Robin Thede and Issa Rae Launch 'A Black Lady Sketch Show'
Fans of comedian Robin Thede and her canceled late-night show, "The Rundown" will soon have new reason to laugh. She announced her upcoming program for HBO, "A Black Lady Sketch Show," in a video with collaborators Issa Rae ("Insecure") and Lauren Ashley Smith ("Fashion Queens").
Thede, who worked as late-night television's first-ever Black female head writer on "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore," will oversee what she describes as "the first time in history [an] all-Black women [team has] come together to do a sketch show for TV." Deadline adds that she will act, direct and write the half-hour show with a core cast and crew of Black women. Smith led the writers room for "The Rundown" and serves in the same capacity on the new show. Both Thede and Smith will co-executive produce with Rae.
Thede tweeted yesterday (January 28) that she made "A Black Lady Sketch Show" to give voice to Black women in a field dominated by White men.
I created “A Black Lady Sketch Show” because I love how many insanely funny black women are grinding in these comedy streets! It’s time the WORLD recognizes. This show is going to be epic and @IssaRae & I are so honored to be bringing this project to @HBO! https://t.co/MK1JD2Qyyl
— Robin Thede (@robinthede) January 28, 2019