You Think What

  • Home
  • header image



      You Think What Previous News Blog

      You Think What FORUM

      PREVIOUS You Think What ARTICLES

      Member of
      TheMomBlogs.com


      RSS
    • Search

      Search
    • Archive

      • February 2023
      • January 2023
      • October 2020
      • March 2014
      • February 2014
      • December 2013
      • November 2013
      • October 2013
      • September 2013
      • August 2013
      • July 2013
      • June 2013
      • May 2013
      • April 2013
      • March 2013
      • February 2013
      • January 2013
      • December 2012
      • November 2012
      • October 2012
      • August 2012
      • July 2012
      • June 2012
      • April 2012
    « The Big Game: National Congress of American Indians versus The NFL Washington | Yale University EPI: Costa Rica Less Green »

     

    Jayne Harrison Kennedy-Overton: American TV’s First Black Female Sports Reporter

    Monday, February 10th, 2014 @ 8:16 pm | We Think So

    It’s Black History Month. Every year in February, black people in the US, Canada and the UK, promote and celebrate the achievements of humans of black heritage who have made major contributions to international culture and history.

    During the past several weeks of the National Football League, (NFL), Playoffs as well as the coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII, sportscaster Pam Oliver, an American black female sports reporter for FOX, has been in the news because of her appearance. Many of the members of the teevee sports viewing audience think the content of her reports are informative. They just believe her hair could be more tidy when on camera at various sporting events.

    OvertonKennedyJayne

    Which brings us to the very first African American female sportscaster on a US national teevee network, CBS.  Jayne Harrison Kennedy-Overton. She was one of the more recognizable faces of the 1970s and early 1980s thanks to myriad television, and movie roles, advertising contracts for Jovan, the fragrance, Tab the diet soft drink plus many numerous Ebony/Jet covers.

    “I knew that if I had a chance to get that job I would be a household name.” ~ Jayne Kennedy-Overton on getting hired to co-anchor the CBS network program NFL Today

    Having won the Miss Ohio USA beauty competition, the first black to do so, Jayne went on to become one of the 15 semi-finalists in the Miss USA 1970 pageant. At the time in American history it was quite an accomplishment for an African American woman to be in the contest, and to go as far as being a semi-finalist in the competition placing fourth runner-up.

    A popular Detroit-area disc jockey named Leon Isaac Kennedy, began to date Jayne Harrison. They wed in a 1972 ceremony with Motown star Smokey Robinson as best man to her husband. The couple moved to Los Angeles, and Kennedy-Overton began working in television advertising. Her husband Leon Isaac became a writer, producer and an actor primarily in blaxploitation films of the time.

    Jayne’s first job in teevee was as a dancer on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. She even served a stint with comedian Bob Hope on his overseas tours to entertain American troops in Southeast Asia near the end of the Vietnam War. She was a regular on The Dean Martin Show as a dancer, which led to episodic television roles in such popular series as Shaft, Kojak, Sanford & Son, and Starsky & Hutch.

    Jayne Kennedy went on to become the first African American woman to grace the cover of Playboy, as well as the first black woman to join the staff of CBS Sports’ NFL Today.

    She’d been advised by experts in entertainment she’d be better served not to diversify. Dancer, actress, spokes model, Jayne knew she’d avail herself of more opportunities by showcasing a multitude of communications skills rather than wait to be hired solely as an actress.

    Jayne Kennedy landed the job as the co-anchor at CBS’s NFL Today; it was a job she performed for two years, from 1978 to 1980. The actress and former model was the first African-American woman to anchor a network sports program. She also hosted the syndicated “Greatest Sports Legends” program for three years. Her presence was definitely impactful. It was a time in teevee history when hiring attractive women was merely a ratings maneuver designed to increase the number of male viewers.

    Kennedy-Overton  replaced a former Miss America, Phyllis George, in a sports broadcasting ensemble with Brent Musburger, Irv Cross, and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder. Viewership of the CBS show during the 1978 fall football season was high, about 7 million during which Kennedy-Overton displayed her command of NFL statistics and team rosters; she engaged in an exchange of light, playful teasing with her co-hosts on-air, and interviewed athletes.

    Kennedy-Overton has acknowledged the difficulties encountered by a black actress in Hollywood during this era.

    “I like it when someone says you are intelligent or pretty; but universal is a quality most people in Hollywood don’t want to see in blacks. That’s an appreciation of my talent. I did an episode of ‘Police Woman’ last year and I played an inmate, wore no make-up and had my hair pulled in a pony tail. And the producer said ‘I like you because you want to work, you want to be good.’ And that’s the nicest thing anyone could say.” ~ Jayne Harrison Kennedy-Overton in an interview with the Washington Post‘s Jacqueline Trescott a few years ago.

    1979 brought the film Penitentiary starring Kennedy and her husband, Leon Isaac in a blaxploitation film; it was a minor hit among films of that genre. He was a popular actor in the black films at the time.

    In 1980 CBS fired Kennedy-Overton. The Tiffany network honchos claimed she violated her contract by taping an audition on rival network NBC for  an episode of “Speak Up America”.  Kennedy-Overton says she was given permission by CBS to take the audition; the network disagreed. She was hired for the NBC program.

    After ten years of a childless marriage the couple, Leon Isaac and Jayne Kennedy divorced. The decision to part ways came after the 1981 release of a remake of the film “Body and Soul”, with his wife Jayne in the role as a television journalist who interviews a famous boxer, played by her husband; Jayne won the NAACP Image Award for best actress for her part in the film.

    In the early 1980s, joining other celebrities promoting fitness videos, Overton-Kennedy, herself, released a top selling how-to video, Love Your Body.

    In 1985 Jayne Harrison Kennedy married actor, entrepreneur, Bill Overton. They had met years before while working on a 1977 television movie called Cover Girls; its premise was nearly a copy of the hit teevee series Charlie’s Angels. Even though she’d suffered debilitating pain from a condition known as endometriosis; it’s a gynecological disorder and she’d become the spokesperson for National Endometriosis Foundation, she was able to give birth to her first daughter in 1985, as well as two more daughters. Other remedies brought no relief; the condition did not subside until she endured a surgical procedure.

    During the 1990s Kennedy-Overton spent her time raising her children. She and the family split time between Los Angeles, California and a farm they own in Maine.

    kennedyOvertonFamily

    Jayne also says she conquered a weight gain which caused the former model, dancer and exercise advocate to weigh in past the 200-pound mark.  In an interview with Ebony journalist Laura B. Randolph, she says one of the reasons being overweight was so embarrassing for her is the fact she once had a very popular exercise video. “So here I am, the preacher of being in shape and maintaining good habits, and I am so out of shape….” She didn’t feel she was a good example to her children because she says she always taught them how important it is to be in shape.

    Now Jayne Harrison Kennedy-Overton concentrates on activities to improve the community as well as writing her memoirs. An earnest and sincere Christian woman, she is involved with her church. She has also done charity work for groups including the National Lung Association, the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, and the National Endometriosis Foundation; she has served as a spokeswoman for the National Council of Negro Women and was a member of the board of the Efficacy Institute, which offers encouragement to students destined for college.

     

     

    Recently

  • Jonathan Cook: Why Western Media Is Afraid of Julian Assange
  • Belmarsh Tribunal Sidney, Australia, March 4th 2023
  • The Philadelphia Eagles @ SB LVII: Call The Cops! They Was Robbed!
  • Sunday, February 19th 2023: Rage Against the War Machine! Washington, D.C. /2
  • Sunday, February 19th 2023: Rage Against the War Machine! Washington, D.C.
  • STEFANIA MAURIZI: INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER ON JULIAN ASSANGE, PART II
  • Stefania Maurizi: Investigative Reporter On Julian Assange, Part I
  • Grammy Awards Show 2023: Stevie Wonder, Chris Stapleton Higher Ground
  • Super Bowl LVII in Arizona: Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia EAGLES
  • Dr. Jordon Walker, MD U.S. Science Star…For The Wrong Reasons
  • The BIDEN Crime Family: The Real True Story. No Kiddin’ Here’s the deal!
  • Joe Biden: The Real True Story–No Kiddin’. Here’s The Deal!
  • William Henry Gates III
  • HARRIS-Biden???
  • Black History Month 2014: A New Perspective From Saturday Night Live
  • Debra J. Thomas, MD, PC: Winter Olympics Black History FIgure Skating Champion
  • Yale University EPI: Costa Rica Less Green
  • Jayne Harrison Kennedy-Overton: American TV’s First Black Female Sports Reporter
  • The Big Game: National Congress of American Indians versus The NFL Washington
  • Live, Breathe, Futbol: New LBF Apparel Store in Media, Pennsylvania Scores a Big Goal!
  • Nelson Mandela 1918 – 2013: The World Honors the Life of A Peacemaker
  • Sign Language Interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie At Mandela Memorial: Good Job!
  • NFL Investigates Labor Controversy: Miami Dolphins,Incognito, and Martin
  • The World Remembers: The Day They Shot John F. Kennedy, President of the United States
  • Fifth Estate Actor Responds to Julian Assange Open Letter About Movie
  • Julian Assange: The WikiLeaks Founder Pens A Letter About The Hollywood Version of His Activism
  • Trayvon Martin: Deceased, George Zimmerman: Wannabe Copper, The Story Continues
  • U.S. of A. Name Change Proposal: United Secret States of America
  • Trending U.S.: More Butts in the News Lady Ga-gah, Miley Cirus, MTV’s VMA Show
  • Nationwide Fast Food Workers Strike Planned for Thursday, August 29 2013
  • U.S. Question to Glenn Greenwald: Why Can’t You Be More Like Harvey Levin?
  • Now Trending in the U.S.: Butts in the News Beyonce, Toni Braxton
  • In The News The President Said “A Whole Lot of Nothing”
  • Lavabit LLC Owner/Operator, Ladar Levison Shuts Down Encrypted Email Service
  • INTERVIEW: Man Who Patted Beyonce’s Butt
  • In PA: Judge Places Entire Family Under Gag Order No Talking About Fracking
  • Russia Grants Snowden Asylum; Obama Disappointed. So Are We.
  • Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin: Musical Tips From Kristin Chenoweth
  • Ben Carson, Retired Pediatric Brain Surgeon Urges Return To Common Sense
  • Trayvon Martin’s One Nation Under God
  • Lauren Hill: Speaks Her Truth Before Beginning Three Month Tax Evasion Sentence
  • President Barack Obama, Ed Snowden, Franz Kafka, NSA,Resolve Race Issue Notes Part 3
  • President Barack Obama, Bob Schieffer, Ed Snowden, James Clapper, NSA: Notes Part 2
  • John McAfee: Is He Crazy… Like a Fox? New How To Uninstall McAfee Antivi Software Video from Program’s Creator
  • President Barack Obama, Bob Schieffer, Ed Snowden, NSA: Notes
  • THREE-peat:Miami Heat Your U.S. National Basketball Champions
  • President Obama Tells “Least Untruthful” Story About NSA Domestic Spying Programs
  • From Thom Hartmann’s Blog: Georgia Residents’ Automatic Garage Door Issues
  • Obama: No Sale for the Indefensible Big Brother Powers
  • Trayvon Martin Shooter On Trial: Sanford’s Got the Smell. The Smell of the South.
  • Angelina Jolie, Michael Douglas: Shills for Big Pharma?
  • TSA Scan or Patdown Process Remains Abusive Ashley Jessica
  • O.J.Simpson Returns
  • Iain Connell, Robert Florence Comedic Take On Voice Recognition Devices
  • Julia Roberts Cast As Nina Simone: Seems Like A Bad Idea??
  • Coming to Costa Rica in June 2013: Barefoot Gourmet, Organic Food Company
  • Janelle Monae: New Single “Q.U.E.E.N – featuring Erykah Badu”
  • Jason Collins, NBA Player: Gay, Out and Proud
  • U.S. Citizens Live in Fear: The List of What Americans Dread
  • Livin’ in 21st Century America: Feels Like a Third World Banana Republic
  • Richie Havens – International Folk Singer – Public Memorial Set For NYC
  • Jimmy Kimmel : “Lie Witness News” Provides Answers to the Question
  • Richie Havens, Musician, Activist Dead Sudden Heart Attack on Earth Day 2013
  • Nicolas Maduro Wins Venezuela Election, “Majunche” Capriles U.S. Puppet Complains
  • Tragedy and Mayhem in Boston: Fred Rogers Provides Help for Youngsters and Parents
  • Attention Walmart Shoppers! Number One In Customer DISsatisfaction
  • Major League Baseball Opening Day 2013: Fewer Blacks in the Game
  • Melissa Harris-Perry Does NOT Want Your Children!
  • Pnina Tamano-Shata Israel’s First Black Female Ethiopian Representative in Knesset
  • Israel’s First Black Beauty Queen Meets President Obama
  • Harry Reid: Families of Gun Violence Victims’ Message to You
  • The Illusion of Security: The Banksters’ Aegis
  • Is John McAfee Crazy… Like a Fox ?
  • Elizabeth Warren: Questions No Criminal Charges Recommended Banks Laundering Money
  • Oscar Winning Films’ Quiz: Can You Identify All 84 Previous Winners?
  • Russell Williams: American Oscar Winner A Living Black History Fact
  • Michelle Obama, Jimmy Fallon, Demonstrate Mom Dancing
  • US Senator Elizabeth Warren Quizmaster?! Federal Regulators Flummoxed by Only One Interrogative
  • Charles Williams: Courage on the Bench in Florida
  • UPDATE: Denied! Delay of Trial in Trayvon Martin Case
  • Trayvon Benjamin Martin (February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012): Remembrance Poem
  • Save the Planet: Ocean of Truth Provides Ecology Facts
  • Quick-Finders: Invention by Firefighter Joe Carolan Helps Locate Bedrooms in Smoke-filled Homes
  • Hawaii 2013 Video: Divers Saving A Dolphin
  • Heart Disease: Inflammation the Cause Says Heart Surgeon Dwight Lundell
  • Inflammation: True Cause Heart Disease Says Dwight Lundell Heart Surgeon
  • Heart Surgeon Dwight Lundell,M.D. Reveals Real Cause Heart Disease
  • Dwight Lundell, M.D. Heart Surgeon: The True Cause Of Heart Disease
  • Tap Dancers Savion Glover, Marshall Davis, Jr. Perform in DC Area: Jenet Dechary Reports
  • Dr. Mallika Marshall: Medical Expert Contributor on “Katie” TV Show
  • Staten Island’s Cardinale Family Beef With Allstate Insurance Claim
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live : Starbucks NEW $7 Cup of Coffee
  • NYPD Commissioner Kelly: NEW Policy – Shoes, Socks, Sleeping Bags, Blankets, Coats for Homeless!
  • Author Thomas E. Ricks: On Fox News Speaking TRUTH to Power
  • United Nations: Use Massoud Hassani’s Mine Kafon Invention
  • One Billion Rising: February 2013 Walk Out |Strike|Move|Dance
  • Spike Lee’s “Bad 25”: 25 Reasons To See This Michael Jackson Documentary
  • Logan MacWilliams Creator Gospel Song About Fried Chicken
  • Springfield, Missouri: Reverend Phil Snider Supports Gay Rights – Who Knew??
  • Richard Pryor: Predicted U.S. Future In Comic Presidential News Conference
  •  

    You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
    Responses are closed, you can trackback from your own site.

    Comments are closed.

    Created by miloIIIIVII | WordPress | Entries (RSS) | Comments (RSS) | 247 queries. 0.116 seconds.