The 2024 Dorian TV Awards presented by GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has announced its winners, honoring the best in television and streaming. In the 16th go-around of GALECA’s TV honors, Max’s Hacks leads with four wins, including Best TV Comedy, Best Written TV Show; AMC’s Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire with three wins including Best TV Drama, Best LGBTQ TV Show and Best Genre TV Show, and Showtime/Paramount+’s Fellow Travelersearns two acting wins: Best TV Performance – Drama for Matt Bomer and Best Supporting TV Performance – Drama, Jonathan Bailey.

Other standout wins include FX’s final season of Reservation Dogs, about some close-knit Indigenous friends in rural Oklahoma, scored Best Unsung TV Show. Campiest TV Show honors go to SYFY/USA’s doll-gone-wild comedy-chiller, Chucky. GALECA also bestows notable honors to Salvadoran-American writer, comedian and actor Julio Torres with the Wilde Wit Award; award-winning actor Alan Cumming (host of reality show winner “The Traitors”) with the GALECA TV Trailblazer Award; and legendary comedian, actress, singer and memoirist Carol Burnett with the GALECA TV Icon Award.

"Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Dorian Television Awards,” GALECA President Walt Hickey said in a statement. "This group is second to none when it comes to elevating and advocating for innovative, daring work and celebrating the creative efforts of the future of the film and television industry."

The GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics’ Dorian Awards are chosen democratically by its membership, honoring TV, film, and Broadway/Off-Broadway throughout the year. Members are critics and journalists across a variety of mainstream and niche media outlets, such as The New Yorker, Slate, Salon, The Daily Beast, Vulture, HuffPost, The Los Angeles Times, CNN (online), MSNBC (online), Today (online), GMA (online), Out, The Advocate, The Boston Globe, E!, GQ, Essence, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, Emmy, The Wrap, People, Reuters, USA Today, TV Guide, Time, NPR, Nerdist, Playlist, Vanity Fair, Polygon, Jezebel, GLAAD, Rolling Stone, IndieWire, The Guardian, Decider, Collider, Vogue, Town and Country, ABC affiliates, Parade, among others.

With over 500 members, GALECA takes up the task of reminding society of the value of the informed Q+ eye on everything entertainment. As a nonprofit organization, GALECA also advocates for better pay, access and respect for entertainment journalists, especially those in underrepresented communities.

Check out the complete list of winners below.

2024 DORIAN TV AWARD WINS/NOMINATIONS—FULL LIST

BEST TV DRAMA

⭐️ Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (AMC)

The Curse (Showtime/Paramount+)

Fallout (Amazon Prime)

The Gilded Age (HBO)

Heartstopper (Netflix)

Shōgun (FX/Hulu)

BEST TV COMEDY

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

The Bear (FX/Hulu)

⭐️ Hacks (Max)

Reservation Dogs (FX/Hulu)

What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

BEST WRITTEN TV SHOW 

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Fellow Travelers (Showtime/Paramount+)

⭐️ Hacks (Max)

BEST LGBTQ TV SHOW

⭐️ Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (AMC)

Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Fellow Travelers (Showtime/Paramount+)

Hacks (Max)

Heartstopper (Netflix)

BEST TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

⭐️ Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Fellow Travelers (Showtime/Paramount+)

Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans (FX/Hulu)

Ripley (Netflix) 

True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

BEST UNSUNG TV SHOW

Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (AMC)

Chucky (Syfy/USA)

Our Flag Means Death (Max)

⭐️ Reservation Dogs (FX/Hulu)

We Are Lady Parts (Peacock)

BEST NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE TV SHOW

Elite (Netflix)

Lupin (Netflix) 

⭐️ Shōgun (FX/Hulu)

Tore (Netflix)

Young Royals (Netflix)

BEST LGBTQ NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE TV SHOW (new category)

Drag Latina (Revry/LATV+)

Elite (Netflix)

Past Lies (Hulu)

Tore (Netflix)

⭐️ Young Royals (Netflix)

BEST TV PERFORMANCE—DRAMA

Jacob Anderson, Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (AMC)

⭐️ Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers (Showtime/Paramount+) 

Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Ncuti Gatwa, Doctor Who (Disney+)

Lily Gladstone, Under the Bridge (Hulu)

Tom Hollander, Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans (FX/Hulu)

Anna Sawai, Shōgun (FX/Hulu)

Andrew Scott, Ripley (Netflix)

Emma Stone, The Curse (Showtime/Paramount+)

BEST SUPPORTING TV PERFORMANCE—DRAMA

⭐️ Jonathan Bailey, Fellow Travelers (Showtime/Paramount+)

Christine Baranski, The Gilded Age (HBO)

Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown (Netflix)

Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Moeka Hoshi, Shōgun (FX/Hulu)

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Fargo (FX)

Nava Mau, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Jinkx Monsoon, Doctor Who (Disney+)

Kali Reis, True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Benny Safdie, The Curse (Showtime/Paramount+)

BEST TV PERFORMANCE—COMEDY

Matt Berry, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear (FX/Hulu) 

Renée Elise Goldsberry, Girls5Eva (Netflix)

Devery Jacobs, Reservation Dogs (FX/Hulu)

Maya Rudolph, Loot (Apple TV+)

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

⭐️ Jean Smart, Hacks (Max)

Jeremy Allen White, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Kristen Wiig, Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

BEST SUPPORTING TV PERFORMANCE—COMEDY

Joel Kim Booster, Loot (Apple TV+)

Carol Burnett, Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

⭐️ Hannah Einbinder, Hacks (Max)

Harvey Guillén, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Jamie Lee-Curtis, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Megan Stalter, Hacks (Max)

Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

BEST TV MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers,” 66th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS / Paramount+)

Billie Eilish & Finneas O'Connell, What Was I Made For?,” 96th Academy Awards (ABC)

⭐️ Ryan Gosling, “I’m Just Ken,” 96th Academy Awards (ABC)

Steve Martin, “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?,” Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Maya Rudolph, “Mother,” Saturday Night Live (NBC)

BEST TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Black Twitter: A People’s History (Hulu)

Girls State (Apple TV+)

The Greatest Night in Pop (Netflix)

Jim Henson Idea Man (Disney+)

⭐️ Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (Investigation Discovery)

BEST LGBTQ TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later (Showtime)

Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show (HBO)

⭐️ Last Call: When A Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (HBO)

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (HBO)

The Stroll (HBO)

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW

The Daily Show (Comedy Central)

Hot Ones (YouTube)

Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

⭐️ Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

BEST REALITY SHOW

Rupaul's Drag Race (MTV)

Queer Eye (Netflix)

Top Chef (Bravo)

⭐️ The Traitors (Peacock)

We’re Here (HBO)

BEST GENRE TV SHOW (new category)

⭐️ Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (AMC)

The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)

Fallout (Amazon Prime)

What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Chucky (SyFy/USA)

BEST ANIMATED SHOW

Blue Eye Samurai (Netflix)

Bobs Burgers (Fox)

Harley Quinn (Max) 

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix)

⭐️ X-Men '97 (Disney+)

MOST VISUALLY STRIKING TV SHOW

Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (AMC)

Fallout (Amazon Prime)

Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

⭐️ Ripley (Netflix) 

Shōgun (FX/Hulu)

True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

CAMPIEST TV SHOW

Bridgerton (Netflix)

⭐️ Chucky (SyFy / USA)

Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans (FX/Hulu)

Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

The Traitors (Peacock)

WILDE WIT AWARD

—To a performer, writer or commentator whose observations both challenge and amuse

Joel Kim Booster

Quinta Brunson

Ayo Edebiri

Hannah Einbinder

⭐️Julio Torres

GALECA TV Icon Award

—To a uniquely talented star we adore

Gillian Anderson

Angela Bassett

⭐️Carol Burnett

LeVar Burton

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

GALECA LGBTQIA+ TV Trailblazer Award

—For creating art that inspires empathy, truth and equity

RuPaul Charles

Margaret Cho

⭐️Alan Cumming

Emma D'Arcy

Ncuti Gatwa

More public-facing media archives are being downsized, lost, or locked away as Warner Bros. Discovery has shut down Cartoon Network's website and is redirecting visitors to Max.

The shuttering of cartoonnetwork.com comes a week after WBD told subscribers it will sunset the Boomerang classic 'toon streamer effective Sept. 30 — and migrate users (and the content catalog) over to Max.

As of Friday, a pop-up message appears on a new landing page directing users to sign up for Max.

"Looking for episodes of your favorite Cartoon Network shows? Check out what's available to stream on Max (subscription required)," the message reads. "Sign up for Max, where you can also create a Kids Profile with ratings restrictions and additional privacy protections to keep it fun and kid-friendly! Cable subscribers, continue to enjoy your favorite CN programming on your TV and connected apps as well!"

Cartoon Network seems to be the only site for WBD's cable channels affected at the time of publication; websites for TNT, TBS, HGTV, Discovery, smaller outlets like American Heroes and Science Channel, and Cartoon Network's grown-up sibling brand, Adult Swim, are all still active.

"We are focusing on the Cartoon Network shows and social media where we find consumers are the most engaged and there is a meaningful potential for growth," a Cartoon Network rep said in a statement. "While we have closed some digital products, fans can continue to interact with Cartoon Network via the Cartoon Network app as well as select TV providers apps on platforms including mobile and connected devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon and via social platforms YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. And of course, fans also can continue to tune in to the Cartoon Network channel to enjoy 11 hours of their favorite Cartoon Network series from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. daily."

The move to shut down the Cartoon Network site comes after reports of Warner Bros. Discovery taking a $9.1 billion impairment charge in its quarterly earnings related to its networks division, which includes Cartoon Network, among other cable channels.

The company cites a soft ad market and uncertainty around sports renewal rights after losing its lucrative NBA package as the reason for the losses.

H.E.R. has been tapped to perform the American National Anthem during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, as confirmed by People. The Grammy-winning performer will sing the anthem at the Stade de France on Sunday, Aug. 11, as part of the handover from Paris to Los Angeles, which will host the summer games in 2028. 

H.E.R. has won an Oscar, Emmy and Grammy awards thus far during her career. The 27-year-old from California won the Grammy for song of the year in 2021 for her protest anthem “I Can’t Breathe.”

That same year, she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Fight for You” from the Judas and the Black Messiah soundtrack. The singer-songwriter also wrote on the Netflix animated series We the People, which won her an award at the Children’s and Family Emmys.

During last night’s NBC coverage of the games, special correspondent and Olympics lover Snoop Dogg dropped a big hint on-air when mentioning he’d love to see H.E.R. perform the anthem.

H.E.R. is expected to join French bands Phoenix and Air at the ceremony.

The Closing Ceremony will be from 9 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. local Paris time (3 p.m. ET). It will air live on NBC and Peacock and again in primetime at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Los Angeles will host the Olympics for the third time since the 1984 and 1932 Olympic games. It will be the first time the city will host the Paralympics.

As diversity takes a hit after gaining progress in the past few years, a new study shows the gender divide in hiring for TV production in front of and behind the camera.

According to a new report on gender and hiring in TV presented by IMDbPro and ReFrame — an initiative of Sundance Institute and Women In Film Los Angeles (WIF) — there's been reduced opportunity for women and all underrepresented genders (this includes trans people of all genders, nonbinary and gender nonconforming individuals, however, they choose to identify).

Since 2018, ReFrame has evaluated staffing on scripted television shows — using data from partner IMDbPro — and awards its stamp to those who meet its criteria for gender-inclusive hiring in key positions in the cast and crew, such as showrunners, writers, directors, executive, and line producers, leads, co-leads and department heads. Additional points are given to productions that hire women of color in those positions and to shows with overall gender parity in crews. To determine this year's roster of recipients, ReFrame pulled IMDbPro data on the 200 most popular narrative TV and streaming shows with an entire season of episodes released during Emmys eligibility from June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024.

The new report details a decrease in lead roles, falling to 41% compared to 54% in last year's report. While the dip is alarming the report highlights ReFrame and IMDbPro award a Stamp to recognize gender-balanced hiring to 77 of the 200 most popular TV and streaming series of 2023-24 (or 38.5%). The total shows a dip of 8.5% from 2022 – 2023 and 20% down from the peak in 2020 – 2021.

Those shows awarded a stamp of approval this year include Emmy nominees for best comedy series Abbott Elementary, Hacks, The Bear, and Reservation Dogs. The stamp recognizes gender-based hiring and shows the potential for productions to achieve gender equity. 

"Positive trends in mitigating bias often flatline or roll back after a period of progress," ReFrame founders Keri Putnam and Cathy Schulman explain in a joint statement. "It's a testament to the efforts of many across the field that there are nearly twice as many Stamped series this year as when we began in 2018, but the drop of 20 percent over the last four years indicates a troubling trend. If this pace of reduction continues, all the progress made in diversifying the talent-shaping media in the U.S. will be erased in two years."

The new data also includes a company report card determining the percentage of series from each distributor that meets the ReFrame Stamp criteria. Except for Amazon MGM Studios, distributors like Paramount, NBCU, Apple TV+ and more received a lower percentage of gender-balanced series than in 2020 – 2021, the first year of the report.

The report's findings also show the impact of women and women of color in key roles. All 13 series in the top 200 with women of color showrunners earned a ReFrame Stamp, while nearly 60 percent of Stamped series employ women as showrunners compared to 32.5 percent of series overall.

All shows that received the stamp are available on ReFrame's website.

The WNBA double-double record-breaking basketball star Angel Reese is making more waves with a new Reebok collection. Reese signed with Reebok in October 2023, just before her final collegiate run — a decision helmed by Reebok's President of Basketball, Shaquille O'Neal, to sign the then-LSU star to its first major NIL deal. With this deal, the Chi Barbie reportedly wanted to blaze her own path and bring "Reebok back." The Reebok by Angel is the first play to do just that with a full range of performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel.

In a statement, Reese expressed her excitement about the collection.

"I am honored to unveil my first collection with Reebok, and I worked hand in hand with the brand to ensure each and every piece is designed to elicit confidence and expression," Reese says. 

"I wanted to create a collection that allowed women and girls everywhere to embrace their femininity and power in whatever they're doing. This collection is for HER to be stylish and fierce on all occasions. "

The Reebok by Angel collection features a bold, icy color palette featuring "Always Blue" and "Silver Chrome," with expressive design details that complement Reese's dynamic style. The collaboration includes three footwear styles, the Premier Road VI, BB 4000 II, and Classic Leather, alongside new fits such as the black Angel Graphic Tee, the blue and black Angel Vector Track Jacket, and the Angel Lux Bodysuit. The Chicago Sky forward worked closely with Reebok to give these items the Reese signature touch in the form of her mantra "When they sleep on you … tuck them in!" etched into the sneakers' insoles and on T-shirts.

All footwear is available in adult sizes, with kids' offerings in the BB 4000 II and Classic Leather silhouettes available.

"Angel's dedication and hands-on collaboration throughout the collection's design process was such a special privilege," Portia Blunt, SVP of Product at Reebok, said. "Angel is inspiring women everywhere to be bold and express themselves, and this collection is a representation of her."

The Reebok by Angel collection will be available on Reebok.com and select retailers worldwide beginning August 23, 2024.

@reebokReebok x @angel, coming 8/23 🩵 #Reebok #AngelReese

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Headliner

Hello babes! It’s been a minute, I know, but I’m back. So many things have changed since my last newsletter; I’m freelancing full-time and exploring other career paths in media beyond the newsroom. Truthfully, the state of the industry frightens me, and I’m not sure what the future holds. For now, I’m taking things day by day and open to the possibilities. Seems like there’s a layoff every other day in the media industry, but as long as we stick together, I'm sure we'll make it through. Trust the process.

In other news, the WNBA is on break until next month. But my fellow sports fans, don't worry; you can get your sports fix with the 2024 Olympics kicking off today, and you can check out the competition here and on Peacock.

What I've been up to lately:

• Y'all still like podcasts, right? 👀🤭

According to the source 

According to the Source, is a mini-interview section of Dispatches with an expert or professional in a respective field in the entertainment and broader media industry.

This week, I give you a gift from the archives with my interview with a fellow Texan, the talented actress, comedian, and all-around entertainer Laci Mosley. Mosley has graced our screens on the iCarly reboot, portraying the iconic character Harper. You may also recognize Mosley from projects such as A Black Lady Sketch Show and Lopez vs. Lopez. Beyond her long list of credits, she is also the host of the award-winning podcast Scam Goddess, which was recently announced to be adapted for TV at ABC News Studios and is currently in production. While we wait on a premiere date, Mosley's Scam Goddess book will be released on September 10, 2024. Check out our interview below about Mosley's entry point into comedy, being a multi-hyphenate, her hopes for Hollywood's future, and more.

What drew you to comedy in its various mediums?

Mosley: Comedy has always felt like connection. I’ve been drawn to comedy since I was very young. I was an only child until [age] 13. That’s when my sister was born. So, I had to entertain myself and every adult around me for some reason. I was just always drawn to making people laugh. I was kind of a lonely kid, so that’s how I made friends. That’s how I made connections in the world, making people laugh and relate. So yeah, it’s been something that helped me connect with people.

What do you love most about being a multi-hyphenate comedian?

Mosley: The rush I get! No, I’m kidding. I don’t get that very often. That’s the thing a lot of millennials are facing; it’s not even just comedians. We all chose the multi-hyphenate lane because the girls told us this is how you do it. 

I mean, look at cable. We all unplugged and were like, “Oh! We have freedom! We make our own TV!” And now we are paying way more than we ever paid for cable to have every streaming service. That’s kind of how it is to be a multi-hyphenate comedian. It’s like I just throw everything at the wall. I get to do everything I love, which is fun because I have a lot of passion. But at the same time, it can be overwhelming because ... there’s a lot of balls to keep in the air. But I enjoy that I’m never bored. I have ADHD, and I love shiny, fun things. So, it’s been a true blessing to be able to wake up each day and do what I find fun. Now, not the whole day; I am still an adult. I’m just glad that I have the choice at all. I know that’s a huge blessing.

What does comedy mean to you, and how has humor played an important role in your life?

Mosley: Comedy is obviously my favorite genre. I enjoy doing something that makes me, the performers I work with, and the audience laugh. I think that laughter is medicine. And unfortunately, it’s the only free healthcare we got. And for those who listen to my Scam Goddess podcast, I want to keep sharing it for free. It’s important to me because, like I said before, it’s what connects us all: sharing a moment of joy with other people. I mean no one’s ever been upset that someone made them laugh, you know what I mean? 

If you could give a piece of advice to rising Black LGBTQ+ comedians, what would it be?

Mosley: My advice would be to try lots of different things. Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be afraid that people won’t accept you because authenticity is the greatest currency in entertainment and one of the strongest weapons for breaking down barriers. I know we often think assimilating or not drawing too much attention to ourselves when we are othered already will help us succeed. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned and when things turned in my career was [when] I stopped trying to be what people wanted me to be and just showed up as myself. I’m just selling me every day. That doesn’t mean everyone’s gonna buy it, but somebody will. And so, I’m not changing the secret formula; it’s just who I am. So lean into who you are, and know that you will find your people because there’s something for everybody.

Lastly, what are your hopes for the future state of Hollywood?

Mosley: I hope Hollywood will take a turn from treating art like a commodity on the stock market and allow it to be art again. We’ve seen so much fear with people when it comes to taking risks with new projects or allowing people who may not have as much established experience to enter spaces. And that is such a hindrance to art, to growth. And also to financial growth for studios. People are hungry for new ideas and new perspectives. They want to see a movie that isn’t just spun around and the same thing we’ve already seen again and again. I hope we can move away from what’s become a debilitating need for safety when it comes to what projects studios are willing to greenlight and ones that they’re not.

Media Library

What's a piece of media you have consumed lately? As the media literacy epidemic spreads across the digital world, I'm encouraging folks to get a diverse helping of a media diet by asking what they read, watched, or listened to lately while providing some links to recommendations of some of my favorite recent media.

Read

• SAG-AFTRA video game voice/performance actors are going on strike after talks for a new contract with major game studios broke down over artificial intelligence protections. The strike commenced on Friday, June 26, 2024, at 12:01 am. | Read the full statement from SAG-AFTRA

• Legendary women’s basketball star Candace Parker is stepping into a new chapter as the President of Adidas Women’s Basketball. Parker recently spoke with Essence Contributing Fashion Editor, Robyn Mowatt, about her ambitions in this new phase of life. | Essence

• Latto is gearing up for a new album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, and the rapper spills all the details in the July issue Billboard cover story to journalist Kyle Denis. | Billboard 

Watch 

• For all my fellow comic book nerds and casual Marvel fans, Deadpool & Wolverine is officially out in theaters. While the film has received mixed reviews, it is a fun, action-packed superhero film that is simply a good time. | Where to Watch: A theater near you

• Mystery lovers and fans of thrillers, there’s a new hit show to obsess over starring Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram. The series Lady in the Lake is an adaptation of the novel by Laura Lippman and takes place in 1960s Baltimore, where an unsolved murder pushes housewife and mother Maddie Schwartz (Portman) to reinvent her life as an investigative journalist and sets her on a collision course with Cleo Sherwood (Ingram), a hard-working woman juggling motherhood, and a passionate commitment to advancing Baltimore's Black community. | Where to Watch: Apple TV+

• If you’re looking for a laugh and a slight therapeutic cry, then season 2 of Unprisoned on Hulu will get the job done. The series, starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, follows the life of single mom and therapist Paige Alexander (Washington), whose world changed when her dad got out of prison and moved in with her and her teenage son. | Where to Watch: Hulu

• Keke Palmer recently interviewed Tyler Perry on her podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer. Let’s just say Mr. Perry is not here for any criticism of his work, especially his latest film, Divorce in the Black. I got a chuckle out of the interview, and it sure is a ki, as always with Keke. | Where to Watch: YouTube 

Listen 

• My current earworm is “Big Mama” by Latto. But truthfully, I’m enjoying this era so far, including the “Sunday Service (Remix)” ft. Megan Thee Stallion and Flo Milli. The Rapper has also announced her forthcoming album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, will be released on August 9.

• Streets saying a lot about the project, but I cannot put Normani’s debut album, Dopamine, down. "Still" is my favorite track on Dopamine, but truthfully, my top 5 changes each day because it's just that good. 

• The LA crooner Blxst has officially released his debut album, I’ll Always Come Find You. It’s worth the listen for any lover of contemporary R&B.

Well, that's all, folks. This is Dispatches. I'm Daria Lynn Cottingham, and I'm signing off. ✍🏽💜

Headliner

Hello babes! Lately, as I've been navigating my own turmoil and the stress of the world's dark realities, laughter has kept me going. I've been watching endless hours of sitcoms and stand-up specials and scrolling through my favorite comedians (such as Becca O'Neal, Jay Jurden, and Josh Johnson) social feeds for laughs. That laughter has been a lifeline for me. Truthfully, I've loved comedy all my life. But as of late, as many have tried to land a good trans joke but ultimately end up in a grandstanding pile of bigotry, I've been reconnecting with my love for comedy by finding the humor that respects my humanity.

This month at Dispatches, we're reporting live from the world of comedy as we celebrate April Fools All Month Long and focus on the glimpses of joy and humor in these dark times. Each issue this month will tackle some aspect of comedy with the goal of offering you a slice of happiness.

What I've been up to lately:

• Well, babes, nothing to report on the me front … just yet. 🤭

According to the source 

According to the Source, is a mini-interview section of Dispatches with an expert or professional in a respective field in the entertainment and broader media industry. 

This week, I spoke with Niles Abston, 29, a comedian and screenwriter who has been pursuing his comedic dreams for almost a decade. His dedication to his craft has paid off, as he boasts successes such as writing credits for Dave, producing two stand-up specials, and more recently hitting the film circuit with his short film '98 Honda. In February, I was lucky enough to screen '98 Honda. Set in 2004, it follows a drug dealer tasked with babysitting his girlfriend's little cousin; shenanigans ensue as this unlikely duo tries to make it through the day. Check out our interview below about Abston's entry into comedy, his style of humor, the fears of pulling material from his personal life, his hopes for the future for Black comedians, and more.

What drew you to comedy and screenwriting? Was it something you always knew you wanted to do or a new career shift that ended up happening?

Abston: No, it's not something I always wanted to do. I know that as a kid, I liked movies, and I wanted to make them. But I never really made an effort to do that, or it was never a thing I pursued, considering being from Mississippi, and there's not a viable option to even do that. But I went to college and ran Division One track and field until I hurt my hip and had to get surgery at 19 years old. At that point, I didn't care much about school anymore because I'd never really liked school like that.

But I constantly had to do physical therapy for my hip, and in the training room, there would always be these classic funny movies that'll be on, on all the cable channels during the day for all the people that don't have jobs and shit. I would be watching them and be like, I think I can write better movies than this, which is a crazy thing to think at 20 years old. So, I dropped out of college and moved to Los Angeles. I got an internship and was doing this film program, focused on writing movies, and then a friend read a short story I wrote, and they were like, 'Yo, you should try stand-up comedy.' I didn't know you could just do that. So I started trying it, and here I am, almost ten years later.

Having seen your comedy specials and following your career thus far, you have a great sense of humor. What do you love most about being a comedian? How would you describe your style of humor? 

Abston: I can say whatever the fuck I want. As long as it's funny. My style of humor is just authenticity first. I want to say how I feel and the truth every time. I try my best to find the funny in what I already want to say, and that way, it'll usually be something that'll connect with people, too.

What elements go into a standard stand-up routine for Niles Abston?

Abston: The elements are clear perspective, clear point of view, solid punch lines, and conversational delivery. When people watch my routine, I don't want them to feel like they're just getting jokes thrown at them. I want them to feel like they're having a conversation with me even though they're not talking. I want it to feel natural, so I don't necessarily write down my jokes. Instead, I come up with a topic or premise and then figure it out on stage. I never make jokes the same way every time. So that way, it doesn't feel too rehearsed.

Is it ever hard to pull from your life experience for a stand-up routine?

Abston: Yes. Somebody told me the other day they noticed that I don't have many jokes about my family and stuff, and I was like, 'Yeah because there are certain things I haven't healed from yet.' And I don't necessarily see the funny in it just yet. So I don't know how I'm going to talk about that. 

I don't talk about relationships or dating a lot, and that's when I know I'll be a good comedian once I can finally talk about these things that hurt me. But some things are tough. I'm pretty good at this, but there are definitely some things that I haven't gotten to the point of seeing the humor yet and haven't been able to talk about.

Lastly, what are your hopes for future Black comedians and comedy writers like yourself in Hollywood?

Abston: I hope that those who do make it through the door and slip through the cracks can have some success. I hope that they reach back and open space for everyone else. Because some people will make it through on the independent route, or if they get supported by the industry, I hope they share resources and help others. Open the door because if we don't do it for each other, then who is? So that's what I hope for because when it happens, it will be like a Black comedy renaissance and make an impact. It's just somebody's gotta get through and not be selfish.

Media Library

What's a piece of media you have consumed lately? As the media literacy epidemic spreads across the digital world, I'm encouraging folks to get a diverse helping of a media diet by asking what they read, watched, or listened to lately while providing some links to recommendations of some of my favorite recent media.

Read

• In the bubblegum nostalgia world of comedy, Legally Blonde is coming to a small screen near you, and Prime Video is developing the TV series. | Variety

• Comedian Jerrod Carmichael dishes on crushing on his best friend Tyler the Creator, his sexuality, a new reality show on HBO, and the aftermath of holding Dave Chappelle (somewhat) accountable. | Esquire

Watch 

• Ramy Youssef: More Feelings is the latest special from the comic. It's a great watch any time of day, but I recommend a Friday night filled with his witty humor. | Where to Watch:  Max

• Pardon My Trauma is an independent stand-up special from Virginia native and Howard graduate Mike Moody. This special shows Moody finding the humor in his trauma as he heals through laughter. | Where to Watch: YouTube

• On the reality TV side, comedian Jerrod Carmichael bares it all. In his new series, he sifts through his family trauma, analyzes his dating life, and what his reality looks like as a now openly gay Black man. Admittedly, I get secondhand embarrassment while watching but Carmichael puts the raw reality in reality TV. It's like a car crash you can't look away from. | Where to Watch: Max

Listen 

• Scam Goddess is a comedy podcast produced by the award-winning comedy network Earwolf and hosted by actor and comedian Laci Mosley. Each episode dives into the art of scamming and fraud with a comedic approach.

• For those looking for a lighthearted and easy-listen comedy about trending topics, Jokes On You is a hilarious podcast hosted by the comedic duo Mel Mitchell and Talley.

Well, that's all, folks. This is Dispatches. I'm Daria Lynn Cottingham, and I'm signing off. ✍🏽💜

Headliner

Hello babes! Welcome to Dispatches; these past few weeks have been hectic, but I survived. I've been in these media streets rubbing elbows and serving looks. My favorite outfit was for GLAAD Honors, an event celebrating Black LGBTQ+ folks in media and a special occasion as it falls on the anniversary of my medical transition. So here’s to 1 year on HRT. But being surrounded by all these fantastic folks got me pondering on developments of queer representation in media but especially ones of trans/ non-binary experience. When I racked my brain, only a few series that directly reflected me came to mind, such as P-Valley for Southern queer representation and The Chi for its Black trans woman character, Fatima, who also happens to be a journalist like yours truly. As I’ve been thinking more about community & what it means to love Black trans folks, I appreciate these shows for helping normalize our presence in this very cis world. While I’ve found success in communal love through sisterhood, romance is another story, as loving us is as taboo as ever.

In a perfect world, there would be more milk & honey after the proverbial trans tipping point in media, but in reality, it was just the first leg of a long marathon, and I’m ready for more stories of joy, love, and community to be told of the Black trans experience on small & big screens (to execs, directors, writers, etc. I BEG). But we’ll dive into LGBTQ+ representation a bit later in this issue of Dispatches. In the meantime, I’m finding bliss in self and the beauty of her blossoming:

What I've been up to lately:

• The Los Angeles media streets have been a buzz the past few weeks, especially with NAACP Image Awards weekend, Black Hollywood was having a family reunion. To celebrate this year, I attended the Without Exception Brunch powered by The Human Rights Campaign, NAACP LGBTQIA Committee, The Bayard Baldwin Institute, and Native Son to celebrate queer Image Awards nominees.

• In an attempt to get to the nitty-gritty of the film that many have strong opinions about, The American Society of Magical Negros, I interviewed the director Kobi Libii about the trailer, reaction, and the importance of telling all Black experiences. Check out some of that conversation here.

• In the nerdy word world, my Essence digital cover story about stan culture was the context for Merriam-Webster’s word of the day, emulate.

According to the source 

According to the Source, is a mini-interview section of Dispatches with an expert or professional in a respective field in the entertainment and broader media industry. 

This week, I spoke with Tre’vell Anderson, 32, an award-winning journalist and authoress of We See Each Other and co-author of Historically Black Phrases. Check out our interview below about the importance of including Black queer experiences —especially in Black stories, their possibility models in journalism, hopes for future Black queer representation in media and more.

We all have possibility models or our North Star guiding our careers, which is something you actually taught me. Who are your queer journalism possibility models?

Anderson: So, two of my leading possibility models in journalism have always been, and will always be, André Leon Talley and Monica Roberts. Both of those individuals, in different ways, I think, made space for someone like me, Black, queer, trans, nonbinary, and from the South. And both helped illustrate how to move through the world and do this work. And doing this work with some connection to or in memory of who we are and where we come from. Unfortunately, though, neither of those legends is still alive. 

When I think of living possibility models, it is essential for me to look to my left and right, people who I consider to be colleagues and friends who are also paving various ways for us to move through the world and exist, such as Gerrick Kennedy, Mikelle Street, Raquel Willis, Jamal Jordan, and Sam Sanders. I will end by saying I'm an old head at this point and also energized by a generation of Black queer journalists who are coming behind me, obviously yourself, Kenya Hunter, Taylor Crumpton, and Da'Shaun L. Harrison.

Why do you think it's essential for more Black queer characters to be included in the stories we tell? Especially ones about us Black folks.

Anderson: There is still a prevailing sentiment in so many communities, although the one I care about most is mine: Black folks — that being gay, trans or queer is a white thing. And we obviously know it is not because we exist and our ancestors have existed. But when I think about how the broader LGBTQ+ community is more often and has historically been rendered on screen, it has been led first and foremost by white folks.

There have been these pivotal moments in which visibility has increased on the backs of Black folks. I'm thinking about how pivotal Laverne Cox and Janet Mock were to the quote-unquote transgender tipping point. Despite that, so many people would still struggle to name five Black trans people working in the industry or who are visible celebrities. So it's essential for us as Black queer and trans folks to be represented in these narratives, especially the Black ones because we exist there too. We always have, and I'm looking for those inclusions that don't leave us as the sassy best friend or one-note character. I want to continue seeing Black queer, nonbinary, and trans characters under the entire umbrella that are complex and nuanced and take us somewhere in terms of possibilities.

If you could give a piece of advice to rising Black LGBTQIA media professionals, what would it be?

Anderson: My advice is to stand up, which means this is a difficult industry, but that doesn't mean we have to lose ourselves in pursuing these dreams, not at the expense of our livelihood, health, etc. I want more folks to advocate for themselves and not accept scraps.

Now, the caveat there: I want to be clear. The work you are producing has to be good. The reality is that a lot of the work out there isn't. No shade. It is not good because the systems have deteriorated in a way that younger writers don't have the rigor I had, for example, the push and pull that comes with an editor relationship, the time to sit with your thoughts and organize them in a coherent way as opposed to knee jerk or emotionally led hot take. We all do the hot takes because that is where the system is now. But I firmly believe that there is a collective of solutions that get us to care about the health of journalists as well as the output of journalists.

Lastly, what are your hopes for the future representation of Black queer folks in media?

Anderson: My hope is simple. It's for more varied, complex, nuanced examples that make you go, 'Do we want that on TV? Do we want that in the movie?' The uncomfortable examples of Black queerness and transness that will push us to a space of radical acceptance. I think that's how we get to a place where the images we see on our screen reflect the vast possibilities for us in our everyday lives.

Media Library

What's a piece of media you have consumed lately? As the media literacy epidemic spreads across the digital world, I'm encouraging folks to get a diverse helping of a media diet by asking what they read, watched, or listened to lately while providing some links to recommendations of some of my favorite recent media.

Read

• In this lovely cover story by Evette Dionne, Sheryl Lee Ralph: ‘You Gotta Have Guts to Live,’ the Abbott Elementary star wants you to know your worth—and pull out the good plates more often. Dive into this piece for a great interview, and stay for the gorgeous photos. | SELF

• To my fellow nerds, I bring fantastic DC news: 'Teen Titans' live-action movie is a Go at DC Studios. While I’m excited to see my favorite team of superheroes take the live-action big screen by storm, the impending fan casts will be a mess across social media. | The Hollywood Reporter

• This awards season, red carpet and press looks have been gloriously bold and fresh, but one of my favorites has been Fantasia's style throughout her Color Purple run, thanks to her stylist Daniel Hawkins. Essence's Contributing Fashion Editor, Robyn Mowatt, spoke with Hawkins about bringing Fantasia's most stylish era to life. | Essence

• What's better than one Black Woman Hollywood executive? FIVE. MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful's latest Women to Know: Hollywood Executives cover features Niija Kuykendall - Netflix, Amber Rasberry - Amazon, Alana Mayo - Orion Pictures, Tara Duncan - Onyx Collective, and Nicole Brown - TriStar Pictures. This one features five profiles and a round table discussion to dive into and enjoy all the glorious insight! | MadameNoire

Watch 

• For my fellow comic book nerds and lovers of animation, X-Men '97 premiered this week with two stellar episodes that not only honor the original series but bring the story to the present with a relevant storytelling style that feels familiar and fresh. | Where to Watch: Disney+

• I know we hate edgy thriller depictions of journalism, let alone the politics beat, but The Girls On the Bus is my new obsession. The series follows four female journalists who follow the every move of a parade of flawed presidential candidates, finding friendship, love, and a scandal that could take down not just the presidency but our entire democracy along the way. | Where to Watch: Max

• Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told recounts the rise and fall of a small Atlanta HBCU picnic that exploded into an influential street party and spotlighted ATL as a major cultural stage. | Where to Watch: Hulu

Listen 

• Olivia Rodrigo’s DELUXE Album GUTS (spilled), featuring new songs and visuals like “Obsessed,” is now available on streaming services and for purchase.

• This COLORS performance from Philly native Bri Steves has had my attention all week. She’s a talented rapper and singer you should keep an eye on as she gears up to release her independent EP RNBri.

Well, that's all, folks. This is Dispatches. I'm Daria Lynn Cottingham, and I'm signing off. ✍🏽💜

Headliner

Hello babes! It's been a minute, and so many things have changed since my last newsletter (R.I.P. Decisive). I've gone on to become an award-winning journalist, forthcoming author, and free agent (I experienced two layoffs in the past three years, the latest being as recent as February; what is this media industry coming to, honey???!!).

But this latest nudge from the universe has brought me back to a brainchild I conceived years ago: a newsletter and podcast that houses all my interests, various news beats, and the stories that need to be told but struggle to find a publishing home. Welcome to Dispatches from Daric, a news, culture, and entertainment newsletter providing an intersectional lens on subjects such as TV/Film, music, media, and the things we love, admire, and even particularly don't like. Each Dispatch (newsletter) will broaden one's cultural palate.

What I've been up to lately:

• For Valentine's Day, I joined the Therapy for Black Girls podcast to chat with Dr. Joy about what it's like dating a Black trans woman. 

• In a very haha funny and kind of weird affirming way, the day I was laid off, I published my debut piece for Variety in print and digital.

• Last year, I went to New York for the first time to shoot for a docuseries as a pundit/expert. That docuseries, Black Twitter: A People's History, directed by Prentice Penny, is premiering the first two episodes at SXSW TODAY at 8:45 pm at the Stateside Theater. And don't worry if you can't make it. The Culture House-produced project based on the article by Jason Parham will be coming to Hulu soon.

According to the source 

According to the Source, is a mini-interview section of Dispatches with an expert or professional in a respective field in the entertainment and broader media industry. 

This week, I spoke with Caroline Renard, 35, a director and writer who recently completed her independent short film Unbraided and is now developing a feature film. On February 29th, I was lucky enough to screen Renard's Unbraided alongside six other short films spanning comedy, romance, and drama, all created by Black writers and directors at CAA headquarters in Los Angeles. Unbraided is a funny and witty short film about a Black woman and her best friend searching for a stylist to do her hair 24 hours before traveling for a wedding. Check out our interview below about navigating the current state of Hollywood, her possibility models of films/directors, Oscars 2024 predictions, and hopes for films in the future as a Black filmmaker.

You were a WGA strike captain during last year's dual Hollywood strikes. What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry and this seeming surge to purge DEI & Black TV/Film projects? 

Renard: Our strike didn't fix everything, but it amplified and illuminated many issues plaguing our industry for a long time, where people saw things happening and put band-aids on a broken system. It was truly the beginning of addressing this industry's issues because there won't be an industry if we don't. 

We're seeing a lot of the 2020 DEI lip service fizzling out right now. And I'm frustrated. It's very disheartening, and I'm out of anger. It just proves to me how much we, as Black writers, directors, and actors, have to be in community with each other. We can't keep relying on others outside our community to make or tell our stories. Instead of the pick me, choose me, love me, and depending on the big corporations for funding, we can show up for each other.

We all have possibility models or our North Star guiding our careers. What five films and directors shaped you as a filmmaker?

Renard: I'm in my home office right now and looking at the movie posters I have up. It's so funny whenever someone asks me, 'What's your favorite movie?' I'm always like, I'm never going to be somebody on the Criterion channel being like, here's some foreign film that only five people have ever seen. The films that shaped me are School Daze, Little Shop of Horrors, The Outsiders, The Godfather, and B.A.P.S. That was the first time I saw Black women having fun on screen, and I was changed by that. Even my short film, Unbraided, B.A.P.S, inspired it where I've been chasing trying to show Black women living in pure Black girl joy.

I should have these on deck for directors, but it constantly changes. But I'd say Spike Lee, Julie Dash, and Steven Spielberg because he's very genre-agnostic, and I want to dabble in all of it. Then Robert Townsend, who created projects as a community with Black Hollywood, is an excellent example of somebody who's like a multihyphenate who didn't wait on others to get it and brought other Black folks along with him. Lastly, Nia DaCosta is talented and knows how to live in the quiet of her films and sit in the moment. I enjoy her as a director and am excited for her to do more things.

Oscars 2024 is around the corner; what categories or nominees are you excited about?

Renard: We've been talking about this particular Oscars for 50 years. I'm ready for it to be over, but I am excited for the nominated people. I'm rooting for Lily Gladstone in Best Actress, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Danielle Brooks in Best Supporting Actress, Jeffrey Wright and Colman Domingo in the Best Actor category, and many others. Oppenheimer is definitely going to sweep this year. It was an amazing movie. If Oppenheimer doesn't win Best Picture and American Fiction, like slides in there, that would be amazing. But also, I don't know if I have so much faith in the Oscars to do that.

What type of film do you hope gets made in the next awards cycle? Is there a particular genre you want to make a comeback at the box office?

Renard: There's room for everything, but I want comedies to come back! I love superhero movies, smaller indie films, and sci-fi movies. I love everything. There's a point for it all because everyone has different tastes and interests. I don't think you need only to watch these serious or auteur films to be considered a real movie lover. Let's get back to these mid and smaller-budget movies. Not every movie needs a $200 million budget and has to break the box office and do all this record-breaking stuff. I want us to get back to the middle. Let's get back to good old nineties classic mid-budget type films.

Lastly, what are your hopes for Black women filmmakers such as yourself in Hollywood?

Renard: My main hope is that people will acknowledge us first and foremost. People truly don't think that we exist. When people talk about women directors, they never include Black women. It's never intersectional. And no shade to the girls. I love them. But you never see people talk about Black women directors in the way they talk about, say, Greta Gerwig. Second, please watch and support the films we make. Lastly, we need mentorship and resources from those in power who can move the needle to give us the same opportunities as our peers. For example, what would it have looked like if Christopher Nolan had done a Directors on Directors with A.V. Rockwell and been like, thank you so much for supporting Oppenheimer this year, and make sure you check out A Thousand and One? I would have loved to see a more seasoned director pairing with a new director. What does that conversation look like between Nia DaCosta and Steven Spielberg?

Of course, I would love for a Black woman to get nominated, let alone win a Best Director Oscar. But at this point in my life, I'm not holding my breath because I think those things are way beyond our control because they are too embedded, and there are years of things we would have to overhaul. But my main thing is I want Black women directors to get more jobs.

Media Library

What's a piece of media you have consumed lately? As the media literacy epidemic spreads across the digital world, I'm encouraging folks to get a diverse helping of a media diet by asking what they read, watched, or listened to lately while providing some links to recommendations of some of my favorite recent media.

Read

• Teen Vogue's New Hollywood 2024 honors Maddie Ziegler, Ariana Greenblatt, Keith Powers, Christopher Briney, Aida Osman, Iñaki Godoy, and Megan Suri as the next class of rising stars who deserve your attention. Check out each profile to see why you should follow these seven careers. | Teen Vogue

• If you grew up watching daytime soaps with your grandma like me, I have great news: CBS is developing the first Black daytime soap opera in 35 years. The broadcaster has teamed with the NAACP to develop 'The Gates,' which could become the first daytime soap with a predominately Black cast since 1989's 'Generations.' | The Hollywood Reporter

• To my fellow nerds, I bring bad news: Rooster Teeth is shutting down after 21 years. The parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is in talks to sell shows like 'RWBY,' 'Red vs. Blue' and 'Gen:Lock' and will shop the Roost podcast network. | Variety 

Watch 

• The BBC British coming-of-age dramedy BOARDERS premieres TODAY in North America in a deal with All3Media International on Tubi. The series is fun to watch and reminds me of what I love about other teen shows—humor, relatable angst, and juggling school with teenage drama. | Where to Watch: Tubi

• Will Trent season 2 has been keeping me on the edge of my seat. The ABC drama based on the book series of the same name follows a special agent navigating his past growing up in Atlanta's overwhelmed foster care system while solving cases determined to use his unique point of view to ensure no one feels abandoned like he was. | Where to Watch: ABC, Hulu

Listen 

• "Walk Like This," an earworm of a song, is finally out from the Bri-ish girl group FLO and available on streaming services and for purchase.

• To accompany FLO's lead single for their forthcoming debut album, check out their recent interview with Nyla Symone on We Need to Talk.

• Ariana Grande's latest album, Eternal Sunshine, was also released today. The 13-track LP is available on streaming services and for purchase. 

Well, that's all, folks. This is Dispatches. I'm Daria Lynn Cottingham, and I'm signing off. ✍🏽💜

This is Dispatches.

Dispatches is a news, culture, and entertainment newsletter by award-winning journalist Daria Lynn Cottingham, providing an intersectional lens on subjects such as TV/Film, music, media, and the things we love, admire, and even particularly don't like. Each Dispatch (newsletter) will broaden one's cultural palate.

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