First & Foremost...

On Tuesday, November 5, Shaggy (aka Mr Boombastic) traded in It Wasn’t Me for Under The Sea for his appearance in T he Little Mermaid Live! The reggae crooner portrayed everyone’s favourite Jamaican crab Sebastian and starred alongside Queen Latifah (Ursula), John Stamos (Chef Louis) and Auli’i Cravalho (Ariel) in ABC’s live-action presentation of the 1989 animated Disney classic The Little Mermaid.

This was not the best live-action adaptation that we’ve seen in recent years. And, no we aren’t comparing cable television production to a big-budget Hollywood adaptation (we’re looking at you, Lion King). However, when comparing the staging of The Little Mermaid Live! to 2014’s Peter Pan Live! And 2015’s The Wiz Live! (what’s with all the exclamation points?) it was a bit flat. But all was not lost.

Of course, we know Queen Latifah can sing! But she was so impressive she almost stole the show. But Shaggy held his own and delivered show-stopping renditions of Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl. And, it’s not just SO2 that thinks Shaggy saved the television production. In his review, New York Times writer Noel Murray wrote: “The reggae performer Shaggy played Ariel’s anxious adviser, Sebastian, a comical crab who had two of the night’s show-stoppers: the rousing, Caribbean-spices Under the Sea, and the seductive ballad Kiss the Girl.” Plus, The Little Mermaid Live! soundtrack rose to the number one spot on iTunes on Wednesday. Congrats, Shaggy!

And, if his television performance wasn’t enough, on Thursday, November 7 Shaggy, who is a US Marine Gulf War veteran, was honoured at the Boston Veteran’s Day dinner, which took place at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Additionally…

Now onto sports, Jamaican mixed martial artist fighter Randy “Rude Boy” Brown will return to the Octagon on Saturday, November 16 to take on Brazilian Warlley Alves in a UFC welterweight match. From viewing his Instagram page, SO notes that Brown is spending a lot of time training and is approaching the bout with focus and tenacity. Good luck!

Etc etc etc

Shout out to Jamaican-blooded actor Nick Creegan, who practised his best Jamaican accent as the character Desmond in the OWN TV series David Makes Man. Creegan’s portrayal reminded Jamaican viewers of that relative who we keep at bay and want very little to do with, but will give them a lifeline when they are at their lowest. The season finale aired on October 16, but fans of the show are still talking about Creegan’s unforgettable Jamaican character.

Finally

Our favourite Olympian-cum-entrepreneur Usain Bolt once again proved that “jet-setter” is his middle name. Bolt was in Victoria, Australia, in the capacity of GH Mumm ambassador attending one of Down Under’s biggest race days. Continue flying the Jamaican flag, Usain. Cheers!