Pop Culture Rundown
Baseball is back, The Bold Type should be better, a surprise Taylor Swift album dropped and the TV streaming wars continue! Explore the latest in pop culture news, along with some random bits about food, below:
The Bold Type, in all its ridiculous glory, is a show I've enjoyed for the last three years. However, in its latest season, Kat, a progressive, bisexual, biracial woman, was romantically paired with Ava, a conservative white woman who voices anti-immigration views. I just about spit out my coffee watching Kat justify her romance with Ava by telling her friends that she's "learning a lot from her." No. Zeba Blay wrote an excellent article for The Huffington Post criticizing the story arc. Aisha Dee, who portrays Kat on the show took to social media to voice her disappointment with the storyline and the lack of BIPOC working behind-the-scenes on The Bold Type. While her post impacted the storyline's conclusion in a last-minute switch, we'll have to see if the show is renewed to know if changes are actually made behind the scenes.
Baseball is back, and while I'm already skeptical as to how safely it can be done, I'm trying to enjoy watching games on TV (as much as you can enjoy watching baseball games on TV). In honor of opening day, my mom went all out and purchased everything needed to make an authentic Chicago-style hot dog. I might get kicked out for saying this, but before last night I'd only ever had a hot dog with SOME of the Chicago-style fixings. Last night we did it all and let me tell you it was DELICIOUS. There's no logical reason that all of those ingredients taste good together (the pickle, the tomatoes, the sweet relish, etc.), but somehow it works. For those of you equally curious as to why this even exists in the first place, here's your history lesson!
Taylor Swift -- who previously prided herself on long, hyped periods of anticipation between album releases -- decided to change things up and dropped a surprise release on Friday. folklore once again demonstrates Swift's ability to genre shift effortlessly, as this album sounds nothing like anything she's done before. My favorites include the 1, cardigan, august, invisible string and betty. Its indie, autumnal vibes will no doubt gain increased rotation in your listing pattern once September hits.
Viola Davis looks STUNNING on the recent cover of Vanity Fair, shot by Dario Calmese. In what is truly an unacceptable statistic, this marked the first time a black photographer took the cover shot for the magazine. In the accompanying interview, Viola Davis discusses the disadvantages black women face in Hollywood: "At this point, with a production company of her own, Davis knows she can find work. What concerns her are the Black actresses who are younger and fighting not to be invisible—the earlier versions of who she was. 'There’s not enough opportunities out there to bring that unknown, faceless Black actress to the ranks of the known. To pop her!' She names other performers—Emma Stone, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart—all 'fabulous white actresses,” who have had “a wonderful role for each stage of their lives, that brought them to the stage they are now. We can’t say that for many actors of color.'"
Whether or not you live in the DC-area, you should take time to explore Summerhouse, a digital magazine that explores the creative work happening in the District. From comedy clubs to record stores to hand lettering, you'll be inspired by the stories told!
If you haven't watched the Oscar-winning short film Hair Love, what are you waiting for? And if you've already seen it, get ready for more, because a 12-episode series based on the family in the film is coming to HBO Max. Matthew A. Cherry, who wrote and co-directed Hair Love, will serve as showrunner for the animated series. You can read an interview he did with the Los Angeles Times earlier this year where he talks about how creating Hair Love, putting black fathers in the spotlight and opening up conversations around natural hair.
What is happening with steaming services these days? It seems like the latest releases (Quibi, Peacock, HBO Max) have been plagued with problems. This Vulture article appropriately titled "Is Anyone Watching Quibi?" is a fascinating look at what is probably the most out-there streaming option right now.
It wouldn't be a newsletter lately without some mention of baking! Last month, my brother's girlfriend and I spent hours in the kitchen making Swedish Cardamom Buns. And let me tell you it was a process!! The end result was a beautifully twisted, tasty, Instagram-worthy treat. If you're looking for an activity and a challenge, give it a try!
