The groundbreaking show that helped launch a mini-series craze, “Roots,” based on the novel by Alex Haley, is one of the most watched series in television history, with nearly 100 million people watching just the end. Tyson often said that no matter what other roles she took, people would always know her as Binta, her “Roots” character. As the mother of Kunta Kinte, Tyson had only a few scenes, but they were essential to lay the foundations for the story, which helped make the ugliness of slavery real to a large audience.
Broadcast on DirecTV; buy in Amazon, Fandango Now, Google Play, Voodoo and Youtube.
‘Saturday Night Live’ (1979)
Before anyone could accuse Tyson of lack of humor on prestigious TV, she scoffed at her own image during her stint as the first black woman to perform “Saturday Night Live”. Because of the series’ lack of diversity at the time, this meant that she shared many skits (and a monologue) with the only black cast member at the time, Garrett Morris (who also did a Tyson impersonation). In their best parts, they playfully fight over racial issues – the act of decorating shop windows of symbolic minorities, the black resentment drama workshop. Bonus: Tyson sings!
Broadcast on Peacock and Hulu.
‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ (1991)
Like Sipsey, Tyson ends up being the secret weapon in a film that ostensibly talks about relationships between other women – a love and friendship story between Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth (Mary-Louise Parker), told by Ninny (Jessica Tandy ) to Evelyn (Kathy Bates), who is then inspired to change her own life. Sipsey is the maternal figure of his own family and also of a white family, and Tyson gives the character a silent ferocity that may surprise him. It certainly surprises the local Klansmen.
Rent in Amazon, Fandango Now, Google Play, iTunes, Voodoo and Youtube.
‘The Help’ (2011)
In this popular adaptation of the 2009 Kathryn Stockett novel, Tyson has to fight for attention in a cast full of celebrated (and Oscar-nominated) competition. She was successful in the end with her unforgettable portrait of Constantine, the beloved black maid and nanny who created the white girl Skeeter (Emma Stone), only to be tragically put aside. Despite Tyson’s brief screen time, his character stands out throughout the film – and it broke his heart at the end.