Welcome to September, 2023
Welcome to September, 2023
Grief, Interviews, GOP Debates, Upcoming Shows, & Let The Good Times Roll!
Table of Contents:
September Letter from African America: Grief & Growth
What You (May Have) Missed: Interviews & Roundtable Discussions
Consider Consuming: Two Documentaries & a Podcast!
Something from the Vault: Tim Goes To The GOP Debate
Upcoming Shows: Tinder, LIVE!
Song of the Month: Let the Good Times Roll
Letter from African America (September, 2023)
Dear readers,
On the morning that I was set to get courthouse married, I found out that my grandfather (or, Paw-paw, as I call him) passed away. The news wasn’t surprising. He’d been quite ill during the year or so leading up. But its impact was still like that of a meteor crashing to Earth. Instead of writing the typical five jokes that I send to you all each weekday, I spent the early hours of that Friday pacing my living room, contemplating, weeping, stretching my arms out, and eventually writing a few words in his memory.
Memory is what we all become.
To me, Paw-paw was like a mystery novel. Every interaction brought a new piece of mind blowing information that I’d bookmark until our next encounter so that I could turn the page.
I’m grateful that on the day of the dreadful news, I had a page in my own life to turn — through the healthy distraction of marriage. It was only a courthouse marriage — and the more traditional marriage takes place later this month, but I couldn’t help but feel like he was somehow there with us.
A bigger adventure awaits ahead as we say “I do” yet again this month, only this time in front of our family and friends.
Do me a favor and keep writing passages in the book of your life. And when a loved one’s book closes, make sure to give it a nice spot on your shelf.
Best,
Tim
WHAT YOU (MAY HAVE) MISSED
Some posts from August that you may have missed if you didn’t keep a close eye on your inbox…
INTERVIEW: A Text Message Conversation with Essayist, Mychal Denzel Smith
I had a three-day text message interview with essayist, Muchal Denzel Smith! We talked about the writing process, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, family, music, and Virginia.
INTERVIEW: A Text Message Conversation with Comedian, Ian Abramson
I had ANOTHER three-day text message interview with comedian, Ian Abramson. We talked heists, dinosaurs, comedy, the Inland Empire, Chicago, marriage, and Star Wars!
You can look forward to two more interviews later this month with writer/director Alexis Wilkinson & filmmaker Adewale Olukayode!
VIDEO: BIPOC Late Night & Variety Writers Speak Out: TheWrap Strike Roundtable
I was among this talented cohort of WGA members to chat with Raquel “Rocky” Harris about what’s at stake for BIPOC writers.
VIDEO: Contract TK — CEOs Lecture the Guild! Hurriquake Lands in LA! (Aug 27, 2023)
I joined the Contract TK team again to tell jokes that highlight what’s been going on in strike-world!
PODCAST: Yub Nub!
The Star Wars-focused podcast that I co-host is back! Tune in these next few weeks as we discuss George Lucas’ complex history with unions, review seasons of Rebels and make the weirdest references you can imagine!
CONSIDER CONSUMING
PODCAST: The Co-Founder
In preparation for my upcoming interview with Alexis Wilkinson (which will be posted on Tueday), I listened to this hilarious narrative podcast that she co-wrote called The Co-Founder. It’s worth sticking through the first episode to hear how the title of the show comes into effect. You’ll quickly get drawn into the world of these characters as they navigate life in Silicon Valley.
DOCUMENTARY: Ron Carter: Finding The Right Notes (PBS)
This is a beautifully constructed documentary that had quite the gut-punch for me in its latter half as it focused on the topics of grief, compartmentalization, and the search for balance between both. Following renowned bassist, Ron Carter (who happens to be the most recorded bassist of all time!), we’re taken on a journey through his life, which winds through intricate paths of American music history. I found it interesting that, much like Nina Simone, his original passion was in the realm of classical music. However, the racist social structure of his era would not allow him him blossom in that arena. But the beauty of music and the arts is that there’s always another path, and I loved witnessing how Mr. Carter’s methodical, zen-like way of going about life paved a road for him that seemingly has no end.
DOCUMENTARY: The Black Church
I guess you can say I’ve been on a bit of PBS kick lately. I was eager to watch this four-hour documentary because I’m obsessed with religions and the things that are forgotten about them over time. There’s something funny about America when it comes to religion, and how Black people practice Christianity in particular. Because housed within the concept of ‘The Black Christian Church’ are all of America’s fears, contradictions, and sometimes even the answer to its problems. I was amazed by how much Henry Louis Gates Jr. managed to highlight, from the ways in which enslaved Africans melded elements of their native religious practices into the Christianity they were forced to adopt — to modern schisms within ‘The Black Church’ on the topics of ‘the prosperity gospel,’ gender, progressivism, and LGBTQ issues. It’s definitely a tough watch in many ways. But you’ll ultimately be better for it. I especially urge all of the many white people who are curious about the nuances of Black American religious practices to just sit down and watch this instead of asking your Black friend.
SOMETHING FROM THE VAULT
The recent GOP debate in Milwaukee reminded me of my 2015 visit to Milwuakee for… you guessed it: a GOP debate!
UPCOMING SHOWS!
“TINDER LIVE” — OCTOBER 12, 8:00PM @ TV Eye NYC (TICKETS)
SONG OF THE MONTH
I have many memories of my grandpa driving me around the streets of L.A. blasting the music of Ray Charles as he flirted with random women on the street. He really loved his music. So much so, that I believe the last movie he ever saw in theaters was Ray, starring Jamie Foxx. Ray Charles didn’t write “Let The Good Times Roll,” but his cadence and the words he emphasizes in his version remind me so much of my grandpa. If he ever had a mantra, it likely it would have contained elements of this song.
🎵 Hey, everybody / Let's have some fun / You only live but once / And when you're dead you're done / So let the good times roll 🎵
Until next month, I hope you all let the good times roll.
This was really sweet, Tim -- you have a great way with words.
With all of the twist and turns of life, it’s comforting to know that we still carry the memories of loved ones who have passed away near to us; to share in the special moments.