Hand Me That Remote

In July 2013, BET took a major gamble in premiering their first ever hour long drama, 'Being Mary Jane'. Led by Gabrielle Union, the show follows news anchor, Mary Jane Paul, through her rising broadcasting career, complicated familial situations, and messy love life. It was refreshing at a time when there was only one other show led by a Black woman protagonist. (Olivia Carolyn Pope was just starting to storm through the White House.) The show lasted four seasons and was able to wrap up with a series finale despite Mara Brock Akil's departure, a change in pace and setting from Atlanta to New York, and behind the scenes drama between Union and BET over compensation disputes. Things got messy up until the very end (that finale...)and HTMR looks back on the series which resonated with us.

We back, y’all. The ladies talk about fibroids for the first fives minutes, so if you’re queasy (or you don’t care about women’s health issues!?) , skip to 5:40. The premiere of ‘Suits’ spin-off, ’Pearson’, starring Gina Torres, finally premieres this summer. The queen, the legend, the blueprint, and the brilliant Toni Morrison is blessing us with a documentary chronicling the beginnings of her illustrious career and how she became the icon she is today. And lastly, Stella Meghie’s, highly anticipated film, ‘The Photograph’, starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield announces its release scheduled for Valentines Day 2020. Rest In Power, John Singleton.

Jasmine, Taisje, and Val do a full review of the film, 'Little', starring the little genius herself, Marsai Martin, the illustrious, Regina Hall, and our April 2019 Essence cover girl, Issa Rae. 'Little' is about a tech business mogul, Jordan, who hates everyone and scares her entire staff shitless. Jordan is so mean, a little girl she encounters puts a spell on her to be "little" again. And behold, Jordan is her 13 year-old self again the next day. Hijinks ensue. A production of Will Packer Productions and executive produced by Marsai Martin, 'Little' becomes one of the first fantasy-comedies to be led by a Black girl.

The 91st Academy Awards may have happened months ago, but we're still talking about the high highs and the low lows of the ceremony. There were plenty of wonderful moments, Regina King, Ruth E. Carter, Hannah Beechler, all won statues solidifying themselves as forces to still be reckoned with. Then, there was the same old overwhelming whiteness of it all and...that Best Picture win. The ladies of HMTR chat about what it means for white savior films to still be winning big in 2019 and how their very existence underscores ongoing conversations about diversity (ugh) in Hollywood.