7/4/25 O&A NYC INDEPENDENCE DAY LIVE PERFORMANCE: Whitney Houston – Star Spangled Banner (National Anthem) – Super Bowl 1991

Among the annals of national anthems as a prelude to sporting events, few have topped the one delivered by Whitney Houston before Super Bowl XXV in 1991 in Tampa, Florida. Continue reading

7/3/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Marvin Gaye – American National Anthem

Marvin Gaye, The Prince of Motown brought attention to the NBA and helped boost its image. Gaye pioneered singing the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, in own rendition during the 1983 NBA All-Star Game.  Continue reading

6/18/25 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Eddie Murphy – James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party


James Brown (Eddie Murphy) sings about a hot tub in this classic SNL Sketch from 1983 (season 9). Murphy captures Brown’s soul style before disrobing and getting into the water. Continue reading

5/8/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY- MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL: I’ll Always Love My Mama- The Intruders

I’ll Always Love My Mama is a 1973 single by the Philly soul group The Intruders. Released from their album Save the Children, the single is a song commonly played on Mother’s Day. Continue reading

4/17/25 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Trump Easter 2025 Cold Open – SNL

Jesus Christ (Mikey Day) and his disciples (Kenan Thompson, Andrew Dismukes, Sarah Sherman, Ego Nwodim, Emil Wakim, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, Jane Wickline) get interrupted by President Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) during the cleansing of the Temple. Continue reading

3/13/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Shirley Ellis – The Name Game (1965)

The Name Game is a song co-written and performed by Shirley Ellis as a rhyming game that creates variations on a person’s name. She explains through speaking and singing how to play the game. Continue reading

3/2/25 O&A NYC SUNDAY MORNING FUNNIES: Jenifer Lewis – Black Don’t Crack fea. Marc Shaiman (Live at the Rosie O’Donnell Show 1996)

What better way to begin Women’s History Month with the one and only Jennifer Lewis! Our Sunday Morning Funnies comes from a 1996 live performance on Rosie O’Donnell where Lewis accompanied by pianist Marc Shaiman performed Black Don’t Crack. 

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1/26/25 O&A NYC THE SUNDAY MORNING FUNNIES: Cardi Tries Ballet

Cardi B has launched a new series called Cardi Tries …., on Facebook Messenger and Instagram. In each episode, Cardi attempts to learn a new skill. In the premiere episode, world renowned choreographer Debbie Allen tries to teach Cardi ballet. At one point, Allen asks Cardi if she’s ever done ballet before. “Well, I used to be a stripper,” Cardi replies.  Continue reading

1/25/25 O&A NYC DANCE: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks Act V- Mourning Place

The final act of Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks takes place after the death of Dr. King . John Jones (Dr Martin Luther King) Sheila Rohan (Rosa Parks) and James E. Murphy (Assassin). Continue reading

1/24/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Ailey Celebrates Ellington

Shall We Dance Friday

Ailey Celebrates Ellington premiered in 1974 on CBS. Narrated by R&B legend Gladys Knight the television special showcases the collaborative bond between choreographer Alvin Ailey and jazz music royalty Duke Ellington. Continue reading