From: http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur34924.cfm

PEOPLE OF NOTE: Telma Hopkins: Reviving the Next Generation of Roots

By Deardra Shuler

(July 10, 2007) *Telma Hopkins participated as a guest on my radio show “Topically Yours,” on BlakeRadio.com, Rainbow Soul. We talked about her role on Roots: The Second Generation, an award winning mini-series due to air Sunday, July 8th through Sunday, July 15th as part of TV One’s 30th Anniversary’s telecast of Alex Haley’s popular book “Roots.” A marathon showing of the first six parts will run from noon to midnight on Saturday, July 14th. After it runs one night, the same episode will air the following day at noon. Cast members such as Leslie Uggams, LaVar Burton, Ben Vereen, Lou Gossett, Jr., Lynn Moody, et al, will host segments and talk about how “Roots” impacted their lives.

Roots followed the generations of a slave family from Africa in the 1700s through the Civil War up until Haley traced his roots back to Africa. The epic program which won an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody Award aired 30 years ago. During that time, the saga had a stunning impact and touched the conscious of America.

“Roots” was my first acting job,” stated Telma. “I was primarily a singer. My agent introduced me to black casting director, Rubin Cannon, who was casting the film. I had already seen the first Roots. Cannon asked me to read for the sequel “Roots: The Second Generation.” I had never auditioned before and was scared. I got the role,” remarked the comedic actress. “People began tracing their families. My sister attempted to do our family tree and traced my grandmother’s side of the family but it became hard to trace both sides of the family so we never completed it,” explained Telma who was born in Louisville, Kentucky and later moved to Detroit as a child.

“Detroit had cars and music and lots of talent contests. I auditioned for Motown but was too young. My group was sent to Golden World Studio. The studio hired us that day and we started singing background. Tony Orlando wanted to put a singing group together and heard about my group. He called me but I was working with Isaac Hayes. At the time I wasn’t interested. It took a lot for Tony to get me to leave Isaac. Tony was very persistent and finally he convinced me to try it. I told him if he took me and my best friend, Joyce to Europe I would do it. Our first tour was in Europe and Joyce and I became Dawn. We were billed as Tony Orlando and Dawn,” reminisced the singer/actress. Their song “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” became a hit.

“Yellow Ribbon” was really about a guy in prison who wanted to know whether his lady would take him back so he told her to tie a yellow ribbon around an oak tree to give him a sign he could come home,” explained Hopkins. “The song became popular with soldiers. It took on a life of its own. It became synonymous with bringing the boys home during Viet Nam. And now we are engaged in the Iraq war. This is another war that is taking kids from their families. There is something wrong with that because these young people don’t know if they will return. Some are young parents. What happens to all those fatherless/motherless babies? This war is an endless quagmire with no end in sight. We just keep sending our kids into this bottomless pit,” remarked the former star of “Bosom Buddy,” “Gimme A Break” and “Family Matters.”

“Singing was great but I like the normalcy of acting,” claimed the daredevil who actually rode a bike across a high wire. “Singing kept me on the road and I missed events in my son’s life. That was heartbreaking. Acting is stable and I can come home every night. “I did the “Odd Couple” before I did “Bosom Buddies. Tom Hanks starred in that show. “I had a sense of humor as a child. My grandmother would tell me stop being so silly and be more serious. After I got my first comedic role and made money, grandmother bragged to everyone,” chuckled Telma, who played Aunt Rachel and show mom to Bryton McClure who played her son on “Family Matters.” “I’m proud of Bryton,” said Hopkins about her former TV son who recently won an Emmy for his role on “The Young & The Restless” soap opera. “He is a good actor and singer who still calls me his pretend Mommy,” said Telma proudly.

Ms. Hopkins has appeared on “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” “ER, ” “Suddenly Susan,” “Any Day Now” and “Half and Half.” A humanitarian Telma brought awareness about arthritis through her association with “Act On Arthritis,” an organization that informs the public about the disease. She works with AIDS babies and via her association with the PTA, reminds parents to get involved in their children’s education. “There is so many ways to help. Sometimes you think you can’t do enough. I mentored a young boy and I saw the difference I made in his life,” remarked Telma who is presently working on producing a spiritually based talk show hosted by women of color and representing diverse women of all ages. The talented actress does voice over work and is looking forward to producing artistic projects.

“I advise viewers to check out www.tvoneonline.com or http://www.tv-one.tv for information about the upcoming Roots series,” suggested Telma. “Roots” and its sequel “Roots: The Next Generation” is a piece of our history that will never get lost. “Roots” should make us proud, serve to motive us and reminds us to stand strong because we are survivors.”

Aw, that's adorable!! I'm SO GLAD he hasn't forgotten, Telma, as the interview suggests.