Music quiz show is all set for new run on TV

FRIDAY, JAN. 6: As you can see from my photo by-line, I’m white. And I’m an expat.

I say that because the other day I heard a report by UBP stalwart Kim Swan about how whites need to walk toward blacks in an effort to wipe away the great race divide which permeates, sadly, every part of the Bermuda culture — especially at the polling booths.

He also said whites need to work toward socializing better with the black community. Nothing is wrong with his call because unity of social structure, thought and friendship, needs to occur in all aspects of Bermuda life.

So, I thought I would point out that my show Songopoly is on target to doing just that. I am walking toward Mr Swan’s vision because Songopoly, which returns to the TV airwaves next Monday 9 January on VSB TV 11 at prime time, is produced and directed by my friend, Lamone Woods. And he is black.

And I must say he is extremely proficient, very easy to work with and is doing a first class job in helping to make Songopoly a television show we can all be proud of when it’s introduced overseas on the international stage.

You will see, as a result of his expertise, a better, revamped, revitalized TV show.

I told him I was going to write this story about our different pigmentation in light of Mr Swan’s comments to show it has nothing whatsoever to do with our working relationship. And he was happy. “Man, you should do it,” he encouraged.

Lamone runs the Bermuda Sports Network which airs on CableVision Channel 82.

We came to know each other through my love of and involvement in swimming, and his network filmed the recent Roy Allan-Burch Relay Race which was conducted during the inaugural Bermuda Masters National Swimming Age Group Championships.

Lamone did a super job in the wet and freezing conditions that night and from the three Songopoly episodes we have already recorded for Season Two, I know his talents are outstanding.

Work ethic

But talent aside, the real point is to take a closer look at what unites us as well as what divides us.

Take Lamone’s work ethic and attitude toward workmates, for example. And mine, too. Both are exemplary. Kim Swan pointed out the recent MindMaps polls showed whites votes en block — he used the stat that 88 per cent of white Bermudians would vote against the PLP, and that was troubling him.

Maybe it had something to do with the past atrocities committed because white and blacks couldn’t work side by side. Who knows?

Prior to going public during the week, Mr Swan brought a motion to Parliament calling for a TRC. It reads: “That this Honourable House take note of the benefits of establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address the existence of racism and encourage the people of Bermuda to work towards overcoming the legacy of our past.”

So what is the truth part? Is it that racism exists in Bermuda? Or is it to do with white attitudes toward black workmates? Or black attitudes toward white workmates? Or both?
If it is the first, okay, bigotry and racism exist. I need only look at the fact someone tried, through governmental channels, to take Songopoly from me because I wasn’t Bermudian.

VSB and I fought the ridiculousness of that attempted coup, which reared its head after Season One, and we won — hence we are back on air next week.

But it hurt the show’s coffers as I lost advertisers who wanted to be seen before Christmas. And, it hurt on a personal level because it was simply unfair. Which is a major component of bigotry.

If Mr Swan’s point was about working and living side by side harmoniously, then I can tell you it can and does work. Lamone and I are an example. He’s 6’ 3” bald and black. I’m 5’ 10” blonde and white, yet in Lamone’s exact words, “You know, you and I seem to be on the exact page all the time about this show.” And he’s correct.

You can see the fruits of our working relationship and mutual respect for one another’s abilities starting on Monday evening.

And the show, should you miss an episode here and there, will also be seen on BSN on rotation.

Please watch — because, appropriately for a TV Game Show based on music trivia, in the words of the late Michael Jackson, “it don’t matter if you’re black or white”.

Ric Chapman is Executive Producer of SONGOPOLY TV. The show returns to TV on Monday, January 9 on VSB TV 11 at 8pm.