James Thunder Early = Little Richard?

It's a combination of Little Richard and James Brown and the authors imaginations.

Per the creative team: James "Thunder" Early is basically a composite of: James Brown, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye to even Wilson Pickett.

The early look of Jimmy is definitely a take on Little Richard; the fainting on the floor is definitely a take on James Brown; it goes on quite a bit.

Supposedly, Thunder Early is more "Wilson Pickett" than anybody else, but everyone agrees he's an amalgam of all those guys.

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Perhaps that explains Billy Porter in the concert.

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He was terrible as Thunder Early.

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Porter certainly did seem to be imitating Little Richard (trying to?) in the concert.

OMG, Jon, Celebrity Hot Tub! The memories!

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Updated On: 1/2/07 at 03:00 PM

It's James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub. And here is, the Godfather of Soul. James Brown

And I break into a cold sweat!!!!!


What's the other part of the cold sweat line.

I think Eddie Murphy was great as Jimmy. I think this is a real revival for his career. I'm just worried that Norbit will kill his career again as much as I want to see that movie.

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Murphy's career was hardly dead before this. While never a favorite of critics, audiences have continued to flock to his films in the past several years. While he's had his share of flops, even critically reviled titles like Daddy Day Care and the Dr. Doolittle movies still managed to gross well over $100 million at the box office and he still is one of the few stars in Hollywood who can routinely demand (and get) a $20 million salary. Dreamgirls will certainly help to up his profile and credibility, but even without it, he already had a half dozen films greenlighted for the next couple of years and his career was hardly in any danger.

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Jon, I was thinking the same thing!

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