TV One Access: From ‘Push’ To ‘Precious’

TV One Access explores the harrowing yet hope-filled story of the most critically acclaimed film of the year, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” “From Push to Precious” is an hour-long special produced by Access Hollywood’s urban entertainment news program, TV One Access. The special premieres Sunday, November 8, 2009 (check local listings) on cable’s TV One.

In this episode, TV One Access follows the journey from author Sapphire’s well-reviewed novel “Push” being made into a feature film and how “Precious” director Lee Daniels as well as executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry became attached to the project.

The film’s breakthrough star, Gabby Sidibe, who plays Claireece “Precious” Jones, discusses how she personally connected to her complex character and how she managed to nab one of the most coveted roles in black Hollywood. A star-studded supporting cast including an almost unrecognizable Mariah Carey, comedienne Mo’Nique, singer Lenny Kravitz and actress Paula Patton, discuss the rave reviews “Precious” has been getting and how they became emotionally attached to the film.

“It’s not often that a film like ‘Precious’ comes along and reminds you how deeply you can be affected by a movie. After seeing the film, the entire TV One Access staff were either paralyzed in our seats, in tears or both and we knew we had to share this experience with our audience,” says Monique Chenault, Senior Producer, TV One Access. “We had to go behind-the-scenes to find out how such a harrowing story could also be so hopeful. The directing is sublime. Gabby Sidibe will break your heart. Mo’Nique will literally take your breath away.”

TV One Access also analyzes the film’s most predominant motifs of sexual violence and self-hate and discusses their real places in modern black culture. In addition, Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson takes a deeper look at the unique struggles with self-esteem that so many women grapple with and how they can relate to Precious Jones’ painful feelings of worthlessness and sorrow, as well as her hopeful determination to rise above the despair.

Finally, TV One Access will take a journey through Harlem USA, the film’s powerful setting, from the impoverished and crime-ridden 80s to the revitalized and gentrified new millennium.