The Racialicious TV Roundup
By Managing Editor Arturo R. García and Guest Contributor Kendra James
“Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” creator Issa Rae. Via ABC News.
Issa Rae: Well, this is how web television supporters say it’s supposed to work. Now, can Rae and Shonda Rhimes deliver?
Earlier this week, Rhimes, the showrunner behind Scandal and Grey’s Academy, sold a sitcom to ABC reportedly titled I Hate LA Dudes. On the surface, it doesn’t sound that different in tone from Rae’s acclaimed (if occasionally problematic) Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.
But in going from the wilds of YouTube to Pharrell Wiliams’ i am OTHER channel and now to serving as co-executive producer and writer on a broadcast television show, Rae becomes the first notable web creator to complete the circuit. This brings pressure on multiple fronts: not only does she become, for better or worse, a test run for creators and executives looking to see how her style and fanbase translate to a “mainstream” stage, but you have to figure no small percentage of ABG fans will seek reassurance that the comedy that drew them to that show survives the migration.
On the other hand, with Rae making the airwaves not long after Mindy Kaling’s own ascension, we also have to ask ourselves: how much does progress need to be progressive? –AG
(L-R) Dax Shepard, Joy Bryant, and Tyree Brown. Via TV Guide
Parenthood: STOP THE PRESSES! This week on Parenthood, a white writer not only wrote a black character but also wrote about a Black issue. You know, one of those things white television writers are always claiming they can’t write due to lack of experience. Well, maybe Sarah Watson needs to be giving lessons because her tackling of the n-word on Parenthood this week was impressive.
When Crosby and Jasmine (an interracial couple) realize that their son, Jabar, has been introduced to the word “nigga” earlier than they’d expected they have to come up with a game plan to explain the word to a seven year old. It’s Crosby’s fault that Jabar hears the word in the first place, but his explanation includes the phrase, “You shouldn’t say it, it’s like Voldemort.” Jasmine decides she should handle things, leaving Crosby feeling irrelevant…which he is, as a white male in a discussion on who should and shouldn’t say n*gger.
And wonderfully, Parenthood gets that. Jasmine patiently explains the word and a brief history behind it in a manner appropriate for a child Jabar’s age. When she asks Crosby if there’s anything he’d like to add he simply says, “No, that was perfect,” and later acknowledges that there are some things that Jabar and Jasmine share that he won’t be able to relate to. Sometimes his White Opinions just aren’t going to cut it.
Crosby asks her later, “Has that ever happened to you. You know, when you were made to feel…less than?” Jasmine answers sadly, “Yeah, a few times,” but doesn’t explain further. The topic is obviously deeply personal and through the silence, Crosby remains on the outside.
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