Aretha Franklin: Duets

April 07, 2024

Four-hour AIDS benefit concert has been telescoped to approximately 45 minutes for Fox special; it isn't enough.

Four-hour AIDS benefit concert has been telescoped to approximately 45 minutes for Fox special; it isn’t enough.

Taped late last month at the Nederlander Theater in Gotham, show brought Franklin together with a stellar assemblage of longtime admirers, who paired up with the singer in various combinations.

Result is somewhere between what one might see on a conventional network and a cable special. Producer Ken Ehrlich refreshingly de-emphasizes the “production values” that a network might force on such a program, but there is enough nonsense to separate it from a high-quality cable show.

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Most obvious example is a roll-call of celebrity presenters — three of whom couldn’t be bothered to show up for the concert — with none of them having much to say of any significance about the singer.

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Whoopi Goldberg, Candice Bergen and vocal group En Vogue all but phone in their appreciation (En Vogue at least singing a snatch of their “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” originally a Franklin hit).

All of the time wasted on that crowd could have been better spent on at least one more song; the music is generally terrific.

Opening with Elton John, Smokey Robinson and Rod Stewart singing the backup ooh-oohs on “Chain of Fools,” program alternates between guests singing Franklin’s hits with her, and her singing their hits with them.

Highlights include Franklin and Elton at twin pianos battling choruses on “Border Song,” Franklin and Rod Stewart’s “People Get Ready” and a version of “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman,” featuring Franklin, a particularly strong perf by Bonnie Raitt, and Gloria Estefan.

Final number reunites cast for “Spirit in the Dark,” featuring John in the part originated by Ray Charles, and the uncredited New Jersey Mass Choir.

Video is OK and sound is superior throughout. There’s no costume credit, but whoever’s responsible for Franklin’s outfits deserves some sort of an award.

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Aretha Franklin: Duets

(Sun. (9), 10-11 p.m., FBC)

Production: Taped in New York City by Ken Ehrlich Prods. Executive producer/script, Ken Ehrlich; co-producer, Tisha Fein; director, David Grossman; lighting director, Bob Dickenson.
Crew: Editor, Scott Reynolds; musical director, Leon Pendravis; production designer, Bruce Ryan.
Cast: With: Aretha Franklin, Candice Bergen, Robert De Niro, En Vogue, Gloria Estefan, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson.

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