Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air

Latest Episodes:

Wayne Federman on ‘The History of Stand-Up’ Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

Larry weighs in on Bill Cosby’s release from prison to open the show (01:00). Later, Larry is joined by comedian and author Wayne Federman to discuss his new book ‘The History of Stand-Up: From Mark Twain to Dave Chapelle’ (10:00). Later they look at the vaudeville era of comedy (29:00), how technological advancements such as the microphone changed comedy (34:00), and the impact of cancel culture on comedy today (1:20:00).

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: Wayne Federman

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Sam Jay on ‘PAUSE with Sam Jay’ Jun 19, 2021

Show notes

Larry weighs in on Juneteenth becoming a holiday, the Catholic church’s potential communion ban on President Biden for his abortion stance, and the “heartbeat bill” (01:30). Later, Larry is joined by comedian and writer Sam Jay to discuss working on her show ‘PAUSE with Sam Jay,’ the difference between writing for ‘Saturday Night Live’ vs. her own show, and much more (24:00)

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: Sam Jay

Producer: Kaya McMullen

Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah

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Helen Hunt on ‘Blindspotting’ Jun 12, 2021

Show notes

This week, Larry weighs in on how the privilege of being from the United States has contributed to the country’s lack of interest in getting vaccinated (0:43). Larry is joined by Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt to discuss her latest work in the series ‘Blindspotting' (13:00). They also discuss a rejected ‘Twister’ reboot, her acting career, and much more.

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: Helen Hunt

Producers: Kaya McMullen and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah

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Wanda Sykes on ‘The Upshaws’ and Getting Her Start in Stand-Up Comedy Jun 05, 2021

Show notes

To open the show, Larry again weighs in on alien conspiracies, as well as Tucker Carlson’s quote on COVID-19 vaccinations being the “medical Jim Crow" (1:00) Then, Larry is joined by Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes to discuss working on her new Netflix show ‘The Upshaws’ during the pandemic (13:00). They also talk about Sykes transitioning from a NSA agent to stand-up comedian, and possible government cover ups (31:00). Later, they look back at their times performing at The White House Correspondents’ Dinner during the Obama years (44:00).

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: Wanda Sykes

Producer: Kaya McMullen

Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah

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Barry Jenkins on ‘The Underground Railroad’ May 22, 2021

Show notes

Larry briefly weighs in on the conservative attack on women’s reproductive right, as well as alien conspiracy theories to open the show (01:00). Later, he is joined by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins to discuss adapting Colson Whitehead’s novel into the television series ‘The Underground Railroad’ on Amazon Prime (13:00). Later, they discuss the art of directing (34:00), and avoiding the creation of Black trauma porn when telling stories that are intertwined with Black history (1:10:00).

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: Barry Jenkins

Producer: Kaya McMullen

Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah

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David Oyelowo on Why He Decided to Create the Movies That He Wants to See May 15, 2021

Show notes

Larry is joined by actor and director David Oyelowo to talk about getting into acting and why he decided to create his own production company (17:47), making his directorial debut with ‘The Water Man' and what it was like to direct himself as an actor (35:37), and why he's drawn to making movies with fantastical elements (51:53).

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: David Oyelowo

Producer: Kaya McMullen

Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah

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Malcolm Gladwell on ‘The Bomber Mafia’ May 08, 2021

Show notes

Larry weighs in on ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ and the importance of gratitude to open the show. Later, he is joined by New York Times best selling author Malcolm Gladwell to discuss his new audio book ‘The Bomber Mafia,’ how advances in technology change warfare, and more (11:00).

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: Malcolm Gladwell

Producer: Kaya McMullen

Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah

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Robin Thede on ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show,’ and W. Kamau Bell on ‘United Shades of America’ Apr 25, 2021

Show notes

Larry is joined by actor and comedian Robin Thede on this week’s weigh-in to discuss Season 2 of ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ (01:00). Later, Larry is joined by comedian W. Kamau Bell to discuss ‘United Shades of America,’ defunding the police, and much more (30:10).

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guests: Robin Thede and W. Kamau Bell

Producer: Kaya McMullen

Production Assistant: Jonathan Kermah (edited)

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Willie Geist on Hosting ‘Morning Joe’ and ‘Sunday Today’ Apr 17, 2021

Show notes

Larry weighs in on a week filled with gun violence and police brutality, as well as the new Georgia voting law to open the show (02:00). Later, he is joined by Willie Geist, host of ‘Morning Joe’ and ‘Sunday Today with Willie Geist,’ to discuss what goes into the interview process, how President Biden is doing in office, and more (20:00).

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guest: Willie Geist

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Travon Free on ‘Two Distant Strangers,' and Andra Day on ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday' Apr 10, 2021

Show notes

Larry is joined by Oscar nominated director Travon Free to discuss filming ‘Two Distant Strangers’ amidst the pandemic, how he got his start in the entertainment industry, and more (01:00). Later, Larry is joined by Oscar nominee and singer Andra Day to discuss portraying Billie Holiday in her first ever acting role with ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ and more (37:00)

Host: Larry Wilmore

Guests: Travon Free and Andra Day

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