Disclaimer: I am by no means an intensely political person. I am by no means an intensely educated person. I am by no means trying to change your political views. I am, however, asking that you watch this show.
In fact, I wasn't even drawn to this show because of the political ties; I was drawn to it due to W. Kamau Bell's approach. In each episodes opening moments he explains, "As a comedian I made a living finding humor in the parts of America I don't understand and now I'm challenging myself to dig deeper." That was all it took for me. I was hooked.
Another disclaimer: I've wanted to write this article for weeks but haven't due to the fact that I'm unsure that my words will be able to do this amazing television series any justice whatsoever.
I've always found it ironic that people write to present their opinions in order to change other people's opinions. Please realize that's not the point of this article at all. The point of this article is to give credit where credit is due in honor of the end of the show's second season.
CNN and Kamau Bell have created a master piece of a TV show if you ask me. Bell's humor easily deflates the tension in almost every situation he finds himself in on the show.
In Season One, Episode 8 "The Fountain of Youth", Kamau spends his week going back and forth between hanging with a group of college seniors on their spring break and group of upper-class seniors living in a retirement community.
Personally this is my favorite episode because Kamau is able to explore the generational differences in living your best life but he's able to do so with such an attitude where both ends of the age spectrum feel validated and understood: something that doesn't happen often.
In contrast, this show also beautifully capture's the raw emotion and heart of the American people, including Bell and his wife.
In Season Two, Episode 5 "Kamau Buys a Gun", Kamau interviews his wife and the two discuss the overall importance of protecting their family of four. Bell's wife explains that in the case of a break in she, " may not want to call 911... because of what could potentially happen."
She elaborates by explaining, "...And I have to detail in my 911 call 'And my husband is black and tall and standing to his full height and he has an afro. Don't shoot him'." While watching this you're forced to dwell in this reality that many American's feel unsafe calling for the assistance of law enforcement: this shouldn't be a reality.
This series pushes all the limits. Kamau is invited by KKK members for a cross burning and meets a Grand Wizard on a dirt road in the dark of night. He spends the night in the woods with a man who left Corporate America to live off the grid. He accompanies Camden, NJ police during a drug bust. He attempts to find a hipster in Portland OR and even attends a Cuddle Room.
Like I said, this article is to give credit where credit is due: not to change your opinion. Really I'm not asking much of you. I'm giving you an open invitation to put on your comfiest outfit and grab a pint of Ben and Jerry's and binge watch 16 episodes. That's the same amount of time it takes to watch Stranger Things twice and I know just as well as you do that you definitely already did that.
