 The barbers call Akeem "Kunta Kinte", a reference to  _"Roots" (1977) (mini)_ (qv). John Amos (I) (qv), who plays Cleo  McDowell (Lisas father), played the adult Kunta Kinte in Roots.  Madge Sinclair (qv) (Queen Aoleon), played Kunta Kintes wife and  James Earl Jones (qv) (King Jaffe Joffer) played Alex Haley Jr. in  _"Roots: The Next Generations" (1979) (mini)_ (qv).