Original subtitles

Let's see, it's a triple‐word score.

I get double letters here, and here for a grand total

of 21 points. Booyah.

I don't think we can accept E‐I‐E‐I‐O.

Come on now, we let you get away with "Peanutiness."

The way I see it, you E‐I‐E‐I owe me 21 points.

[imitates gasp]

Oh, my God.

There was big drama at choir rehearsal today.

The reverend's wife and the choir director

almost came to blows.

You see, Ms. Taylor wanted the play "Refrain Adagio," right?

But Clarence insisted that we played "Allegro."

Then he accused her of havin' no taste

put on his fake zebra skin jacket with the matching hat..

And stormed out.

And the timing could not be worse.

I mean, the church's 50th anniversary is only a week away.

B‐b‐but the choir has to perform!

This is a big event.

And I have the honor of directing our church members

and their guests to their parking spaces.

After three years of preparing Tang for the Sunday School

without nary a gritty glass served

they finally realized my baby got skill.

Workout, mama!

'Workout, baby!'

♪ We are living ♪ ♪ Hey ♪

♪ Single ♪

♪ Ooh in a 90s kind of world ♪

♪ I'm glad I got my girls ♪

♪ Keep your head up ♪ ♪ What? ♪

♪ Keep your head up ♪ ♪ That's right ♪

♪ Whenever this life get tough you gotta fight ♪

♪ With my home girls standing to my left and my right ♪

♪ True blue it's tight like glue ♪

♪ We are living ♪ ♪ Check check check it out ♪

♪ Check check check it out ♪ ♪ Single ♪

♪ What you want no free position ♪

♪ Haaa ♪

[knock on door]

(Khadijah) 'Reverend Taylor!'

'Hi, how you doin'?'

Well, praise the Lord!

[chuckles]

I'm here on a musical mission from God.

It seems that, uh, our choir director

has given me an ultimatum

that either Mrs. Taylor goes or he goes. Heh‐heh.

And since Clarence can't probably compete with my wife's

candied sweet potato pancakes

well, our ship of song has

hit a reef of silence.

Well, you know, Kyle directed

the college choir.

Oh, come on, Overton. Don't brag in front of the reverend.

You know, a state championship three years running.

[chuckling] Well, I'm already there.

Heh. Well, Brother Kyle, what do you say?

You‐you have the experience and the talent

and your robe is always so neatly pressed.

Well, now, what you say?

Reverend, you know, I'm, I'm really flattered

but I'm just so busy at work that‐‐.

Yeah. I‐I, I, I‐I beg your pardon.

Yeah, y‐you're too busy for God?

Too busy for God.

(Reverend Taylor) 'Well..'

what if God was too busy

to breathe life into your body?

‐ Hm? ‐ Well?

Well, come on.

Well, see, reverend, I'm working on this huge project‐‐.

Huge project? Let me see, a‐are you creating the universe?

Oh, no, no, no.

I believe that was, uh..

God!

Yes, it was, yes, it was, tell him.

Okay, o‐okay fine.

I guess I can eke out some time from my schedule.

Thank you, Brother Kyle.

If the church is the house of the Lord, well, today

this apartment is, is, God's own gazebo.

[chuckles]

And Khadijah!

It seems to be quite some time

since you ventured forth

from the gazebo to visit the, the big house on the hill.

[chuckles]

What's up with that?

Well, T, well, now, well, what had happened was..

‐ 'Come on.' ‐ See, well, rev..

Alright, like, every time I go there

there's never enough seats.

That's why they added the 200‐seat annex

a year and a half ago.

A year and a half ago?

Really?

[indistinct chatter]

Well, I, I hope to see you in church on Sunday..

At any one of our six convenient services.

[laughs]

Y'all have a blessed day.

‐ 'See you, reverend.' ‐ 'Yes, sir.'

[sighing] Six services?

When did they start that?

(all) Two years ago.

Well, I guess I better go find my Bible..

And a dress.

You know, Kyle

with Clarence gone, we finally have a choir director

who's not gonna play favorites.

So, now you can give the solo to your favorite, moi.

Regine, how noble of you.

Volunteering in an emergency

simply because it will give you center stage.

[chuckles]

You know, there's, there's nothing more fulfilling

for a singer than to raise her lone voice to God

to let him hear her joyful noise.

Okay, fine, Regine, if it means that much

to you, the solo is yours.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, my God. Did anybody hear that?

It sounded like the bursting of a thousand eardrums!

(Kyle) 'One, two..'

[piano music]

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ In God ♪

♪ There has never been a time in my life ♪

♪ When he let me fall ♪

♪ There has never been a time ♪

♪ When he did not answer my call ♪

Hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it.

Uh, Ms. Taylor, can we, um

can you please give us that note again?

Sure I can.

[mutters] Not that it'll help.

[taps note repeatedly]

♪ Ahh ♪

♪ Ahhhhhh ♪

♪ Ahhh ♪

Okay, let's take it from the solo.

'One, two, one!'

[piano music]

♪ There has never been a time‐‐ ♪

Wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait.

Excuse me. Sometimes it's easier

to hear the key if someone sings it.

♪ There's never been a time in my life ♪

♪ When he's let me fall ♪

♪ There's never been a time ♪

♪ When he did not answer ♪

♪ My call ♪

[applause and cheering]

That's delightful.

But we're trying to rehearse and you're crowding the soloist.

Uh, hello. Rehearsal.

House of God. Okay?

Ms. Taylor, can we try that again?

‐ Do we have to? ‐ One, two. One, two..

♪ There's never been a time in my life.. ♪

Stop, stop, stop.

[singing off‐key]

People, I think we're all just about sung out for today

so, let's just call it quits, alright?

Alright. Hey, people, good rehearsal, alright?

Now, remember, practice, practice, practice.

What you preach.

Regine..

I'm sorry if I was out of line

but sometimes, I feel the spirit

and I can't hold back.

Well, perhaps next time you can find

the spirit of silence.

Ah, LaTrice, LaTrice.

Um, we really appreciate your input

because that's what this group is all about.

You know, fellowship through song, right?

Amen, Brother Barker.

‐ Goodnight. ‐ Goodnight.

[mimics] "Goodnight."

Mmm. Poor thing.

Whoo! Some people just fiend for the spotlight.

Ah, smooches.

Hey, man, now, how could you be in the choir with that girl

for three years and not know she couldn't sing?

Overton, I never heard her sing unaccompanied.

Only with the other altos.

But alone

in the terrible silence..

Well, if she's as bad as you say she is

I say you owe it to her to just snatch her dream away.

Man, Regine's my friend. She's got her heart set on this solo.

And she stinks, man!

Well, better she hear it from one choir director

than 400 angry Christians.

"Stone her!"

♪ La‐la‐la‐la‐la‐la‐la ♪

[humming]

♪ La‐la‐la‐la‐la‐la.. ♪

Okay, okay. Check this out.

I‐I‐I was thinkin' about wearing this dress

to church on Sunday.

Uh‐huh? Ha‐ha.

Ha‐ha, it talked to me.

Doesn't it just holler, "Spirit‐filled and righteous?"

Actually, it hollers, "Take me back

to the thrift shop where I belong!"

Khadijah, why are you makin' such a big deal out of this?

Just put on some pantyhose and go!

Come on, now. You know how they treat people

who haven't been to church in a while.

Get all up in your business.

Ask you where you been

and when you sold your soul.

Oh, girl, please. Stop worryin', alright?

Just walk in with me. I'll deflect all the attention.

Uh‐uh. After two years on the down low

I am not tryin' to show up late.

I will be on time and in the front row.

[laughs]

And with my well‐worn Bible..

That I just got from the Salvation Army store.

Khadijah, who gives a horse's biscuit

what other people think?

Your spirituality is between you and God.

I can't believe you're trying to advise me on this church thing.

I go more than you do.

Well, you have more to repent.

Hey‐hey. Oh, Regine.

Um, can I talk to you a minute in private?

Sure, as long as these two leave.

Get out.

I gotta go study my Bible, anyway.

I'mma need four different color highlighters

to, you know, make it look like I really been reading this.

Ooh, hey, Kyle, you know what I was thinki'

I got some new ideas for the solo.

Let me get my sheet music and I'll be right back.

I got a little sheet music

that could use a little lookin' over.

[sniffs]

Well, perhaps I'll stop by later

and, uh, bring my instruments.

‐ Oh, what you said? ‐ Rrrr!

Rargh!

Okay, Kyle.

I was thinkin' if I let a‐‐.

Uh, Regine, Regine.

Um, I don't know how to put this delicately.

So, um.. I can't give you the solo.

What? Why not?

[doorbell dings]

Regine, hi. I was looking for Kyle

'but I was hoping I'd see you, too.'

It takes a special person to know their strengths

and to accept their weaknesses.

What the hell you talkin' about?

I'm talkin' about me doing the solo.

What solo.. My solo?

[chuckles]

Yeah, see, um, I was gettin' to that.

I gave LaTrice, uh, your solo.

This is probably an awkward time for me

to give you my voice teacher's card.

You..

Don't need it, hear?

Sing the solo! Sing till your lungs fall out!

[door slams]

♪ We will never fail you ♪

Hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it.

Okay, uh, we're gonna take it back to the top of the vamp.

Altos, I need you to come in a little bit stronger, okay?

Sorry, I'm late. But not really.

Take five, everybody.

Regine, we have to talk about why I took your solo.

The truth is‐‐.

You sold me out to get with LaTrice.

There's nothin' else to talk about.

Fine. You believe what you like, alright?

Alright, people. Come on, come on.

'Let's take it back to the top.'

One, two. One, two..

[instrumental music]

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ In God ♪

♪ There's never been a time in my life ♪

♪ When he's let me fall ♪

♪ Well well well well ♪

[Regine singing off‐key]

Regine, um, can you come in

only during the chorus, please?

I'll do you one better. I'll come in never.

Fine by me. Look, Ms. Taylor, let's go.

‐ One.. ‐ Regine, wait, wait, wait.

I didn't realize how important this solo was to you.

Important enough for you to flirt

with Kyle and steal it away.

I wasn't flirting

at least not for a solo.

Why don't you do it?

I don't need your handouts.

‐ Fine, then I'll sing it. ‐ I'll do it.

Just wanted you to be clear on how I felt.

Your soloist is ready whenever you are.

Mr. Choir Director, sir!

One, two. One, two..

[instrumental music]

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ In God ♪

♪ There's never been a time in my life ♪

♪ When he let me fall ♪

♪ There's never a time when he.. ♪

Hey, how's Bible study going?

Cool. Moses is at the burning bush.

But, see, I ain't got to read that part

'cause I saw the movie.

Order has been restored to our universe.

Our Miss LaTrice realized that I, in fact

have a musical gift

that should be shared with the entire congregation.

You mean, you pouted and whined and made her feel guilty

so she just gave it to you, you little brat.

Whatever.

Regine. Sit down, please.

[sighs] The time has come

for you to hear something.

Now, it may not be pretty.

It may make you scared.

But I'm doing this as a friend.

(Overton on tape) 'Excuse me, ma'am. My car broke down.

May I use your phone?'

(Synclaire) 'Why, you look pretty sweaty'

'like you could use a hot shower.'

(Overton) 'I hurt my hand and I can't lather myself.'

'What to do?'

Oh, that's the wrong stuff.

Let's pretend that that didn't happen.

We're gonna flip this bad boy over.

Edit that out.

Here. And now, enjoy.

♪ He'll catch you when you fall ♪

♪ Be there when you call ♪

♪ Just have faith ♪

♪ He'll be right there ♪

That sounds almost exactly like me

except off‐key.

Tragically, it's both.

I recorded you while you were in the bathroom.

Which is the only place you should ever be allowed to sing.

Well, obviously, I'm just a little rusty.

Now, after I, after I practice

I'm sure I'll be just fine for tomorrow's performance

even if I have to practice all night.

♪ La‐la‐la‐la‐la‐la‐la‐la ♪

[humming]

Oh, my God! That voice!

My God!

My God, why hast thou forsaken me?

I guess that's what happens when you don't go

to church for two years.

Ha‐ha‐ha. The prodigal daughter have returned.

And she's early.

Oh, you know, I'm just anxious to get in the word.

[chuckles]

Well, my, my, my, look at that Bible.

[chuckles]

With its well‐worn pages

and rainbow highlights.

It's mine.

Alright.

"To Betty. From mama."

Well, what happened was, I‐I got it from my mother..

Betty..

Who got it from her mama.

Alright, I just bought it.

I don't know what happened, rev.

One minute, I was skipping a service here and there

to get some sleep or to go to work

and next thing I know

a week, a month

two years had passed, rev.

I'm a heathen. I'm a heathen.

‐ Now, now, now. ‐ I'm a heathen.

The important thing is, is that you're here now.

Right?

What, that's it?

No fire, no brimstone?

[laughs]

No "Where the hell you been?"

Oops.

Yeah, I think you ought to quit while you're ahead.

Here, you just sit tight.

It's gonna be a lovely service.

[chuckles]

[chuckling] Thank you, rev.

He must not know Regine is singin'.

Khadijah James?

Lord, I haven't seen you here in a while.

Where you been?

What happened was..

[instrumental music]

You guys, I practiced so much last night

I got laryngitis.

Oh, how awful.

No, not really.

Regine, put your robe on.

‐ We're gettin' ready to start. ‐ I can't sing.

And?

I lost my voice.

Nice try, Sister Regine.

But you kicked and screamed to get this solo

so, you get up there and you sing proud, okay?

Come on.

[laughs]

One, two. One two..

[instrumental music]

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ In God ♪

♪ There.. ♪

♪ There.. ♪

♪ There's never been a time in my life ♪

♪ When he let me fall ♪

♪ There's never been a time ♪

♪ When he did not answer my call ♪

♪ No ♪

♪ He will never fail you ♪

♪ If you believe if you believe ♪

♪ He will ♪

♪ He will never fail you ♪

♪ No ♪

♪ You can believe what he said is true ♪

♪ He'll hear you when you call ♪

♪ Catch you when you fall ♪

♪ Just have faith he'll be right there ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ No no no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ No no no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ He's always there ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ So much joy ♪

♪ So much peace ♪

♪ So much love ♪

♪ Yes it is yes it is ♪

♪ Yes it is yes it is ♪

♪ No no no no no no no ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ In God ♪

♪ Ohhh ♪

♪ Hear you when you call ♪

♪ Catch you when you fall ♪

♪ Ohhh ♪

[LaTrice scatting]

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ No no ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ No no no no no ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ No no no no failure ♪

♪ There is no failure ♪

♪ To the real God ♪

♪ In God ♪

[applause and cheering]

Hallelujah!

[theme music]

Woo‐hoo!

[woman chuckling]