look the same, but this song has certainly been sampled to death by rappers old and new — classic in all it’s incarnations.

So Janet Jackson has “Control,” her 1986 girl-power anthem. And she probably has control over Jermaine Dupri. But did you know how well Janet can take control of a potentially hazardous situation?!? I found out first-hand last night. More on that later. For now, enjoy!

A couple of days ago, I schooled my co-workers to the joys of one Miss Rebbie Jackson (older sister of Latoya, Michael, Jermaine, Janet, et al) and her glorious 1984 song “Centipede.” Every Jackson deserves love, not just the ones with movies coming out and uncontrollable pedophilia urges.

Klymaxx’s “Meeting in the Ladies Room (1984)” is quite possibly the best video ever made, solely on the strength of that fierce stroll to the restroom that would leave Tyra Banks green with envy. And the sparkly white wig, of course. And the chair-bound, shirtless, pop-and-locker. And the opening monologue. Sheer genius.

Okay, so unlike Johnny Kemp, I didn’t really just get paid, I don’t have major hair issues (although I do have minor ones) and it’s not Friday night. Or 1988. But it is Friday morning, and I hope my night is as good as his!