Welcome to June, 2023

WGA Strike, Star Trek, Ashok Kondabolu, Coffee Beans, Skyler Higley, Hey Arnold! & more!

Dear readers,

See what I did there? That’s what we call a breakthrough moment. Only now, halfway through this first year of publishing a newsletter titled Letters from African America, have a realized I should probably format these as if they were something I mailed with postage stamps.

That’s actually one of many breakthroughs I’ve had while typing these monthly meditations. Sending these to your inbox has sustained me during what has turned out to be a creatively chaotic year. Things I thought were moving forward have either ended or been put on pause. And the industry as a whole is on fire. However, I’m still trying to stay positive and dance through the flames like Usher.

At the end of the day, writing is less about the final product, and more about the process itself. And I’m grateful for being granted the time and mental space to get back in touch with my own voice.

Speaking of writing…

The Writers Guild of America is on strike! You may have seen that I somehow ended up on BBC News television and radio talking about it. It’s a pivotal moment for everyone in the entertainment industry — but also in every industry beyond it.

The rise of A.I., rent, and corporate greed has rightfully jolted workers everywhere into defense mode. In the next ten years we’ll likely see what I call “the self check-out machine dilemma” invading every quadrant of our lives.

We all know how much worse things can and will get if we don’t stand now. You can learn more about what writers are fighting for and how you can help out at WGAcontract2023.org.

Anyone can join the picket lines, and I can attest that while walking in a circle and chanting “hey, hey… ho ho!” over and over again is a little weird at first, it slowly melds into a pretty beautiful sensation.

Speaking of mind melds…

A few weeks ago, I was a small part of organizing the east coast Star Trek themed picket outside of the Netflix building in Manhattan. It was awesome seeing cast members and writers from many of the new Trek shows march along in support of the strike. A highlight for me was getting to meet Celia Rose Gooding, who plays the young Nyota Uhura in Strange New Worlds.

On screen, she brings wonderful, vibrant new life to the Uhura character. And off screen, she’s just as charismatic — having been one of the most energetic voices during the entire four-hour picket. I’m certain she’s making the late Nichelle Nichols proud.

Thanks again, dear reader, for being a part of my “figuring it out” year. Everything from Letters from African America is free of charge during 2023, but I really appreciate those who have paid for subscriptions already. I hope you’re getting something good out of these musings and suggestions.

Love,

Tim

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Not bored yet?

Here’s the rundown for more:

• What You’ve Missed

• Recent Pods

• Consider Consuming

• Something From The Vault

• Song of the Month

WHAT YOU’VE MISSED

• A Text Conversation w/ Ashok Kondabolu (Letters from African America)

  I recently had a three-day conversation with Ashok Kondabolu as the second entry of this experimental format. It was a roller-coaster of words, that I should note are also EXPLICIT. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like reading curse words, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!

• What’s At Stake During The 2023 WGA Strike (FF2 Media)

  I wrote a guest column for FF2 Media explaining the WGA strike and my perspective as a newer member of the guild.

  https://ff2media.com/blog/2023/05/31/whats-at-stake-during-the-2023-wga-strike/

RECENT PODS

• StoryVerse Collective “Tim Barnes On Laughs, Late Night & Star Wars”

  I joined the hosts of the Storyverse Collective podcast to talk about my career.

• Star Wars Minute

  Jim Fagan and I are co-guests this week on Star Wars Minute, the podcast that dedicates each episode to a 60 second chunk of a Star Wars film. It’s always great hanging out with Pete and Alex on the show. And it was particularly fun covering minutes from The Rise of Skywalker that center on the mysterious character, Ochi of Bestoon! Video of the podcast is also available on YouTube, so listen here — or start watching below!

CONSIDER CONSUMING

• Skyler Higley’s Comedy Central Stand-Up Set (YouTube)

  I don’t think I’ve ever met Skyler in person but he’s one of the funniest people I know online. I’m partly jealous of him for being one of the rare Black writers who have worked for Conan O’Brien. But I’m mostly proud of him. Because he is one of the rare Black writers who have worked for Conan O’Brien. Higley is just as skilled on stage as he is on the page. And this Comedy Central set highlights his brilliant, authentic, cerebral, and absurd sense of humor.

• Contract TK (YouTube)

  A group of striking writers have banded together to create a late night styled… thing called Contract TK — all about the strike at hand. I’m one of the lucky out of work late night writers who have just enough free time to pitch a few jokes for this (hopefully short-lived) series as the WGA strike continues. Last week’s edition was co-hosted by John Thibodeaux and Liz Hynes. Previous hosts include Greg Iwinski and Sasha Stewart — and word on the street it I will be in the next one… tonight! So subscribe to the Contract TK YouTube to see it as soon as it comes out.

• In The Groove, Jazz & Beyond

  This podcast, hosted by Ken Laster, has become one of my go-tos for music when I’m writing or walking the dog. It feels like a radio program, and essentially — kind of is. Laster curates jazz tunes based on a myriad of themes that always fit the moment of release. I dig it. Maybe you will too.

SOMETHING FROM THE VAULT

• Musings on Amusement with Tim Barnes (2015)

  Some of my jokes layered over bizarre footage. Enjoy!

SONG OF THE MONTH

Song Title: STOMPIN'
Artist: Jim Lang
Album: Hey Arnold! TV Series

WHY?: Not a day goes by where I don't think about the music of the 90s animated Nickelodeon series, Hey Arnold! Most remember the catchy intro theme. But every moment of the show is accompanied by unique jazz fusion instrumentals that were composed by Jim Lang. More brilliant than the opening credits theme, is Lang's slow, grooving, end credits theme -- "Stompin'." To me, it's the sound of a perfect summer day. And yes, this is my way of proclaiming "Stompin'" as the song of the summer!

It’s also really fun seeing different bands cover it:

That’s all for now. Until next time, remember to set your phasers to strike!