Essence USA – August 2019

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 read

PRIME-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

ENTERTAINMENT

DIAMOND 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.

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ESSENCE.COM I 65 I SEPTEMBER 2019