Quick Review of Black.White.

If you missed tonight's premiere of "Black.White.," shame on you. Check your local TV listings for the encore presentation, asshole.

For those of you who did see it, and as a primer for the dicks who missed it - here are some quick thoughts.

1. The makeup is incredible. With the exception of the black mother who turns white, the change is both total and believeable. It also helps that everyone, except the black mother again, has features that approximate their alter egos.
2. The white mother likes the brothers. When her husband Bruno comes out in black makeup for the first time, watch her reaction - she is completely turned on. She even comments later that "He looked so warm. I just fell in love with him all over again."
3. Rose, the white daughter (pictured) looks ten times better black. When they show Rose white her bad acne shines through, along with her bad hairstyle and odd taste in clothing. The dark makeup hides her blemishes totally, and the dark pulled back hair is a great look for her. As a white girl she comes off corny, but as a black girl she definitely has my attention.
4. Even I admit that the first episode is biased against whites. Two key scenes, the white people focus group on race and the conversation in the all white bar about the only all white neighbourhood in LA, really make whites out to be hopelessly ignorant at best or the enemy at worst. The only real balance so far comes from Bruno - who arguably rightly points out that the black father looks for racism when it most likely isn't there. While there are a lot of racist devils out there, hopefully there will be a bit more balance in later episodes.
5. Black.White. lives up to its billing. There are a lot of complicated themes being discussed, and ones that are argued with as much emotion as evidence. And this is precisely how race is discussed and dealt with in the real world. The two families live together in one house and discuss their encounters with the outside world every evening and you get a real sense that there is some real learning and growth.
   

This show is definitely a must see for the next few months. Feel free to comment on anything you saw. I will try to recap the episodes from week to week.

Category:

• Race
• Entertainment
• Society