I’m giddy about what’s coming in arts and entertainment this fall. Yes, there
will be a few tears shed when these shows bid farewell: Empire, How to Get
Away With Murder and Power (Team Ghost Forever). Luckily there are plenty
of new offerings on screens and stages to fall love in with. Plus, my fave artist
is on tour and there’s a juicy book waiting to be readPRIME-TIME EMMYS This won’t be Ava
DuVernay’s first twirl at the awards show,
which airs September 22, but with When
They See Us leading the nominations, the
potential wins for the series seem like the
start of something special. Bonus: Pose’s
historic recognition for its trans gender cast,
crew and producers, as well as Billy Porter,
who’s the first Black openly gay man nomi-
nated as a leading actor.CUZ I LOVE YOU TOO TOUR
“Missy Elliott walked so Lizzo could
fly” is one of my favorite lines from
Lizzo’s June digital cover story for
ESSENCE. Her skyrocketing debut as
“100 percent that bitch” shows no sign
of slowing down as Lizzo crisscrosses
the country on her national tour from
now until October 28.PORGY AND BESS It’s been nearly 30
years since The Metropolitian Opera
staged the timeless and heartbreaking
musical set in the Gullah Island backdrop
of Catfish Row. Starting in September and
ending in early 2020, the opera is present-
ing the Gershwin classic with an all-Black
cast. (From far left) Eric Owens and Angel
Blue star, along with the incomparable
Denyce Graves. But there’s even more
Black folk magic tied to this epic produc-
tion: BET cofounder Sheila Johnson is
chairing the opening night gala.ESSENCE Entertainment Director Cori Murray
(@corimurray) wrangles celebrities (a nice way of saying she
answers a lot questions from publicists) across our platforms
and cohosts the Webby-nominated Yes, Girl! podcast.THE C LIST
CORI’S MUST-SEES THIS MONTH
ENTERTAINMENTDIAMOND DORIS In February 2018
Tessa Thompson signed on to star in and
produce Doris Payne’s life story. A quick
search let me know why: For 60 years,
Payne had bested jewelry stores around
the world. Her biggest score? Stealing a
diamond ring worth half a million dollars in
Monte Carlo. Now Payne tells her own tale
in her memoir, Diamond Doris.A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW
When Angela Bassett led a campy Bad
Bitch Support Group in Robin Thede’s new
comedy series, which is on HBO, I found
what I’ll be streaming for regular doses
of Black-girl foolishness. With multiple
characters hilariously played by Ashley
Nicole Black (who’s also a writer for the
series), Quinta Brunson and Gabrielle Dennis,
and recurring guest spots from executive
producer Issa Rae, ABLSS is a comedian’s
dream. Also give Thede her flowers now for
impersonating Jackée Harry’s nasal diva,
Sannnndra, in the “227” skit.02
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