Twenties half of a perfect 10...

After yesterday's post on there being no predominately black cast drama shows I felt I should showcase what is being shopped around in Hollywood and why I think it it deserves the spotlight even though I think it falls flat.

I'm always on the hunt for new content to view and draw from. I'm a writer that one day hopes to see my words come to life on the screen- big or small. It is full on inspiration to see other writers, especially African American writers making waves being seen and heard.

I came across talk about a new Lena Waithe show, that Queen Latifah's production company is trying to sell to the networks. It's called "Twenties" about an African American female in her 20's.

Twenties- Part 1

In the article written for Clutch Magazine I learned that there are 4 parts i.e. scenes taken from the pilot and edited together to give the viewers a sense of what the show is about.

Great idea. I knew of Lena Waithe from Sh*t Black Girls Say. She wrote it. I was happy and intrigued to read she was behind this.

I clicked on the videos in the article and sat back.

Twenties is NOT slated or does it want to be slated to be a WEB SERIES!!!! Lena wants this on a network. That disclaimer is in the "info box" on YouTube- with every clip.

I was a little miffed by that. An audience is an audience. To me it felt that she was saying Twenties was too good for the web...I don't know this is my opinion.

I do know that Lena partnered with Issa Rae on The Michelle Obama Diaries.  I do know that Issa Rae is currently working with Shonda Rhimes on an upcoming sitcom, and is in development with HBO for a new comedy show...I do know that Issa Rae got her start with a web series... Awkward Black Girl

But I digress...

In the first clip Hattie (the protagonist) is uploading a vlog, and then exits her apartment to find an eviction notice. The last clip reveals that Hattie is gay and is staying with a friend because of said eviction. In between you are introduced to some of her friends at a birthday party where Hattie is "sitting court" as her friends flock around her listing what she is doing wrong in her life. There is a weird scene with her friends and a tampon. Nothing else caught my attention.

I wouldn't run home to watch this. The writing fell flat.  I can't tell if it is a comedy or drama...both. The acting was unnatural hence unbelievable.

Learning that Hattie is gay didn't register with me because in real life I wouldn't care. I wanted to know more about how this 20 year old got evicted because she "liked to eat out a lot". So do I but I still know to check my account balances and make sure rent is paid and I knew that at her age.

I'm one potential viewer...so what I'm not able to identify with a lesbian vlogger, in her 20's, sleeping on her friend's sofa.

I'm sure other potential viewers can identify. Most in their Twenties ;-) no doubt.

Pushing aside my reasons on why I don't love it... I do like that it was created (mainstream entertainment needs more gays and lesbians on TV- yes I said it.) and I want to see what it can become with the proper backing.

Already it has been dubbed as the "black Girls". I hate that type of association. I wish newly developing shows could gain a foothold without being labeled after what came before them.

I see where it can be thought of as a "black" version of Girls. But since the protagonist is gay and openly so networks have been shying away from the show, IMHO

Hollywood is barely ready for black cast dramas...throw an openly gay character in the mix...Oh lawd...

Regardless African Americans NEED a show that isn't Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. Or a show that doesn't place them as only the sidekick.

I know that Lena doesn't want her show to be a web series. But she is using YouTube to gain interest and asking viewers to share the clips via their social networks hoping that enough talk of the show will make it easier to pitch to the networks.

We can work the internet but not be on it....another topic for another day...

Check out the clips and comment below and let me know what you think?

Is Twenties a show you would tune in to watch?

No more drama

*This post is dedicated to my sister, for asking the question...

Name 5 dramas with an all African American cast or more than 1 African American actor?*

I just knew I was going to win this...I got this, I said to myself in my Daryl Dixon voice as I mentally ran down a list of tv shows that I love watching. Of course Scandal was first on my list. Scandal may not have an all African American cast but there are 2 major characters on the show that are AA...3 if you count the recurring character of Olivia's ex Edison.

What started the conversation/game of name that show was me mentioning the TV show The Haves and the Have Nots on OWN. I've been hearing good reviews and I told my sister. I don't have cable so I can't watch it. I'm always up to watch anything that shows people who look like me, doing things that I have done, might do, want to do in real life.

Sis isn't a fan. She said the story line is predictable. The scenes are shot with a "soap operaish" lens/film. And the only reason why it's being talked about is because it's the only drama on tv with more than one AA character...I agreed...shit, that's the reason why I wanted to watch. I'm all about supporting my African American community. But I was like "It isn't the ONLY show."

She countered with "Name 5...and not Scandal because that is obvious...Name 5 dramas with more than one Black character?"

I closed my eyes, thinking that would help me conjure up images. All I saw behind my eyes lids was Scandal. My sister mentioned the series Soul Food on Showtime. I wanted Network shows and one, or two more recent.

I kept wanting to yell out "The Game", "Girlfriends". I couldn't because the question was DRAMAS. The Game and Girlfriends were comedy with some light drama tones.

I was getting so annoyed I couldn't think of one I had to go Google.

This is what I found...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:African-American_television_drama_series

To say I was a bit pissed at this list is an understatement. Most of the shows on the list only had one, two African Americans or non White characters. Yet I had to remind myself that what isn't out there can't be reflected. I feel justified in my annoyance that miniseries shouldn't be on the list.

I want to see shows that had the audience tuning in every week, season after season. I want shows that had some momentum with writing, character development.

What rattles me is that even if there have been dramas with the majority of cast members being African American the shows didn't last long.

If they were lucky, they got a chance to produce a full season of episodes. Soul Food holds the record as the longest running drama series with a predominantly African American cast, lasting 5 seasons.

In the comedy category we are golden...A Different World, The Cosby Show, Roc, Moesha, Living Single, Good Times

Those shows gave us a steady presence on the small screen, lasting for years.

Why?

We can laugh, joke, handle tough situations, difficult issues as long as there is a punch line or a sarcastic remark along with the message?

Are our daily lives filled with so much stress and strife we don't need/want anymore drama?

Or is it something deeper...is it fear? Is the African American community in Hollywood more comfortable laughing at themselves than standing on a soapbox to make a statement demanding more.

The roles and story lines that are offered are usually a tale of rags to riches, domestic help, thug life, or segregation.

When roles have been given that don't revolve around what is typical kudos are waved as if Hollywood is doing us a favor rather than portraying us as we are.

And we lap it up.

We need to pause in the laughter and ask ourselves why there is no drama.

Novelty...

Novelty

• "(derived from Latin word novus for "new") is the quality of being new, or following from that, of being striking, original or unusual. Although it may be said to have an objective dimension (e.g. a new style of art coming into being, such as abstract art or impressionism) it generally exists in the subjective perceptions of individuals."


• "something (as a song or food item) that provides often fleeting amusement and is often based on a theme —often used attributively."

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