Black People Review Girls (2.1): A Letter From Joe To Kendra

January 14th, 2013 by Joseph

Other things happen in the premiere, too: Adam is still a huge jerk. A huge jerk in love with our heroine. Rita Wilson is playing Marnie’s mom, and that’s pretty nifty. At a party Hannah and Elijah are throwing, Shoshanna and Ray fight then hook up. We also discover that this group of people is mostly comfortable befriending black girls with natural hairstyles. And–something unexpected–Elijah and Marnie hook up! It goes as well as expected, considering the fact that Elijah is gay and Marnie is a horrible person. But there are other more pressing things to discuss, obviously.

Here’s what I think, after watching the first half hour of the season: I admire that Dunham took the criticism she got last year to heart. There are so many examples of how Hollywood ignores this type of thing. In fact, there are whole websites devoted to it. It really seems like she listened; I can’t tell from thirty minutes that everything has been solved, but it seems to be off to a good start? Lena Dunham isn’t so bad? Maybe? I say that with reservation but enthusiasm. Before I go, a couple thoughts on the good and the bad:

  • Good: I’ll start with positive reinforcement: Girls is definitely more diverse this season! Bad: That definitely wasn’t the hardest thing to do.
  • Good: Donald Glover as Sandy! Hannah’s new, fleshed-out, not at all T-Doggy boyfriend. Bad: I’m just hoping Donald Glover won’t simply be this show’s Charlie Wheeler.
  • Good: About the extras: A marked improvement in the representation of Brooklyn’s racial mix. So, Lena Dunham created a popular show, a critically acclaimed show, and instead of being, like, “Whatever. They’re all going to watch me anyway!” she actually made an effort to improve her show. That’s good. Very good. And to be honest, she probably realizes that a more realistic mix equals a more realistic world for her characters to live in. Bad: Again, this is about the extras: There are definitely more black people on the show, but…I mean…I’ll put it this way. Realistic diversity is definitely not in your first season, girl. But it also not this. It’s definitely realistic here. But–it’s not this either, so don’t go overboard.

A closing thought, a coincidence: I went to RISD with Jemima Kirke, and you went to Oberlin when Dunham did–and you and I are colleagues now, as are Kirke and Dunham. The world is small.

Anyway, Kendra, I’d love to know what you think about the premiere: your thoughts on Sandy, the extras, and anything else. Looking forward to it, girl.

 

With Anticipation,

Joe Lamour

Page 2 of 2 | Previous page

Posted in Entertainment, Television, casting, diversity, race, representations | 1 comment

Previous post:
Next post:

  • justlikeoldtimes

    Considering everything that’s happened, I wouldn’t call writing in some guest stars as addressing the criticisms. It may be some nice damage control that makes the show better, but it’s still ultimately a show about the characters who are white in NYC. I’m not saying the show can never be redeemed, but the it’s the broad stroke of the show that’s broken. Considering what people have said in defense of the show, I’m not optimistic that they’ll ever “get it.”