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Rhythm & Blues Day

Rhythm & Blues Day, Hairspray (2007)

"I'm Motormouth Maybelle remindin' the last Tuesday of this month's your Rhythm and Blues Day. That's right! Negro Day will be comin' your way."

-Motormouth Maybelle, Hairspray (2007)

Officially known as Rhythm and Blues Day, but almost exclusively called "Negro Day". This is a special episode of The Corny Collins Show that takes place on the last Tuesday of each month. Because WYZT is still segregated, Negro Day is the only day of the month that The Corny Collins Show features people of color.

As the host, Motormouth Maybelle does her best to spotlight local black talent, even when it risks upsetting the station manager.

Plot[]

In one altercation, Velma Von Tussle is upset that The Dynamites performed, "The New Girl in Town," because her daughter, Amber Von Tussle, had performed a version of the same song earlier in the week. Stunned, Maybelle just responds, "but they wrote it." This alludes to several instances throughout the early 20th century where white artists took credit for songs (and dances) that black artists originated. Despite Velma's attempts to steal it, Maybelle makes sure that The Dynamites are able to perform their original version.

Motormouth Maybelle and the Negro Day dancers are forced to put up with racism from all sides, including from their sponsor, Nap-A-Way. (When Maybelle sees who the sponsor of the show is that day, her face falters before she grits out, "Nap-A-Way. For stubborn hair. Every kink will be gone in a blink." Even members of the cast struggle to keep smiling as they are forced to promote the hair relaxer, a controversial hair care item aimed at black people that in the real world often caused chemical burns and other medical issues.

Later in the show, Negro Day is cancelled by Velma, leading to mass protests calling for TV integration. At the end of Hairspray, The Corny Collins Show is officially integrated, ending Negro Day.

Dancers[]

Rhythm and Blues Day has its own cast of dancers, all of a similar age range to the rest of The Corny Collins Show cast. In most versions of Hairspray, these dancers are first introduced to the audience when Tracy goes to detention.

Much like their white counterparts on The Corny Collins Show, the names and number of dancers vary by version. For example, in the 1988 film, only 3 members of the R&B Day cast are named. Furthermore, there are differences between stage productions of the musical, with the original Broadway Production and West End production, being used as the standard.

1988 Film 2007 Film Musical Live Special
Seaweed J. Stubbs Seaweed J. Stubbs Seaweed J. Stubbs Seaweed J. Stubbs
Nadine Carver Pearl Pearl * Pearl
Duane Gilbert Gilbert
Hoo Hoo Lorraine Lorraine
Janetta Thad Thad
Little Mo Peaches Peaches
Jermaine James
Rhonda Jackie
Skillet
Stooie
Tyrone

*Pearl appears in the West End production as both a dancer and a Dynamite. However, she was not a named character in the original Broadway production.

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