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Comedy, Cancel Culture, and the Joke Behind the Slap Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

When one of the most successful Black actors in Hollywood slaps one of the most famous Black comedians on international television, it's bound to spark conversations. One debate that keeps coming up is whether or not Chris Rock should have even made that “G.I. Jane” joke aimed at Jada Pinkett Smith, who has publicly spoken about her struggles with alopecia.

But it feels like we've been having this discussion about comedy — and where we draw the line — a lot lately. Plenty of comedians have come under fire recently, like Dave Chapelle for his comments about trans people in his specials and Joe Rogan for frequently dropping the N word on his podcast.

So is there a line comedians shouldn’t cross with their jokes? If so, where is it? And is it ever OK to punch down? This week, we unpack our evolving relationship with standup and how the industry is changing — and isn’t. We get some help from a culture writer, and from a comedian who understands the difference between a punch and a punchline.

And while you’re here, we want to hear from you! Help us bring you the stories you want us to cover by checking out this quick listener survey.

You’ll hear from:

Aja Romano, culture staff writer at Vox

Hari Kondabolu, standup comedian and writer

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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Will Smith's Oscars Slap and What to Expect at the Grammys Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Everything that happened at the Academy Awards still has us reeling — especially the moment that stole the show, when Will Smith walked onstage and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.

People have a lot of opinions. So we talked to the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, April Reign, about what happened and the social media storm that followed.

And while the Oscars are still trending, awards season isn’t over yet. This Sunday, the 2022 Grammy Awards air on CBS, and the music world is supplying its own brand of drama. Kanye West is banned from performing. Drake withdrew his Grammy noms. And some of the requirements for Grammy nominations and voting have changed. But what does any of this mean?

To break down the controversies and get a quick look at contenders in the top categories, we speak with a few writers who give us their thoughts on what to expect at the Grammys.

And while you’re here, we want to hear from you! Help us bring you the stories you want us to cover by checking out this quick listener survey.

You’ll hear from:

April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite hashtag and co-founder of She Will Rise

Allison Hussey, staff writer at Pitchfork

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, film and music critic

Joey Guerra, music critic at the Houston Chronicle

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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What You Need to Know About the 2022 Oscars Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

This Sunday, the 2022 Academy Awards air on ABC. But before you can gaze at the Oscars red carpet and settle in front of the TV with hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes, you probably need to get up to speed on the nominated films.

We’ve got you covered. We talked with a writer at Vulture to get the lowdown on all the buzz, plus what to watch, what we can't stop talking about, what has us scratching our heads and what you might want to put at the back of the streaming queue. We even added in our own picks, so take advantage before the big night.

Then, we continue our Women’s History Month celebration. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on women directing the action: female directors like Domme Shi, Nia DaCosta, Chloé Zhao and Janet Mock, who are making their marks on the big and small screens.

Celebrate more wins from women by heading to theSkimm’s website for a timeline of amazing women who are breaking the rules and busting up barriers. And to help us bring you the stories you want to hear throughout the year, fill out this quick listener survey.

You’ll hear from:

Nate Jones, writer at Vulture

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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Why was Brittney Griner Playing in Russia? Better Pay Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Last month, WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was detained in Russia on alleged drug charges. And if you’re wondering what she was doing over there — simply put, better pay. The Phoenix Mercury star plays with the EuroLeague team UMMC Ekaterinburg, and makes around four times her current $227,900 WNBA salary.

NBA players can make millions of dollars here in the states. WNBA players at the top of their game like Griner make much less. That’s a huge problem.

Since about half of the WNBA’s athletes play overseas during the offseason, Griner’s situation may make some of them think twice about claiming additional income, especially as war rages between Russia and Ukraine. To learn more about what’s happening with Griner and how it may affect other WNBA players, we talk to sports journalist Meredith Cash.

And all month long, we’re celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting cool women we think you should know. Today, check out female athletes that are changing the game in men’s sports including:

Katie Sowers, the first openly gay person to coach in a Super Bowl
Natalie Nakase, the NBA’s first woman coach
Rachel Balkovec, the first woman manager of minor-league baseball team, Tampa Tarpons

Celebrate their wins by checking out theSkimm’s website for a timeline of amazing women who are breaking the rules and busting up barriers. And to help us bring you the stories you want to hear throughout the year, fill out this quick listener survey.

You’ll hear from:

Meredith Cash, sports reporter for Insider

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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Memeing Through the War in Ukraine Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

People all over the world have watched in horror as Russia continues to invade Ukraine. But the war isn’t just being fought on the ground. It’s also being waged across social media.

For the past few weeks, our timelines have been flooded with memes about the conflict. But as we’re processing what some say could be the next World War III, the backlash to what's being posted on all sides has been swift. And there’s been backlash to the backlash. So it has many questioning: is it OK that we’re memeing our way through war?

Today, we take a look at how memes have been used throughout the conflict and talk to a professor to help us understand how we use memes in times of trauma.

Then, on this International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting some incredible women who are breaking boundaries in their fields — starting with women writers. Find out how comic book writer G. Willow Wilson's work is helping change the Marvel universe, how author Tomi Adeyemi is expanding the fantasy genre within book publishing and how Quinta Brunson is redefining success with her hit TV show “Abbot Elementary.”

All month long, we’ll be highlighting cool women we think you should know. And to help us bring you the stories you want to hear throughout the year, fill out this quick listener survey.

You’ll hear from:

Jessica Myrick, professor of communications at Penn State University

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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What ‘Euphoria’ Gets Right and Wrong About Addiction Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

On Sunday, “Euphoria” finally lowered the curtain on its drama-filled sophomore season, and fans and critics have a lot to say — and not just about Fexi, the Maddy-Cassie showdown or the HBO Max outage that almost caused a Twitter riot.

Despite its popularity, the show has been under fire all season long, especially as it zeroed in on the unraveling of Zendaya's character, Rue. After season two premiered, D.A.R.E. accused the series of glamorizing addiction and teenage drug use. But the debate on whether or not TV shows correctly portray addiction — especially when it comes to teens — is something we've been wrestling with for decades.

We’re diving into how drug use has shown up on television through the years and what this season of “Euphoria” got right — and wrong — about addiction.

You’ll hear from:

Lexi McMenamin, news and politics editor at Teen Vogue

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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Should We Be Talking About Kanye? Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Since the breakup of Kimye, it seems like we’ve been keeping up with the Kardashians more than ever. We’re watching made-for-TV type drama unfold IRL, and you can’t go on social media without seeing the rapper going viral.

But not all fans are here for the spectacle. Some say that the way Ye’s talking about his ex and her new boyfriend are abusive and triggering, while others are questioning his current mental health status. And others say it’s all a publicity stunt for his new “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy”' Netflix doc or the “Donda 2” album release.

Whatever’s going on, it’s complicated. And if we’re talking about it, are we part of the problem? We’re asking an expert.

Next, we close out Black History Month by highlighting a golden era of Black TV – the ’90s and the early 2000s. We speak with Trey Mangum of Shadow & Act about his favorite Black sitcoms and how they influenced generations of TV watchers.

You’ll hear from:

Dr. Maia Niguel Hoskin, writer, activist and Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Clinical at Loyola Marymount University.

Trey Mangum, managing editor at Shadow & Act

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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How Influencers Changed the Dating Game Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

Dating is hard. It’s even harder now that dating apps and social media have entered the chat — or rather, our relationships. And everywhere you turn, there are new standards on what it means to be Facebook or IG official.

Ten years ago, you’d ask Dear Abby all of your questions, read Cosmo, or watch a talk show. Now, people are turning to dating influencers online — and finding they have both good and bad advice to give. And whether you’re talking, dating, in a successful relationship, or trying to achieve couple goals, everybody’s swiping right trying to figure out what’s what. We talked to sex and relationship expert Shan Boodram to help us figure out some of the new rules.

Then, we celebrate Black History Month with Glory Edim, founder of Well Read Black Girl to highlight some amazing Black authors. Find out her top three book recommendations to put on your reading list.

You’ll hear from:

Shan Boodram, sex and relationship expert and author
Glory Edim, founder of Well Read Black Girl and podcast host

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Note: A previous version of this episode included elements from an interview that have since been removed.

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We Need to Talk About Bravo’s “Real Housewives” Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

Even if you don’t watch Bravo’s “Real Housewives,” you know about the franchise built around ridiculously rich women and over-the-top drama. Recently, fans uncovered six months’ worth of racist social media posts from “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jennie Nguyen. And in a surprising and unusual move, Bravo fired Nguyen and publicly acknowledged the decision via social media.

But with all of the scandalous moments that have gone down on screen, does it really surprise us when the Housewives behave badly off screen?

Right now, the network seems to be going through something of a reckoning around racist comments and other bad behavior on its shows, many of which thrive on the drama of the rich elite getting messy on camera. We can’t help but wonder: what does Nguyen’s firing mean for other Housewives and the future of the franchise?

You’ll hear from:

Alex Abad-Santos, senior culture reporter at Vox

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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Why is Rap Music Still on Trial? Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

When Carrie Underwood sings about taking a Louisville slugger to the headlights of a cheating ex’s car, does anybody assume she actually did it? What about when Johnny Cash said he shot a man in Reno?

Violent lyrics show up in a lot of music. But when it comes to rap and hip hop, it’s not unusual for those lyrics to show up in court. Prosecutors continue to use them as evidence to convict artists of crimes. A bill in New York, which has the backing of Jay-Z, Killer Mike and other rappers, would make it harder for artists’ words to be used against them in a criminal case. We take a look at the history of rap lyrics on trial, and talk to a media attorney about what would change under the new law.

Then, we throw it back to the early aughts with 2000s queen Christina Milian, who joined us for a game of “This or That.” See if you can guess what trends she’d bring back.

You’ll hear from:

J Christopher Hamilton, entertainment attorney, author and professor

Christina Milian, actress and singer

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Skimm'd by Senior Producer and Host Bridget Armstrong. Produced by Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s senior director of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

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