Homeland – great television!
Igwe and I recently discovered the awesomeness that is Homeland, a series on Showtime. I mean, it’s freaking awesome!! Talk about a great story line, suspense, drama, intrigue … you know, all the things that Nollywood doesn’t have, but doesn’t know that it doesn’t have.
The show is centered around Carrie Mathison (played by Claire Danes), a CIA Agent and Nicholas Brody (played by Damian Lewis), a rescued POW. Just when we think we have figured it out, bam! they hit us with a new twist. We sit up in bed wide-eyed, clutching the sheets, and breathless. Now, it sounds like I’m describing something else, but it really is the effect of this Homeland show. I would absolutely love to be in an episode. *Cough, Cough*
Scandal – my future awesome television
There is also another show called Scandal that shows on ABC, and I have heard very, very good things about the plot and its lead character, Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington. Igwe and I have not had the chance to watch it yet because the first season is over and they are now in their second season, but the first season is no longer available OnDemand (unlike Homeland which is still available because it airs on a Premium Channel – Showtime).
I recently heard from an African-American acquaintance that Homeland is for White people and Scandal is for Black people, especially considering that the lead characters in Homeland are White, while the lead character in Scandal is Black (and Scandal is written by a Black woman, Shonda Rhimes, the same woman who wrote Grey’s Anatomy).
So here’s the thing: I did not know that! Who are the people that decide what show is for Black and/or White people? And why don’t they keep me informed? There are certain shows that are obviously White or obviously Black (*cough* Meet The Browns), but honestly, I do not notice these things when I’m watching television. I just want to watch great television (and I am by no means implying that Meet The Browns is great television … sorry Funmie), and shows like Homeland, Newsroom, Game Of Thrones (and hopefully, Scandal, soon) make me feel smarter after the episode is over.
Same goes for movies. I remember when Igwe and I went to see Think Like A Man, and the theater was full, but I could only count 3 White people. Outside the theater, all the other White people walked past our theater and went to the one on the right where The Lucky One was playing, and I don’t remember now if I saw a Black person entering that theater.
Do you notice people’s color when you watch movies and/or television? And do colors determine what you watch or don’t watch?
“Talk about a great story line, suspense, drama, intrigue … you know, all the things that Nollywood doesn’t have, but doesn’t know that it doesn’t have” — lemme just catch you there… infact, I comment my reserve.
But now that you mention it I guess there is a divide in appeal for some movies (for instance, what are the odds that a black person would want to watch the silverlining playbook – possible, but rare). I guess the rules apply to some people who only watch a certain type of TV (like it’s more likely that someone who watches meet the browns would watch scandal, than it is that he would watch homeland – therefore this show is black)
But nne the rule definitely doesn’t apply to me jare, I’d be the first person to see twilight and I’d be the first person to see think like a man
Threaten me all you want oh. I am only highly critical of Nollywood because I know they can do so much better. Per the movies, yeah, I’m definitely with you on that one. I will watch any kind of movie (except horror; I don’t want to have a heart attack) and all I want from the movie is to be entertained (and challenged, and educated). And I get almost none of these from Nollywood. It’s like one out of 100 movies ..
I can relate to this o. When I tell black people that I love watching the ABC show, Nashville, and that I love country music, they look at me like “what is wrong with you?”. As far as they know, it’s strange for a girl born and raised in Nigeria to be in love with a show that is pure country, a show that ‘technically’ should appeal to white people only. But I don’t send o. I love me some Nashville lol.
The rule doesn’t apply to me at all, that kind of mentality can be limiting.
As far as I’m concerned, if the story line makes sense, I’m hooked. 🙂
It can definitely be extremely limiting. When I watch television, I really don’t notice the color or ethnicity of the people in it. I just wanna watch great television. You like country music? Just like Igwe. Niceeeee.
It doesn’t matter what color the cast is, it is always about a Good Story, Fantastic acting, Good Directing.
And yes @therealobianuju, NASHVILLE is all forms of Amazing. Being a fan of country music, it appeals to me even more.
Gurll!!! Don’t even get me started. Did you watch the episode where Rayna & Juliette did the “Wrong Song’ duet at the end? That was sick!!! I need to buy like every single song from that show.
Vera, no vex, see me talking abt a TV show on your page lol. Country music is awesome!!! 🙂
Obianuju, loooool. Biko carry go. Norrin do you. You can discuss Nashville all you want. Lol. I see it’s getting you all kinds of excited. Lol.
Zaynab, okay, I’m officially jealous of you and Uju. I’ve never seen this Nashville show. I need to take a look. And yeah, great acting, directing, and all that stuff is what should really count.
As long as the story catches me, I’ll watch. I’m on Scandal, Nashville, and Grey’s and most shows on ABC black or white cos that’s my favorite channel. Same with movies. BTW, you and Igwe can like to watch Scandal while in bed too, some steamy sturvs be going on that will have you pressing pause, and other things *cough*
Hahahahahaha. Myne, are you using “idea” to tell us what you and Atala do during Scandal? And if that’s the case, I’m wondering if you even know what the story line is about, since you’re busy creating your own story line. Lol. But yeah, I’m definitely gonna get into it. I’ve heard only good things about it.
If it’s good, doesn’t matter whether it seems white or black, I’ll watch. I know people who wouldn’t watch some movies though cos they think it’s “black” and black is synonymous with gangsterism and abuse and violence…
But who makes these rules anyway?
MsDawari, I have no idea who makes these rules, but whoever it is, he or she has gotten a grip on some people’s minds. Lol.
Well, in the case of a movie like “Think Like a Man” or a show like “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”, it’s obvious that they are made for African American people (not black people, African American). To me, it’s more about culture and what people can relate to. The movie & show I mentioned above won’t appeal to most white people not because most of the characters are black but because they are about things they can’t relate to.
Now, for shows like Homeland & Scandal, I think that they both appeal to an audience of many races but I could be wrong…
Bia vera, what are u insinuating about “meet the browns”?, my friend, dont bad-mouth my show ohhh, i love Cora and her dad(mr brown) the way they are. they make me laff. i dont hv energy for all u people’s no-smile serious serious shows like homeland, grey’s anatomy and the rest. i love my shows light and heeeelarious biko.
Btw, i dont see d colors when i watch shows, i just watch them cos i love them. recently discovered an old white classic – mary tyler moore show and i looooove it!
Veraaa! *All the thgs Nollywood isnt?!!! haba! Why the diss at Nollywood nah?! You’re one of my fave blogs o! Don’t let me stop coming here for running down my industry o! Remember you have diverse readers! Nollywood serves a purpose. Its not all the time I want to eat burgers or potatoes and mash. Sometimes I want Ofe nsala, or nkwobbi. Ehen! Sometimes I just need my Naija fix! Thats out of the way, Hmm… Americans are the strangest peeps ever. they just love to segregate don’t they? Homeland is for whites indeed! #StrangerThanFiction
I don’t see why Scandal would be a Black show. Sure the main character is Black, but most of the other characters are White. It’s on network television (as opposed to BET or One). It has the fast pace talking of shows like Gilmore Girls (which could be considered a White show). It never explicitly mentions race, racism, inequalities, etc. It features a gay couple. The fictional president is Republican. To me, Scandal has none of the hallmarks of a Black show (like Fresh Prince).
What Ajoke said.