01-23-2025 - on This Moment in Film History

On January 23, 1977, the groundbreaking television miniseries "Roots" premiered on ABC. Based on Alex Haley's novel "Roots: The Saga of an American Family," the series chronicled the life of Kunta Kinte, an African man captured and sold into slavery, and his descendants over several generations. The series starred an incredible ensemble cast, including LeVar Burton as Kunta Kinte, John Amos as the adult Kunta Kinte (renamed Toby), Leslie Uggams as Kizzy, Ben Vereen as Chicken George, and Louis Gossett Jr. as Fiddler. The series was directed by David Greene, Marvin J. Chomsky, John Erman, and Gilbert Moses. "Roots" was a television phenomenon, captivating audiences across the United States. The finale episode, which aired on January 30, 1977, still holds the record as the third-highest-rated U.S. television program, with a staggering 51.1% rating and 71% share. The series received 37 Emmy Award nominations, winning nine, including Best Limited Series and Best Writing in a Drama Series. The impact of "Roots" on American culture was profound, sparking a national conversation about the legacy of slavery and the African-American experience. It also inspired a renewed interest in genealogy and family history, particularly among African Americans seeking to trace their own roots. The series' success led to a sequel, "Roots: The Next Generations," which aired in 1979, and a television movie, "Roots: The Gift," in 1988. In 2016, a remake of the original miniseries aired on the History Channel, starring Malachi Kirby as Kunta Kinte and Laurence Fishburne as Alex Haley.