- What part of the term
"business partners" don't you understand?
- What do you want me to say, George?
- Say that you haven't forgotten
what this show is about.
- The longer you keep working with them,
the harder it's gonna be to regain your credibility.
- I get migraines, Butch.
They kinda put me on my ass.
- I can't help you if I don't know what's going on.
- I'm trying to adopt Aiya.
Get down! [gunshot]
Are you okay? - No!
- I heard she got out of jail.
- If you think we're done, it'll be your last mistake.
[loud explosion]
[Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Once You Get Started"]
- ♪ Ahh-ahh-ahh ♪
♪ Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
- ♪ Once you get started ♪
♪ Oh it's hard to stop stop ♪
♪ When you get down y'all ♪
♪ When you get down ♪
♪ Ain't no turning back no no ♪
♪ Now that you got down ♪
♪ We just want to say ♪
♪ If you dig the funky funky music ♪
♪ Come on move it this way ♪
- ♪ Come on and move ♪
♪ Come on and groove ♪
- ♪ Come on and move ♪
♪ Hey hey yeah ♪
♪ Come on and groove ♪
♪ Come on and move ♪
♪ Come on and groove ♪
[cheers and applause]
[funky music]
♪ ♪
- Eh. - Come on.
- Sorry.
You're Richard Pryor.
- Yeah, and you the asshole that just cost me my snack.
You know, Jewish food tastes like shit except for bagels.
Last one.
- George Johnson...
Afro Sheen.
- The grease man.
Yeah, well, I guess everybody gotta do something.
- I'm also half-owner of "Soul Train."
- Well, good for you. You know, I gotta tell you,
your stuff is great for more than just hair.
I use it for my Johnson,
a few times, you should try it.
- Well, this isn't the Chitlin' Circuit
or the whorehouse, so why are you here?
- Hosting the show, Jack. - What?
- Gonna bring a little class, a little comedy, all that shit.
- You are a foul-mouthed black man
without an ounce of self-respect.
- But funny, right?
Funny.
And you'd know that, George, if you took some of that grease,
put it in your ass, and loosened up.
Loosen up, George.
- [scoffs]
Where is Don?
- Expensive day.
- Could have been worse. - Don't see how.
Between the casino and now this?
We're getting a rep that I can't live with.
- You worry too much about what other people think.
- Is that what I'm doing?
I used to look at scumbags like those cops
are looking at us, and that ain't me.
- I can't do nothing about how you see yourself,
but what I can do is keep us protected.
Now, think about what Ruby could have done if I hadn't.
- I wouldn't have to think about Ruby
if she hadn't come looking for you.
Well, why did she?
What's she got against you?
- You're asking the wrong questions.
- Okay, so what are you gonna do to stop it?
- I haven't decided yet. - Well, she has,
and I say you get to her first.
- Mm, okay.
Easy to say when you not getting your hands dirty.
- I'm not like you. - Oh, that's obvious.
- Joe, this is the part where you tell me how we fix this.
- Not this time. The less you know, the better.
- Are you saying you don't trust me now?
- I'm saying everybody's got limits, Don.
[funky music]
♪ ♪
[gasping]
- Man down! Help!
- [indistinct].
We need a medic on scene outside the "Soul Train" club.
- Hey, stay with me.
- ♪ Ooooh ♪
- The doctor will be right in to see you, sir.
- Dr. Delgado, 4234.
Dr. Delgado, dial 4234, please.
- [chuckles]
- Oh, how you doing, brother?
- Hurts.
They cut me out of my custom suit.
- You can replace it. - Hmm.
Like you said, expensive day.
- About that. I'm not gonna apologize,
but my tone was less than friendly.
- Forget it. No time to sweat the small stuff.
- So what's wrong with you?
- Collapsed lung, not my first.
Can't keep sucking air out of my chest
while the doctor come in and say I need surgery.
- Yeah, well, maybe you should listen to him.
- Well, maybe you should deal with your migraines
and that pharmacy rattling around in your pocket.
- There's that.
- Put your bags down, brother.
Rest a while.
[gentle piano music]
♪ ♪
- I'm sick, man.
And they don't know what it is,
And I don't just get migraines.
[sighs]
Sometimes my vision goes blurry.
Yeah, but sometimes...
sometimes it goes dark.
- You go blind?
- Doesn't last too long.
I'm supposed to go to Minnesota to get more tests,
but I'm hosting the "Midnight Special"
with the chance to do more.
Man, I've flaked so much that I won't get another shot.
- Yeah, I hear you.
Surgery'll put me on my back six to eight weeks.
Mm.
- Oh, hey, hey, where you going?
- Sign myself out against medical advice.
- You sure you're up to that?
- You think Ruby's gonna wait till I get better?
- This just came in.
- Dancing girls, a cake, a girl inside of a cake,
a case of Dom, box of Cohibas.
What the hell is this?
- Richard Pryor's additional contract requests.
You want me to get his agent on the phone?
- No. I'll handle him.
- The man is a menace.
- I'm teasing. I'm teasing. - You need to sit him down.
- He'll be fine during taping.
- Unless you're ready to bleep out every other word,
you need to explain that he has to keep it clean.
- George, he knows.
- Y'all see my new Buick outside?
Well, it's not mine. I borrowed that, but...
- Why is Richard Pryor hosting "Soul Train" anyway?
Where is Don?
- You asked me that five minutes ago,
and my answer hasn't changed.
Don does not give me his schedule, George.
- He doesn't share with me either.
- Hey, grease man, you slipping out of here?
Playing with you.
Hey, hey, we are gonna have a good show.
- About that. We're syndicated, not networked,
but there are still some rules. Rule--
- Rule number one, ain't no cussing or lewd jokes.
Don't say dick, pussy, or mention ass in general.
You also may not say shit, asshole, bitch,
or take the Lord's name in vain ever.
Also, never say reggin.
Reggin is a word you cannot use
unless you belong to the exclusive club
wearing hoods, matching sheets, you know, torches.
- Reggin. - Reggin.
- What the hell is that? Oh, you mean--
- Don't say it.
You want them to come get you?
Rule number two, refer to rule number one.
When in doubt, refer to rules number one and two, you dig?
Let's have a good show. All right. All right.
Uh.
Grease man.
[funky music]
[Heart's "Crazy On You"]
- Ladies and gentlemen, Don Cornelius!
[cheers and applause]
- Listen to that.
- There he is.
- And he knows everyone in town.
- Speak of the devil.
- Great show, Don, really.
Nice interview.
You got a couple hard questions.
The talent seems to like you.
- Well, the Commodores and I are old friends.
- Got any more friends we can book?
- You don't need me to book talent.
This is "Midnight Special."
- Well, we've been talking about a new show, Don.
- Yeah, something more hip, urban.
- Ladies and gentlemen, the Commodores.
[cheers and applause]
- Excuse us just for one second.
Gotta go to say hello to Lionel Richie.
- ♪ Doin' all right ♪
♪ There's nothin' left to do at night ♪
♪ But go crazy on you ♪
- They loved you.
- I learned a long time ago that's a strong word
that means less and less.
- They're talking about giving you a network talk show
with a built-in sponsor, like Coke.
It's not a game show, Don, or another music one-off.
Can you believe it?
I set up dinner and drinks with the guys
at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
We'll close the deal, and then we are gonna celebrate.
This is big, Don.
- Sir?
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
- ♪ And you don't need to wonder ♪
♪ You're doing fine ♪
♪ My love the pleasure's mine ♪
♪ Let me go crazy on you ♪
♪ Crazy on you ♪
♪ Let me go crazy crazy on you ♪
- Sorry.
[indistinct chatter]
- Hey, Don.
Don, hey.
Hey, Done.
You okay, buddy?
- Oh, yeah.
Sorry, I just thought I saw an old friend, that's all.
- Why don't we grab some food and talk business?
Get some cocktails, maybe champagne?
- Isaac, I know you have some drinks in your office.
Why don't we go upstairs and roll up our sleeves.
We'll order in.
Look, I know you guys have a bunch of ideas,
and I want to hear them without further distractions.
- I like your style, Don.
Let's go.
- ♪ Crazy on you ♪
♪ Crazy ♪
- Everyone's been looking since word went out.
Caught a break when I seen her go in a corner store,
and I followed her back here.
- You sure it was her? - She's strapped,
and she's not hiding.
Never seen a bitch that bold.
- If she's seen you once, don't let her see you again.
- That's why they call me Smoke, boss.
Apartment 34.
[glass crunches]
- Mm.
[sighs]
[ominous music]
♪ ♪
[gunshot]
Freeze.
- She's getting away. - Let her.
She knew we were coming and lured us in.
That Claymore goes off, they're peeling us off the ceiling.
Slide your foot back slowly.
- Oh, man, you see that shit?
- Talk fast. - I tracked Ruby down here.
- Where is she now? - No idea.
- Where would she be? - Don't know.
- Do you know anything?
- She's broken beyond repair, looking for a little payback.
- What did you do to her? - Not me.
Her old man passed her around his friends
like a bottle of hooch from the time
she was 7 to 15 years old.
- Oh, God. - Nobody comes back from that.
- Why'd he stop? She get too old?
- Ruby cut his throat,
did her time in juvie for murder,
got out with a sealed record and a new life.
Learned way too late she had epic daddy issues.
- Well, I'll cry for her after she's in custody.
- She won't go easy, Chief. - You stay out of this.
Let us do our jobs.
- Something I should know?
[ominous music]
♪
- You recognize anyone?
- No.
- Angelo LaPietra arrived yesterday.
Any idea why a notorious Chicago marketer's in LA?
- Tell me where he is, and I'll ask him.
- [scoffs] Don't get cute.
- Look, I know you got a SIS detail on the bastard.
Let me do the heavy lifting.
- It's suicide, and you know it.
- Everything dies.
It's just a question of when.
[funky music]
♪
- You come here often?
They put out a nice spread.
- What's in this stuff will still be in you when you die.
- Let me guess.
You must grow your own vegetables.
I mean, skin this soft has to be the veggies.
- Richard, we're ready for the run-through.
- No, wait, just--just wait.
Just--come on, now.
Why would you do that?
- Well, Chaka's nice and too young for you.
- No such thing as a...
- Uh-huh. - Tail too young. Mm.
- Touch her and she loses her job.
- Well, aren't you just a killer of fun?
What you want to do next? You want to go kick a puppy?
- I'm just trying to keep the train on the tracks.
- Listen, I'm not a dog. I just--I just can't be alone.
- How sad for you.
Now get your ass on stage.
- Who hurt you?
What you doing later?
- Uh-huh. You gotta be about this tall to ride this ride.
- You know, someone's gonna kiss my tip tonight.
Is it gonna be you?
- You don't want that. I bite.
- You'd choke before you get that chance.
[Average White Band's "Pick Up The Pieces"]
- [sniffs]
- [chuckles]
- Well, we'll have the usual musical guests.
That's what people expect,
but I also want to book guests like Hammerin' Hank.
You know, he already said that he'd do the show.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. Are you telling me Hank Aaron
said yes to a show that doesn't exist?
- Isaac, call his people. I can guarantee--
- That is fantastic, Don.
See, now, that, outside-the-box thinking.
- [laughs]
Oh, no, I'm--I'm good. - What else?
- Well, what about a segment called "Make Don Laugh"?
People always think that I don't have a sense of humor,
so I thought it would be funny.
♪
[laughter]
- Sold.
- It's hilarious.
♪
- Where's the head?
- Uh, down the hall, uh, three doors on the right.
- What, you don't have one in your office?
- Corner office suite comes after your show's a hit.
- [laughs]
Oh, whoa, whoa, easy.
- I guess I can't keep up with you two.
[laughter]
♪
- Chalk 'em up. - Yeah.
[gloomy music]
♪
- I told you to leave me alone, man.
Drop the keys on the table when you leave.
- Jackass.
My phone is ringing off the hook with social workers
looking for you.
- I don't know why. I pulled my applications.
- Aiya's adoptive parents want to meet you.
- To gloat? No thanks.
- You don't know that.
- I mean, what else could it be?
- Why don't you get off your ass,
be a man, and go find out?
- Leave me alone.
- Move.
You will kick yourself if you don't meet the people
that are gonna raise your little sister.
Show them nothing else matters except Aiya's wellbeing,
including your ego and busted pride.
- You done? - Yeah.
I guess I'll be back when the pity party's over.
- Yeah.
[door shuts]
Is it over yet?
[ominous music]
♪
- Look, I know you got a SIS detail on the bastard.
Let me do the heavy lifting.
- It's suicide, and you know it.
♪
- Get in the car, Moulie.
- Where we going?
- Move.
- All right, let's go.
- Place needs some signs.
- You lost, handsome?
- What are you doing here?
- [laughs]
Did you really think it'd be that easy to get rid of me?
Ahh! - You stay away from me.
You hear me? - Oh, let go.
- Stay away from me! - Please, let--
- Don't know what kind of game you're playing, bitch,
but it's not gonna work. You hear me?
It's not gonna work. - Please, let--let me go.
Please.
[whimpering]
- [sniffs]
- He must be on drugs.
That's him. - Are you sure it was him?
- That's the man who attacked me.
- What the hell are you talking about?
I've never seen you before in my life.
- Sir. - This is bullshit.
- She says you hit her, Don.
- Isaac, why would I hit her? I don't even know her.
- Then why did you attack me? - Look, lady, I don't know what
the hell you're talking about, but I didn't touch you.
- He is lying.
- Fellas, look, some broads are crazy, all right?
Now, I've had some trouble with a stalker lately.
You know how it is. Comes with the territory.
Host of "Soul Train," see you on TV,
make up stories in their heads,
and the crazies just keep coming.
Look, the woman I'm ducking is dangerous,
shows up to the set, broke into my home, threatened my life.
- Does her name happen to be Ruby?
- Yes.
Hang on, how did you--
- That's what you called me right before
you slammed me into a wall.
I didn't do anything to you.
Can we please call the police now?
- Nervous?
- Handcuffs and plastic make me feel right at home.
- [chuckles]
So tell me, funny guy,
why shouldn't I put a bullet in your brain right now?
- I don't know. Why?
Ugh!
[spits]
[gasping]
You want to know what I know.
- Glad we understand each other, Gerald.
- Well, you got silver bracelets in your future too.
Ruby got sloppy. Cops are looking hard.
- They won't find her.
- She used a military-grade weapon, Angelo.
Ain't gonna be local cops she leads to your door,
and when they find her, if you're lucky,
they'll light her up. If not, she'll get WITSEC.
You'll get a recall.
- She'll never drop a dime on me.
- That sounds like a country song.
I hear they got glee club at Folsom.
- [chuckles]
And what's to stop me from doing you both, walking away?
- You're under surveillance.
- Cops'll give up after a while.
They always run out of steam. - Statewide APB.
She's a mushroom cloud. You better keep your distance.
- All of a sudden you got all the answers.
- I only got one.
- Hasn't worked out for you so far.
- Things change.
- I can see that.
- Ruby still trusts you?
- Asked me to come get her.
- Then call her
and stay out of my way.
[whistle blows]
- Mr. Bradley. Jeffrey Tucker.
Is there a reason why we're meeting on a football field?
You're an architect, not a coach.
I did my research,
since the state says you get to raise my sister.
- I just wanted to get a sense of you
before we take the next step.
- The next step? What--
- I need to know you're not a threat
before I give you access to Aiya.
- Who are you to s-- - You've been stabbed.
You have a questionable job, sketchy friends.
I did my homework as well, Mr. Tucker.
- All right. I guess that settles that.
- But you're also the only reason
why Aiya survived.
Social workers vouch for you,
and your sister loves you very much.
- I was told she doesn't even remember me.
- When Aiya first came to live with us,
she cried all the time wanting Jet.
We couldn't figure it out.
We bought toy planes, plushies.
- Ah. - Nothing worked.
- She didn't know how to say JT.
She, uh, used to call me Jet.
- I'd like to offer you a lifeline, Mr. Tucker.
The reason I wanted to meet on the field
is 'cause there's a job opening for a groundsman,
comes with free tuition.
Take the job, get a college education,
something no one can ever take away from you.
Think about it.
[cheers and applause]
- The "Soul Train" family would like to present you
with a platinum record
for selling 2 million copies of "That Nigger's Crazy."
- That's right. - Congratulations, Mr. Pryor.
[cheers and applause]
- Nice. You want me now, don't you?
[laughter]
Gang, please give a "Soul Train" welcome
to Rufus featuring Chaka Khan.
[Rufus & Chaka Khan's "You Got The Love"]
♪ ♪
- ♪ Love me right ♪
♪ What's the matter with you? ♪
♪ Hold me tight ♪
♪ Why must I tell you what to do? ♪
♪ Smiling ♪
♪ Comes as no surprise ♪
♪ Smile ain't hiding ♪
♪ What I see in your eyes ♪
♪ The story goes ♪
♪ Oh much deeper than the eye can see ♪
♪ Yes it do ♪
♪ Stop runnin' a game ♪
♪ I can tell you're avoiding me ♪
♪ Uh-huh ♪
♪ Oh ain't nothing ♪
♪ I wouldn't pay ♪
♪ Just to hear ♪
♪ Hear you say ♪
[doorbell rings]
- Mm.
[doorbell rings]
- Mm.
Oh. [doorbell rings]
- Is he joining us, Don? Could be fun.
- Young lady, I suggest you put on some clothes
or stay hidden until I leave.
- Go back to bed, baby, all right?
- It's too early for all this talking.
- Why don't you guys keep each other company,
and I'll be back in a minute?
- Jesus.
You know, I think it's time we redefine our relationship.
- You should have called first, George.
- I tried, even with the "Soul Train,"
but you're MIA over there too.
Jesus.
If I'd have known you was in the middle of a bacchanal,
I would have had my lawyer send you a letter.
- Saying what?
- Our partnership has run its course.
- George, I don't have the capital to buy you out.
- I'm aware.
- And "Soul Train" is still a hit, so what are you doing?
- I'm parting company with a stranger.
Look, there's no denying we created something special.
- It still is special.
George, I don't understand why you can't see that.
- Free commercials for the next ten years.
That should cover my investment.
You have three days to think it over.
- I don't need three days.
I can let you know now.
Good-bye, George.
[items rattling]
- What crawled up your ass? - You did, asshole.
Beverly Hills Hotel, we were supposed to close
a deal last night, remember?
- [sighs]
I called an audible. - And forgot to tell me.
You left me holding my dick at an empty table, Don.
You couldn't pick up a phone?
- There was a lot going on, Brooks.
Look, it doesn't matter.
The network isn't giving me a show,
so let's get back to work.
- You're cutting me out?
I set up that deal, begged them to give you another chance.
I used up every favor I had to get you in the door.
- And I blew it, Brooks!
The deal's dead.
- Then why did network lawyers call this morning
to talk terms?
- That's great news.
Congratulations. - Don't be ridiculous, Tessa.
Somewhere, somehow he'll screw it up.
Always does. It's never his fault, though.
No, it's the meds or migraines.
Nope, it's racism.
- Brooks, knock it off.
- Doesn't matter who you blame, Don.
It's just you.
Not in a million years are you a talk show host.
Guy's gotta be funny, keep things moving.
You're so damn comatose, a corpse would do it better.
You introduce the musical guests.
They're the real stars of this show, Don, not you,
as much as you want to be.
- ♪ Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo ♪
- ♪ Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo ♪
[car horn honking]
- Ahh! Ahh!
Let go!
Somebody help! Get off!
Get--let go!
Get off me! Let--
- It's over. Angelo gave you up.
- He wouldn't do that.
- Then how'd I know you'd be here?
Get her in the car.
- Ahh!
[grunting]
Ruby. Ruby! - No, I didn't see anything.
I didn't see anything!
- You know me. I'll kill her. You know I will.
- So go ahead then.
- Dogs, kids, bitches in peril.
You won't be able to live with yourself.
Now move.
[tense music]
♪ ♪
- Ahh! - No.
- Ahh!
♪ ♪
- Help is on the way, all right?
- [groans]
[gunshots]
[all screaming]
[gunshots]
- Help me.
Help me, please. My husband has gone crazy.
- It's okay. Calm down. Tell us what's happening.
- He hit me. I got away,
but he's trying to kill me.
- What's his name? - Gerald Aims.
He owns a nightclub.
I didn't mean to make him mad.
- What does he look like? What's he wearing?
[gunshots]
1-4, shots fired, my location, need backup.
Female vic on scene, roll a wagon, over.
- Stand by. - Roger that.
[gunshot] - On the ground now!
- On the ground. On the ground.
- On the ground. [sirens wailing]
- It's okay. Just breathe. It's gonna be fine.
This is a good thing, okay?
But don't expect too much, baby steps.
- Yeah. - All right?
- I'm fine. - Okay.
You're nervous. I can feel it.
Just relax, okay?
I can't wait. She's just like you.
- I'm good. - Okay.
You ready?
- Uh, sweetheart.
Good to see you.
- Sir. - This is my wife, Eva.
Eva, this is JT and...
- Simone. - Hello, Simone.
- Hi. - It's so good to meet you, JT.
We're so excited.
Right, Aiya?
[light organ music]
♪ ♪
- Hi, Aiya.
I'm--I'm JT.
I'm your big brother.
- Hi, Jet.
♪ ♪
- Hey, Aiya.
- You have been Mirandized?
- Yeah.
- Willing to talk?
- Up to a point.
- How about an ID?
- Gerald Patrick Aims.
- Don't need your name, hers.
We didn't find an ID on her.
- Ruby Daniels...
Aims.
- Your wife?
- Not anymore.
I'll take that lawyer now.
[WAR's "Slippin' Into Darkness"]
- ♪ Oh ♪
♪ Slippin' into darkness ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Take my mind ♪
♪ Beyond the dreams ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I was slipping into darkness ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Take my mind ♪
♪ Beyond the dreams ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Where I talk to my brother ♪
♪ Whoa oh oh oh ♪
♪ Who never said their name ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Slipping into darkness
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ You've been slipping into darkness ♪
♪ Whoa oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Pretty soon you're gonna pay ♪
♪ Pay ♪
♪ ♪
[machine whirring]
- Shh, don't say it. - Dance with Don.
That's the new thing.
Okay, Don, can I dance with you?
- Oh, yeah, you can dance with me.
[The J.B.'s "Doing It to Death"]
- All right.
♪ I wanna get that fella with the little horn ♪
♪ Over there ♪
- I'm Don Cornelius, and as always, in parting,
we wish you love, peace, and soul.
♪
- Look, Daddy.