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‘Good Times’ showrunner reacts to intense backlash against animated reboot

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Two weeks have passed since Netflix released the animated reboot of “Good Times”, and its showrunner is counting on the audience’s response.

The Good Times characters are voiced by (from left) Jay Pharoah as Junior, Marsai Martin as Grey, Yvette Nicole Brown as Beverly, Gerald Anthony “Slink” Johnson as Dalvin and JB Smoove as Reggie. (courtesy of Netflix)

In a recent interview with Hollywood reportershowrunner Ranada Shepard said she understood the uproar and intense feedback from viewers who watched episodes of the reboot.

“There was no framing for the audience, it was just: watch it and form your own opinion. They observed and formed an opinion,” Shepard told the outlet.

Even before the episodes premiered, the discourse quickly spread online after Netflix released the primary official trailer for the animation in March. Social media users were offended by the brand new show’s portrayal of the family, saying it deviated from the unique 1974 series “Good Times.” Instead of reflecting the morals and values ​​of a working-class black family, as viewers claimed, the brand new series does the alternative by incorporating negative stereotypes.

Shepard empathized with the shocking reactions from fans of the unique “Good Times,” but noted that the reboot was intended to be different from the early sitcom.

She told The Hollywood Reporter that she understands “if it’s jarring. Because they needed someone to tell everyone, “I do know you are used to this sweet sitcom, however it’s not only a reimagining, it’s a unique genre that requires it to be loud and offensive, with edgy and inappropriate jokes.” Without this type of framing, you’ll be able to never blame the audience and I’d never do it.”

Before Shepard’s comments, members of the unique Good Times forged shared their thoughts on the animation ahead of its release. John Amos, who played patriarch James Evans, touched on the challenges of newer projects living up to their predecessors. BernNadette Stanis, who played daughter Thelma Evans, said she didn’t expect the show to be what it was.

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The showrunner said she understands the reboot won’t be accessible to all viewers, especially those that might not be conversant in this particular genre of television.

“Listen, there are people for whom this won’t work,” Shepard he said. “But I ask these people, ‘Do you watch adult animation?’ Because I know a lot of people don’t watch adult animation, so if that’s not your genre, this genre will be difficult for you. But are these well-written stories that stand up to social commentary and each of them carries a message? Absolutely.”

Despite the controversy, Shepard is behind the reboot and urges viewers to give it a likelihood and watch all 10 episodes.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Television

Simone Biles will join Snoop Dogg as a guest mentor on an episode of NBC’s “The Voice.”

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Simone Biles, Snoop Dogg, Simone Biles Snoop Dogg, Simone Biles Snoop Dogg The Voice, Simone Biles Snoop Dogg Olympics, Simone Biles The Voice, Snoop Dogg The Voice, Snoop Dogg Olympics, The Voice, theGrio.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg AND Simone Biles they swapped their Olympic ties from this summer Paris Games takes on a latest challenge: a tandem of superstars will join forces on NBC’s “The Voice.”

Biles will join Snoop on an episode of the fact competition show that airs Monday. As the show’s coach, the rap star hired Biles as a mentor within the playoffs to advise the five singers vying for a spot within the live shows.

For Snoop and Biles, their pair was a perfect combination of sports and music icons who effortlessly brought their chemistry from the Olympics to TV’s “The Voice.”

“We were able to get together and give the artists the best insight into the next round,” Biles told The Associated Press in a recent interview with Snoop as the 2 finished filming the episode in Los Angeles.

“It was pretty easy, simple,” added Biles, probably the most decorated gymnast of all time, who won 4 medals, including three gold, on the last Olympics. “We are each very gentle. But if we’d like to boost this energy, we will do it. For us it was about giving us confidence for the following week.

Biles can have been known for her athletic achievements, but she had the power to attach with musical competitors from one athlete to a different.

“These are the stages of learning: learn, process, come back and work,” she said. “They all have vocal talent. It’s about using it, knowing when to bring it out, what songs to sing and what genre you fit into. And what should your legacy be? It’s a truly unique show, as is the judging. They can’t see the physical appearance first. It’s all behind the ears, listening and putting your craft together.”

Despite their different profession paths, Snoop and Biles respect one another and are capable of shine on the most important stages.

“We have very diverse careers. But what we were coping with, they’re coping with now,” said Snoop, a remarkably fluid artist who has adopted as a special correspondent IN Record-breaking NBC coverage. He can also be a coach on “The Voice.” Michael Buble, Reba McEntire AND Gwen Stefaniand every of them tries to find and train one other singing phenomenon.

Snoop said he felt the necessity to instill wisdom and confidence in each contestant.

“We have the best experience and knowledge that we can pass on to these contractors,” he said. “She is a performer. I am a contractor. We performed in extreme conditions. We always do our best. But sometimes things happen behind closed doors that you don’t know about. This allows us to talk about these issues and really put them at ease.”

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During the Olympics, Biles and Snoop had several viral moments. The two got here together to cheer on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone during her 400-meter hurdles; gave Biles’ father, Ronald Biles, a Death Row Records gold necklace for his seventy fifth birthday; and was spotted dancing in the group through the women’s gymnastics qualifying round as Biles and her teammate Jordan Chiles joined.

On set, Biles smiled often as he watched Snoop in his charismatic element.

“I knew Snoop would stay true to himself and authentic on ‘The Voice,'” she said. “It’s nice not to have to adjust the form. There is room for everyone.”

Snoop said it made sense for each parties to work together on this episode.

“This is family. It feels good,” Snoop said. “(Biles) can do anything he wants. He picks and chooses what he desires to do. We are at this stage in our profession straight away. It should be a good feeling. You cannot force it or I do not do it. Dot, point, blank space.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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No one eats more at Ben’s Chili Bowl than Alex Cross

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Alex Cross, Ben

Last week, Amazon Prime released its highly anticipated series “Cross,” and the masses are loving the atmospheric black detective saga based on James Patterson’s acclaimed book series. The series stars Aldis Hodge within the title role of Alex Cross.

Since the series is ready in Washington, D.C., it was an actual pleasure to look at it from the angle of a resident and DMV resident. The motion of the series takes place not only within the capital of the country, but for once you possibly can feel prefer it. Instead of the uninspired aerial shots of the U.S. Capitol and famous monuments that the majority shows and flicks set in DC add to convey a regional flavor, this photo captures the character of town itself.

There are shots of colourful row houses, scenes of residents crowding the streets, neoclassical buildings not only near the White House, and (minor plot spoiler) sketchy, mysterious white people in Georgetown. It was very nice to see that DMV boysthe bike crew that loudly strolls the streets of the DMV receives an honorable mention.

However, in trying to indicate real life in Washington, it appears that evidently the showrunners got one thing unsuitable. No one – and I repeat, absolutely – goes to Ben’s Chili Bowl as often as Alex Cross.

The man consistently eats at the historic and now iconic chili spot. Whenever he isn’t home or solving cases, Cross apparently stuffs his face with chili dogs. This is de facto weird. Several of his friends and colleagues also stay there consistently. They even hold intimate discussions at full volume about sensitive matters they supposedly want the general public to find out about. It’s not only me; as more and more people discover this program, more persons are beginning to notice this strange habit.

“I’m halfway through Cross on Amazon Prime and the most incredible thing is how often they eat at Ben’s Chili Bowl.” wrote user @thekeyresource on Threads. “Anyone who has lived in DC knows that only tourists eat there. DC residents purposely don’t eat there multiple times a week 🤣.”

For those less familiar, yes, Ben’s Chili Bowl could be very real. In fact, because the first season finished filming, Hodge visited the plant. In addition to being very tasty, the restaurant has existed in town for over 60 years. It was founded within the late Fifties by Ben Ali, a Trindadian-born immigrant who attended Howard University, which is positioned near Ben’s.

As someone who grew up less than 40 minutes from Washington, D.C., and worked, lived, and played in town for the higher a part of a decade, I can assure you that Ben’s is just not an on a regular basis place to live. It’s not even generally considered a spot to hang around through the day. Most people visit Ben’s at the top of a night at the bar on U Street (where he relies).

First, eating as much chili dogs as Cross claims wouldn’t be healthy. Seriously, what adult male together with his body type eats chili dogs that always? Alex Cross is certainly on some bougie keto weight-reduction plan.

Plus, a D.C. skilled actually is not eating greasy, yet delicious, seriously sloppy chili dogs in the midst of the work day. Let’s be honest: If Alex Cross is de facto a DC character, he gets Chipotle. It gives you numerous energy during your lunch break and burrito.

Plus, Ben’s is not the only restaurant on the town. This is just not the one historical case. This is not the only issue that matters to Black people. I mean, I’d expect Alex Cross to be holed up at Stan’s, the cocktail bar and restaurant on Vermont Avenue, and even the Florida Avenue Grill. If the showrunners wish to spread the love even more, there are many Black-owned restaurants like Dukem Ethiopian, Horace & Dickie’s Seafood Carryout, NuVegan Cafe, HalfSmoke and more. DMV guests typically visit several restaurants, not only one everlasting location.

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A slight spoiler, but given the subdued, depressed and stressed widower vibes, I actually think Cross also frequently reflected on his complicated life at the bar. He would actually be at a bar like Stan’s. Honestly, there is no such thing as a reason to eat out. The man lives together with his grandmother who helps him deal with his children; it must involve cooking for them!

But after I take into consideration Cross being a widower scuffling with grief, I begin to wonder if all of the chili dogs are a plot device. Maybe he’s waiting for some time at an everyday diner, hoping to assuage his sadness with all those hotdog buns.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Jaleel White’s memoir “Growing Up Urkel” is available now and I can’t wait to read his life story

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jaleel white, jaleel white memoir, Growing Up Urkel, steve urkel, family matters, 90s television, Black TV stars, thegrio.com,

There are some iconic TV characters which have such a cultural imprint that it have to be difficult for the person playing that character to completely break away from them. One such figure is Steven Q. Urkel, also often called Stefan Urquelle. If you lived within the ’90s, you might not have watched Family Matters, but you knew exactly who Urkel was. He was the annoyingly nerdy neighbor of Carl and Harriet Winslow, who was also in love with their oldest daughter, Laura Winslow. And when you were a young black boy within the ’90s who wore glasses and was even slightly nerdy, people called you Urkel.

Hi. I was Urkel.

Urkel was played by Jaleel White, a young man who grew right into a young adult over the course of the series. I have often wondered what it was like to be so famous for one particular role and how that role influenced the actor’s real life. For example, I entered Morehouse College as a freshman in 1997. At the identical time, the massive news on campus was that Keshia Knight-Pulliamwho famously played Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” was also starting her freshman 12 months at Spelman College across the road.

In Black America, Huxtables might as well be royalty. Even though all of the actors playing these characters were human, to us, the common folk, they were all symbols of black excellence and felt like members of our families throughout the series. I still remember the primary time I saw Keshia on campus; you might see people looking at her, almost in disbelief that she was actually there, physically. It was surreal, but I also wondered if she was annoyed. No one called her Keshia, just “Rudy” (at first). I can’t pretend I know her well enough to know if it’s going to ever end, but we had a category together freshman 12 months and the professor would not stop calling her Rudy. It have to be hard to be so famous for such reason that it drags you down in a way that does not allow you to be your personal person.

Jaleel White wrote a memoir titled “Growing Up Urkel.” I can’t wait to read this book. First, I imagine he has to cope with each the positive and negative effects of being related to a novel character who was actually a major a part of American popular culture – ’90s Urkel. Given his fame and a number of the squabbles with his adult companions, o that we have been hearing on the news over the previous couple of years, it looks as if his life story is probably really fascinating. In interviews, he seems so well-adjusted that he should have had a extremely solid family foundation.

I watched it recently interview White gave on “The Breakfast Club” and I was almost surprised by how great he is in front of the camera, but that surprise is because even in 2024 I still consider him as Urkel. I watched TV shows and movies wherein he acted. Well, Jaleel White is the star of probably one in every of the darkest movies of all time. “Who made the potato salad?” Yet all along I saw Urkel acting like a idiot, not Jaleel. He seems to have come to terms with it, but man, it’s really hard to imagine life in his place.

For that reason alone, I’m glad he decided to share his story with the masses, as I’m sure it’s each entertaining and informative. Also, lots of people have stories – I just don’t know the way many individuals have a story that features literally being one of the essential black figures in Black Pop Cultural history. As someone Urkel has seen for thus a few years, I can’t wait to read his story.

Plus every adult black male giving Teddy Pendergrass on the duvet of the book clearly has something to get off his chest.


Panama Jackson theGrio.com


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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