ESSENCE: Your first TV writing credit was Queen Sugar. What was it like being in that writers room? I imagine it was particularly diverse, just given Ava DuVernay’s philosophy on inclusivity.
Kay Oyegun: It was unbelievable. The team that Ava put together was just so incredibly supportive, and smart, and capable, and very much a family.
[Ava] takes a chance on people, and then also wants to cultivate, and also wants to sort of nurture, and mentor, and watch people grow.
For me, as a Nigerian immigrant who grew up in Nigeria and America, I think for me so much — and I talk about this quite openly — so much of my experience with Black culture and the issues of Black America has been academically, in an odd way.
So for me being in the Queen Sugar space, it allowed me to work through a lot of those dual identities as I was experiencing the world. Like, my brother was in prison for a long time here in the state of Florida, and I come from a very independent matriarchal household, and have had a very interesting relationship with my father. So much of my growing up both in Nigeria and in America were things I could bring to the table.
I no longer felt this sense of otherness that I had felt for so many years. You know like, ‘Oh I’m not American enough, I’m Nigerian,’ but it’s like, no these are just sort of human stories that are connecting people together. That was something that I personally took away from that experience.
Ratings went from S01E01 (0.69) to S01E02 (0.61) to S01E03 (0.76). I think if they continue to grow the show will be renewed. It has some added protection considering it’s basically a Berlanti show as well even if it isn’t tied to an existing franchise. We need to do our part on this side though by watching live, live tweeting, and growing the fandom so that we get all these characters in front of people so that we can interest them in watching the show as well.
Have any thoughts? Feel free to send in an ask as well!!!
The 2019 ACA (Affordable Care Act) enrollment period has been shortened from 90 days to 45 days (November 1-December 15, 2018) and the advertising budget to promote open enrollment has been slashed in an effort to sabotage the program. You’re probably not seeing a lot of advertising (read: zero) about the enrollment window online or on TV.
I’m definitely making Greenleaf stuff this week. I may even make some other episode things from this season as well. If you will and want to see them please check my edit page/tag and the greenleafedit tag because things will start to disappear after the third consecutive post due to tumblr posting rules.
I’m on my 3rd episode watch of this weeks for the night because W H E W
Just Sha 