One thing I've picked up from the show I'm doing is the music. No, it's not a musical, but there are a ton of songs (that I've never heard of) that are used for the transitions throughout the show.
100% of the music is hardcore rap.
Now, despite appearances, I don't listen to hardcore rap. And I've been trying to understand it and really get a sense of what the hell the rappers are saying, and why they're saying it. To do that, I've done some research. I've found the following diagrams (courtesy of jamphat.com) helpful in understanding the heart of the music:
Last night's show was great. It was very improvgasmic. There were only 8 people in the audience, but it still rocked. Good times had by all.
There was a tense discussion about the Jena 6 in the dressing room before we went on. I stayed on the sidelines** and watched the conversation unfold between two guys back stage, one of whom I was about to take the stage with in our two person show.
It was slightly more than awkward, and I was worried the room's ju-ju would spill over into the show (especially because I didn't agree with the point of view of my scene partner). But, it didn't. We had one of our better shows.
The reason it worked, besides the fact that I am blessed to work with one of the most talented men in improv, is that we both committed so heavily to the characters we played and to their story.
**I stayed on the sidelines of the argument because, as the only person of color in the room, the dynamic could have easily tilted from a simple exchange of ideas to the angry black chic lecturing on the current state of civil rights in America. Not that I was angry, or that I would have lectured. But, that's how it would have been perceived. So, rather than get involved, I let a gay take care of it for me. And we all know, the gays love the negros.
To be completely honest, I flinched. My initial/gut reaction to this video was, "This is a sad day for black people." But, I watched it again and I realized that I agree with the messages of the video:
1. Read A Book 2. Raise Your Kids 3. Drink Water 4. Fiscal Responsibility 5. Brush Your Teeth 6. Wear Deodorant
And not only to I agree with these messages (obviously), I agree with the medium and the intended audience...but maybe not the TV channel.
I've always been a fan of satirical social commentary. Being a dedicated follower of the Boondocks for years, I was thrilled to see Adult Swim turn the comic strip into a cartoon. I believe cultures and communities cannot grow or improve without looking at themselves critically - and with a bit of humor. The Boondocks and this video do just that.
Critics are seeing this move by B.E.T. (an organization that is tirelessly lampooned in the Boondocks) as succumbing to its already tainted image as the primary machine force feeding this country (and the world at large) negative images of black people.
Now, I believe B.E.T. to be apart of the problem, the devil even (watching it makes me sad inside). Which is why it's hard to see this commercial as a satire or commentary when it airs in between a Chamillionaire video, and Akon's new venture into relationship psychology. And because of that, it makes this commercial look like a symptom of a bigger problem instead of the provocateur of the solution - which is what I believe the creators intended it to be.
If "Read a Book" aired on Adult Swim or Comedy Central I don't think it's purpose would have been confused. It would have joined the ranks of other satirical cartoons. But, would that be a good thing? Or is the dialogue happening now around this cartoon better?
The irony of it all is that if this was an actual cartoon video made by 50 Cent's camp, and the cartoon version of himself was rapping about sex, money and the subjugation of women, it wouldn't be today's hot topic for debate . It'd be up for a Moon Man, or VMA.
Yes, it targets children. Yes, it airs when kids could see it. So does TRL. And frankly, I'd prefer kids hearing the messages of "Read a Book," than Britney's Gimme More, or Avril's Girlfriend.
