Issa Rae isn't Awkward

Me & Issa Rae

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

Remember back in the fall, I wrote about the popular new web series, The Mis-Adventures of the Awkward Black Girl (ABG)? Well the writer, creator, and star of the under-the-radar hit spoke last night in Philadelphia as part of the Celebration of Black Writing and yours truly was in the audience.

Hearing Issa Rae talk about her reasons for starting the show -- because she couldn't find anything on regular television that featured smart, snarky humor and Black characters -- and her grassroots source of funding (hello Kickstarter),  made me a fan for life. Last night I went and watched some new episodes and found myself laughing more than I did the first time. Regardless, I'm going to be a fan of Issa Rae's for life. She really isn't waiting for something to happen, she's making it happen, for herself and all of the other actors and crew on the show. Tonight she announced that the entire second season -- which will premiere on June 14 -- has been fully financed by Pharrell Williams and will air on his I am Other YouTube Channel.  Woot! Woot!

And the good news doesn't stop there. ABG just picked up a Shorty Award for best web series.  A Shorty Award is like the Oscars of stuff that happens online. Seriously. And you know there's lots of stuff online, so that fact that ABG beat through the clutter to get nominated and win is pretty awesome.

So, dear readers, I am inspired. I hope you are too.

Have a great weekend.

Peace!

The Meltingpot Wonders about The Awkward Black Girl

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Have you heard about the runaway success of the independent web series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl? Before I even watched an episode, I was excited by the possibility of a 'TV' show that spoke to a different type of Black girl than the hootchie mama or cool/funny best friend most often seen in mainstream media. And by the time I even heard about the series, created by Stanford grad, Issa Rae the Twitterverse and facebook were already buzzing about how great it was. And even major networks were singing its praise.

But here's the thing. I feel so bad saying this. I don't love it. Ugh. If there ever was a show that I wanted to love, this would be it. I love the independent spirit that started the whole thing. I love the concept. I love Issa Rae, but I'm not feeling the show. Maybe I just need to watch more. Maybe I need to be 20 years younger to 'get it.' Maybe I'm just not funny enough to get their funny. Or maybe it's just not my type of humor. But it almost is. In my 20s, I thought of myself as the Awkward Black girl.

Either way, I'm going to support the show and Rae, because she's doing her own thing and not waiting for a handout or a permission slip. You Go girl! (That was awkward.)

What do you think people? Are you laughing? Why or why not? Do you have any favorite indie web TV shows that you watch? Let me know. If you had to make an indie comedy about your life, what would you call it? Since the Awkward Black Girl is taken, I'd probably call my show, "When Kinky Met Gazpacho," but you know I was going to say that. Your turn.

I'm so listening.

Peace!