Page 4 - TVTimes.08.19.18

4 August 19 - 25, 2018 cover story
By Kyla Brewer
TV Media
As young women navigate the ups and downs of modern life, it helps to have a crew of steadfast girlfriends along for the ride.
Issa Dee (Issa Rae, “The Misadven- tures of Awkward Black Girl”) relies
on her close friends in another eight- episode season of the award-winning HBO series “Insecure,” airing Sunday, Aug.19.Whentheseasonopenedthe week before, Issa was living with her ex, Daniel (Y’Lan Noel, “The First Purge,” 2018), and her precarious financial situation means it would be unwise to moveout.Meanwhile,herBFF,Molly (Yvonne Orji, “Night School,” 2018), struggles to keep it together now that she’s finally landed her dream job at a black-owned law firm.
Created by Rae and loosely based onherhitwebseries“Awkward
Black Girl,” the series offers viewers
a glimpse into the lives of a tight-knit group of black women, who are often underrepresented in prime-time televi- sion.Thisseason,thewomenstriveto make the right decisions as they con- tinue to evolve in their 30s. In an inter- view with the Hollywood Reporter, Rae talked about how the characters grow in season 3.
Third time’s the charm
HBO comedy ‘Insecure’ is back for season 3
El Dorado News-Times
nomination and consecutive NAACP Image Award nominations for both acting and writing. “Insecure” was named one of the top 10 TV pro- grams of the year in 2017.
Rae may be enjoying her success these days, but things aren’t so great for her on-screen alter ego. Luckily, Issa has her gal pals to lean on in the new season of “Insecure,” airing Sunday, Aug. 19, on HBO.
Issa Rae stars in “Insecure”
“This season is about not acting like you’re naive anymore or that you don’t know better,” Rae explained. “So it is about, what does it look like to know better and to do better?”
Following their mantra to “know better, do better,” Issa and her pals face the realities of their situations. Now that she’s no longer with Law- rence (“Jay Ellis, “The Game”), Issa is conflicted about her complicated re- lationship with Daniel, her childhood friendandon-again,off-againlover. Professionally, she isn’t sure about her future with the nonprofit she’s been working for, We Got Y’all.
As for Daniel, he struggles to get hismusiccareerofftheground. While fans of Ellis, who played Issa’s love interest in the first two seasons, are likely disappointed he isn’t back, this season opens the door to explore a new side of African American cul- turethroughtheeyesofDaniel.Ina June interview with Vibe.com, Rae revealed one of this season’s major themes.
“I love black masculinity as it relatestoblackwomen,”Raesaid. “I think that’s something interesting that we haven’t gotten a chance to explore yet — and specifically toxic male black masculinity as it relates to black women. I’m trying to find a
way to explore that and get a round- ed storyline that isn’t preachy.”
Issa and her relationship issues may take up a lot of time, but black female friendship is still at the core of “Insecure” in season 3. While Issa tries to figure out what to do about Daniel and her career, Molly deals with her own problems. She may be a successful corporate lawyer, but she hasn’t been able to translate that kind of success into her romantic pursuits.Tomakemattersworse,her hang-ups and insecurities could sab- otage her newly secured dream job.
A very pregnant Tiffany (Amanda Seales, “My Brother and Me”) deals withthepressuresofimpending motherhood, but she still finds time to spend with her girlfriends. How- ever, it’s obvious the dynamics of the group are changing.
Natasha Rothwell (“Love, Simon,” 2018)—who’sbeeninthenews recently because of her casting in “Wonder Woman 1984” (due in 2019) — reprises her role as the group’s straight shooter, Kelli. Roth- wellalsoworksasawriteronthese- ries, which focuses on diversity both in front of and behind the camera.
From the beginning, Rae was determined to assemble an inclusive team to work on “Insecure.” When HBO was looking for a director for the comedy-drama, she recommend-
ed Grammy-winning music video di- rector Melina Matsoukas, known for her work behind the camera of So- lange Knowles’ “Losing You” video. She’s directed a number of episodes of “Insecure,” and her involvement led to Knowles becoming the show’s music consultant.
Music is a big part of the series. Featuring indie acts and established artists, the show’s soundtrack has earned praise from critics and fans, who can’t get enough of Rae’s raps in front of her mirror. Songs from Drake, Vince Staples, Blood Orange and D’Angelo have been featured on the show, along with music
from “Insecure’s” official com- poser, Raphael Saadiq, who rose to fame as a member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!
The mix of music, comedy and drama has earned the first two seasons of “In- secure” many accolades
for Rae and her cohorts, including two pending Emmy nominations. Rae has been nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category and Patrick Cady has been nominated for
a cinematography Emmy for season 2’s “Hella LA” episode. Rae’s role as Issa has also earned her
a Golden Globe
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