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#MeToo Movement at the Center of ‘The Morning Show’

Kimberly Jones

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The entertainment industry was shook in 2017 when news broke that Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct by several women. More than a dozen of them claimed that the film producer sexually harassed and raped them. Following the allegations, the #MeToo movement came to the forefront with women around the country uniting to take a stand against sexual harassment and sexual assault. The Morning Show is right on time tackling the very real and uncomfortable situations women often face in the workplace.

The Morning Show premiered on Apple TV+ on November 1. It is centered around the anchors and producers of a very popular and successful morning program. The series follows the aftermath of the show after its lead anchor Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) was fired due to sexual misconduct allegations. The world of The Morning Show is now forever changed.

Mia Jordan (Karen Pittman) is a producer on the show and is at the center of the controversy. She is a sharp top-notch producer but her good work is being overshadowed by the fact that she had an inappropriate relationship with her superior Mitch Kessler. Working in an industry heavily dominated by men, Mia has no choice but to speak up for herself and tell her truth. In episode 7 Mia reached her boiling point. After being taunted by a male colleague, she decides to address the elephant in the room. “We’re all human. We all have regrets” she grabbed the studio microphone and made a statement in front of her colleagues, “No matter which side of that #metoo line you fall on we are all just people who want to do our jobs, do good work. So, that’s what I’m going to focus on my work.”

Unfortunately, Mia is not the only victim of sexual misconduct in the office. Chief segment producer Hannah Shoenfeld (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) had a non-consensual encounter with Mitch when she was still a rookie on the team (ep. 8). After an emotional day covering the deadliest mass shooting in US history in Las Vegas, Mitch invites the young and ambitious junior producer to his hotel room leaving her in a powerless situation. When Shoenfeld reports the incident to Fred Micklen (Tom Irwin), the president of the network, he offers her the head booker position instead of addressing the issue and trying to resolve it. She accepts. Despite the promotion and moving up with the company, the incident has left Hannah’s life in shambles – she turned to drugs and alcohol to help her cope with her new reality.

The Morning Show Season 1 | Episode 8 Gugu Mbatha-Raw in “The Morning Show,” now streaming on Apple TV+

Pittman and Mbatha-Raw are joined by veteran actresses Jennifer Aniston (Alex Levy) and Reese Witherspoon (Bradley Jackson) – both are the anchors of the revamped version of The Morning Show trying to set a new tone for the show under female leadership. It has been a bumpy ride for them all as they try and navigate a new normal in the workplace and the women fight to take their power back.

The Morning Show is nominated for Best TV Drama series at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards and new episodes are available every Friday on Apple TV+.

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Film

‘A Snowy Day in Oakland:’ Nicole Ari Parker Stars in New Dramedy From ‘Sister, Sister’ Creator Kim Bass

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A Snowy Day in Oakland

A Snowy Day in Oakland is heading into theaters this week. The magical-realism comedy starring Nicole Ari Parker is gearing up to be introduced to the world on Friday, March 17. Hollywood Melanin sat down with the leading star to explore some of the critical issues addressed in the film.

At the center of the story is LaTrice (Parker), the successful psychologist from San Francisco who longs for a more purposeful life. Leaving her unfaithful, high-profile psychiatrist boyfriend and business partner behind, she establishes her practice in a vacant office space on a small commercial block across the bay in Oakland. Surrounded by minority-owned businesses, LaTrice is determined to provide support and gently guide the residents of this predominantly Black neighborhood to embrace the importance of communicating one’s feelings through therapy.

Nicole Ari Parker as LaTrice/ ‘A Snowy Day In Oakland’

“I think there is an issue of trust in the Black community where we just keep our problems close to our chest,” Parker expressed while discussing mental healthcare in minority groups. “It’s also an expense. It’s an investment. So, when you are trying to make ends meet and prioritize your income, it feels like a luxury. But I think that that’s an expense worth taking.”

Helmed by Sister, Sister creator Kim Bass, the film was initially shot six years ago. Parker says she attributes her involvement in this project not just to the powerful and relevant script but also to “Kim’s vision, his magical realism, his playing with time, and his saturation of color,” she added, “We don’t really get to have that kind of whimsy in most independent Black films.”

'A Snowy Day in Oakland' cast
‘A Snowy Day in Oakland’ cast

Produced by Planet 9 Productions and distributed by People of Culture Studios, this dramatic comedy also explores other meaningful themes like navigating complex relationships and struggles of entrepreneurship. Those conversations are explored through the town’s biggest personalities, Davis (Deon Cole), Jeanette (Loretta Devine), Theona (Kimberly Elise), and Rodney (Evan Ross). The star-studded cast also includes Keith David, Marla Gibbs, Michael Jai White, Tony Plana, Arden Myrin, and others.

A Snowy Day In Oakland
Kimberly Elise as Theona, Deon Cole as Davis, Loretta Devine as Jeanette / ‘A Snowy Day In Oakland’

Watch A Snowy Day in Oakland in selected theaters on Friday, March 17. Watch the trailer below.

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“It’s Official!” Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Confirm ‘Bad Boys 4’

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The Bad Boys are back like they never left! Will Smith and Martin Lawrence took it to Instagram earlier today to share – there will indeed be a fourth film.

“It’s official, y’all!” The longtime friends announced,  “It’s about that time! [….] This is Bad Boys 4. It’s official!”

The franchise kicked off in 1995 with the original Bad Boys movie and has released two sequels since then – Bad Boys II (2003) and Bad Boys For Life (2020).

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New Music Alert: Sholuv Presents ‘Zero’ – a Prelude to New Understanding

by Betti Halsell, senior staff writer

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Multidimensional artist Adeshola Adeoye, better known as Sholuv, increased the decibels of hope in his latest project, “Zero,” produced through OPXS BOIS, the three-track album was released on Tuesday, Dec.20.  As a compound expression of art through various mediums, Sholuv revealed the golden thread holding the body of work together and musically elevates one’s mind.

“It’s a prelude project, and preludes start at zero,” Sholuv declared as he signed part of his Gi, the top half of a karate uniform. The notable artist reflected on the night as his exclusive showing of the album came to a close.

Sholuv expanded his thoughts by referencing the process of creating anime, the complexities of building a world out of the realm of imagination, and then releasing it. Sholuv described this album as a lore or a collection of nuances that are significant to understand the rest of the collection of art.

Sholuv shared three songs and one bonus track with invite-only attendees. The vibrations of each track felt like they traveled around the world. The transformative lyrics and storytelling were vivid; it’s a new level of painting a mental picture without a brush. Sholuv has expanded his art across his fashion with his lifestyle brand, Optimixts, and continues to grow as a producer and videographer.

Songs like “25,” interlock cinematic touches on the beat with raw power in the verses. While introducing the track, Sholuv stated, “This was me, describing myself as a 25-year-old and who I am as a man, and really looking optimistic—when it comes to everything I’m involved with.”

Sholuv has five previous projects that include “For Tha Honey’s,” “Sounds from Tha Den,” and “.”

OPXS BOIS’ artist manager, Scoop, considered the growth he witnessed from Sholuv; he reflected on the composition of the newly released project and stated, “This project for Sholuv is a real testimony to the growth of his production style and rhyme scheme,” he continued, “his subject matter has always been there, but this project is eye-opening to his style of verbiage.”

“Zero” is out now on all major platforms. Follow Sholuv on Instagram and turn up the volume of hope through his aromatic sounds.

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