Jamie Foxx, executive producer of the new series "Apollo Live," has a little history with the venue.
"I've been booed at the Apollo," the Oscar-winning actor and "Django Unchained" star said Friday. The new series featuring amateurs performing at the Harlem theater will air on Centric beginning Dec. 1.
Speaking at a Television Critics Association panel Friday, Foxx recalled appearing at the Apollo as a young comedian. He said Sinbad, the host, introduced him as a "West Coast" comedian, which predisposed the crowd against him.
The new series will give a fresh crop of comedians, singers and dancers the chance to be booed — or applauded — at the famed theater. It features talent advisers Gladys Knight, Doug E. Fresh and Michael Bivins. Comedian Tony Rock will host.
"When you go out on the stage and you feel the history of everybody who's been on the stage, from James Brown to the Jacksons to Gladys Knight… there's something to keeping that alive," Foxx said.
