Joe Ross - Talk to Me
In "Talk to Me," Dewey Hughes notices a unique gift in the recently released ex-con Petey Greene and gives him a shot to take over the morning DJ role at the radio station where Hughes works. Greene becomes an instant success, and an interesting relationship begins to form between he and Hughes. Dewey admires Petey's ability to make a connection with the listeners by talking about controversial race issues with natural speaking ease. The listeners might not always have agreed with Petey, but they always knew that they would be hearing the truth. He may come off as racist to some, but in reality, he only spoke about the truths of what was happening to African Americans across the country. By referring to many important political figures as pimps, Petey opens the eyes of people who may not have experienced what was going on in the lower income areas of the US.
Dewey decides to try to live out his own dream of being a major entertainer by managing Greene and trying to "take him to the top." Petey agrees, reluctantly. It is very apparent throughout the film that Petey would rather be talking on the radio to people who can relate to him than going on major television shows and having conversations or performing stand up for people who know nothing about who he really is. Petey finally implodes when he is supposed to perform on The Tonight Show, as he walks off stage because he doesn't think the audience can relate to him. Dewey takes this very hard because it was his own dream to one day be on the Tonight Show, but he thought the only way that would be possible was through Petey. Again, I don't see Petey's actions as racist, he just doesn't think there is a bond between himself and the large TV audiences like there is with the radio listeners who grew up under the same conditions as himself. He is a strong believer in this bond and thinks that he is turning his back on his loyal listeners by giving up the DJ role. Sure, he is a drunk, foul mouthed ex-con, but he still has principles and a love for his roots.