CBS Presents “JOHN LEWIS: CELEBRATING A HERO,” a One-Hour Primetime Special Honoring His Life, Hosted by Oprah Winfrey, T...
July 31 2020 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
The Special Will Feature Unique Performances
and Special Appearances by Yolanda Adams, Jon Batiste, Common,
Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Trevor Noah, Billy Porter and
Wynonna
ViacomCBS Brands BET, MTV and Smithsonian,
as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, to Broadcast the Special at
a Later Date
A Jesse Collins Entertainment Production in
Partnership with CBS Entertainment and CBS News
CBS will honor the enduring legacy of Rep. John Lewis and his
mission of getting into “good trouble” with JOHN LEWIS: CELEBRATING
A HERO, a one-hour primetime special featuring unique musical
performances, newsmaker interviews, inspirational conversations and
more, to celebrate a life that changed the country. The special,
hosted by Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Gayle King and Brad Pitt,
will be broadcast Tuesday, August 4
(10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The special
will also be telecast at a later date on ViacomCBS brands BET, MTV
and Smithsonian, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200731005270/en/
JOHN LEWIS: CELEBRATING A HERO (Photo:
Business Wire)
A Jesse Collins Entertainment production in partnership with CBS
Entertainment and CBS News, the special will take viewers on a
journey into Lewis’ remarkable life, his work and the principles
that guided him: wisdom, courage, power, faith and inspiration.
Blending powerful reporting, unique music performances and
interviews that celebrate and honor Lewis’ many contributions to
the country, the special will feature unique pairings and
performances by Yolanda Adams, Jon Batiste, Common, Jennifer
Hudson, John Legend, Trevor Noah, Billy Porter and Wynonna.
“John Lewis was an extraordinary man,” said Winfrey. “A man of
great vision who lived a life with the purpose of making sure
America lived out its ideals.”
“This is a celebration of the ‘boy from Troy,’” said Perry. “A
forefather of the civil rights movement, who would live to see his
contributions for equality result in witnessing the swearing in of
the first Black United States president.”
“His commitment to the cause was unwavering, his sacrifices
immeasurable,” said King. “And he should forever be remembered in
the ‘pantheon of patriots.’”
“Congressman Lewis was one of the most prominent and forceful
voices for change in this country. Losing that voice now is so
difficult as the country confronts structural racism. But John
Lewis gave us the will and the way to continue his work,” said
Susan Zirinsky, president and senior executive producer of CBS
News. “This special reminds us the journey will not be easy, and
there’s no turning back.”
“Representative John Lewis exemplifies a civil rights leader who
never gave up and served as an inspiration to multiple generations
of Americans,” said Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment.
“This special will celebrate with inspiring words and heartfelt
music the many contributions of a man who lived his life selflessly
and will always be remembered as a beacon of courage, honor and
hope.”
Lewis, a civil rights icon who helped organize the 1963 march on
Washington, D.C., and served in Congress for decades, died July 17
after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Lewis was 80. Using CBS
News’ deep archive and new interviews, the special tells the
journey of Lewis’ extraordinary life through the principles that
guided him. The special will explore Lewis’ life before the civil
rights movement, his work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his
efforts to fight against bullies and bigots, his unmatched work in
Congress and his devotion to faith.
Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television
and film production company and has played an integral role in
producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music
entertainment. JCE has a multi-year overall agreement with
ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical film side, the company
also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects, which
could include ViacomCBS’ film entities such as Paramount
Players.
JOHN LEWIS: CELEBRATING A HERO is produced by Jesse Collins
Entertainment in association with CBS News. Jesse Collins, Dionne
Harmon, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Susan Zirinsky, Jack Sussman
and Kim Godwin are executive producers. For CBS News, Alvin
Patrick, Judy Tygard and Mitch Weitzner are executive
producers.
CHEAT TWEET: JOHN LEWIS: CELEBRATING A HERO, a tribute to the
life and legacy of @repjohnlewis featuring @GayleKing @tylerperry
@oprah #BradPitt and many more, to be broadcast 8/4 10PM ET/PT on
#CBS!
RATING: To Be Announced
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200731005270/en/
CBS Press Contact: Kate Fisher khfisher@cbs.com
CBS Photo Contact: Michele Crowe Michele.crowe@cbs.com
CBS News Contact: Richard Huff HuffR@cbsnews.com
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