Alyssa Drake
Staff Writer
The world renowned 80’s boy band New Edition was recently honored in a biopic that displayed their astonishing struggle to stardom.
The widely anticipated three part series premiered on BET on Jan. 24 – 26. Fans from all across the world rejoiced and relived the magical memories of the popular boy band. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook were filled with posts about the cast and how realistic the whole experience seemed.
The audience was given an inside look at the rise to fame for the famous group, while also getting a look at the individual struggles each battled.
One of the reasons the show was so successful was the realistic casting. The cast included: Luke James as Johnny Gill, Woody McClain as Bobby Brown, Elijah Kelley as Ricky Bell, Bryshere Y. Gray as Michael Bivins, Algee Smith as Ralph Tresvant and Keith Powers as Ronnie Devoe.
In Part 1, Ralph, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike are introduced as childhood friends who reluctantly enter the world of entertainment.
Brooke Payne, introduced as the group’s first manager and creator of the New Edition moniker, brings in their fifth member, his nephew Ronnie.
Viewers were treated to very realistic renditions of hit songs: “Candy Girl” and “Cool it Now”, but were shocked to learn that although the group was topping both R&B and pop charts, they did so with very little compensation, remaining in the “projects” for most of the beginning of their music domination.
The financial struggles of the young boys and the disillusionment that they and their parents faced with record companies and music management that took advantage of the group was front and center. It is not until later in their careers that they began to reap the benefits of their hard work and dedication.
Part 2 shed light on the boy’s teenage lives and how money, drugs and women began to cloud their judgement. Still, the movie gave the fans what they wanted; music, including a rendition of the chart topping “Mr. Telephone Man”.
Disputes between Mike and Bobby and also Ralph and Bobby’s desire to go solo were shown in this segment. While under new management, not only does Bobby’s obsession with the fast life cause him to become a father early, but his bad boy lifestyle included hard core drugs. A brawl between the members at a live performance ultimately gets Bobby voted out of the group.
This decision, however, catapults him into a very sucessful solo career.
During the most anticipated Part 3, viewers are given a look into the adult life of the members and also the addition of R&B crooner Johnny Gill. This segment included some of the band’s later songs including, “If It Isn’t Love”. It also includes a remake of Bobby Brown’s top hit, “My Perogative”.
Bell’s struggle with drugs and alcohol, the Home Again reunion tour that included New Edition, Bobby Brown Bel Biv Devoe and 90’s superstar Al B Sure and Ralph’s less than perfect attempt at a solo career are explored.
Ending on a positive note, fans see all the members reunite to celebrate Devoe’s marriage, putting the animosity of the past behind them.
I thought that BET really did a good job with the New Edition movie. If I could watch it one more time, I would,” said Morris Bowman, a senior history major from Itta Bena, Miss.
Breaking the cycle of horrible biopics, BET hits the mark with “New Edition” movie.
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