Happy Hump Day! Seriously Feelin’ Erykah Badu feat. Common on “Love of My Life”

The Oscars in Pictures: Classic Dorothy Dandridge, Sidney Poitier, Nat King Cole and more at Hollywood’s Big Night!!

Incredible moments in the history of the Oscars courtesy of Black Vintage Glamour on Facebook:

Oscar winner Sidney Poitier and Nat “King” Cole at the 1963 Academy Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, April 8, 1963 (courtesy Vintage Black Glamour)

Dorothy Dandridge presenting an Oscar at New York’s Century Theater on March 30, 1955. She was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Carmen Jones but lost to Grace Kelly who won for Country Girl. Photo via Ebony.

Billy Dee Williams arrives at the Academy Awards on March 28, 1973. He appeared as Louis McKay in “Lady Sings the Blues,” which was nominated for five Oscars that year. (courtesy of Black Vintage Glamour)

Diahann Carroll, her mother Mabel Johnson (far right) and her then-husband, Robert DeLeon, a former Managing Editor at Jet magazine, arrive at the Academy Awards on April 8, 1975. Ms. Carroll was a Best Actress nominee that year for her role in “Claudine.” (courtesy of Vintage Black Glamour)

Three things I like about Tyler Perry’s new TBS sitcom, “For Better or Worse”

 I just watched the debut episodes of Tyler Perry’s newest sitcom on TBS, called “For better or worse” and all in all, I liked it! There were some bumps along the way but generally speaking, the show has promise so I’ll definitely check it out over the next couple of weeks to solidify my feelings one way or the other.

Many familiar with Mr. Perry’s films will immediately recognize Angela and Marcus as the drama-filled couple from Mr. Perry’s “Why did I get married?” franchise. True to form on “For better or worse”, Angela (Tasha Smith) is the same sassy, wise-cracking wife while Marcus (Michael Jai White) still tries to keep the peace, though he’s grown some backbone since we last saw him with his big-screen wife. To Ms. Smith’s credit, she knows how to play this role well, and reign it in on her own when her character is becoming hen-peckish. The new, small-screen version of WDIGM? introduces us to two new couples, one of which includes Marcus’ ex-girlfriend and ‘baby mamma’, the source of much conflict in the first WDIGM flick.

It’s unfortunate that “For better or worse” is in the timeslot following “Meet the Browns” on TBS, a show that literally makes my whole body cringe with its buffoonery in just about every scene. Even with that albatross, however, “For better or worse” still manages to hold its own with its overarching storyline around three couples: the loving but drama-prone duo, the quintessential Buppie pair, and the third and most tenous – lawyer meets hoochie online.

The show airs in thirty-minute episodes, which at times, feels rushed and incomplete. For instance, we [regrettably] see two supposedly refined Black women reduce themselves to fist fight in one scene, and very shortly afterward, they are invoking the ‘Rodney King’ anthem and helping each other off the floor. I realize there may be some allegoric value in that storyline but I do hope that doesn’t become the norm. Lord knows, professional Black women have enough to deal with every day than yet another show that perpetuates the crazed, loud, over-the-top Black woman stereotype.

That said, there were definitely some bright spots in the show, so here’s my take on the good, the not-so-good, and what could be better:

 Three things on the bright side:

-        It’s nice to see “Marcus and Angela” from the “Why did I get married?” franchise of Tyler Perry flicks (thankfully, sans Medea); they’re a colorful duo and I have to say, they do bring life to the show! While their’s is not a perfect union, it is closer to reality than many we see today at the polar ends of extremes (all happiness and light or all nonsense). They both work and appear to have done well for themselves and their family. But they’ve gone through a lot in terms of negotiating their marital relationship as well.  Again, if you’ve see the “Married” movies, you know what I’m talking about!

-   Similiar to the WDIGM? movies, Angela’s character is strong, but again, the actress Tasha Smith knows how to show some degree of vulnerability in her strength as a woman. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more of that balance and the related ‘layers’ to her character as the first season of this show goes on. Strength in our women is good but the reality is that we have just as much complexity as any other group of women so hopefully, TP will allow ‘Angela’ and the other characters to have life – not just drama.

-        TP isn’t using buffoonery and profanity to tell their stories – let’s keep it that way! There are things in the storyline that are humorous, but nothing other than the thankfully short ‘fight’ scene went over the line into embarrassment in terms of its representation of us. Now that said, the sista at the hair salon who’s fixated on the word ‘ho’ does get a warning sticker.

An added bonus for me is that the show does not have a ‘live audience’ or laugh tracks – thank GOODNESS. The ‘dramedy”s mood/‘cue’ music, however, is overdone on the cutesy side but it’s tolerable – for now.

 Two possible downsides:

-        There are obvious similarities to “All of Us” with a side of “Girlfriends”. Now personally, I liked “All of Us” but I’m hoping that “For better or worse” brings us a fresh perspective on the joys and complexities of black relationships – romantic as well as girlfriends.

-        As I noted in the opening of this review, the least favorite spot in the show was the scene where two otherwise civilized women reduce themselves to fighting over Marcus. Mr. Perry should know better than to ‘go there.’ While I’m sure someone out there somewhere engages in that conduct, I would hope that TP would use this show as a vehicle to lift us up, rather than pander down to the ignorance and nonsense of shows like “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” or any similar clownish productions. Simply put, there’s no humor in reducing women to the level of ‘fighting baby mamas’ in order to resolve their mutual jealousies. This was very demeaning to Black women and let’s hope that nonsense doesn’t happen again.

 Two suggestions:

-     Make all of the couples multi-dimensional. There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ man, woman or couple anywhere so there’s no need for you to create them on TV, TP. One of the things I loved most about the first “Why did I get married?” were the personal as well as relational challenges that all three of the couples were facing behind the fascades.  Hopefully, this show will not just focus on Marcus and Angela, but will also show that even the most seemingly flawless people and couples have their challenges of different kinds. There’s so much more that goes on in relationships besides Marcus and Angela’s signature faithfulness issues.

-    Instead of making the show all about ‘flossing’, Bentley’s, and endless prosperity, why not make the show more relatable from the jump. Yes, they can still be successful Blacks, but even the most ‘successful’ people who still have jobs in today’s world are experiencing the realities of the economic downturn. Reflect the real world in the show. The show doesn’t have to take everyone to the soup kitchen but it does need to be a bit more grounded. It may be more sensible to discuss how the couples are facing some of the harsh economic realities of today, or even better, supporting family members who surely are going through some tough times. After all, this is a Black show and we all know that even those who are ‘flossin’ and ballin’ a little still know and hopefully even help care for their own who aren’t as fortunate.

Other than that, I think it was a good, first night for the show! I’ll definitely stay tuned for next week’s episodes. Check your TV lineup for TBS on Friday nights to find “For better or worse“‘s airtime in your market. In the meantime, this extended clip from the show is actually much better than the two shows that aired tonight. Looks like things are going to be a lot more interesting very soon – in a GOOD way!

‘30 Americans’ Brings Work of Contemporary Black Artists Together in D.C.

Black art is… Rich. Beautiful. Provocative. Click here to learn more about the ’30 Americans’ exhibit, a collection of stunning and imaginative works by 31 African American artists, going on at the Cocoran Gallery of Art, now through February 12, 2012 in Washington DC.

My personal favorite:  Iona Rozeal Brown, Sacrifice #2: It Has to Last (2007)

Great Romantic Classics: Ready to Spend My Money on Lucy Pearl’s “Dance Tonight”

Just because…

“I don’t think security can solve problems. We need to teach greater respect.” – Oslo Mayor Stang on Terrorist Hate Massacre

 ”I don’t think security can solve problems. We need to teach greater respect.”

- Oslo Mayor Stang asked whether Oslo needs greater security

Click here to read an excellent analysis from Sunday’s Zaman on what we know so far about the terrorist who committed these senseless hate crimes in Norway yesterday, leaving so far, 93 innocent victims dead. There’s no rationale for the lethal sickness of hate, none at all. And to do it under the guise of ‘Christianity’ is not only cowardly but perverse. Thoughts and real prayers to the families of the children and families who lost their lives to this evil act of violence.

My Lucky Seven Playlist of Amy Winehouse Favorites

Amy Winehouse was a phenomenal songstress, one whose music we will all enjoy many years from now when we’ve long tossed the disposable sounds of the overwhelming majority of today’s crop of artists and performers. Here’s my lucky 7 of favorites from her:

1. Will you still love me tomorrow?
2. F**k me pumps
3. Love is a losing game
4. You know I’m no good
5. Valerie
6. Rehab
7. Back to black

A teachable moment through a tragic death: For Amy Winehouse, substance abuse was a “Losing Game”

Amy Winehouse was one of those rare talents in today’s music who had a real voice that didn’t need a brigade of producers and sound effects to bring forth the natural gift with which she was blessed. But as charmed as she was as a musician, her inability to end her drug habit was more painful to watch than any lovelorn lyrics she ever sang. As she will undoubtedly be remembered as a true star who’s life was tragically cut short allegedly by substance abuse, hopefully responsible media will praise her talent while using this as a teachable, warning moment for kids and adults alike who think that drug use can EVER be ‘recreational.’ Yep, Gaga, that means you too. While the cause of Amy’s death is unknown pending an autopsy, it’s rare that a 27 year old with a serious history of substance abuse just dies of natural causes. Her death may or may not have been an overdose, but it will be seriously difficult to believe that her substance wasn’t a significant, contributing factor, even if officially, her body just gave up. Drug use is a losing game not to be made light of, for it rarely has winners other than those who are able to truly break free of its grip.

RIP Amy.

R.I.P. Amy Winehouse – Hopefully you will find peace as your life tragically “Fades to Black”

Amy Winehouse, a beautiful and troubled songstress, may you finally find a peace that eluded you in life. We’ll miss you, Amy.

Need some Electric Relaxation? Check for the upcoming documentary, “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest”

NPR has an interesting piece today on hip-hop legends Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Phife Dawg, known collectively as a Tribe Called Quest, one of the finest rap ensembles to ever grace the game. While the writing of the NPR piece leaves much to be desired, I’m glad they put the spotlight back on this group and I will definitely check for the forthcoming documentary on them called “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest”.

Click here to check NPR’s note on the documentary, which definitely sounds like it will be interesting in helping fans to understand the demise of yet another high-def hip-hop group. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy two of my personal fav’s from ATCQ, Electric Relaxation and Bonita Applebum…both go down well on this steamy evening.