Back when I was a little girl, there was a show called Barney Miller. It was a *multi-camera sitcom that took place in a police precinct in New York City.
Flash forward to today. There’s a new *single-camera sitcom on FOX. Starring Andre Braugher and Andy Samberg…And set in a police precinct in NYC…It’s damn near perfect.
Everything about this show, I dig. From Andy Samberg the entire cast, to the theme song, to the look of the show.
I’m glad it’s been picked up for a full season. I’d like to see how it progresses.
*Is it weird that I think it’s cool that I actually know what this means? The odd, nerdy ish you learn in TV school…One day at a party, I’m gonna blow someone’s mind.
Last night’s Republic of Doyle threw me a real curve ball. It began when I noticed Leslie Bennett interacting with a mysterious bloke by the name of Callum. My curiosity was piqued.
Of all the pop-culture references, the first thing that came to my mind was this song
I know Chanté’s singing about an entirely different circumstance. Yet the chorus kept popping into my head. I found myself replacing “Chanté” with the name “Leslie”. And then of course I thought, “Hmph! Leslie should be singin’ this about Jake.”
However, of course, she can’t because, well…She’s MARRIED.
More than that—they need to be acknowledged by key players in the entertainment industry.
When will folks’ ideas about what black people women can do change? This current controversy has affirmed something for me. I’m in the right place. The only way to improve the media is from the inside, through hard work.
As you already know, I’m in TV school, learning the tricks of the trade. Over the past couple of weeks, I watched these videos. The first I learned about in class…
The second showed up while I was doing research for a project.
Both speak volumes about the writing process.
Tell your truth–no matter what it is. Don’t worry about convention. Don’t be discouraged by what “they” say. Just be honest.
A few months ago when I attended How She Hustles, I wasn’t sure. Long ago a dear friend suggested that I make a web series, but I put that idea on the back-burner.
However, a recent and steady diet of episodes from the people at Black & Sexy TV has brought old issues back up again.
Right now, I think I’m going to divide myself between what I call “sensible” reality programming–documentaries, news, nature shows, etc., and a web series. The former, because the teacher in me wants to educate people in an engaging way. The latter, because, well…It’s become obvious that these days the only way people of color can view media that portrays them in a realistic light is if they produce it themselves.
The media places too much emphasis on the notion that you have to fit into a certain box in order to make things happen. Lord knows I’ve struggled with thinking I was past my prime—or at least too old to pursue my dreams.
Lest you need another reminder that the opposite is true, read this article featuring the awesome Dina Pugliese. I found it a couple of weekends ago via Twitter and had a smile on my face.
For those of you who don’t know, Dina is a morning show host in Toronto on City TV’s Breakfast Television. At the age of 29 she decided to step out from working behind the scenes in television and began her career as a host. On Twitter twitter she spoke to fans including me about making the switch. At one point she even mentioned hitting a low point and then just GOING FOR IT.
Oh, how I can relate. 😉
Mind you, I’m closer to Dina’s current age than the age she was when she got her start. But my spirit remains undaunted. I can’t wait to get going!
As for my future, I am looking at a career change from my current field, into arts and entertainment. This switch will begin with me furthering my education…
My thoughts on the subject have run from insanely excited to quietly pensive. Meanwhile, even though I believe I’ll be very successful, in the back of my head is the fact that I am going to start out as an intern. This idea isn’t actually that discouraging. In fact I’m more curious than anything else.
My hope stems from knowing that I’ve been looking at the big picture. And quite honestly, I’d rather be at the bottom rung of my dream career than on a path to nowhere in a field where I don’t have a future.
The other day I had the chance to sit in on some great conversations about television. One concept that was brought up was the magic that happens when a show “gets it”. That’s when a program is able to connect to its audience by offering a realistic portrayal of its audience’s life.
Currently, I work in education. Apart from a few semi-steady gigs that I do not talk about I have spent the bulk of my time as a substitute teacher. Still. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never taught a day in your life. If you have friends who teach, surely you’ve heard stories. All sorts of crazy things can happen, both in and out of the classroom.
On that note, let me introduce you to Mr. D–a program that airs on my nation’s broadcaster, CBC Television. Here’s a clip from last year…
My first instinct is to say that no teacher is ever that bad when they mark. And yet…I know otherwise.
I love this show! If you haven’t seen it, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Granted, there are some darker aspects of teaching. But I’ve already seen and had a taste of Boston Public. A spoof of some of the lesser-known parts of the profession is a refreshing change.
I don’t even mind that I’m 2+ years late. (I don’t have cable.)
But over the last year or so, I couldn’t help notice something. There was this gaggle of British people that kept winning awards…Mainly for a show that I thought had this song’s title in its name.
However, alas, it’s not “DownTOWN”. It’s pronounced “Down-t’n”.
A few weeks ago I downloaded the first episode free via iTunes. I was hooked immediately and thought, “Where is the rest of this show? I must see it. NOW!!”
Thankfully, the other day I got hands on the first season through my local library. I look forward to seeing more.
I thought of a spicier title for this post, then felt compelled to change it. LOL.
So I went to church this week, and didn’t burst into flames when I stepped into the sanctuary. (More on that later…)
Although television has always been a part of my life, right now there are only a handful of programs that I pay regular attention to.
Big Bang Theory – I love this show for its all-out devotion to Nerd Pride. That, and–sad but true–I see more of me in Sheldon than I care to admit.
True Blood – On only once a year, I catch this show on the down low. (All I will say is that I’ve seen all 4 seasons, but I don’t have HBO. Or the series’ DVDs.)
Republic of Doyle – Once upon a time in Toronto, a housemate of mine told me she was an actor. I had no idea that she’d wind up on one of my favorite shows.
Seriously, though. Even if I’d never met one of the series’ leads, I’d declare everything on RoD to be utterly flawless. I’m jealous of their writing staff.
And over the past couple of weekends, a new show has come to my attention.
GCB – You may have heard of it by its original name–Good Christian B-with-an-itch-es.
While its broad humour might grate on some people’s nerves, I think it’s hilarious.
Needless to say, folks like Newt Gingrich are not happy.
Yes, if the show’s title had named Muslims instead of Christians, a certain section of the Muslim population would likely be upset. However people who make this argument are missing the point.
I mean, really. Have the people who are protesting this program actually seen it? Do they have a sense of humor?
GCB does not exist to insult Christians outright. Rather, it mocks a certain kind of Christian.
The arrogant ones, the pretentious ones. You know…
Kim Gatlin’s book inspired the series. In an interview, she once described a peculiar-but-familiar brand of church people–the kind of folks who use prayer requests as an opportunity to gossip.
Like it or not, backstabbing Christians exist. I think the protestors are upset not because of blasphemy. Rather, perhaps the mirror’s being held up and they don’t like what they see.
claire.she.goes 