Back in the PCP days of the 1970's, James Brown hosted his own television show. Future Shock was filmed in the pre TBS studios of WTCG in Atlanta. It could have been lost forever, but a few episodes managed to slip out of the vaults. Give a great big round of applause to the legendary "Eugene" for editing together the Best Of Future Shock. And also remember that Future Shock Cannot Be Stopped!
JB blackcrack - Funky President
There was a nice little feature on "Future Shock" in the Grand Royal magazine way back when. I've always wondered what the show actually looked like, though. Thanks for the video!!
Posted by: Peter | February 16, 2008 at 04:13 PM
This is the most awesome thing I've ever seen. Way to get it over, get your thing together, understand?
Posted by: Fnarf | February 16, 2008 at 04:30 PM
all the crack references are plain fucking wrong, and racist...remove them
Posted by: x | February 17, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Man, the dance contest footage is the textbook definition of surrealism. Not literally, of course, but if you were to film a movie set in the 1970's that incorporated footage like that, you would likely be accused of extreme exaggeration. Yet to watch that first dance contest is to be reminded that the 70's were wackier than we can possibly remember.
Posted by: Greg | February 17, 2008 at 01:14 PM
The crack in this case refers to VINYL, x. It's also meant as a plug for our current presidential candidate.
Posted by: Debbie D | February 17, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Ah, so this is where that ottoman humping fad got started.
Posted by: Eric | February 17, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Unreal! A million thanks.
Posted by: dean | February 17, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Thanks Debbie! It's all too appropriate that you are the poster of this awesomeness. I haven't seen it since your house in the country all those years ago.
Posted by: Pudd | February 17, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Mustache-era JB was always a little strangeto me...
Posted by: jmb | February 18, 2008 at 03:14 PM
most awesome post of the week! thank you
Posted by: Steve PMX | February 21, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I love Geraldo's dancing! What forced him into "journalism"?
Posted by: dave from knoxville | February 22, 2008 at 07:11 AM
Debbie, I was actually one of the dancers in one of the contests(!) and would love to own a copy of this video. Is there a way I can purchase this?
Posted by: C.B. | June 10, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Where or how can I obtain the very first episode of future shock. I was a student at Morris Bown College and danced on the first four episode inlcuding one featuring Clarence Carter.
Posted by: Chery | October 25, 2009 at 06:03 PM
I was on several James Brown Future Shock Dance Show and have been looking for copies of the show. Can anyone help me get copies of the show it have been thirty years ago I was sixteen at the time. I started appearing on the show for my sweetsixteen birthday. Please help!
Posted by: Patricia Webster | January 22, 2010 at 12:20 AM
Very nice. Happy bday JB! Lots of beautiful people in the video. Love it.
Posted by: William | May 02, 2010 at 09:16 PM
i used to watch this show when I lived in Houston. I was beginning to think I had dreamed it. I never found anyone that knew anything about it. It was fantastic. Sometimes the camera would follow JB dancing, show his feet and you would see the cables and gaffers tape. Every other episode (it seemed) would show this live outdoor concert of JB doing Popcorn. The footage was 1 shade up from total black. What a show. What a find. Thanks!
Posted by: Curtis Cates | February 01, 2012 at 12:50 PM
I've been looking for copies of the Future Shock show for a long time. It's nice to get a little more footage of the show. There is somebody on ebay who sells a dvd of a few shows, you just gotta catch'em when puts them up on ebay. Thanks for the video...it's outta sight!! R.I.P. Godfather.
Posted by: Mr.Gitdown | July 01, 2012 at 09:20 PM