Robin Thede Teases ‘Epic’ Return of ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ on Variety’s ‘Through Our Lens’
variety.comAngelique Jackson Over the last two decades, “A Black Lady Sketch Show” creator and star Robin Thede has broken down barrier after barrier for Black women in comedy, culminating with her Emmy-winning HBO sketch comedy series that epitomizes the phrase “for us, by us.”At the center of the show’s success is its particular Black lady perspective.
Cast members Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis and Skye Townsend riff on relatable themes, like ashy skin, hair woes and the politics of the Black church, and present them with a healthy helping of Black lady joy.“We value authenticity above anything else, and we know that calling something ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show,’ it’s got to feel authentic to Black ladies,” Thede tells Variety, sitting down to discuss the series and its road to the screen.
This special “Through Our Lens” interview shines the spotlight on creatives who’ve embraced their unique life experiences and used their cultural and ethnic backgrounds to shape some of the most striking and original narratives in entertainment today.“We really try to create grounded experiences for Black women, but in this magical reality where anything can happen — where [recurring character] Dr.
Hadassah can create a ‘Red Table Talk’ type of show with Gabrielle Union, or we can be aliens or we can be otherworldly beings or murderers or priests,” Thede adds.Most important, though, is the opportunity to “play all of these things without it being filtered through someone else’s lens.”It all starts in the writers room, where Thede has assembled a group of Black women to pen sketches from their personal experiences and points of view.
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