Superheroes inspire us and help us believe we can do all that we set our minds to. Black superhero stories, however, don’t always reach mainstream audiences, leaving young Black children few characters to identify with. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show writer, Ashton Womack, Beyond the Scenes senior producer, Aaron Lamarr Burleson, and contemporary artist, Hebru Brantley, to discuss how Black superhero stories have more capacity to bring authentic Black experiences to the big screen. 
 
Watch the Original Segment: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx3ErVQmXKc

Link to purchase Hebru Brantley’s coffee table book: https://www.amazon.com/Hebru-Brantley/dp/084787219X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Superheroes Deserve the Space to Make an Impact

Imagine The Daily Show, but deeper. Host Roy Wood Jr. dives further into segments and topics covered on The Daily Show — from racial injustice to gun control to K-pop. Each week, he’s joined by Daily Show writers, producers, correspondents, as well as outside experts to unpack a different topic or segment in a way that's hilarious, nuanced, and compelling.
Beyond the Scenes features a rotating cast of The Daily Show correspondents including Desi Lydic, Dulcé Sloan, Ronny Chieng, and Michael Kosta, as well as contributors Jordan Klepper and Lewis Black. New episodes every Tuesday.

TV & Film

Comedy

Critical Race Theory has become the right wing’s new boogeyman, but no one seems to even know how to define it. Leading scholar, Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, and producer CJ Hunt join host Roy Wood Jr. to break down what CRT actually is, why it’s necessary, and how ignoring the blowback could endanger years of progress.
 
Original air date: September 21, 2021
 
Watch the original segments:
https://youtu.be/XQKRYJnqIdM
https://youtu.be/6ofjZH80y3g See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Battle Over Critical Race Theory (featuring Kimberlé Crenshaw)

From the sex-shaming of early cinema legend Hedy Lamarr to trapping Jane Fonda in an exploding orgasm piano, Hollywood’s relationship to female sexuality is complicated, controlling and sometimes just plain weird. Roy is joined by correspondent Desi Lydic and Daily Show writer Kat Radley for a stimulating discussion about the depiction of female pleasure onscreen.
 
Watch the original segment: 
https://youtu.be/_HJhBIsoeeQ?si=Wid_uqGzjmb24VaC
 
Original air date: July 27, 2021 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Female Orgasm Onscreen: A Brief Hist-HER-y

Esports competitions have seen a boom in popularity in recent years with some of the highest paid players making up to six figures. Celebrities like Drake and Post Malone have even invested in the sport. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show correspondent Michael Kosta and LA Thieves Call of Duty player Sam “Octane” Larew to break down the similarities and differences between traditional and electronic sports and how professional gaming is making its way into the mainstream.
 
Watch the original segments: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE4qsJ1Lq1o
 
Original air date: January 24, 2023 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Esports: The Rise of Professional Video Gaming

Conservatives are outraged by kids’ exposure to drag shows and there’s been an increase in protests at drag events. But drag dates all the way back to ancient societies and Shakespearean theater. Host Roy Wood Jr. chats with the star of HBO’s We’re Here, Bob the Drag Queen, Princeton journalism professor,  Channing Joseph, and author of the book, Drag: Combing Through The Big Wigs of Show Business, Frank DeCaro. They chat about Black and Queer trailblazers, the legacy of drag activism, and how representation from shows like Rupaul’s Drag Race has helped make drag more mainstream and builds allyship among its viewers. Bob also talks about his personal journey growing up in the south and the challenges he faced filming season 3 of We’re Here. Bob even gives Roy a drag queen name.
 
Watch the original segments: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T6ZKlOPAmU 
 
Original air date:  January 10, 2023 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Queer History of Drag and Conservative Backlash

The Rooney Rule came into effect in 2003 to increase the number of Black head coaches in the NFL. Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the league exposed how team owners don’t take this rule as seriously as they should. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits with CBS Mornings co-host, Nate Burleson, and former New York Jets coach, Collette V. Smith, to discuss the lack of diversity in the NFL’s head coaching positions and how the league can hold team owners accountable.
 
Original air date:  October 25, 2022
 
Watch the original segment: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbSCsYedX4c&t;=197s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Superheroes Deserve the Space to Make an Impact

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