hbo insecure

Tyler Perry & Issa Rae Took Different Paths but Have a Similar Message on Turning Fed-Up into Step-Up

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There’s a kind of hazy cloud hanging over people and places these days. In some parts of the country there’s the cloud of forest fires. With millions of acres burning during this ongoing dry season, we see news reports of damage and destruction. In some parts, the whole town has been wiped out.

Then there’s the cloud hanging over people trying to take next steps. For some who’ve lost everything due to the fires it’s about figuring out where to lay their heads. For others who’ve lost their job due to the economic calamity caused by Covid-19, it’s a case of wishing and praying that things turn around.

While Tyler Perry and Issa Rae haven’t seen this kind of devastation in their lives, they have a similar message on turning despair into emergence and fed-up into step-up. Perry who was once homeless when he first started on his dreams, was the recent recipient of the Governor’s Award at the Emmys.

For Rae, it’s been a tug-of-war in emotions as she creates a path in her Hollywood career. She remembers having a meeting with an industry exec who liked what she was doing but missed the point of her work. The rub was in the exec not seeing her work for its worth but for his exerting power and control.

They know the feeling of having a hazy cloud over their heads. But they’ve also seen what can happen when things clear with peaks of sunshine. It’s those glimmers of light that have helped them build their showbiz following and business acumen as actors. They used that time of clearing to build on the:

1. Moment

Perry spoke in his acceptance speech about his grandmother’s quilt and how he realized he took it for granted. He visited an antique store and saw a similar quilt for sale. It was then he got the power of the message in grandma’s quilt. There’re moments in life when we realize the power to work our magic.  

2. Motivation

In the meeting Rae had with the exec she realized that it was a moment for motivation and change. She chuckles about how “someone got fired” in that meeting, but she turned the moment into motivation to build her brand cred. Now she’s known for her own HBO series and select roles in big screen movies.

3. Journey

Perry says he looks back from time to time to appreciate from whence he came. The advice he once got from Oprah to start a journal has now been turned into a journey. Fast-forward to where he is now in receiving the Governor’s award and you’ll find stage plays, movies and TV shows in his portfolio. 

4. Story

The magic and magnetic attraction Perry and Rae bring comes from the stories they tell. Sometimes it’s a fictional story made for TV sitcoms and acting stage. Sometimes it’s a real-life story adapted to a movie role. And sometimes it’s their own story of momentary digest, passion quest and dream conquest.      

As the fall season of TV shows take shape, there’ll be retuning favorites and newbie projects. Things might be a little different where shows won’t have an audience or have to comply with social distancing. But when the haze clears there’s always a bright light or spot for those who make hay while the shines.   

Tip: Good times come when life’s moments get turned into motivation that leads to a journey for your comeback story.

Talkback: Was Schitt’s Creek really waiting in the wings over the years for this many Emmys?

Tracks: Hill St Soul – One Life – https://youtu.be/9TL3rOzxU5g

Angie Stone – No More Rain (In This Cloud) – https://youtu.be/UgG0Hu_FeiA

What’s it Like Being Issa Rae & Jay Ellis on ‘Reclaiming Your Game’ or Your Dreams in Business and the Real World?

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The new season of HBOs Insecure is getting attention for how it flipped the script. With a relationship breakup something many can relate to, the characters played by Issa Rae and Jay Ellis are trying to ‘kick-it’ in new ways. The story being told is like a test case for ‘reclaiming your game’ in the dating world.

In relationships there’re times it takes looking at bloodline versus fault-line to see where the problems rest. Some might point to things having to do with repeating errors from the past or issues that sit under the surface. Moving things to the next level can mean turning an insecure flow into a new glow.

The same is true with the ‘ins and outs’ of the daily grind. There’s an inner flow of hope that prevents us from giving up, whether in finding a relationship or in life dreams. A fresh sense of self-awareness leads to more self-acceptance. Then after a while the heavens finds a way to give a ‘wink and nod’ of approval.

This is how it might play out months after a blind-date. It’s kinda what happened for me after a business meeting. There I was sitting among a group of journalists as they discussed a few civic projects. Their day’s work had them writing lead news stories while their life’s work was about impacting life stories.

A few days later, a call from a journalist was like a ‘wink and nod’ from the heavens. Her assignment was writing a local story on ‘reclaiming your game’ in the professional world. That became a front-page feature in the Life section of the paper the day after Christmas. That’s how a flow of hope kept me in the game.

These kinds of hope-filled moments can led to a flow of hustle in the game. In every field of dreams there’s a time for hope and a time for hustle. Sometimes the hope comes before the hustle and sometimes the hustle comes before the hope. You can’t hate the hustle just because you’ve got no game.

It’s been said do what you love and the money will follow. Another way to look at that might be ‘do what you love and the hustle will follow’ once you know your game. Whether in relationships or life dreams the hustle is like a metaphor for the things that begin to flow your way as you nurture your love in the game.

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That might be where things are with fans of Insecure as the main characters show a thing or two on ‘reclaiming your game’ in the real world. Somewhere along the lines it boils down to a flow of heart and humor. That’s what you get from stories of ‘Black Love’ where long-term romance is more than just about finance.

When I first crossed paths with the woman who’s now my wife, it was a flow of feelings that made me think there could be something here. Over time the relationship became what would amount to a flow of hope, hustle, heart and humor. She’d bring one or two from her end and me doing the same on my end.

Here we are 25 years later with two daughters ages 20 and 17 who we try to give the best life has to offer. There’re things they’ll deal with tied to bloodline and to fault-line. We want them to know going from girls to women or college major to life dreams means turning any insecure flow into their primetime glow.

Tip: Your primetime glow in relationship or life dreams is a matter of letting the flow of hope, hustle, heart and humor shine through from the good old days all the way to your glory days.

Talkback: How have you improved a relationship or stretched your dreams by going from an insecure flow to a primetime glow?

Tracks: Craig David ft Sigala – Ain’t Giving Up – https://youtu.be/FC9fc12YYC4

Logic ft Alessia Cara & Khalid – 800-273-8255 – https://youtu.be/BLe1dddgZrg

Issa Rae & Sanaa Lathan: Shining Their Career Glory in a New Light #BigTimeUniversity

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#BigTimeUniversity – “Small Talk, Street Dreams, Next Level”

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (Old-School Flava)

The Oscar noms are in and what a difference a year makes! It seems the controversy of #OscarsSoWhite a year ago has been heard. Now it’s about #OscarsSoColorful! There’re more diverse nominations telling a broader story. Maybe that’s why Issa Rae & Sanaa Lathan are shining their career glory in a new light.

Here’s what Rae’s book publisher said about free e-books on the weekend of the women’s march: “All are stories of strong women overcoming adversity, taking second chances, and figuring out their place in the world.” A case of first impressions being good, second chances making us better for reaching our best.

Rae started by imagining her place in the social maze as an ‘awkward black girl.’ This was a first step to building on her dream for telling stories. Now she’s the brains and beauty behind the cable show Insecure set for a second season. With other projects about to pop, she’s carefully worked on finding her lane.

Lathan known from the movie Love & Basketball is set to star in a new TV series. With real life cultural themes in the forefront, she’s made a name for herself as a kinda modest maven of Black Hollywood. Maybe she’d say it takes an ‘electric lady’ to create your happiness even when ‘life’s a bitch’ or a test.

You get a sense for her work as Rae stands in the doorway of her office with a picture of Boyz in the Hood on one side and Love & Basketball on the other. For her it’s not just about bang bang or romance & finance. It’s about bridging the gap and living the life between what’s not and what’s hot. Well alright!

Groove-Track: Cece Winans – Well Alright – https://youtu.be/iKFzEz7L9MM

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (New-School Flava)

Oscar noms in the air. What a difference since last year. Controversy not lost in time. But right now it feels sublime. Not seen as #OscarsSoWhite. More diverse nominations so right. A broader story of who’s got game. Not of the past and the lame. Issa Rae, Sanaa Lathan are tight. Shining career glory in new light.

Rae’s book publisher had idea. Giveaway e-books to those saying yea. On weekend of women’s march doing this. To bring some sista girl bliss. Stories of strong women adversity overcoming. Second chances, figuring out place in the running. First impression that’s good. Better to best as they knew they could.

She starts imagining self in social maze. And getting past any immature craze. First step in living the dream. Doing more to build-up steam. Telling stories with brains and beauty. That’s like her creative duty. As head of cable show in second season. Other projects ‘bout to pop in her lane that’s the reason.

Lathan from Love & Basketball fame. Set to star as new TV dame. Real life themes in forefront. Sexy style and glam in her hunt. A kinda modest maven in Hollywood. Flipping the script to scenes in Hollyhood. The ‘electric lady’ creating her happiness. Even when ‘life’s a bitch’ or test, bump the sadness.

Getting sense for Rae’s work in a nutshell. Takes seeing her make a soft sell. With office pictures seen on the wall. Boys in the Hood, Love & Basketball, tough call. Not just about bang bang hit ‘em up. Or romance, finance, in filling her cup. Gap between living life as what’s not. And doing alright in what’s hot.

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Tip: Good times might bring romance and finance but better yet is a bumping song or happy dance.

Talkback: What might Issa Rae say she’s not and who thinks Sanaa Lathan keeps staying hot?

Groove-Tracks: Nick Grant – Get Up – https://youtu.be/cVaYKCE4i40

Janelle Monáe – Electric Lady – https://youtu.be/LPFgBCUBMYk

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

Larry Wilmore Bounces Back on Set While Lee Daniels’ Magic Not Quite Done Yet #BigTimeUniversity

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#BigTimeUniversity – “Small Talk, Street Dreams, Next Level”

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

Some folks have had enough of the Thanksgiving leftovers. Others have had enough of Kanye West. Fans are wondering if he’ll bounce back. Well Larry Wilmore did so as he’s back doing scripted shows with ABC. Lee Daniels is doing it too with a new TV show set to debut. Their 24K magic’s not done yet.

According to USA Today, Wilmore said in a statement “Disney took a chance on me as a young writer years ago and so I’m thrilled to return to the Mouse House. I hope my room still looks the same.” Wilmore and Daniels give us a kind of ‘brandorama feeling’ that might make you wanna up your game next year.

After an almost two year stint on Comedy Central, Wilmore got the boot. He’s best known as a writer and producer with show credits that include HBOs Insecure and ABCs Black-ish. The message from Wilmore and Daniels is in how they hustle their way, day after day until the next door opens and career goals pay.

Daniels has a new TV series for the breakout star in us. It’s a case of going after those ‘someday dreams.’ There’s no guarantee in life like death and taxes. But Daniels knows about having a ‘someday attitude’ to keep pushing & believing. He’s even getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to prove it!

So Wilmore’s show might have been cancelled but he’s ready to get back to what he loves. This includes writing/producing new projects, supervising others and mentoring new talent. It might seem like their time is spread thin but Wilmore and Daniels can relate to that ‘lovey dovey’ feeling you get when you ‘do you.’

Groove-Track: Tony Terry – Lovey Dovey – https://youtu.be/OOmMoTHZ0_I

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

Some folks have had enough. Thanksgiving leftover gettin’ kinda touch. Others hope Kanye goes away. He’s taking fans for play. Wondering if he’s over and done. Or just the childish fun. Wilmore doing shows again for ABC. Daniels doing big again in TV. That’s why their 24K magic doesn’t come for free.

According to USA Today note. Wilmore’s back in his trench coat. Saying Disney once took a chance on him. A young writer years ago on a whim. Thrilled for return to Mouse House set. Hopes room still looks the same, bet. They give us a kinda ‘brandorama feeling.’ For upping our game next year to the ceiling.

After an almost two year run. Comedy Central told him show was done. Best known as writer and producer. Show credits on Insecure and Black-ish palooza. Showing us how they hustle their way. From sun-up to sundown day after day. Until next door opens and career goals pay.

Daniels with new TV series on deck. For the breakout star in us, heck. Case of going after ‘someday dreams.’ A staple for winning teams. No guarantee like death & taxes. But a someday attitude is what he waxes. To keep pushing for more, believing the same. Even getting a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

So Wilmore might have gotten the boot. But he’s found new heights to shoot. Getting back to his old time sake. To mix passion and grow his stake. New projects and mentoring up-and-comers. Supervising tomorrow’s go-getters. Seems like a lot as dreams come thru. A ‘lovey dovey’ feeling so just ‘do you.’

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Tip: Taking on the next project or moving the dream farther makes you an up-and-comer or a go-getter.

Talkback: What’s it been like on the night shift since Wilmore left Comedy Central?

Groove-Tracks: Bruno Mars – 24K Magic – https://youtu.be/ttlTus58MNA

Taio Cruz ft Estelle – I Can Be – https://youtu.be/DgMYuI3Xcyk

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST