Ahead of the Curve...Again

Don't you hate it when you have a thought first and then the media finally start to come around to your line of thinking. I KNOW! When Mad Men debuted I wondered at the thought process behind setting a show in the 60s. I wondered if this would be the new trend in that instead of having to answer for why there is no diversity in your programming you can fall back on the "it's true to the times" meme. I think it's lazy. I don't think Hollywood writers are willing to stretch and I don't think producers are willing to hire Black writers and directors.

Check out Tim Wise and this.  Actually really interesting takes on the popularity of Mad Men.

Okay now that's all I got....

Hey Y'all There's Black Folks On TV

So while the rest of Amerikkka mourned, I let my mind wander over some random thoughts today. For example, what is it about Amerikkkans that we love to wallow in our various miseries? Seriously, why are we always commemorating some tragedy or another? Yes, I remember exactly where I was nine years ago and probaly won't ever forget the sight of those buildings coming down or how my hands shook as I called around to find various family members and friends. However, I still question why this country loves to perpetuate this schizophrenia that it is dually the greatest country on earth and the most put upon. Woe is us...

Anyway...

Hey y'all there's gonna be Black folks on TV--sexy Black folks too! For years there's been a void in network programming and now I feel we've at least started to fill it. JJ Abrams (one of my favorites) is helming the show which bodes well for it having a full season to build an audience. It's kind of pitiful really, that one show is getting so much buzz in the community, but we all know what it is...positive portrayals of Black folks in television and film are few and far between. Not very long ago Black folks in television and film was an event worthy of stopping all activity to pile in the car to go to the theater or all gather in front of the console. What the hell is Hollywood afraid of anyway? We already know we're the key influencers of most pop cuture--can't you at least grant us a little screen time? Dammit I'm sick of Tyler Perry and I demand an alternative. Here's wishing good luck to Vanessa Williams who is joining the botoxed ladies of Wisteria Lane and The Game which (fingers crossed) is coming to BET. Takers was #1 at the box office. I am verklempt at the abundance.

Oh and a final thought while I'm on this stream of conciousness; Venus Williams played in the US Open on Friday and I want to give her a standing O. WTF are these sports writers and pundits on anyway? They just hate Venus and Serena. Somebody (can't remember who as they are not worthy of the brain cells) had the audacity to say that if Serena would show some commitment and focus she would be more successful. The last NINE Wimbledon were won by either Serena or Venus Williams--that's one hell of a commitment and some laser focus if you ask me. Hey what do I know...I was confused as to why the Amerikkkan audience was rooting for the Belgian player in the US Open, but hey all's fair in love and racial dynamics in Amerikkka.