Dre: Black families have been fighting to stay together
since the moment we landed on these shores.
I'm luckier than most because I'm surrounded by my family.
Three generations spread over five bedrooms
and a guest house.
And now something is happening
that I never thought possible.
My parents are getting remarried.
And they're about to have
the pandemic wedding of their dreams.
Pops: Boy, move your big head! You're blocking your mama.
How am I supposed to see my beautiful, blushing bride
with your big head in the way?
Where's the broom, Dre?
I told you I want to jump the broom this time.
Ruby, are you sure you should be
jumping over things at this age?
Oh, baby. I'm just saying.
Here you go, Mama.We have your safety...
Oh, baby.Hmm?
How about you get me a broom
Diahann Carroll would havejumped on "Dynasty"?
Ah. [ Pops laughs ]
We gon' make sure that we do all the traditions
we missed the first time.Uh-huh.
Including keeping our vows.
That's right.
We gonna do a money dance,
and I'm gonna stomp on the glass
and get carried aroundon a chair, like a Jewess.
Mm-hmm.Like a what?
And thenI'm gonna get everybody
to throw rice at us.
Actually, they're using bird seed now
because, uh, the birds' stomachsexplode with rice.
You think they're gonna explodeat the wedding?
Well, I mean, probably not.
Well, how about we not[bleep] with tradition?
Make it long grain. [ Laughs ]
Anything my baby wants!
Spare no expense, son.
Like everything else,
this wedding was going to look different
than it would have in the past.
Maybe we won't blow it out quite the same way,
but that's okay,
because Pops and my mama will have the most important people
standing there with them...
Hey -- ...their family.
What's happening, Baby Dre? [ Laughs ]
Norman!What you doing here?
What kind of man would I be
if I missed my baby brother's wedding?
Someone who listens to CDC recommendations
about traveling during a pandemic.
Oh, man, please. You know I don't listen to the government.
But I did get a negative COVID test.
Well,if that's the case...
come on in, brother.
You weren't invited.
But I'm here.
I'll have the chicken breast.
You heard the man.
Put him downfor the chicken breast.
Chicken breast.Yeah! He's family!
[ Laughs ]Alright, baby.
Good to see you, Norm!Oh, baby.
Oh, my goodness.
--Captions by VITAC--
Pops may have been fine
with his brother showing up out of the blue,
but I was still having some trouble
wrapping my head around it.
Oh. Dre, you okay?
You got that mid-'90s"distracted O.J." face.
No.
My Uncle Norman showed up to the wedding
that he wasn't invited to.
Ohhh. So you guyshave invitations, huh?
I thought you just posteda neon flyer to a lightpole
telling peoplewhere the party was at.What?
I'd be happy if anybodyin my family
surprised me with a visit or a phone call or...
You know what? Maybe just an e-mail
letting me know my Grammie had passed.
Okay, look, I don't needan old man I barely know
showing up to my housetreating it like a hotel.
Just becauseI put out fresh linens
doesn't meanhe gets to take advantage.
I don't understand, Dre.
I-I thought Black people were the ones
who claimed everybody as their relatives.
You know, w-with your aunties
and your -- your play cousins and whatnot.
First off,you haven't earned the right
to use the term "play cousins."
My bad. And secondly, that's my problem.
My family is so big thatI don't need to pick up strays.
Plus, Pops' side of the familyis huge.
I start opening up to anyonenamed Johnson, pretty soon,
I'll have Dwayne the Rockstaying at my guest house.
[ Chuckles ]We are so on the same page.
None of my family'swelcome in my house,
extended or otherwise.
Okay, I'm not saying never.
That's what happens when you're rich.
We all hate each other,and everyone is trying
to cut each otherout of the inheritance.
You should've smothered your sister
when you had the chance, Daddy.
I know, pumpkin. I just --
I-I didn't have the arm strengthwhen I was in nursery school.
Okay, I'm not smothering my uncle, alright?
I just need to put my foot down.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, Dre.
Trust me -- death by stomping is a lot of clean-up.
What?Yeah, he's an expert.
Mm-hmm.I'd listen to him, Dre.
♪
Okay, why would I ask you
to make mea kente cloth wedding dress
without angel wings sewn on the back?!
Right! Exactly.
You trying to make me looklike a fool, Dionne?
Mm-hmm. She is.Don't let her play you, Grandma!
Rainbow: What are you doing?
You know you're not supposed torile up your grandmother.
Stop.But it's so easy.
I don't think Dionne made those looks in "Black Is King,"
like she said she did.
This is the last thingI need.
I have to drop off a checkat the photographer,
pick up the programsfrom the printer.
I need to call the bakery toconfirm the cake for the wedding
and the erotic cake for the honeymoon.
Ruby, why don't you let me
take some of this stuff off your plate?
You listen to me, Rainbow. I'm listening.
Earl put himself back on the grid
so we could spend the restof our lives together.
So I'm gonna give that mana wedding day
that is as perfect as his bride.
Mm. So I need to control this
the way I need to control it,alright?
Do you, boo.And -- And you just be grateful
that you're my baby's plus-one.
Wha-- Okay.
You can't be a plus-one if you're hosting!
I'm hosting... the wedding.
I still had no desire
to have Uncle Wedding Crasher on my couch,
but I decided I could deal with one guest for Pops.
Hey, babe. Hey, sweetie.
Hey, son, great news.Hey.
Norman talked to Lorettaand some of the other cousins,
and it looks like they're allcoming out for the wedding, too.
Cousins? Mm-hmm.
How many of the cousins?
Well, you never know,but...it's gonna be a party.
[ Chuckles ] Bow? Yeah?
Can I, uh -- Can I talk to youupstairs for a second, babe?
More people? Ohh.
What are we doing, turning our house into Harpo's juke joint?
Okay.
Dre, I knowyou're worried about the virus,
but we can havethe wedding outside.
We can put up screens,
and everyone can sitat a comfortable distance,
and it'll be likea megachurch overflow.
Okay, I'm not worried about the virus.
First, it was Norman, then it was cousins I don't know.
When does it end?
We only have enough glasses for nine.
Dre, you can be the bigger man
and handlea very small imposition
for a couple of days!
Just a couple of days!
You're right. It is his wedding.
Yeah. It's a big house.
I probably won't even know they're here.
Exactly.
[ Toilet flushes ]What's that?
What is that? What --
[ Gasps ][ Sighs ]
[ Gasps ]
Uh, y-you're out of soap.
Oh, hell no!
You gottaget out of my house.
Oh, come on, Dre. A toilet's a toilet, man.
What you doing, son?
He's got to go, Pops.
Earl, talk some sense to your son.
And tell Loretta and them to turn they asses around,
'cause they not welcome here, either.
Y-You know what?
I'm just gonna wait out here until you figure this out.
Do that.
What?
I knew I was right to kick my uncle out of the house.
I gave him an inch, and he took a mile...
of my toilet paper.
What the hell'swrong with you, Dre?
Disrespecting your uncle over a damn toilet?
I use that bathroom all the time!
What? It's the nicest one in the house.
You got all them lotionsand hand creams up in there.
Listen, Dre, maybe Uncle Norman
did make himself too comfortable,
but I can't just let youkick him out.
Let me?
Man, are you forgetting who keeps you
in those stolen lotions and hand creams?
Look...
I didn't think any of my familywas coming to this wedding,
and now that they're here,I see how much it means.
They're the keepersof the family stories, son.
They connect me to my parents, my grandparents,
hell, even my own story --who I was when I was growing up,
who I've become.
Andre, I know they all feellike strangers to you.
Hell, half of themare strangers to me.
But I'm trying to makea fresh start with your mother.
The least you could dois let me have some ofmy people here with me.
Please.
Fine.
But they got to stay at a hotel.
Okay.
Norman: Yes! I'm glad you got this settled.
Now can you let me in?
There's a neighborthat's clearly calling the cops.
So, the family all came to L.A.,
and they all came to the rehearsal dinner.
[ Indistinct conversations, laughter ]
Hey, hey, Unc. There you go.
Ooh, look at thisgiant square ice cube.
Earl, you come a long way.
[ Both laugh ]
You remember when Grandma had that party
and she sent us to buy a block of ice from the ice man,
and we had to carry it back two miles?
It was so hot out there,by the time we got it home,
Grandma was the only oneto get an ice cube.
[ Both laugh ]
Uncle Earl, you knowwho this one looks like, right?
Who?Norman: Yeah, you're right, John John.
Right?Loretta, you got the family albums?
Now, you know I do.You brought Mama's albums?
Look at this.Yeah, there he is right there.
Look at him.
Hell, Pops, who is that?
That's my father's brother, Dre.
That's Ironhead Johnson.
Ah. Ironhead, huh?
He must have been one hell of a boxer.
No. It's one of those ironic nicknames.
He was known all over Tennessee for his weak chin.
[ Laughs ]Ah.
Matter of fact, one time,
he broke his jaw putting on a turtleneck.
[ Laughter ]
Hearing these stories
and getting a taste of our history,
I was starting to come around to Pops' way of seeing things.
Plus, it was making everybody so happy
to see my mom and Pops so happy.
Your grandparents are just so cute.
I'm still shocked that they can be in the same room together
with sharp objects.
You know, when they met,they weren't much older than us.
It's good to see love last.
I hope that's me someday.
Me too.
[ Chuckles ]
Oh, look.
Old folkstrying to take selfies.
I'mma go help. They don't needany more pictures of the sky.
Get in there. Yeah.
Grandma, turn the phone around.
Was that your girlfriendyou were just with?
Mm-hmm.
You two makesuch a beautiful couple.
Thank you, Auntie.
You know, the secret is minimal sun exposure
and nightly skincare routines, yeah.
Looks like we'll be coming backfor another wedding soon.
No. [ Chuckling ] No. Come on.
See? Hey!
Oh!
Junior Lockhart-Johnson Jr.
As Junior was seeing Olivia in a new light,
I was seeing my family in a new light, too.
I just wanted to let you knoweverybody's talking about
how you sprang forthose fancy porta-potties.
[ Both laugh ]Yeah.
You know how much I likea nice bathroom.
Yeah, unfortunately, I do, Unc.
Mm. Yeah.
You been doing wellfor yourself, huh?I'm trying.
Well, you know, my boy Ryon
just graduated from collegewith a marketing degree.
Really? Yeah.
Everybody loves him.
If he just has a chance...
Okay....then he -- he could take itand run with it.
Alright, well, if he doesn't mind starting from the bottom,
you know, I can see what we haveavailable at Stevens & Lido.
[ Chuckling ] You meanyou gonna get my baby boy a job?
Hey, hey, hey. No promises, Unc, alright?
I don't even know if we have anything available,
but I could put in a good word for him.
After all, we arefamily, right?
Yeah.
Thank you, Dre, man.
Oh.I really appreciate it.
Oh, you got it, Unc. You got it.Really. Really.
[ Earth, Wind & Fire's "Fantasy" plays ]
Hey, right. Oh.
Okay.This is my music, man.
Shoot, man, I'm gonna domy Philip Bailey imitation.
Let me hear it.
[ Falsetto ] ♪ Every man
♪ Ow! Oh, okay!
[ Laughs ]Okay, Unc.
♪ In his heart, there's a space ♪
♪ And the world can't erase his fantasies ♪
♪ Take a ride...
Hey, Pops.
Hey, son.
This whole weddingwouldn't even be happening
if it wasn't for you.
And having my family herewith me like this, it's like...
it's like icingon my second wedding cake.
It ispretty great, right, Pops?
Mm-hmm.
Hey, uh, I just want to say I'm sorry
for overreacting to Uncle Norman.
Did you know his youngest son is interested in advertising?
How you know that?Well, he told me he just graduated
and he's looking for a job, so I told him
I'd see what I could do at Stevens & Lido.
He did, huh? Mm-hmm.
Hold my drink for me.Yeah, okay.
♪ Our voices will...
♪ ...live together!
♪ Till the twelfth of never ♪
Hey -- Hey! Norman.
♪ As --
Did you tell Ryon to, uh, hit Dre up about a job?
Oh, yeah, man. Yeah.
It's goodthat Dre can help, man.
Job market is rough out there, man.
It is, but you didn't need to hit my son up about it.
Man, that's family, man.That's what family does.
It is. Dre is yourfamily, but he is myson.
I need you to take your hand out his pocket.
My hand out of his pocket?!Yeah!
We didn't come here for a handout.
Exactly.Yeah.
Although it would have been nice for Dre to at least negotiate
a family rate at the hotel he's forcing us to stay at.
You know, the one without a swimming pool. Mm-hmm.
Unlike the one here, which he refuses to heat.
Okay, look, I'm not gonna have y'all descend on my son
like a bunch of damn locusts.
Hey, hey, hey,Earl, Earl, Earl, Earl --Y'all need to go!
No, you ain't got to go home,
but you got to get the hell out of here.
[ Gasps ]Get. Go on. Everybody.
B-But, Earl --Get!
Earl!Go on!
Everybody!Well, screw you!
Everyone leave!
[ Indistinct talking ]
Is he talking to me?
Yes.
What --
♪
You ready to tell me what happened?
I mean, you were so excited to have your people here.
I don't know, son.
I just got mad at the thought
of Norman showing up hereto use you.
Family has a way of feeling
like they're entitledto your success,
and I wouldn't bedoing my job as a father
if I didn't protect you.
They're myproblem, not yours.
Pops, you don't have to protect me.
Yes, I do.
You've worked so damn hardfor everything you have,
and I'm proud of that.
I'm not gonna let anyone,
not even my brother,mess with that.
You're proud of me.
'Course I'm proud of you,dummy.
I don't want peopleasking you for a job or rent
or a college fund.
It's best to keepthese things separate.
Okay, Pops, you've never really said you were proud of me.
I tell you all the time.Not really.
Dre, I just broke tieswith my brother.
Can we please let this go?
Sorry.
Yeah, I just feel bad that you're getting married
and you don't have your family here.
Nah, you were right.
My family's right here.
As long as the peoplethat live in this houseare at the wedding,
I'm straight.
Oh. Hmm?
And, uh, that "handin your pocket" thing?
Yeah.That don't apply to me.
Huh?I gave you life.
I'mma stay here till I die.
My parents' big day had finally arrived,
and it was going to be hard for any of our guests
not to get caught up in the magic,
especially the hopeless romantics.
Mmm! You smell that?
Love is in the air.
No, that's the wildfires.
Okay, how can you guysbe so cynical?
Today isall about love.
Mm. Pops is walking aroundfeeling like a million bucks.
Olivia is gonna look perfectin her wedding dress.
Sorry -- did you say "Olivia"?
No! No. No, no.
No. Oh, God.
You have that dumblook on your face,like when you found out
that weird guy from "Girls"was in the new "Star Wars."
Yeah. What?!
Everyone fantasizes about what it would be like
when they marry Olivia when they come to these things.
How are you still like this?
Bro, this is coming from me.
Don't do anything stupid.
I am just super happy for Pops and Grandma.
Jack: Okay.Diane: Okay, cool.
Oh, my God.
She's here.
Diane: Okay.
Oh, God.
He already lost.
Well, there is no pointin me meeting her now.
It's a shame. They were a cute couple.
But as lovely as everything was,
no wedding, no matter how meticulously planned,
ever goes off without a hitch.
Miss me with that nonsense!
Ruby, who was that?
A pastor... Oh.
...who didn't realizeyou're asking for trouble
if you order take-out sea bass!
This is just what I feared,Rainbow.
The whole day is falling apart!
Ohh.Who's gonna marry us now?!
Ruby, Ican marry you and Pops.
You're ordained?
Well...
By Jesus?
By...
an online church that charges $45.
Good enough. Yes!
Okay.
Got this!
Yeah, there was a lot going on,
but no one forgot what the day was truly about --
Pops and Mama were getting their second chance at love,
and I couldn't have been more happy for them.
♪ I'm so in love with you
♪ Whatever you want to do
♪ Is alright with me
♪ 'Cause you make me feel so brand-new ♪
[ Whispering ]Take care of my mama.
I cannot tell you how wonderful it is
for us to be here today,
for -- Oh.
♪
...for allof us to be here today
to witness two very special people
reunite in matrimony.
And as an expression of the unique way
in which these two love each other,
Earl and Rubilene have elected to write their own vows.
Well, as you all know,
I've never been one for the spotlight.
[ Laughter ]
So I'll keep this short.
I love this manwith all my heart and soul.
And I am blessed to be able
to spend the rest of my lifewith him.
Pops.
Rubilene Johnson.
Woman, I can't believe I have lived long enough
to find my way back into your arms again.
You have made me the man I am today.
I never knew I could be this happy.
[ Gasps ]
I'm truly, truly grateful.
Thank you, Black Jesus. Amen.
[ Laughter ]
By the power vested in me by the Internet,
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Again.
I told y'allhe couldn't quit me.
[ Laughs ]
[ Laughter and applause ]
[ Laughs ]
[ Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much" plays ]
Thank you, girl! Hey!
Rainbow! Hey.
Thank you! You saved the day!
You know, I'm glad it was youthat married us.
Aww. Ruby! [ Laughs ]
It was 100% my honor.
And let me tell you something.
You are not such a bad mother-in-law.
I love you, too.
[ Both laugh ]
There you go!
Hey! $20?![ Laughs ]
What am I, your work friend?
[ Both laugh ]
Come on, everybody! Let's dance!
-Hey! -Come on, Earl!
♪ ...hustle for another dollar? ♪
♪ I'd rather be with you 'cause you... ♪
Olivia Denise Lockhart,
these last six months have been the best of my life.
No, stupid. You can't say that.
2020's been a horribleyear.
Okay.
Olivia Denise Lockhart, I'm so glad I've lived long enough
to find my way back into your arms.
No. Those are Pops' vows.
Junior...
you're not ready.
What are you talking about?
That look in your eye --
I had that same lookwith your mother
when I took her to a weddingthree months into dating her.
Really?
Mm-hmm. I get it, son.
But if you take anythingfrom your grandparents' story,
it's that you don't have to rush love.
Oh, thank God. Mm.
'Cause I'm in way over my head.Mm-hmm.
There's not even a ring in this box.
I know.I had to buy you that suit.
♪ And I just don't wanna stop
Family is messy.
Family is complicated.
But family is still family.
After seeing as many ups and downs as my parents have had,
I should have known that by now.
In the end, it was a wedding for the ages.
And that's a good thing,
because I'm never gonna do this again.
Olivia, come on over here.I want you in the picture.
Come on.Rainbow: Aww!
I want you in the picture, too, but there's no pressure.
Junior, I never pass up an opportunity to get my picture taken.
Okay. [ Chuckles ]
[ Camera shutter clicking ]Oh. Mm-hmm.
Smile, baby.Got it.
Alright, get a couple without her.
Oh.
Never know if it's gonna last, you know?
Uh --[ Clears throat ]
Oh.
No, no. No, no.
She's talking about me.
She did the same thing at mywedding.
Go ahead. Squish in.
I'll meet you at the bar, babe.
Uh-huh. Mm-hmm.
[ Camera shutter clicking ]