Guest Blogger Melki: ASPIRE TV Is Representing Well!

Aspire

From an avid TV watcher: 🙂

You have to like ASPIRE TV and what they are doing with the ABFF independent films.

They will have a new host–David Banner–in August to replace host Omari Hardwick who’s blown up in 50 Cent’s “Power” on the STARZ Network (and a prototype for “Empire”). One film in particular, “The Collegians,” has great cinematography and is filmed mostly in earth colors–brown, green some red. This is the first time I’ve seen -maybe first time I really notice- producers using colors that benefit us –like Essence magazine. It contrasts with what white folks have worked for themselves in those dull colored light blue/dark blue contrast films. It’s a glimpse into the “Black World” that exists in another dimension and here at times—like the old hilarious skit from “In Living Color.” Once one of my books becomes a film, I’d like to work with the cinematographer for that film or at least utilize that style of color contrasts.

           —Melki

Is There A Formula For Black Media?

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Someone asked me that recently. It’s a question no one has ever asked me in the almost-25 years I’ve been studying the history and development of Black American mass media (e.g., Black radio, Black newspapers, etc.).

Here was my answer ((c) 2015 by Todd Steven Burroughs, all rights reserved. ;)):

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1) Availability. You must be one of the people. They must be able to reach out to you and see that you are living with them, facing the same problems, etc.

2) Integrity. The audience must see/hear/read (that) you stand up for the interests of Black people unapologetically. You must be for Black people first and last.

3) Ubiquitousness and Longevity. The audience must see you as a permanent part of their lives, like a public utility. And you must be consistently THERE for years, if not decades.

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That’s really about it!

AUGUST 2015 UPDATE: And THANKS to Ebony for printing a truncated version of this in the display box of its August 2015 issue!

“The Flash” Finale……

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………was quite extraordinary. And shocking and sad!

Sorry for the new cliche, but: this show is everything a superhero TV show should be. Twenty-three episodes and its potential is fulfilled. Now it has to stay there for nine more seasons.

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The above is more evidence that geeks have won!

(Now onto Season 3 of “Beauty and the Beast.”)

Wow! “Flash”/”Arrow” Universe Spinoff And New One! Wow! (CW’s “Legends of Tomorrow” and CBS’ “Supergirl”)

LOL! Lookit Arthur Darvill (“Rory”) doing HIS Doctor, with long David Tennant-like coat and stuff! LOL! 🙂 Long time to January!

Hmm…..a Black Jimmy Olsen and the return of Calista Flockhart to network television? Not too bad. It’ll move to the CW when CBS screws with it. 🙂

(Everything I liked got renewed: “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD,” “Agent Carter,” “Arrow,” “Flash,” “Gotham,” and now the above stuff added! That’s a LOT of comicbook network TV!)

[WHOOOSSSSH! ARROW SOUND :)] It’s On Its Way!

“Flash” is now my new favorite show, but I still want to see this “Arrow” season finale on Wednesday!

And I think Oliver is returning the favor next week! Look below:

And look some more–with some soon-to-be-starring-in-the-spinoff-stars–during the “Flash” season finale the following Tuesday!

Free Marylin Zuniga!

The above video is from April. The photos and video below are from last night.

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Zuniga Crying

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So long as one just person is silenced, there is no justice.”–Mumia Abu-Jamal

(That’s the issue, right? Boy, irony abounds in Black/Brown life! :))

The next meeting of the Orange Board of Education is Tuesday, my old newspaper said.

I’ve long argued Mumia Abu-Jamal was a political prisoner of the First Amendment, and I understand that what Ms. Zuniga did was not in regulation with Orange Board of Education policy, but this looks like she’s a prisoner of the First Amendment, too!

MAY 15th UPDATE: Sad, but not surprising.