Robin Thede’s A Black Lady Sketch Show premieres tonight on HBO and if you’ve been holding on to your subscription since Game of Thrones ended, you’re in for a treat. If you canceled your HBO service after the series, well, now’s the time to renew.
A Black Lady Sketch Show stars Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Quinta Brunson, and Gabrielle Dennis, a group of women whose comedic genius comes through in a number of side-splitting sketches.
“I created this show out of pure passion for all the amazing funny Black women I am blessed to work with every day. WE ARE HERE AND WE ARE READY,” Thede wrote on Instagram back in January.
If the cast isn’t enough to convince you to tune in, then we’ve got five very good reasons why you should.
01
It’s Definitely A Show For Black Women
A Black Lady Sketch Show is the first sketch comedy series written by, directed, and starring Black women. And while many of the sketches tap into anxieties or situations that most of us have encountered, it’s especially true for Black viewers, specifically Black women. The shock of being in a room full of Black women at work—a rarity if you work in a predominantly white industry—growing up with Black moms, and how Black women’s joy manifests itself are all hilariously portrayed in the series.
02
Robin Thede Is A Master Of Disguise
Thede deserves a round of applause for her ability to become anyone. She is a shapeshifter, a master of illusions and disguises. Her ability to become someone completely different is one of the highlights of the show.
03
The 227 Sketch
No worries, there are no spoilers but there is a perfect 227 sketch that you will not want to miss. You will undoubtedly recognize everyone in the sketch. And, again, we have to give a shout out to Thede for her spot-on impression of Jackée Harry as Sandra Clark.
04
The Show Nails Some Really Absurd Ideas
There are some really weird, absurd, WTF sketches that the show absolutely nails and these are the best glimpses into the minds of the show’s writers and stars. The ladies completely lean into these ideas, bringing their A-game to every odd sketch. A fave already is a job intake skit for active gang members but the meeting turns into ad for Monster with the tagline “Where even mark ass busters get hired.” In less capable hands many of these sketches wouldn’t have worked but Brunson, Thede, Dennis, and Black turn the absurd into magic.
05
It’s Full Of Random Celeb Appearances
The show dropped a celebrity-packed trailer in July and throughout the first season, there’s a number of famous faces that pop up, including Angela Bassett, Laverne Cox, Yvonne Orji, and Issa Rae, the show’s executive producer. In any other situation, these celeb cameos might be a bit distracting but they work and add a little more fun to each sketch.
