A Black Lady Sketch Show - General Discussion

[Joimiaroxeu]

Two Black women on the same space mission? As if. Of course it wasn't allowed to leave Earth's atmosphere.

Green android couldn't handle a 👍. That was definitely a sketch you have to watch more than once to catch all the jokes.

People actually read Zane books? 😏

Wayne Brady. Ehhh.

Edited May 8, 2022 by Joimiaroxeu

[AnimeMania]

S03.E06: It's a New Day, Africa America!
(Season Finale)

Ally hosts a birthday bonfire to remember. Day campers attempt to embrace the outdoors. Octavia teaches a top-secret workout class.

Original Airdate: May 13          

[DanaK]

Quinta Brunson in the opener! And Vanessa Williams in a sketch

Decent finale but a little underwhelming. It looks like the end of the world recurring sketch is over

[Joimiaroxeu]

See, see, see. Dr. Hadassah becoming the first hotep president is one of the worst timelines.

The IRS can make you an Mrs.? Uh, no.

Juneteenth outfit serving Black-only at the cookout.

Denaugurated.

Yeah, it was good to see Quinta again.

I'll never understand why this show hasn't been more successful. Maybe too smart for the room? Hopefully HBO will renew it for a 4th season. (Assuming Robin Thede wants to keep doing it.)

[Amethyst]

The Eggplant/Peaches episode was by far the best.  The cannibal astronauts sketch had me cracking up immediately.  The Wayne Brady sketch was only OK, though.

Loved seeing Quinta again.

The mini Smart Guy reunion was really sweet.  It's weird seeing Taj as an adult.  

Wish Nicole Byer showed up during the Trinity sketch, but I'm just glad they didn't forget the character.

I hope they're done with the apocalypse plot.  Did they ever mention what happened to Quinta and Laci?

Didn't realize this was the season finale either.  But honestly, I don't hear anyone talking about the show, so I'm not surprised.  The jokes can get really corny and over the top. 

[Lantern7]

I just wanted to share this thing I made. I posted it in a Facebook group, and no one got it.

Has there been word of a fourth season?

[DanaK]

On 5/24/2022 at 11:19 PM, Lantern7 said:

I just wanted to share this thing I made. I posted it in a Facebook group, and no one got it.

Has there been word of a fourth season?

Not that I’ve heard yet

Considering how this season had less talk here, it probably lost viewers from the first season

[DanaK]

Renewed!! http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2022/06/02/hbo-renews-sketch-comedy-series-a-black-lady-sketch-show-for-a-fourth-season-913210/20220602hbo02/

[DanaK]

The show scored 5 Primetime Emmy (2022) nominations for a sketch or variety show: Production Design, Directing, Picture Editing, Writing, and Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Black_Lady_Sketch_Show#Awards_and_nominations

[Trini]

Robin Thede interview with NPR's Fresh air: 'Robin Thede wants her sketch show to open doors for other Black voices'

[DanaK]

The Creative Arts Emmys are tonight and tomorrow night and so far the show has won 2 Emmys, for directing and picture editing

[Trini]

[AnimeMania]

‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ Season 4 Starts Production, Adds Three New Cast Members (EXCLUSIVE)

There is a video interview in link.

“A Black Lady Sketch Show” has started production on its fourth season.

Adds 3 new cast members, DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade and Angel Laketa Moore. 

Angel Laketa Moore, DaMya Gurley and Tamara Jade

Returning cast members include Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis and Skye Townsend.

Ashley Nicole Black will not return, she is getting her own TV Series,  “Bad Monkey” on Apple TV+.

[QueerGirrl]

Good for Ashley, but I'll miss Invisible Spy! 

[DanaK]

Just to note, a recent HBO promo video on their coming lineup indicated the next season will premiere next year (2023) (at about 1:25)

Edited October 22, 2022 by DanaK

[DanaK]

 

[Lantern7]

Cool. The HBO overlords have deigned this series to live.

[AnimeMania]

Robin Thede on Expanding the ‘Black Lady Cinematic Universe’ With ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ Season 4 (EXCLUSIVE)

Interview and video.

[DanaK]

Trailer for Season 4

 

[QueerGirrl]

Tracy Ellis Ross 🤣

[luckyroll3]

See, see, see Dr. Hadassah Olayinka Ali-Youngman, Pre-PhD back with her foolishness!

 

[AnimeMania]

S01.E01:  I'm Clapping from My Puss

A girls' trip gets off to a bumpy start; three women attempt catch up to the Three Wise Men; Salina tries to defeat her childhood nemesis.

Premiere Date: April 14, 2023   HBO    11pm
Omarion
Jay Ellis

[DanaK]

I’m sorry to say none of the sketches in the premiere made me laugh

[Lantern7]

There should be crossover promotion. "Save 25% on ABLSS merch when you enter the code FLOCKBLOCK!"

Edited April 16, 2023 by Lantern7

[Popples]

On 4/14/2023 at 11:35 PM, DanaK said:

I’m sorry to say none of the sketches in the premiere made me laugh

Same. I really missed Ashley Nicole Black and I don't care if I come across as prudish, but the fact that the vast majority of the punchlines were only about sex is so lazy. And that "flock-blocking" bit went on way too long.

[Amethyst]

On 4/14/2023 at 10:35 PM, DanaK said:

I’m sorry to say none of the sketches in the premiere made me laugh

Yeah, this show is very hit or miss.  I want to love it, but some of the writing is just bad.  Hope the rest of the season is better.

On the plus side, it looks like they finally got rid of the apocalypse plot.  Good.  It just wasn't funny and just got more nonsensical every season.  It doesn't help that the cast changes every year.  I knew Ashley was leaving, but I still miss her.  No more Trinity the invisible spy. 😭

[DanaK]

26 minutes ago, Amethyst said:

Yeah, this show is very hit or miss.  I want to love it, but some of the writing is just bad.  Hope the rest of the season is better.

On the plus side, it looks like they finally got rid of the apocalypse plot.  Good.  It just wasn't funny and just got more nonsensical every season.  It doesn't help that the cast changes every year.  I knew Ashley was leaving, but I still miss her.  No more Trinity the invisible spy. 😭

I agree, very hit and miss

[JeanJean]

On 4/14/2023 at 11:35 PM, DanaK said:

I’m sorry to say none of the sketches in the premiere made me laugh

I loooooooooooved Season 1. "The Boppers" ("F--king You in the Ice Cream Shop") is still one of my all-time favorite sketches. I liked the second season. The premiere of this season was pretty disappointing. 

Edited April 21, 2023 by JeanJean

[AnimeMania]

S01.E02: What Kind of Medicine Does Dr. King Practice?

Kimber and Skip host a baptism dunk-a-thon; coworkers vent about their jobs; Gia is a menace at the movies; Annie interviews for preschool.

Premiere Date: April 21, 2023   HBO    11pm
Tahir Moore
Derek Fisher  

[DanaK]

Episode 2 was much better than Episode 1. Not everything hit, but for the most part, it was more amusing. I’m not sure yet about the “Behind the Scenes” sketches. The opening baptism dunkathon sketch had some pretty funny stuff 

[Lois Sandborne]

Maybe it's because I watched them back to back, but I enjoyed both the first and second episodes. The Last Supper reboot is still funny to me, and the wise men were a fun addition. And I liked the casino robbery. The second episode was funnier though. I'm just always gonna laugh at "What up, I'm 3" even if I don't know why. And the bathroom talk show was great too.

On 4/21/2023 at 10:44 PM, DanaK said:

I’m not sure yet about the “Behind the Scenes” sketches.

I don't think it's hitting for me. One of my favorite sketch shows of all time (A Bit of Fry and Laurie) did a bit where they immediately reviewed each sketch after it aired. That was so funny and unexpected. So far this is kind of corny.

[DanaK]

The ending to the “What Up? I’m 3” sketch went in an unexpected, hilarious direction

[AnimeMania]

S01.E03: Pre Ph.D, Based on a Novel by Sapphire

Dr. Haddassah returns with Black Table Talk; Karlie Chanel pitches TV executives; a mother passes down her prized heirlooms.

Premiere Date: April 28, 2023   HBO    11pm
Jackée Harry
Colman Domingo

[DanaK]

4 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

S01.E03: Pre Ph.D, Based on a Novel by Sapphire

Dr. Haddassah returns with Black Table Talk; Karlie Chanel pitches TV executives; a mother passes down her prized heirlooms.

Premiere Date: April 28, 2023   HBO    11pm
Jackée Harry
Colman Domingo

Mildly amusing overall, but Black Table talk with Colman was pretty good

 

[realityplease]

I, too, liked Black Table Talk. Also, the mother passing down her heirlooms. It wasn't laugh out loud funny, but touched my heart because my mom also saved napkins (for use in the car!) & kept "valuables" in that very same Danish cookie tin - those being odds & ends like old coins, paperclips, buttons & generally useless stuff for which she had no immediate use - but just couldn't throw away. 

[DanaK]

56 minutes ago, realityplease said:

I, too, liked Black Table Talk. Also, the mother passing down her heirlooms. It wasn't laugh out loud funny, but touched my heart because my mom also saved napkins (for use in the car!) & kept "valuables" in that very same Danish cookie tin - those being odds & ends like old coins, paperclips, buttons & generally useless stuff for which she had no immediate use - but just couldn't throw away. 

My late grandmother had a drawer full of similar kind of stuff

[Joimiaroxeu]

Finally got caught up on this show.

S3E1
A strict violation of the Ride or Die Code.

The Three Wise Men rolled up like Montell Jordan.

Why indeed would Mary Magdalene have 75 inches of hair?

I continue to like how Omarion's willing to make fun of his image on this show.

S3E2
Baptism dunk contest sponsored by Dunkin. Brilliant

The What Up, I'm 3 character is reminiscent of this character Jonah Hill has played more than once on SNL. Wonder if Robin was inspired by it?

S3E3
About 95% of the Curzoz contest stuff went right by me. I could barely understand what they were saying/singing/rapping. The ladies seem to have gone all in on it though.

Why does Dr. Haddassah insist on calling herself a female? I just can't laugh at that. 😡

Loved Colman Domingo. Every time I see him interviewed on an actual talk show he's great.

I'm glad this show is back. It's a welcome respite from real life stuff that is definitely not funny. But it seems to have the same problem as SNL, that is, letting some sketch run too long. Not quitting soon enough usually ends up killing the bit.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E04: My Love Language Is Words of Defamation

A Black Lady Courtroom hears a new case; a queen’s knights share gossip from around the kingdom; a waitress riles up her customers.

Premiere Date: May 5, 2023   HBO    11pm

[DanaK]

Best sketches:

Black podcast - The juxtaposition between the quiet PBS-style narration and the loud and street commercial announcer was hilarious (along with the content of the show being nonsense)

Black Lady Courtroom - Was that Issa Rae?

Queen’s Knights share gossip

Brunch trashing

FashionNova and Non-commital Chris

So pretty much the whole show lol

[Joimiaroxeu]

Rachel Dolezal's colonizer cornrows.

Black Lady Courtroom!

Shemar Moore Legal School. Diploma says "Baby Girl."

More inbred than a venison sandwich.

Hateration in the bruncherie.

This show overflows with pointed references. You probably have to watch an episode two or three times to catch them all.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E05: Peek-A-Boob, Your T***y's Out

Cousin Curtis mans a hotel front desk; a woman’s hot date with herself gets interrupted; three friends compete for a picture-perfect life.

Premiere Date: May 12, 2023   HBO    11pm

[DanaK]

Best sketch: The Real Housewives of BC. That was hilarious.
 

The rest were eh for me or I didn’t quite get things. I couldn’t understand the fast dialogue between the 2 ladies in the motel sketch

As always,I enjoyed the bloopers at the end

[DanaK]

Robin Thede on making the show and its impact

https://variety.com/video/a-black-lady-sketch-show-robin-thede-season-4-fyc/

[AnimeMania]

On the Set of ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’: How Robin Thede and Co. Manufactured a Well-Oiled Laugh Machine

[DanaK]

13 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

On the Set of ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’: How Robin Thede and Co. Manufactured a Well-Oiled Laugh Machine

This was such a good, interesting article. You wouldn’t think a 6 episode season of a 30 minute sketch show would take very long to put together but it clearly does

Edited May 20, 2023 by DanaK

[AnimeMania]

S01.E06: Check Yo' Slack Every 5 to Stay Alive
(Season Finale)

The Coral Reefs vie for office space; a new employee creates work-wife drama; a ballet dancer auditions for a trap rapper.

Premiere Date: May 19, 2023   HBO    11pm

[DanaK]

That was pretty good overall. The girl gang sketch was my favorite, as usual. The initial Juneteenth sketch was pretty bold and funny. The Behind the scenes ongoing sketch went in a very unexpected way

[Joimiaroxeu]

E5
FUBUN. Knockoff FUBU.

Loved "Why You Ain't Say Nothing?" If I could remember my high school algebra better I could figure out how many unique two-person combinations could be made from four different people.

Yikes, Bobby Brown was barely recognizable. He looked like someone who'd swallowed My Prerogative-era Bobby Brown whole.

I think caught every tenth word in that hotel check-in desk sketch. You had to pay extra for a key card that worked? Actually, that doesn't seem so unbelievable now.

E6
I hadn't really noticed a lot of businesses coopting Juneteenth but geez, do they not know what it means? I have been amused though by a certain big box store starting to to market a section of clothes from Black designers. Some of the outfits I wasn't sure were meant to be taken seriously.

The corporate-speak gangs. That sketch gave me some bad memories from having to use buzz words at work to avoid saying what you really meant.

In that cubicle sketch were they supposed to be doing Spanish accents? But it was a good takeoff on telenovelas.

Easter tights. OMG, please tell those aren't still a thing.

See. See. See.

And here comes the long wait until Season 5. 😕

[Trini]

On 5/21/2023 at 5:41 PM, Joimiaroxeu said:

And here comes the long wait until Season 5. 😕

About that....

'‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ Will Not Return for Season 5 on HBO'

[DanaK]

24 minutes ago, Trini said:

About that....

'‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ Will Not Return for Season 5 on HBO'

Sad. But the good/bad ratio of sketches was getting worse each season