THE SHOW "Sing Your Song," HBO, tonight at 10 
 REASON TO WATCH <a href="/topics/Harry_Belafonte">Harry Belafonte</a>'s life story, as told by Belafonte. 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Born in Harlem 84 years ago, Belafonte takes viewers on a long tour of his remarkable life, from the early days at the <a href="/topics/Village_Vanguard">Village Vanguard</a> to the <a href="/topics/Hollywood">Hollywood</a> years, and on to his role in the civil-rights movement and (later) his activism in many other causes. This is less a musical biography -- although there is certainly some footage from classics like the 1956 album "Calypso" -- and much more a political one, along with one or two scores settled (notably an unscrupulous former manager who talked to the <a href="/topics/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation">FBI</a> about him). Belafonte explains that his mother's "instructions [were] that I should never awaken in a day when there wasn't something on our agenda that would set the course of the undermining of injustice." His recollections of touring in the Jim Crow era are harrowing -- like the story of a cop who threatened to kill him if he urinated -- but the experiences also served to galvanize his real life's purpose. Belafonte, in fact, played a vital role in the civil-rights movement, by organizing concerts, and drawing other stars -- from <a href="/topics/Charlton_Heston">Charlton Heston</a> to <a href="/topics/Tony_Bennett">Tony Bennett</a> -- to the cause. <a href="/topics/Julian_Bond">Julian Bond</a>, longtime chairman of the NAACP and a civil-rights leader, said, "Harry did this over and over and over and over and over and over again." There are also many TV clips: Did you know, for example, that Belafonte briefly guest-hosted the "<a href="/topics/Tonight_Show">Tonight Show</a>"? (He did, in 1968.) Or that he appeared almost twice on CBS' "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"? The second time was edited out, replaced -- says Tommy Smothers -- with a political ad for Richard M. Nixon. 
 MY SAY Belafonte has been so thoroughly demonized on the <a href="/topics/Fox_News_Channel">Fox News Channel</a> that it's probably not a bad idea for viewers to check this out if only for reasons of balance. He has indeed led an amazing life, as lavishly documented here. But this film, by Susanne Rostock, also often feels like an official portrait, and -- as such -- at times a static one. There is no give or take with Belafonte, who talks to someone off-camera, while his memories are so carefully parsed that you may sometimes feel like you are reading this doc as opposed to watching it. By far the best parts are the first two-thirds, with the star taking center stage in history as it unfolds. The last part is an unsatisfying <a href="/topics/Blur_%28musician%29">blur</a> -- a disjointed portrait of a cause junkie who drifts from one injustice to the next. Moreover, there is also no mention of his more unfortunate effusions, like the time he hugged Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez. 
 BOTTOM LINE Richly documented, but tends to become long-winded -- or just plain winded -- by the end. 
 GRADE B

THE SHOW "Sing Your Song," HBO, tonight at 10 REASON TO WATCH Harry Belafonte's life story, as told by Belafonte. WHAT IT'S ABOUT Born in Harlem 84 years ago, Belafonte takes viewers on a long tour of his remarkable life, from the early days at the Village Vanguard to the Hollywood years, and on to his role in the civil-rights movement and (later) his activism in many other causes. This is less a musical biography -- although there is certainly some footage from classics like the 1956 album "Calypso" -- and much more a political one, along with one or two scores settled (notably an unscrupulous former manager who talked to the FBI about him). Belafonte explains that his mother's "instructions [were] that I should never awaken in a day when there wasn't something on our agenda that would set the course of the undermining of injustice." His recollections of touring in the Jim Crow era are harrowing -- like the story of a cop who threatened to kill him if he urinated -- but the experiences also served to galvanize his real life's purpose. Belafonte, in fact, played a vital role in the civil-rights movement, by organizing concerts, and drawing other stars -- from Charlton Heston to Tony Bennett -- to the cause. Julian Bond, longtime chairman of the NAACP and a civil-rights leader, said, "Harry did this over and over and over and over and over and over again." There are also many TV clips: Did you know, for example, that Belafonte briefly guest-hosted the "Tonight Show"? (He did, in 1968.) Or that he appeared almost twice on CBS' "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"? The second time was edited out, replaced -- says Tommy Smothers -- with a political ad for Richard M. Nixon. MY SAY Belafonte has been so thoroughly demonized on the Fox News Channel that it's probably not a bad idea for viewers to check this out if only for reasons of balance. He has indeed led an amazing life, as lavishly documented here. But this film, by Susanne Rostock, also often feels like an official portrait, and -- as such -- at times a static one. There is no give or take with Belafonte, who talks to someone off-camera, while his memories are so carefully parsed that you may sometimes feel like you are reading this doc as opposed to watching it. By far the best parts are the first two-thirds, with the star taking center stage in history as it unfolds. The last part is an unsatisfying blur -- a disjointed portrait of a cause junkie who drifts from one injustice to the next. Moreover, there is also no mention of his more unfortunate effusions, like the time he hugged Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez. BOTTOM LINE Richly documented, but tends to become long-winded -- or just plain winded -- by the end. GRADE B

Entertainment

ETTEL17.WEB

Review: 'Sing Your Song': HBO's take on Belafonte

Newsday

flSARA

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

ZZ Top, Los Lobos and other groups will headline shows next week.

Flo Rida, more doing free shows at Eisenhower Park

The theater will host two Halloween screenings in honor of the actor who died Tuesday.

The Suffolk salutes Tim Curry with 'Rocky Horror' Oct. 31

The pop musical about the wives of Henry VIII will play its last show Jan. 3.

Its number is up: 'Six' to close in January

John Mayer, Chris Stapleton and Pitbull pay tribute at Jones Beach and Amagansett concerts.

Musicians honor Dolly Parton in Jones Beach, East End shows

Fans share how he made everyone — gay or straight — feel better about themselves.

'Rocky Horror's' Tim Curry was a source of inspiration on LI

The Billy Joel guitarist and his Cans Band will play a free concert Thursday night.

Port Jeff concert series wraps with Mike DelGuidice

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

"Big Stein has an eggplant calzone on his mind!" Thursday night at the Stadium.

George Costanza calzone bobblehead is on the menu at Yankee Stadium this Thursday

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

And who could forget two other legendary announcers, Johnny Olson and Don Pardo?

This is Johnny Gilbert, the voice of 'Jeopardy!'

Meet Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise and Michael Horse from David Lynch's cult series on Sept. 20.

The Suffolk to host stars from 'Twin Peaks'

The venerable game show is more popular than ever with four spinoffs going strong.

Too much of a good thing? 'Jeopardy' spinoffs put the show in overdrive.

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to pay tribute.

'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore goes out on a high note

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to honor the late 'Sopranos' star. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland has more.

'He was a dear friend'

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

From the Outlaw Festival to an LI Ducks game, check out all the fun things to do and explore this weekend.

What's up on LI this weekend

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Mastic Seafood to slice some fish and shuck some oysters on this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Shucking oysters and hauling fish at a local seafood market

The country superstar performed at Nassau Coliseum and helped get books to Wyandanch kids. Newsday film critic Rafer Guzmán has more.

Remembering Dolly Parton

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits the Jamesport Farm Brewery, which has been recently purchased by the owners of Waterdrinker Farms.

Out East: Jamesport Farm Brewery

The Yankees' George Lombard Jr. and the Mets' A.J. Ewing went straight from high school to the pros. That might not be an option starting in 2028. NewsdayTV's Gregg Sarra reports.

Why MLB wants to make high school players ineligible for the amateur draft

Cleaning crews were hard at work after a tornado ripped through the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach Thursday evening. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It was just a whistling sound that came right through'

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman learns about renting and driving a skiff boat at Ted's Fishing Station in Point Lookout.

Cruise Long Island's shoreline on your own private boat

Since girls flag football became an official sport in New York high schools in the spring of 2023, participation in the sport has increased nearly 70%, NewsdayTV's Jared Valluzzi reports.

Flag football taking over spring sports

Bonsai tree-making classes, trivia nights, mocktails and private events are among the ways local venues are trying to draw customers. Newsday business reporter Tory Parrish has more.

As Americans drink less, Long Island bars and breweries get creative 

Ken Buffa stopped by La Cucina Paisanos in Farmingville to try their "pull apart soul-bowls," which are bread bowls stuffed with pasta.

Trendy Bites: Get stuffed with these Italian 'soul-bowls'

Sitewide Video Playlist

A flood advisory is possible in Nassau County with an increased chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Flood watch in Nassau

Suffolk police said a suspect casually fleeing a burglary scene at a Lindenhurst home was tracked down and arrested earlier this week with an assist from a Suffolk County police drone.

Alleged burglar caught with the help of a police drone

The law would require businesses to have proper state licensing, prove that their employees are paid and ban staff from living at the spas or sleeping there overnight. Repeat offenders could face penalties up to $25,000. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'It's personal to me'

Hockey fans flocked to The Rinx in Hauppauge to see Sound Beach native and Stanley Cup champion Brandon Bussi of the Carolina Hurricanes. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Bussi brings Cup to LI for 'unforgettable experience'

The average U.S. shopper is expected to spend more than $800 for back-to-school supplies, according to a recent report. Newsday education reporter Dandan Zou has more.

'It's gonna be close to $1,000 in the end'

On Thursday an "accidental electrical fire" damaged several areas of the historic Milleridge Inn's main property.

'Accidental electrical fire' damages Milleridge Inn

The contract is set to expire on Monday, jeopardizing the first day of classes. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more on contract negotiations.

Will Hofstra's faculty strike?

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

'You could have a catastrophic failure'

During a tour of the public hospital's campus, CEO Thomas Stokes said upgrades to aging infrastructure would cost "hundreds of millions of dollars." But there aren't yet plans to replace it. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

'It would cost hundreds of millions of dollars'

Nassau is one of two counties in the state that have refused to come into line with the law. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Likely that the issue will wind up in court'

This morning, Long Islanders were able to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Here was the view from Bethpage.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket seen over Bethpage

At least three of the guns had the serial number filed off, and at least one was a manufactured ghost gun, officials said. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Nobody has this amount of guns in their home if they're not selling'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

Review: 'Sing Your Song': HBO's take on Belafonte

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.