Black-Ass TV Sparking Joy
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! Everything is … whew! So we wanted to keep it light this week with a few recommendations for Black-Ass TV released in 2022.
I. The Facts
Black people have been churning out alllll the good TV this year (and always, of course)
The Kings of Napa (OWN) is the best terrible-amazing TV show you’re not watching right now. It’s Empire (minus the light skinned singing) meets the vineyard.
Staying in the wine universe, we love the frothy, funny friend group comedy Grand Crew (NBC) about a group of Black LA friends who meet at a wine bar to dish.
Bel-Air (Peacock) is a darker, dramatic take on the Fresh Prince with GREAT acting from our young leads, especially young Will.
Peckham’s Finest (Hulu) is a look into the lives of 20-somethings living in East London’s Blackest neighborhood.
Abbott Elementary (ABC), a mockumentary following a Philadelphia school’s student and staff, is the best, most heartfelt comedy on TV.
Have you heard of Naomi (CW), a show from Ava Duvernay about a Black girl superhero?
Lee Daniels produced Our Kind of People (Fox) is not great per se, but Yaya DaCosta is beautiful and Morris Chestnut is still so damn fine. Watch it on silent?
Ready to Love (OWN) is a reality show with grown-ass folks (mid 30s - 50s) dating. All the trappings of reality TV are there, but this one is more steeped in actual reality.
Why does it matter and what can my Black ass do?
We deserve entertainment and lightness.
Check out any of the above and reply to this with any of your recommendations!
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings.
Imagine telling Rihanna, the best smelling person in the world, she’s late?
Check out these Black-owned alcohol brands.
An interview with Cassandra Freeman, Bel-Air’s Aunt Viv.
There are subscription boxes that will bring Black-ass books right to your door.
An interview with Abbott Elementary scene stealer Janelle James who plays Principal Ava.
The way Kaavia James continues to run a tight ship in that household???
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Jumoke):
How I’ve never made Drive Back a song of the week makes no sense. What a hit from a very tiny, talented and sometimes very terrible person.
Things we look forward to / don’t look forward to:
I (Jumoke) don’t look forward to The Courtship, a show about a Black woman in Jane Austen cosplay pretending to date in the Regency period, an era where the vast majority of Black people were either enslaved or colonized.
I (Mitu) look forward to Toni Braxton’s upcoming Lifetime mystery movie, Fallen Angels Murder Club.
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Parent
My (Jumoke) lil nignog baby sister got a job! Here is the nicest welcome to capitalism text ever from our mom.
Stay Black, thrive and remember to unclench your jaw and relax your shoulders. We'll hit your inbox next on March 21.