Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 5:50 am
By: Tonya Pendleton, BlackAmericaWeb.com
There’s one place where you can always find a good-looking black man. Where, you ask? On your television.
Yes, TV is the place where fine black men always have a home. Whether they play lawyers, cops, robbers or even football stars, black men on TV are worth adding DVR service, if only so you never miss a show. Even if you never meet them in person, having a gorgeous brother in your living room every week can’t be a bad thing, now can it?
Here’s our ode to the hottest black men on TV.
LANCE GROSS, “House of Payne” (TBS)
The 28-year-old Cancer who plays Calvin Payne on “House of Payne” is engaged to model/actress Eva Marcille, but that won’t stop us from drooling over him. Not only is the California native chocolate and fine, he’s also got a ridiculously cut body, probably from his past life as a track star. Oh, and the brother is educated, too. He graduated from Howard University with a degree in theater. Dang, Eva: you’re lucky, girl! The rest of us can catch him on “House of Payne” on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on TBS, or this weekend on the big screen as he stars in “Our Family Wedding” with America Ferrara, Forest Whitaker and Regina King.
LL COOL J, “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)
Well, we’ve known about LL’s gorgeous face and body since the days when he rocked the bells and needed love. After dropping a series of classic albums and songs during his almost two-decade hip-hop career, the man his mama named James Todd Smith is now making hearts beat faster every week on “NCIS: Los Angeles.” As Special Agent Sam Hanna, LL plays a former Navy Seal. Well, maybe his character is an acting stretch, but clearly his physique fits the role. The fortunate women who no longer have to wait for LL to drop a CD but can gaze at his muscles every week are truly appreciative. Check out LL on “NCIS: Los Angeles” on Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
ERNEST JAMES, “Friday Night Lights” (NBC)
You won’t be introduced to this luscious brother until April 30th, when “Friday Night Lights” begins its fourth season run on NBC, but if you’ve seen the season in its initial run on Direct TV, you know why we’re excited. James plays high school football player/bad boy Calvin Brown, and he’s one of two hot reasons to watch the show (Michael B. Jordan is the other.). This Caribbean newcomer has hazel eyes and dimples – is it fair that one man gets everything? – and also speaks Spanish. Can you say “caliente?” Check him out on “Friday Night Lights,” premiering on NBC on April 30th at 8 p.m.
TAYE DIGGS, “Private Practice” (ABC)
It used to be that you had to catch Diggs every six months or so when he had a movie out, but now, thankfully, you can watch him weekly on “Private Practice.” We send a hearfelt thanks to show creator Shonda Rhimes for that. Much has already been said about Diggs’s pretty smile and smooth chocolate skin, but we don’t mind re-stating the facts – Diggs is hot! The 39-year-old actor is now a daddy; he and wife Idina Menzel had a baby boy last fall. That just makes him even sexier in our eyes. If you’re tired of watching “Brown Sugar,” “The Best Man” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” over and over again, you can now check in to see what the doctor’s ordered on “Private Practice” Thursdays at 10 p.m.
JESSE WILLIAMS, “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
Thank you again, Shonda. You sure know how to cast a hot brother for your shows. First, there was Isaiah Washington on “Grey’s Anatomy,” Taye Diggs on “Private Practice,” and then you went and found a super-hot newcomer in Jesse Williams. The Chicago-born Williams isn’t just good-looking, though. He has a college degree from Temple University and actually taught high school in the Philadelphia public schools. Although he said it was the most rewarding job he’s ever had, you know that couldn’t last. How could any hormonal high school girl pay attention to anything he taught? The 29-year-old plays surgeon Dr. James Avery on the show. All we can say is check us in anytime. “Grey’s Anatomy” is on Thursdays at 9 p.m.
SHEMAR MOORE, “Criminal Minds” (CBS)
Moore is sort of a veteran of TV fineness, as he’s been showing off his hotness since his soap opera days on “The Young and The Restless.” He may not be as young or as restless these days as Derek Morgan on “Criminal Minds,” but he’s definitely still some of the sweetest eye candy on the small screen. Now 39, age hasn’t dimmed his gorgeousness; it’s just honed it to a nice sheen. Yes, we want Moore! And fortunately for those who’ve made the journey with him from soap opera to “Soul Train” (he was once the show’s host), he’s still going strong. Check him out on “Criminal Minds” on Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
T. J. HOLMES, CNN
What’s hotter than a smart brother? Well, one who’s smart AND fine. And that ladies, is an accurate description of CNN anchor and correspondent T.J. Holmes. Who wouldn’t want to get even bad news from this man? He’s so gorgeous, he takes the sting out of the world’s suffering. The Arkansas native born Loutelious Ann Holmes Jr. has been all around the world spreading his loveliness and brilliance to bring us the story. We appreciate it, T.J.! Unfortunately for his zillions of admiring female fans – but fortunately for one (black) woman – he just got married, like last week. Sorry, ladies, but you still get to eyeball the brother every weekend on CNN. That’s why we love TV!
