A Black Lady Sketch Show: Angela Bassett Is the Baddest B***h

August 4, 2019 12:38 PM - Season 1, Episode 1

Two women seek an escape from an ominous fog. 1960s soul group Claude and The Boppers perform their hit song "Ice Cream Shop." A world-renowned author and "philosophizer" promotes her latest masterclass. Maya's confession in a support group gets a less-than-supportive response. Trinity, the Invisible Spy, meets a formidable adversary. (HBO broadcast premiere)

IndieWire Review: A Smart, Funny, Black Woman-Centric, Late-Night Delight - Robin Thede's history-making series is a welcome respite from other late-night shows that tend to overlook black women's narratives.

Vulture review - A Black Lady Sketch Show Is Pure, Funny Fire

Vulture interview - Robin Thede Is Changing the Game With A Black Lady Sketch Show

posted by oh yeah! (8 comments total)

I'm sorry to read this season is only going to be 6 episodes long, because I thought this first episode was phenomenally funny. Did anyone else watch?
posted by oh yeah! at 12:47 PM on August 4, 2019

That was soooo good and I hadn't heard about it before seeing it here, thanks for posting! I can't wait to see more of it
posted by gaybobbie at 3:51 PM on August 4, 2019

I watched it, and it went by so quickly. I recognized Nicole Byers' voice as the Invisible Man as soon as she started taunting Ashley Nicole Black's Trinity. That was such a great match for the sketch. The whole show is dense though, and I think I need to watch it again. The lines in the Bad Bitch Support Group came so fast.
posted by gladly at 7:04 PM on August 4, 2019

I thought it was pretty good! No familiarity with the performers and quite liked them all. I was cackling during Bad Bitch Support Group and the "hertep" especially (the latter being a particularly familiar archetype I would love to see more of, whether here or elsewhere). Plenty that felt refreshing and, astonishingly for sketch comedy, nothing felt like it dragged. Also relatable Black lesbian comedy! Yay!!
posted by youarenothere at 2:04 AM on August 5, 2019

I recognized Nicole Byers' voice as the Invisible Man as soon as she started taunting Ashley Nicole Black's Trinity. That was such a great match for the sketch.

For those who aren't Extremely Online, Ashley's Twitter bio is "Not Nicole Byer. I swear."
posted by Etrigan at 10:28 AM on August 5, 2019

I’m so glad to have heard about this. I keep replaying the line “Aw, they must have on flat shoes :( “
posted by theatro at 7:50 PM on August 6, 2019 [1 favorite]

First, Angela Bassett is still stunning and Does. Not. Age. Melanin FTW.

Nicely subtle homage to Us (and by extension, Jordan Peele).

Wonder if Rachel Dolezal felt triggered by the hertep bit?

Very smart show. Loved all the cameos. A show like this is long overdue.
posted by fuse theorem at 11:19 AM on August 7, 2019 [1 favorite]

Caught some sketches on Youtube. Excellent cast and show and writing.
"Breathe when you die honey, ok?"
posted by Glinn at 10:23 AM on August 10, 2019