The Racialicious Entertainment Roundup: Nov. 23-29
By Joseph Lamour and Kendra James
The New Normal has no shame left, is what I was thinking during the whole episode. In this week’s episode, Shania (played by the ever-so-cute Bebe Wood) had to come up with an influential woman to cover for a presentation recital–do these actually happen? I’m actually curious–and perform the speech in front of the parents at school. And, boy, did she perform…because she chose Cher. Walking up to stage in a hot pink war bonnet–I don’t want to even start with that again right now because, when she starts to sing, it gets worse…
Shania then proceeds to sing a song called “Half Breed,” about Cher’s mixed-race heritage. Cher’s father was Armenian American and her mother was of Irish, English, German and Cherokee descent, so the title of the song isn’t entirely accurate. Thankfully, there were actual consequences of singing a song like that at a school function–she was suspended. The principal and her teacher even listed other songs she could sing (“Like, any of Cher’s actual music.” says everyone with sense) and held up the suspension after her mother (played by Scottish actress Georgia King) gave an impassioned speech as to why Shania shouldn’t have been suspended.–JL
CLARIFICATION: Half Breed was an actual song by Cher. I guess it says something about The New Normal that I assumed they wrote it. My apologies. Also, my sardonic aside should read “Like, any of Cher’s other music.” Sorry for the confusion!
To be honest, this brings another level to the episode plot. This question I’m posing is regardless of performing a song like this in school: If Shania is recreating a performance by Cher with the war bonnet, is it just as inappropriate as Karlie Kloss in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show? Or is it something else? What do you think?–JL
True Blood Casting: This show lost me by the end of season 5, but for those of you who plan on staying Stackhouse-stalwart through Season 6, here’s a fun casting tidbit for you:
Optimist that I am, I give her six episodes before she ends up as werewolf kibble.–KJ
True Blood Spoiler Alert: This is just a guess, but the above description of Nicole Jannsen sounds eerily similar to that of Amelia Broadway from the books, which excites me. If there’s any character that can turn True Blood around (if treated correctly) it’s her. Maybe the original Tara should audition.–JL
The Mentalist: What is it about hour-long, whodunit procedurals? I love them all indiscriminately: Law and Order SVU, Southland, Elementary (Ms. Watson 4EVA), CSI (both original and extra NY-y); I even watch the right-leaning Blue Bloods. The Mentalist is one of the better ones, with its over-arching “Red John” storyline peeking in each week. Yet, all of these shows share a common problem: when faced with the idea of having an all-black guest cast, they all resort to an inner-city gang storyline. The storyline is likely conceived first, of course.
Page 1 of 4 | Next page