Original subtitles

- Charles. - 'I'll be there.'

But, Charles, you're supposed to be on stage right now.

'Look, I'll be there when I'm supposed to be there.'

- We've started. We're on-air. - We're on-air!

Whoa.

Wait, where's the makeup? Where's my hat?

Oh, no. What. What look? Welcome to the show.

You know a lot of people have asked me

why we're doing "Roc" live this year?

Well, our executives producers tell me

it's because we're the only cast

talented enough to pull it off.

Huh. Of course tonight is the Jewish New Years

and they're just looking to get presents.

So, I asked our production company.

And they said that "danger of doing it live

will excite the viewers like it did in 1950s."

Huh! Well, I said "You can say the same thing about

above ground atom bomb testing."

I don't see anybody bringing that back.

So, I asked the people at the Fox Network

and they said

"live TV is a highly promotable concept."

And I said, "Ha ha.

So what are you saying, it's just a gimmick?"

And then the telephone went dead.

Well, I'll tell you why I'm doing it live, because--

- '10 seconds.' - What'd you mean 10 seconds?

I don't get to my funny joke

until another 15 seconds.

- Five seconds. - Oh, man.

To hell with it! Enjoy the damn show.

Oh, man, I'm sick of this live thing.

Whose idea was this anyway?

♪ Them that's got shall have ♪

♪ Them that's not shall lose ♪

♪ So the Bible says ♪

♪ And it still is news ♪

♪ Mama may have ♪

♪ Papa may have ♪

♪ God bless the child that's got his own ♪

♪ Them that's got shall get ♪

♪ Them that's not shall lose ♪

♪ Them that's got shall get ♪

♪ Them that's not shall lose ♪

- Ugh! - Oh, man.

Mattman was safe, man. Umpire must be blind.

Ripken was standing on that bag so long, he outgrew his cleats.

Oh, man! Oh, man, I was really hoping

Baltimore'd make the playoffs this year.

Yeah, looks like the Toronto Blue Jays'

gonna wipe out that division, huh.

Yeah, man! 'Em damn Canadians.

First, we let them into our leagues

the next thing you know, they wanna vote

in our elections.

Something you've never done, Joey.

I beg to differ, Citizen Roc.

I just registered to vote today.

Well, it's about time. You should've voted four year ago.

Yeah, well, I would've, but I had more faith

in the rest of our country. Boy, did you all let me down.!

- Hey, everyone. - Hey.

Hey, pop. What's-what's the matter?

Oh, you're not gonna believe this.

On my way home from the bank, I just got robbed.

- Oh, man! Not again. - What? Pop, are you hurt?

No, I'm fine. I'm just frustrated.

Uh, something like this happens

and there's nothin' I can do about it.

Goddamn it, my father can't walk in his own neighborhood anymore.

Oh, not just me.

The same guy's ripping off other senior citizens.

Wait a minute now, pop, there might be somethin' you can do

about this. I just ran into Ronnie Paxton.

He could straighten this out in a hurry.

You know, Joey. That's a good idea.

Alright, now hold... Hold on, pop. Hold on.

When you bring in a guy like Ronnie, things happen.

And it maybe things you don't wanna live with, pop.

Oh, right? Better living with pop being robbed, huh?

- If I'd asked you a question-- - I was talking to him...

Hi, Ronnie?

Yeah, Andrew Emerson.

Uh, not too good. I just got robbed.

Any witnesses?

Well, uh...

...the cop sitting in the squad car across the street.

But, you know, how people are nowadays.

Nobody wants to get involved.

No, no, see. The Pirates already clenched it.

So I gotta put my money on them to go all the way.

Yes, that's worth my money. They got some serious power.

Oh, I'm still hanging in there with Devereux and my boys.

- They can get it next season. - Yeah, I hope so, baby.

But look, Oakland's got Eckersley.

The best relief pitcher in baseball.

Gone are the old days of the Negro league

we didn't need no sissy relief pitchers.

Man who started the game, finished the game.

Now, I once saw Satchel Paige pitch 26 consecutives innings.

- Oh, come on. Is that right? - Yeah, with a broken arm.

When the crowd gave him a standing ovation

he tipped his hat at 'em.

- With his foot. - Oh, daddy!

Daddy, I just love your Negro league stories.

Tell us about the hotdogs again.

Oh, they were just wonderful. 150% beef.

'He lied. He lied'

- Hey, hey, hey. - Hey.

What's going on? Look what we have here?

- My wallet! - Hey, alright!

- Ronnie, thank you, my man. - No problem.

- Oh, Ronnie, thanks. - No problem.

Now, your money wasn't in there

but the robbers was kind enough to donate some of his own.

- Haha. Yeah, everything's here. - Oh, yeah.

I don't know how to tell you

how much I appreciate this, Ronnie.

This guy isn't comin' looking for my father for revenge?

No, no, no. See, he won't be botherin' no more your friends.

Even a senior citizen can outrun a guy on crutches.

You know what I'm saying.

Hey, Ronnie, look, man. Let, let me buy you a drink, Ronnie.

Hey, Charlaine, a couple of beers

and bring over some peanuts.

What?

Did you know if you all had eaten before you came in here

you wouldn't have to fill up with these damn nuts.

Well, look, look. Thanks-thanks for helping my father.

You know that ain't no problem. That's my thing.

The way I see it, everybody in this neighborhood's

a big family. And if we don't look after each other, who will?

Yeah, you're right, but look, if something comes down

let it come down on me, not my old man.

Man, don't worry about it. It's already taken care of.

Besides, I thought you didn't like my approach.

Look, Ronnie, I understand why you do what you do, you know?

But you gotta be careful, man.

A lot of kids in the neighborhood look up to you.

I'm not just some old wild man on the loose

running around crazy. I see two brothers in a fight

handling their business, that's up to them.

Somebody stick up an old man like your pops

that's a whole another story.

Yeah, yeah. I'll say this much for you, you know.

Everyone talks about doing something...

...but you, you actually do it.

So do you. I mean if there's more brothers like yourself

there wouldn't even be a need for a man

like me, you know what I mean?

- That'll be two dollars. - Let me get this.

- No, I got it. You sure? - I got this here. Yeah.

Yeah. I like the way you look out for own.

Okay, thank you, I'll get the next round.

- Ain't no problem. - Don't you believe him, Ronnie.

Honey, Roc is so cheap, his dinner napkins at home

say "Charlaine's."

In fact, in older days...

...we had great power here.

I remember the time Josh Gibson hit a home run so far

the ball came back and hit the catcher

in the back of the head.

Oh, daddy, you're exaggerating.

He's lying, ain't he? Hey, hey, hey. Look.

Look who just walked in here?

- 'That's Miles Taylor.' - 'Who's Miles Taylor?'

Played, uh, short-staff for the Cleveland Buckeyes.

Um, now you're going into extra innings, pop.

Miles Taylor's one of the top keyboard players in the country.

Yeah, he used to tour with everybody.

He used to tour with Coltrane and Charlie Mingus.

Yeah, I heard he just retired.

Man, I'd give anything to work with that cat, boy.

That's just what you said about that bass player.

- What's his name? - Curtis Vincent.

- Yeah. - Yeah, man.

Wish I could get Miles to work with me and Curtis.

I didn't know you played in a band with Curtis.

Oh, Well. It's not exactly a band.

I played along with all of his records. Excuse me.

Hey, Miles, my man. How're you doing?

- Who are you? - I'm Joey Emerson.

And if you're wondering if that's Joey Emerson

the trumpet player the answer is yes.

Thanks for clearing that up, I was confusing you

with Joey Emerson the snot-nosed punk in my face.

Hey, hey, that was funny man.

I thought that you were serious for a second. Listen, uh...

I'm trying to put this band together, see, and--

I have retired. Any playing I do now is just for pleasure.

Well, what if I told you that Curtis Vincent was in the band?

- Curtis? Really? - Mm-hm.

- What you say your name is? - Name's Emerson.

Well, I'm known throughout Europe as Joey E.

Well, if you're in a band with Curtis, you must have chops.

Okay, one session. Just for the fun of it.

- That's all I'll commit to. - Okay, that's all I ask.

Thank you very much. Charlaine, can I use that pencil, please?

Alright, alright, sir, you come to this address...

...on Tuesday night. You won't be sorry.

See, I'm experimenting with classic jazz improvisation

fused with Afro-Caribbean rhythm.

I hate that kind of stuff.

Yeah, yeah, me too. Uh, excuse me.

Mm.

Mm!

Oh-cha, please.

No, she didn't. No.

Yes, she did.

- Gone girl! - Hey, Eleanor.

- Eleanor. Elean- - Hush, baby.

Oh, come on, Eleanor, what's so special

about that book you can't put it down?

Roc, you wouldn't be interested.

- Well, try me. - Okay.

- It's about four women. - That's alright. I don't...

I don't wanna hear it. I don't wanna hear it.

Don't count on me being much company tonight, Roc

'cause I'm way too deep in this book.

Well, don't worry. I'm going out with Ronnie Paxton.

Again? Uh, that's nice, Roc.

Haven't you and Ronnie been hanging out a lot lately?

Well, yeah. Yeah, I guess so. Yeah.

Alright, that's him, sweetheart. I gotta go.

Alright. Have fun.

Be careful now.

- Oh, hi, Eleanor. - Hey, daddy.

- Daddy. - Uh-huh.

- Uh, let me ask you a question. - Uh-huh.

Should I be so concerned that Roc is getting

so tight with Ronnie?

- What do you mean? - Well, look...

I know Ronnie does what the police don't do and we need him.

But he leads a very dangerous life.

If Roc starts running around with Ronnie Paxton

who knows what's gonna happen to him?

Well, Eleanor, he's just hanging out.

Huh, you see...

...it's exciting for Roc to be with a guy like Ronnie.

- It's a macho fantasy. - Hmm.

You know, taking out the bad guys.

Kinda like Danny Glover in those "Lethal Weapon"movies

but without the skinny little white boy taggin' along.

Oh, daddy.

Oh, well, I guess you're right.

You know, Roc can take care of himself.

I guess I'm just thinking too hard on all this, huh?

Yeah.

Well, who could that be? I'll get it.

Okay.

If that's another one of them buffies

campainin' for Bush I'm going to tell 'em

to try movin' into this neighborhood

then we'll see who they will vote for.

- Yeah. - Hello.

We're looking for Ronnie Paxton.

'We heard he comes around here sometimes.'

- He's not here right now. - Do you know where he is?

- No. I don't. - Okay, we'll, uh...

We'll track him down. Sorry to bother you.

Yeah, right.

- Goodbye. - Bye.

Track him down?

"Roc Live" will continue in a moment.

- What do you think, pop? - Oh, I think it was terrific.

Pop, now, just praising me is not gonna help now.

If I'm gonna get good, I need you to be straight with me.

So, look me in the eye, don't pull any punches. How was I?

- I think you were terrific. - Thank you for your honesty.

I'll get it.

♪ Pa pum pum pum ♪

- Hey. - Hey.

Curtis, my man, glad you could make it.

- Come on in - Yeah, where's Miles?

Now, you said he'd be here. I know you, Joey--

No, no, no. Miles'll be here, man.

He said he always wanted to form a band with me.

But I told him I said, "If we can't get Curtis Vincent

we might as well pack up horns and flip burgers for a livin'."

- Oh, well. - Hey, hey, Curtis?

I want you to meet my father. This is Andrew Emerson.

Curtis Vincent, yeah, I saw you playing

at the Village Vanguard in 1947.

Yeah, yeah, that was the open for Thelonious Monk.

- Monk was playin'? - Mm-hmm.

I knew I shouldn't have left early with that woman.

Of course, I married that woman.

- But still... Monk? - Mm-hm.

Damn!

Excuse me.

- 'Oh, man.' - 'Yeah.'

Hey, Miles, my man. How you doin'?

Come on in, please. Alright.

Hey, this is my father Andrew Emerson.

Good to know you.

Man, I feel like I'm reliving

the Harlem renaissance.

Yeah, I saw you play at The Savoy in 1953.

- Is that so? - Yeah.

Glad to see your acne cleared up.

Uh...

...and of course you know Mr. Curtis Vincent, right?

It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.

Same here, same here.

- I'm a big fan of yours. - Alright, alright.

We all big fans of each other. That's good. We're cooking now.

And I'm the chef, so, let's get it together

and let me saute some sounds.

You know, I hope you're a good horn player, kid

because as a human being you're getting on my nerve.

You hope he's a good horn player?

If you never heard him, how come you're so hot to work with him?

Well, I don't give a rat's rear whether I work with him.

- I just want to work with you. - Same here.

Well, then this is a dream come true for everybody, huh?

Well, I'm sorry, I'm getting a little misty here.

'Yeah, right.'

Oh, I see what's going on. You scammed us.

I quit the business 'cause I was sick of these hustles.

I'm back to my original plan, I'm retiring.

- If you're out, I'm out. - Good.

- Come on over to my place. - Hold on, hold on. Uh...

Hey, Miles, hey, Mi... Hey, Curtis...

Okay. Hold on, wait, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Okay, alright, alright. I lied to you, okay?

Okay, maybe you don't like me for that, okay.

But if you guys quit playin', you're not just hurting me

you're hurting a whole generation of young people

who'd be denied the great Jazz music that you play, man.

Because, see ...you have an obligation, man

to inspire the Miles Davis' of tomorrow.

So, if you quit playing, man

you let your whole musical heritage die.

- Son... - 'Hm?'

That is the biggest crock of horse manure I ever heard.

Yeah? He's slinging it, alright.

But every band needs someone who can do that.

Now, let him put his talent for manure to work for you. Well?

Man, you know, he got a point there.

Because a good music promoter is a lion conniving phony.

Well, my boy is that and more.

Uh, thanks, pop. Alright. Uh, uh, l-l-look here, look here.

I'll-I'll handle the gigs, okay? I'll deal with the club owners.

All you guys got to do, you gotta show up and play.

- What the hell. - Fine.

Alright, alright, alright, we're on our way now, yeah.

Hey, hey, let's have a group hug, huh?

Okay, we'll, we'll do that later.

Let's see what you got first, kid.

- A train in B-flat. - Mm-hmm.

- See if you can keep up. - 'Yes, sir.'

A one, a two, a you know what to do.

Who cares? I got my own problems.

Roc! Oh, good. Baby, thank God you're home.

Why? What's the matter?

Roc, some mean, big-looking guys

came to the door tonight looking for Ronnie.

Wh-wh-what did they do? They threatened you?

No, no, they didn't but when I told them

I didn't know where Ronnie was they said

they was gonna track him down.

Roc, I didn't know what they'd do to you

if they caught up with you guys.

Oh, sweetheart, come on, it's okay, I'm home now

safe and sound. It's alright, it's fine.

- Come on. It's alright. - Hey, you alright.

Oh, baby. I've been worried all night.

- How could you do this to me? - What?

Do you know what it is like to sit up all night

wondering if you ever going to see your husband again?

I hope you had a good time tonight, Roc

'cause I was worried half to death.

Did you? Did you enjoy yourself tonight?

W-well, yeah... Well, no.

I mean w-which answer's gonna keep me

from sleeping on the couch tonight?

Roc, there's only one answer to that question.

And that's that you're going to stop

hanging out with Ronnie Paxton.

Eleanor, don't go tellin' me who to be friends with.

Roc, that man's gonna make me a widow.

Oh, Eleanor, you're overreacting.

I'm not going out with Ronnie when he's doing his business.

We're just having a good time.

Suppose those guys tonight were gangsters out looking

to get even with Ronnie 'cause he done somethin'.

Oh, Eleanor, I've nothing to do with that.

Like they're gonna bother to ask you

before they blow your head off.

Okay, okay.

Well, we're stuck here, I see.

Yeah, looks like we are.

I don't wanna give in and you don't wanna give in.

- That's right. - Oh, come on, give in.

Roc, I'm sorry, I'm not going to change my mind about this.

Well, neither am I.

Yes, you will. Goodnight.

Now look, just-just because you got in the last word

doesn't mean I'm paying any attention to it.

- Yes, you are. - No, I'm not.

I know better.

Yeah, well, we'll see about that.

You know, this ain't over, you know, a-a-and if you think

you're gonna hold off on sex

you know, 'cause well, you know, well, two can play that game.

That's right, huh?

Hey! Hey, Ronnie, what're you doing here?

Got all way round the corner and realized

you left your jacket in my car.

- Oh! Well, thanks, man. Hey. - Yeah.

- You wanna come in? - No, I'm gonna go to the house.

- Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. - Alright.

On second thought, I think I'll come in for a sec.

Oh, okay. Well, I'll get you a drink.

No, that's alright, uh, is it cool

if I pull this window shade down, Roc?

Well, uh, sure. Yeah, yeah.

And, uh, while we're at it why don't we get

this little window.

- Like that? - Wait a minute, Ronnie.

You're not being straight with me now. What's-what's happening?

Look, if I'm straight with you, I'm involving with you.

well, you're in my house, so you're already involving me.

What's up, man? You want me to leave?

Well, you know, I-I don't want to go your funeral.

Who said you was invited?

Um, t-they're getting in the car...

...and they're moving...

...and now they are gone.

And I'm out of here. Thanks.

Wait a minute, Ronnie, wait a minute. Hold on, hold on.

Now, if we're going to remain friends...

...I can't have you come in to my home

putting my family in danger like this.

There already has been a couple of serious looking guys

coming around here looking for you.

This is how it's gonna go...

...from now on, we meet somewhere else.

My house is off limits.

You got it?

You're right, man.

- Peace. - Alright.

- Well, watch your back now. - Yeah.

I'll see you around at Charlaine's, huh?

- Alright. Take care. - Yeah.

'Roc, honey, you coming to bed?'

Oh, yeah, I-I'm just locking up, Eleanor. Everything's alright.

'Don't forget to put the chain on the door.'

Oh, it's alright, sweetheart. I'm just, you know...

Everything's fine. Don't worry about anything.

Don't worry about nothing, Eleanor. Everything's okay.

Everything's alright, sweetheart.

Everything's fine.

There's more "Roc Live" after these messages.

So, Nevada and I would get all jazzed up

and get on the train to New York

And we jitterbug at The Renaissance all night long.

Yeah, you know, I used to play at The Renaissance.

- Seriously? - Yeah.

I remember this cute little cigarette girl, uh...

- ...named Wondra. - Yeah.

Whoo!

Had a booty that would stop a clock.

I can hear her now. "Cigars, cigarette, Tiparillo."

Yeah.

I owe my life to that girl.

Because of her, Loretta made me give up smoking.

Hey, uh...

...how much long I gotta keep practicing?

Well, until you get great, kid.

You see, right now...

...you're just good.

Okay.

Alright, "just good." What does he know?

I gotta broken watch that keep better time than you do.

Hey, uh, you really think I'm good?

You're okay.

Yes!