It's Time to Give Sheryl Lee Ralph Her Flowers
It's the season one finale of Quinta Brunson's hilarious hit ABC comedy Abbott Elementary. Among all the great things that have come with the show's success, the reminder of legendary actress Sheryl Lee Ralph’s greatness has undoubtedly been one of them.
Despite all the years of work the author and legend of screen and stage has given us, she recently revealed in an interview that just a few years ago, an executive producer on a show she was working on asked her “what have you done?'"
Only in an industry tuned to view whiteness and whiteness alone as excellence, can someone as esteemed as Ms. Ralph be dismissed by people in a place where talents are purportedly the currency for success. Only in Hollywood can she not be flooded with opportunities to show off the vast array of her talents. Let me give an abridged version of Ms. Ralph’s resume for the uneducated:
The world woke up to her gifts nearly four decades ago when the original Broadway cast of the musical Dreamgirls premiered. She originated the role of Deena Jones, the role that Beyoncé herself would go on to play in the 2006 film adaptation. Ralph proved that not only could she sing, dance, and act, but that she could do all those things brilliantly. From Daytime Soaps to primetime comedy and films of every genre, Ms. Ralph has been shining ever since.
the single greatest 30 seconds of television ever filmed #AbbottElementary pic.twitter.com/S57REe9psM
— Joey (@SpiceBoyJoey) March 30, 2022
I was first introduced to Ms. Ralph through all my incessant viewings of Moesha as a teen. She played Dee, the stepmother to Brandy’s Moesha. Even playing the stuffy-at-times, strict principal and step mom, there was a deft and delicate comedic sensibility to her even as she was often playing it straight.
Much like with her Ms. Barbara Howard — her God fearing, elder statesmen Abbott Elementary character — Ms. Ralph isn’t the one doing the comedic heavy lifting or the one often being given the punchlines, but only she could bring the dignity and indignation quality to Ms. Howard without it being a drag on the rest of the cast. Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of the show, said it herself when Ms. Ralph initially went out for the role of the wacky principal: “No, absolutely not. You are Mrs. Howard. We need a queen and you are her.”
In that same interview, Ms. Ralph said that her and Brunson’s first interactions on the set of A Black Lady Sketch Show often involved Brunson just admiring and studying her. “Oh, this is wonderful. This young artist thinks I'm something special,” Ms. Ralph remarked. Brunson isn’t the only one!
So to Ms. Ralph directly: To call you a star would be too puny when your talent alone can fill an entire galaxy. You are the epitome of style and grace. You’ve filled my girlhood with precious memories from your time as Moesha’s stepmama to your role as Lauryn Hill’s tough but fair mama in Sister Act 2. (We're still singing our "shoulda, coulda, wouldas" thanks to you!) Your presence and voice on-screen are a balm. If I could bring you an entire garden of flowers to share as a token of my appreciation of you I would, but for now, these words will simply have to suffice. You are excellence personified.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Tubi has been gaining popularity due to its free sign-up and a vast selection of series and films. According to Deadline, the FAST (free ad-streaming television) service has seen a 14.7% growth from May and now has similar numbers to Disney+. So while many people have joked about Tubi having low-budget movies, the numbers don't lie.
In fact, I was one of those people who didn't get the appeal of Tubi, but the more I watched it, the more I enjoyed the content. They have some of our favorite TV series, such as Scandal and Star, as well as big films like the Fast and Furious franchise and cult classic Love & Basketball.
Tubi even has its own original movies and series that are just as entertaining. But while Tubi is on the come up, some of the low-budget movies and hood movies are still a must-watch. From Tubi originals to the hood movies, we've put together a list of shows and movies to add to your watchlist.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an original Tubi movie that stars Hailey Kilgore (Juke from Power Book III: Raising Kanan), Damon Wayans, and Pam Grier. It's a love story gone awry after a robbery turns deadly, and a young couple faces many challenges to make it out alive.
The Dirty D
The Dirty D is one of the first things I watched on Tubi, as many people highly recommended it. It's a series set in a Detroit club, and it has all the drama you can think of. Murder, drug dealing, cheating, greed, and more.
Black Men Don't Cheat
In this film, a young woman grapples with the death of her husband while also discovering his secret life, which puts her in danger.
Mother May I
This movie fully captivates the overbearing mother. However, the ending will shock you as she goes a little too far.
The Stepdaughter
When a young girl moves in with her dad and his new wife, a series of unfortunate events occurs. This Tubi original will keep your attention with every turn.
These Men For Everybody
These Men For Everybody is a film that highlights the tangled web of friendships and relationships and how you can't trust anybody.
Best Friend
What happens when your best friend is obsessed with you? This movie, which stars Serayah and Marques Houston, answers this very question and takes us on a ride in the process.
What's Done After Dark
What's Done After Dark shows us that everything isn't always what it seems. The twist at the end is a real doozy.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by rez-art/ Getty Images