Original subtitles

You're supposed to be studying for the test, not practicing to cheat.

But I do better when I cheat.

What's up, y 'all?

Hey. Hey, what's up, T?

Well, uh, did I tell you about my dad?

He moved to Atlanta when he was 13 after he and your mom split up.

He used to sing with the Sensations. They were a one -hit wonder.

He arrives today at 335 on Delta, flight 216.

So I mentioned it once or twice.

I'm just excited he's moving back to town.

We're just messing with you two. We can't wait to meet him.

Yeah, because I used to love me some sensations back in the day.

Gracious? No, it's just an itty -bitty place out in the country.

Oh, that was a joke?

You funny, Nikki.

She's a regular queen of comedy.

So how do you like L .A.? Oh, I love it. And Dale took me to Hollywood today,

and it was...

Louisiana.

Hello, Lurleen.

Tell me, are all the women in Louisiana as pretty as you?

Nice meeting you.

Did you hear that?

He said, nice meeting you. Back home, we'd be practically engaged.

Okay, Nikki, she's all yours.

I gotta go introduce the band.

do I start?

Girl, first your hair.

And your dress. And them Bama shoes, baby. They definitely have to go.

Shoot, I'll wear this outfit every Saturday night to the juke joint.

Really? Well, you's off the plantation now.

You's be free.

But don't worry, baby. I'll fix you up.

See, I already have a man. And I've been able to keep him for five years.

Really? How'd you do it?

do anything.

Great to sweat me off my feet.

He must be a strong fella.

Good evening, and welcome to Andell's.

Ladies and gentlemen, straight out of Santa Monica College, give it up for

Freestyle Unity!

I'd like to thank everybody for coming out, but before we get it popping up in

here, I'd like to introduce a very special guest in the audience.

He was the lead singer of the Cincinnati sensations and he's also my dad please

give a warm welcome mr thad radcliffe i

know you're not prepared for this but we would

like you to come up and sing your sensation pig no son i couldn't do that

we would all love to hear it that's right we won't take no for an answer

everybody

So sweet. Yeah.

Can you do something for me? Yeah.

Let me sing.

You up down here? Okay, I'm up. Okay.

This song bought a lot of diapers for tea when you was a baby, y 'all.

So I'm a little rusty, but y 'all bear with me. Take your time, cuddly bear.

No peeking. No peeking.

He's self -assured. Oh, you mean sleep with him on the first day?

Hey, I only did that twice.

Mm -hmm. In the same night.

Cousin, you'd be real popular in Lick Skillet.

Now, a man's got to respect you. And if he loves you enough, he'll whip.

My man did.

Yeah, he waited until he got drunk.

Uh -huh.

I'm feeling sexy looking good. I got it going on.

Hey,

you got a lot of work to do. So whatever that is, get rid of them.

No problem, no problem, no problem.

You know what?

Last night was great, but that's only the beginning, son.

I brought over some sheet music with the songs I want to add to our act.

You hear that, T? Your dad has a new song for our act.

It's going to be big, gang. I figured out a way to add my old school sound

the day hip -hop and R &B. It'll be like Daz.

Huh?

Daz. Daz was the mixture of disco and jazz.

Ours would be like a blend of hip -hop and funk.

So, we're going to do hip -punk.

Well, whatever we do, it's going to be fresh.

I always wanted to get back into this business, and now I get to do it with my

son.

So, what do y 'all think about Sensation Unity?

Sensation Unity.

It's tasting unity.

Yeah, sounds tight.

Real tight.

We don't talk to them about that.

Well, Marlene, I'm glad you had a good time. Oh, did I ever. In Lick's

we don't have fancy places like Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.

Okay. Well, it's been fun, but it's getting late. I better get home.

Girl, the professor's probably very sick about me. Now hurry up and down. Come

on, we gotta go.

Uh -uh. Don't rush me, Nikki.

I'm a businesswoman.

to tally my receipts. Well, that shouldn't take long.

Hello?

Oh, yes, of course I remember you.

Uh -huh.

Tomorrow at 8 sounds lovely.

Goodbye.

Hot diggity, I got a for real date with a for real man.

Oh, uh -huh, and it better not be that guy selling oranges, because I saw him

first.

parking lot while you two were upstairs getting liquor up. Oh, good.

Then, uh, the guy with the oranges is still available.

That's a damn shit.

Where is he?

He's late.

What if he changes mind?

What if he decided I'm too contrary?

What if he's one of those good -for -nothing gigolos that just loves him and

leaves him?

Um, what did y 'all do in that parking lot?

we have a mutual, uh, something.

Come on, let's get out of here.

Uh, just a minute, Professor.

I need to speak with Lorleen.

Yeah, well, uh, hurry up, because I don't want something showing up here.

I'll get the car.

What's going on, Andale?

Uh, did Nikki ever tell you she had a boyfriend?

She sure did. Some nice fella who's plum crazy about her. Well, her fella is

your fella.

But why would Stanley ask me out if you're dating Nikki?

Well, technically, they're not dating. But you just said that. I know, but

and the professor, they met five years ago, and it was love at first sight for

her. But she said he fell for her.

Well, see, you have to be inside Nikki's mind to understand that.

So she likes him, but he doesn't like her. Right.

So they don't really have a relationship.

Exactly. Then what are you trying to say, Ann Dale?

I'm trying to say... Girl, have a good time.

This is the new joint I've been working on. Okay. I was hoping we could open

with it at Andale's. Oh, we're not opening with a sensation song?

Come on, y 'all. I already apologized for the other day.

And night. We know. And we are glad that you agree. He just does not fit in with

our group. But I hope we didn't put you on the spot with him. Hey, I'm a man. I

handle my business.

It's going to be tight.

Hi, Ben.

Hey, gang.

late for rehearsal, but I spent all morning rummaging through my old show

and we're in luck.

You kids would probably say they was pimpin', but back in my day, they was

funky. They still funky.

Well, they'll be great for that.

You got to put a little more oomph into it.

Look, Dad, we're really tired. We've been doing this for over an hour.

Ooh, an hour.

Shoot. We used to rehearse eight hours straight with no bathroom breaks back in

my day.

T, would you kindly remind your father what day it is?

Dad, man, women can be hurt, even.

Listen, I didn't want to tell you this, but we might have to cut the girls

loose. Okay, that's it. We're out of here.

Come on, guys, wait.

Let him go. Let him go. I know it seems harsh, but sometimes in show business,

you got to make tough decisions, man.

I know.

That's why I hope you understand that this isn't going to work.

But I'm sure Kim and Stevie, they'll find another gig.

No, Dad.

Freestyle Unity is Kim, Stevie, and me.

Oh, so you mean you choosing them girls over me?

No, I'm just choosing to perform with them. Well, you know what?

I made a choice, too.

I was 18 years old when you were born, and I chose you.

If I would have stayed with the Sensations, I would have been on the

I would have never seen you.

So I gave up my career to raise my son, and it's the things I get.

What are you doing here?

We need to talk. Do you have a minute? Well, actually... I'm not comfortable

with you dating my cousin.

Nikki is my best friend, and when she finds out what's going on, you're going

kill her.

Then she's going to kill us.

Look, and you have nothing to feel guilty about.

Miss Parker and I do not have a relationship.

You know that, and I know that. But Nikki Parker don't know nothing about

I thought I smelled cheap perfume in your apartment.

But it's only Andell. Hey, girl, planning our engagement for us?

Hey, Andell.

Hey, Nikki.

What are you two doing here?

The question is, what are you doing here?

Oh, Lord, run, Marlene. Stanley and I are on a date. We're going to go play

tennis.

A date?

Nikki, I'm sorry if this is awkward for you, but it was my understanding that

you and Stanley were not dating.

And where exactly did you get a ridiculous, stupid idea like that? From

You know about this?

Nikki, I'm sorry. I was trying to protect you.

And then I felt so guilty, I came to talk to the professor.

Oh, okay.

I see.

You talk to your cousin.

You talk to the professor.

But you never talk to me.

You know how I feel about the professor.

I thought you were my best friend.

All right.

Ready to go?

I can't believe she chose that country bumpkin over me after all we've been

through and all I've done for her.

Nikki, we need to talk.

You got a lot of nerve coming here, you backstabbing, man -stealing Ivy. Nikki,

I broke up with Stanley.

Girl, welcome to my home. What's up?

Look,

I feel terrible, guilty, and downright ashamed.

My favorite cousin at home crying her eyes out, and I could see you suffering,

too.

You and Andell are best friends, and just want you to know Andell did try and

explain your relationship with Stanley.

She did?

Yep. It just didn't make any sense to me.

Well, I appreciate everything you've done, Lorraine.

Girl, I know it was hard giving up all that manhood.

Not really.

I already met somebody else.

And guess what?

He's a genuine, bona fide celebrity.

You're kidding.

Who is it? Jimmy J .J. Walker.

J .J. from Good Times?

Where on earth did you meet him? At the bus stop.

Hey,

Andal. Nikki.

What are you doing here?

You're not armed, are you?

No.

Girl, I'm sorry.

Lillian explained everything.

I'm sorry, too. I should have talked to you first, but I thought I could fix it

before you found out.

Friends.

Best friends.

Oh,

there's

Steve's dad.

Oh, I hope this works.

Yeah, I thought you were coming.

How could I stay away after Kim and Stevie told me how much you wanted me

in the group?

But I didn't. Son, son, son.

I'll always be grateful for you asking me back.

But the truth is, I should have never tried to force myself into your group.

No, I guess I was just trying to relive my glory days.

My time has passed.

I have no regrets for the choices I made.

Although one more hit would have been nice.

I'll catch you after the show.

This song is to my dad, Mr. Thad Rathliff.

The day has finally come where I can be a man, tell you how I feel, keep it

real. You understand?

I put it down with this rhyme to let you know what's in my heart and what's in

my mind. Yeah.

Never question, never have to ask why. I got you back. You're all I need to get

by. Don't want to wait for time. Today to call on the truth. Whatever happened

in the past got to cut it loose. You're all I need.

You're all I need in my life. You're all I need in my life.

Anything that's wrong.

You make me rock here.

I'm in love, baby.

I think I'm coming home early.

Cause girl, my body's yearning for what you did last

night.

Oh, when you did it.

Let me soothe your body.

Teeth are southern strong.

Don't want to tease your sugar. Come on.

We're gonna make it.