#w kamau bell

[aftermidnightfmk]

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Nish Kumar, W. Kamau Bell

Fuck Anjelah, Kill Nish, Marry Kamau

🎶🎵He tried his best but it’s never… good enough🎵🎶

[androgynousbirdtale]

Stay woke 😑

[nkjemisin]

LOL. AL.com finally managed to pin Kamau down! They’ve been after him for years.

[therafanatics]

RAFAEL CASAL WITH W. KAMAU BELL & FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ - GATHERING IN THE GARDEN (2024)

We were inspired by this statement from @favianna1 during this weekend’s Gathering in the Garden fundraiser for @oaklandmuseumca’s educational programs.

Thank you to W. Kamau Bell, Favianna Rodriguez, and Rafael Casal for such a meaningful conversation about the impact of arts and film in Oakland.

What kind of cultural shifts have you experienced, thanks to the arts?

Pic by: @cinemama.film

[ladygreytea76]

W. Kamau Bell

Independent Spirit Awards 2023

[youre-brilliant]

“You have freedom of speech, but you don’t have the freedom of consequences from that speech.”

- W. Kamau Bell

[laserpinksteam]

Bingeing, kind of: We Need to Talk About Cosby (created by W. Kamau Bell, 2022)

This incisive and emotionally draining account of Cosby's multiple sexual-assault crimes, as narrated by his victims, is, in a more general sense, an investigation into the culture of silent consent that went on for decades. It's a must-see.

[readreadbookblog]

The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell by W. Kamau Bell

https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Awkward_Thoughts_of_W_Kamau_Bell/53djDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

I first noticed W. Kamau Bell with his podcast Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period. In addition to being a great comedic podcast, it also managed to not just argue for Denzel Washington’s greatness (unironically I have to add) but also showed the history of black people and black cinema during the years of Denzel’s acting career to today. It was a great podcast and really a shame not that it ended but that it ended up behind a paywall. Kamau ended up getting a CNN show and has gathered success with his career. The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell is a autobiography of his life so far.

Kamau’s life starts with both a typical stereotype of black urban family and with the then unique personal life of being a black nerd. Kamau talks about how much his early life was like so many other black families with missing father figures and moving around. It is interesting to note how he felt as an ‘outsider’ though as he was still a bit more well off then other people he knew. His outsider status was also further with him being into nerdy stuff, back then a uncool and strange habit, and was into rock music and not into Hip-Hop.

As Kamau grew up, he followed his passion of doing comedy after a few years of awkward high learning. His chapters on his time doing comedy in the Bay Area are years written into a few chapters but it shows his struggles with mixing in his balances of racial justice and social issues with the evolving comedy scene and lack of success and late start to stand up.

Kamau’s story gets more nationally known as he slowly advances in his career and becomes more famous. He highlights his experiences with the show he did, Totally Bias, and the behind scenes that lead to the show’s over burdens and low moments, with usually producer interfering for the worst (something that would repeat to a lesser extend on Kamau’s CNN show, United Shades of America). Kamau’s family is also explored as he tells us how he has to live through with awkward moments as a black father with a white mother and two mixed race children. With this book being released during the dawn of the Trump administration (and before 2020 making it seem almost timely with the second Black Lives Matter protests), some of Kamau’s observations are spot on with the fears and events that would take place, and others he contradicts himself almost sounding like an enlighten centrist. But Kamau’s personal experiences, such as the coffee shop incident, are the most haunting of the book, knowing how worst things must have become.

The book is basically the first half of Kamau’s life and the second the racial issues that he has noticed working in the industry. I’m not sure if one can just read this without knowing his previous works, so I would recommend his podcast or CNN show first and then reading this book.

[kp777]

By Jessica Corbett

Common Dreams

April 15, 2024

The journalist says Zeteo will feature "hard-hitting interviews and unsparing analysis" in op-eds, podcasts, and streaming shows.

After a few weeks of "soft launch" mode, journalist Mehdi Hasan on Monday officially debuted his new media platform, Zeteo, and declared that "this is not a one-man band."

The former MSNBC and Peacock host—whose show was canceled in November and wrapped up in January, after his incisive criticism of Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip—revealed nine of the contributors he has lined up so far, calling them "some of the biggest, boldest, and best names from media, activism, entertainment, and beyond."

They are Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Spencer Ackerman, comedian and podcaster W. Kamau Bell, Palestinian Canadian lawyer Diana Buttu, former CNBC and CNN correspondent John Harwood, foreign policy analyst Rula Jebreal, author Naomi Klein, novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen, actor and activist Cynthia Nixon, and Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

"The tough interviews and knowledgeable analysis are all coming back, along with a global cast of contributors," Klein said on social media Monday. "I was honored when Mehdi asked me to be one of them, along with Rula Jebreal and Greta Thunberg and many others yet announced."

"Mehdi and I will be having a regular conversation called 'Unshocked,'" noted Klein, who authored The Shock Doctrine.

Hasan—who has also produced content for Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and The Intercept—has saidZeteo will feature "hard-hitting interviews and unsparing analysis" in a variety of forms, from op-eds and podcasts to streaming shows, beginning with "Mehdi Unfiltered."

"To keep Zeteo's journalism independent and free of advertiser and corporate influence," Hasan explained ahead of the formal launch, "and to allow us to continue investing in the future, we have to rely on our individual paid subscribers."

[thatstormygeek]

There is lots of talk of the historical “convention bump” that candidates get after their party’s convention, but often that bump is more akin to the kind of energy boost that my kids get after they slurp down one of those boba drinks. It hits quickly and disappears even more quickly. VP Harris could get the kind of bump that sustains if she makes the politically popular and morally correct choice of demanding a permanent ceasefire and release of hostages on all sides, and also commits to consequences if those two things don’t happen. (What should those consequences be? Well, that is where my “some college” level of education ends, and I look to smarter people than myself.) When I travel around this nation, I see lots of better ways to spend the money we give to other countries for their wars. Every big city, small town, suburban township, and unincorporated area of this country is in huge need of investment and infrastructure. Those billions and billions could easily be put to better use in some sort of modern W. P. A. As we discussed last time, reparations should be a part of that, too. Now, before some of you get all “well, actually” in the comments about why those military funds “can’t be used” or why “that’s too much to ask for” or “politically impossible,” I would like to refer you to the distant past: July 20, 2024. Back then, many of us thought Biden dropping out of the race was impossible, too. If there was ever a time to dream and push for everything we want, it is now. As you see, I don’t think we should limit these funds to just the big cities. I want every part of this country to get better, even those parts of the country that don’t want anybody like me living there.

Knowing all that, I have a few questions for you. Isn’t it “weird” — to borrow a word from Governor Tim Walz — that since VP Harris has become the presumptive Democratic candidate for president that she hasn’t had a big, beautiful, multicultural, multiracial rally in her birthplace? Doesn’t that seem like one of the first things you would do if you were running for president? Wouldn’t you be especially motivated to do that if you were from places as politically aware and culturally important as Oakland and Berkeley? After all, she did one of those rallies when she announced her run for the presidency in 2020. I think there is a clear reason why she hasn’t repeated that kind of event in the East Bay yet. I believe Kamala knows that if she holds a rally in the East Bay, she would hear loudly from the people who live here who have been disagreeing with the United States policies in Israel long before October 7th, 2023. And those people might be even harder on Kamala Harris precisely because she is from here. This is true even if that person personifies Black Girl Magic, is totally BRAT, or literally reflects the multiracial demographics of the Bay Area. They know you know better.

[bikinikillarchives]

does everyone know about kathleen hanna's t-shirt company, Tees 4 Togo, where they work beside Peace Sisters to support young girls' education in Togo, West Africa? 100% of the profits go to Peace Sisters, a non-profit started by Tina Kampor who's mission is to provide equal education for girls in her hometown, Dapaong, Togo. every $40 t-shirt sends a girl to school for one year.

working besides local artists, these tshirts include art of: Joan Jett, Ad-Rock, Carrie Brownstein, Brontez Purnell, W. Kamau Bell, John Waters, Kathleen Hanna, Fugazi, Chuck D, Billie Joe Armstrong, Kim Gordon, Grimes, JD Samson, Justin Vivian Bond, Joey Soloway, Patton Oswalt, Hari Kondabolu, and Kristen Schaal. sizes ranging from a unisex small to unisex xxxx-large. not intrested in a t-shirt? you can still donate $40 though Tees4Togo, or donate directly through Peace Sisters!

[therafanatics]

RAFAEL CASAL WITH W. KAMAU BELL & FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ - GATHERING IN THE GARDEN (2024)

An amazing and heart filled evening at the @oaklandmuseumca sharing the stage with the homies @wkamaubell and @rafaelcasal ! We rapped about the power of culture and storytelling, and about the film incentive that we have helped organize towards that will bring more tv and film to Oakland! Thank you to all who came through to support the Oakland Museum’s annual fundraiser.

Coming up next is my Open Studio event happening on June 15th in West Oaklnad! Visit bioooo to learn more!

Pics by: @favianna1

[awardseason]

2023 NAACP Image Awards — Film Winners

Entertainer of the Year Angela Bassett — WINNER Mary J. Blige Quinta Brunson Viola Davis Zendaya

Outstanding Motion Picture “A Jazzman’s Blues” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — WINNER “Emancipation” “The Woman King“ “Till”

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Joshua Boone, “A Jazzman’s Blues” Jonathan Majors, “Devotion” Will Smith, “Emancipation” — WINNER Sterling K. Brown, “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul“ Daniel Kaluuya, “Nope”

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Danielle Deadwyler, “Till” Keke Palmer, “Alice” Letitia Wright, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Regina Hall, “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul“ Viola Davis, “The Woman King” — WINNER

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Aldis Hodge, “Black Adam” Cliff “Method Man” Smith, “On the Come Up” Jalyn Hall, “Till” John Boyega, “The Woman King“ Tenoch Huerta Mejía, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — WINNER

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — WINNER Danai Gurira, ”Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Janelle Monáe, ”Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” Lashana Lynch, “The Woman King“ Lupita Nyong’o, ”Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture “A Jazzman’s Blues” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — WINNER “Emancipation” “The Woman King” “Till”

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture Jalyn Hall, “Till” — WINNER Joshua Boone, “A Jazzman’s Blues” Ledisi, “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story” Y’lan Noel, “A Lot of Nothing“ Yola, “Elvis”

Outstanding Character Voice Performance in a Motion Picture Angela Bassett, “Wendell & Wild” Keke Palmer, “Lightyear” — WINNER Kevin Hart, “DC League of Super-Pets” Lyric Ross, “Wendell & Wild” Taraji P. Henson, “Minions: The Rise of Gru”

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture “DC League of Super-Pets” “Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio” “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” “Turning Red” “Wendell & Wild” — WINNER

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture “Breaking” “Causeway” “Mr. Malcolm’s List” “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story“ “The Inspection” — WINNER

Outstanding International Motion Picture “Athena” “Bantú Mama” — WINNER “Broker” “Learn to Swim“ “The Silent Twins”

Outstanding Documentary (Film) “Civil” — WINNER “Descendant” “Is That Black Enough For You?!?” “Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues” “Sidney”

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture Antoine Fuqua, “Emancipation” Chinonye Chukwu, “Till” Gina Prince-Bythewood, “The Woman King” — WINNER Kasi Lemmons, “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody” Ryan Coogler, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Film or Television) Nadia Hallgren, “Civil” Reginald Hudlin, “Sidney” — WINNER Sacha Jenkins, “Everything's Gonna Be All White” Sacha Jenkins, “Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues” W. Kamau Bell, “We Need to Talk About Cosby”

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture Charles Murray, “The Devil You Know” Dana Stevens, Maria Bello, “The Woman King” Jordan Peele, “Nope” Krystin Ver Linden, “Alice” Ryan Coogler, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — WINNER

Outstanding Costume Design (Film or Television) Francine Jamison-Tanchuck, “Emancipation” Gersha Phillips, Carly Nicodemo, Heather Constable, Christina Cattle, Sheryl Willock, Becky MacKinnon, “Star Trek: Discovery” Gersha Phillips, Carly Nicodemo, Lieze Van Tonder, Lynn Paulsen, Tova Harrison, “The Woman King” Ruth E. Carter, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — WINNER Trayce Gigi Field, “A League of Their Own”

Outstanding Hairstyling (Film or Television) Camille Friend, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — WINNER Curtis Foreman, Ryan Randall, “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars” Louisa V. Anthony, Deaundra Metzger, Maurice Beaman, “Till” Mary Daniels, Kalin Spooner, Darrin Lyons, Eric Gonzalez, “All American” Tracey Moss, Jerome Allen, Tamika Dixon, Lawrence ‘Jigga’ Simmons, Jason Simmons, “Fantasy Football”

Outstanding Make-Up (Film or Television) Debi Young, Sandra Linn, Ngozi Olandu Young, Gina Bateman, “We Own This City” — WINNER Angie Wells, “Cheaper by the Dozen” Michele Lewis, “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” Ren Rohling, Teresa Vest, Megan Areford, “Emergency” Zabrina Matiru, “Surface”

Outstanding Short Form (Live-Action) “Dear Mama…” — WINNER “Fannie” “Fathead” “Incomplete” “Pens & Pencils”

Outstanding Short Form (Animated) “I Knew Superman” “More Than I Want To Remember” — WINNER “Supercilious” “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” “We Are Here”

[intoxicatingimmediacy]

livefrommamadogstudios | Oakland is Leaning Into the Promise of Film! This is a sneak peak of a special episode of LIVE from Mama Dog Studios featuring a live roundtable discussion with Rafael Casal, Favianna Rodriguez, Cheryl Dunye & W. Kamau Bell focused on the promise, opportunity and challenges of increasing TV & Film Production in Oakland and The East Bay.

Watch the full video here

[oldshowbiz]

RIP Mark Russell.

Unfairly maligned by many, Mark Russell was a very kind man with a unique career and incredible stories about Lenny Bruce and Tom Lehrer. 

I spent an evening with him on a rural porch about five years ago, listening to him swap showbiz stories with Alan Zweibel, David Steinberg, W. Kamau Bell, and Lewis Black . I found him incredibly charming and endlessly fascinating. 

His many PBS specials were not for me, but getting to know him personally was a whole different experience. Funny guy, good guy.