CHARLIE ROSE {ARTHUR ASHE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of talk shows hosted by Charlie Rose. In this program, Rose interviews tennis legend Arthur Ashe. Rose begins with a brief summary of Ashe's achievements as an athlete, journalist, and activist. Topics discussed include: Ashe's family upbringing and his introduction to tennis and other sports through his father's work as a playground caretaker; the double challenge of becoming a top African-American tennis player in an era of segregation; the legal exclusion of African-Americans from participation in certain sporting events; Ashe's recruitment at UCLA; and the life plan he developed in his youth. Next, Ashe comments on two factors that changed his life: the 1968 American Indoor Professional Tournament, which allowed professional and amateur players to play, and the social upheaval of the late 1960s, marked by events such as the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ashe then remarks on his experiences playing with the following athletes, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses: Rod Laver, Ken Rosen, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras. Next, Ashe discusses the relentless pressure of racism, the lack of African-American tennis players, and his three-volume history of African-American athletes. Also discussed is Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. Next is a discussion of Ashe's health since 1979. Topics discussed include: his first heart attack, which ended his tennis career; his second heart surgery and involvement with the American Heart Association; the exploratory brain surgery that led to his diagnosis with AIDS; Ashe's method of helping his daughter cope with his illness; the challenge of dealing with the media as a celebrity with AIDS; and other life challenges. The program concludes as Ashe speaks about his life philosophy and his most recent book project.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Rosalind P. Walter,1999.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 30, 1991
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:33
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:56945
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: AIDS (Disease); Authors; Blacks - Sports; Racism; Tennis; African-American Collection - Sports; African-American Collection - News/Talk
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1991-2017
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Charlie Rose … Host
- Arthur Ashe … Guest
- Andre Agassi
- Bjorn Borg
- Bill Clinton
- Jimmy Connors
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- John McEnroe
- Ken Rosen
- Pete Sampras