The Golden Age of Television Blazes On

The cast of All American

It's been a minute since I wrote about TV. I have been too busy out here living that life! But, there are a few months in Savannah that can be considered winter. Those months are December, January and February. And even those three months are mild considered the winters in northern Italy and Brooklyn, NY. Here the temperatures dip just below 50 degrees for a few hours before finding their equilibrium at low to mid 60s. Even with the mild weather I am spending less time outdoors and more time reading, watching tv or scrolling through Instagram. This month I discovered two gems. The first, All American, was a fluke. I read about the show in an article about the female character Bre Z, formerly of Empire fame. I tuned in out of curiosity, but stayed for the compelling storyline. The show is based on the true story of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger. It delves into his inspirational story of growing up in the rough neighborhood of Crenshaw and moving to Beverly Hills to play high school football. Think of it as a mash up of Beverly Hills 90210 and Boyz in the Hood.  I cried during approximately half of the 16 episodes. Granted I was pmsing for some of those, but I standby the emotional validity of those tears. I found myself cheering for the Beverly Hills High football team, and I don't know much about football. In fact I didn't even watch the Super Bowl! Once you get past the fact that these kids look nothing like I did in high school you are in for a treat. Take my advice keep the tissues close.

As you may or may not know I intended to BE Diana Ross when I grew up, but as it turns out I don't have a very good singing voice, contacts in the music or metaphysical world. I needed the later because there already is a Diana Ross and I can only replace her with magic or alchemy. Once I got over that, I wanted very much to be her daughter Tracy. That did not go quite as planned either. Next up Zoe Kravitz. I was obsessed with Denise Huxtable on the Cosby Show. I had never seen someone like her on tv or anywhere else. She was the epitome of cool. Now all these years later her daughter Zoe has turned the movie High Fidelity on its head. Zoe is in the lead role and she has that same strong sparkle that Lisa Bonet has on screen perhaps an even stronger sparkle. She shines in Big Little Lies but, in High Fidelity she is open and vulnerable and yet as mysterious and captivating as her mother was in the original.

It is refreshing to see Zoe break out of her shell and express a full range of emotions. It's what I have always wanted for her. Well that and to be her of course.