By Dean Robbins
Celebrating the short, influential career of Sam Cooke
Even if you adore Sam Cooke songs like “Bring It on Home to Me,” “You Send Me” and “Chain Gang,” you might not know how culturally important they were in the late ’50s and early ‘60s. As a singer who crossed from rhythm ‘n’ blues to pop, Cooke breached the color barrier and left an opening through which other African Americans could follow.
“American Masters” makes a strong case for the importance of Cooke’s short career (Monday, 8 p.m., PBS). He brought gospel spirit to pop music, pioneering the genre called soul. He also brought a political consciousness, inspired by his work in the civil right movement. And he created new business opportunities for his community as the first African American to own a record label.
Cooke’s death in 1964 was so seamy — involving a prostitute, a pistol and a no-tell motel — that it tends to taint his memory. This documentary puts the focus in the right place: his politics, his innovations and his incomparable voice.
‘Chuck’
Sunday, 8 p.m. (NBC)
“Chuck” is the droll tale of a nerd (Zachary Levi) who’s transformed into a secret agent. It’s one of TV’s best series, but it almost got cancelled last spring. NBC grudgingly ordered a partial season, which starts this week, but less-than-stellar ratings will spell the end.
My New Year’s resolution was going to be about losing weight, but I think I’ll change it to watching every episode of “Chuck,” starting now. I hope you’ll join me so we can make this thing a hit. I can live with a little flab in 2010 as long as “Chuck” survives the season. CV
