Hello Everyone--
ESSENCE.COM has posted clips from WWL on "Essence TV" as well as the feature interview with Robert Townsend.Please click here to view the story:
http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/robert_townsend_interview
Let us know what you think!
Welcome to the Evolution,
Team Codeblack
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Codeblack Interactive and YouTube Partner to Bring Original Urban Programming Online
Codeblack Interactive and YouTube Partner to Bring Original Urban Programming Online
Largest Catalog of Black Filmed Content to Be Distributed Through Google Content Network and New YouTube Channel
“The Boondocks” Writer Tapped to Produce First Original Series
SHERMAN OAKS & SAN BRUNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Codeblack Interactive, the new digital branch of the first vertically integrated African-American-owned film studio, and YouTube™, the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos, have partnered to distribute original, made-for-the-internet urban programming. The first original series to be featured on Codeblack’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/codeblacktv) will be created by the head writer of the hit TV series “The Boondocks,” Yamara Taylor. The new animated show will be featured alongside Codeblack’s unrivaled library of African-American filmed content, the largest in the nation.
As part of this deal, Codeblack Interactive will make select advertising and sponsorship opportunities available within its specialized programming, on its YouTube channel and across the Google Content Network. Through Google, Codeblack will syndicate the new programming to thousands of online destinations targeting the African-American audience.
“Considering YouTube’s unparalleled reach, the new partnership with Codeblack is significant in its recognition of black viewers within YouTube’s wildly popular community. As the leading distributor of black filmed content, Codeblack is pleased to team with YouTube and Google to superserve this audience and its advertisers with quality urban programming from the brightest emerging African-American content creators,” stated Quincy Newell, President, Codeblack Interactive.
“As a company at the forefront of urban filmmaking, Codeblack understands the business of cultural innovation and the power of online video distribution,” said Jordan Hoffner, director of content partnerships for YouTube. “YouTube provides the ideal platform for multi-cultural media companies to engage directly with a targeted community of viewers while extending their reach to hundreds of millions of potential fans around the world.”
ABOUT CODEBLACK
Launched in 2005 by Jeff Clanagan, Codeblack Enterprises LLC is the first African-American-owned new media & entertainment company. The company’s portfolio consists of Codeblack Entertainment and Codeblack Interactive. Codeblack Entertainment is the first African-American-owned film studio, engaged in producing, acquiring, marketing and distributing quality content to today’s urban consumer across a variety of traditional platforms. Launched in 2008, Codeblack Interactive focuses on the distribution of content across digitally interactive platforms, including global distribution to mobile and digital carriers such as CodeblackTV.com, a broadband on-demand destination.
ABOUT YOUTUBE
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
Contacts:
for Codeblack InteractiveAva DuVernay, 818-980-0770
ava@dvahq.com
YouTubeKathleen Fitzgerald, 650-214-1150
kfitzgerald@youtube.com
Source:Business Wire
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081002005403&newsLang=en
Largest Catalog of Black Filmed Content to Be Distributed Through Google Content Network and New YouTube Channel
“The Boondocks” Writer Tapped to Produce First Original Series
SHERMAN OAKS & SAN BRUNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Codeblack Interactive, the new digital branch of the first vertically integrated African-American-owned film studio, and YouTube™, the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos, have partnered to distribute original, made-for-the-internet urban programming. The first original series to be featured on Codeblack’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/codeblacktv) will be created by the head writer of the hit TV series “The Boondocks,” Yamara Taylor. The new animated show will be featured alongside Codeblack’s unrivaled library of African-American filmed content, the largest in the nation.
As part of this deal, Codeblack Interactive will make select advertising and sponsorship opportunities available within its specialized programming, on its YouTube channel and across the Google Content Network. Through Google, Codeblack will syndicate the new programming to thousands of online destinations targeting the African-American audience.
“Considering YouTube’s unparalleled reach, the new partnership with Codeblack is significant in its recognition of black viewers within YouTube’s wildly popular community. As the leading distributor of black filmed content, Codeblack is pleased to team with YouTube and Google to superserve this audience and its advertisers with quality urban programming from the brightest emerging African-American content creators,” stated Quincy Newell, President, Codeblack Interactive.
“As a company at the forefront of urban filmmaking, Codeblack understands the business of cultural innovation and the power of online video distribution,” said Jordan Hoffner, director of content partnerships for YouTube. “YouTube provides the ideal platform for multi-cultural media companies to engage directly with a targeted community of viewers while extending their reach to hundreds of millions of potential fans around the world.”
ABOUT CODEBLACK
Launched in 2005 by Jeff Clanagan, Codeblack Enterprises LLC is the first African-American-owned new media & entertainment company. The company’s portfolio consists of Codeblack Entertainment and Codeblack Interactive. Codeblack Entertainment is the first African-American-owned film studio, engaged in producing, acquiring, marketing and distributing quality content to today’s urban consumer across a variety of traditional platforms. Launched in 2008, Codeblack Interactive focuses on the distribution of content across digitally interactive platforms, including global distribution to mobile and digital carriers such as CodeblackTV.com, a broadband on-demand destination.
ABOUT YOUTUBE
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
Contacts:
for Codeblack InteractiveAva DuVernay, 818-980-0770
ava@dvahq.com
YouTubeKathleen Fitzgerald, 650-214-1150
kfitzgerald@youtube.com
Source:Business Wire
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081002005403&newsLang=en
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sommore: Holding Royal Court, Her Own Way
When it comes to donning the crown as reigning "Queen of Comedy," Trenton, New Jersey bred funnywoman Sommore is 'standing' in a league of her own. Hence, the title of the comedienne's new DVD 'The Queen Stands Alone,' which arrives in stores this week.Written, produced and directed by Sommore and One Thousand Kisses, Inc., 'The Queen Stands Alone' is not only a career milestone for the actress-comedian, but it places her alongside Sarah Silverman as one of the highest paid female comedians on the Comedy Central network, where is debuted earlier this month."This is a show that I've waited oh so long to do," the first-time producer/director said. "I had other offers to do this at different times but I turned them down because I felt that I wasn't ready at that point in my career." Sommore: Loving Oprah Sommore loves Oprah but hates Gayle.The long-awaited concert special, filmed in Louisville, Kentucky, inspired Sommore to take matters into her own hands by financing, marketing, and distributing the special. "I really challenged myself with this special. I took my own money and I produced it, I shot it myself, and I sold it. I taped it last year and it's fabulous."But don't be surprised, the 'Soul Plane' actress had business acumen before she made it big in the stand-up arena. Sommore first gained her entrepreneurial skills while attending Atlanta's Morris Brown College."I knew that education would be important because my mother always stressed that. So I went to Morris Brown College in Atlanta and I earned a degree in business administration, with a minor in mathematics," she revealed. "After college, I worked for a head hunting company and I made good money because I could sell.""I did retail for a little while," actress Nia Long's half-sister continued. "I owned a clothing store first; then I owned a store that sold African food. I've also owned a shoe store, which I just sold two years ago. I've always been an entrepreneur. I am a comedienne, but I'm a businesswoman first-I really am."And to hear the queen tell it, she's going to continue circulating her own money to produce forthcoming projects, including a documentary about teenage lesbians."I'm going to use my own money and do other projects that feature my talent," she explained. "I refuse to wait for Hollywood to validate me and my talent. I know that I'm talented. I have to give myself other things to do.""I'm also thinking about doing a reality show," she added. "I'm thinking of doing a show like '[Kathy Griffith: My Life on the D List].' I want to show people my life-and hope that they don't become bored."Sommore's 'The Queen Stands Alone' re-airs on Comedy Central September 30 at 10PM ET.
http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/09/29/sommore-holding-royal-court-her-own-way/
http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/09/29/sommore-holding-royal-court-her-own-way/
Friday, September 19, 2008
QUINCY NEWELL SPEAKS IN 'CODE': Codeblack Interactive President chats about new ventures.
*Marketing guru and strategic planner Quincy Newell recently took on the top post of President of Codeblack Interactive after a successful Executive Vice President/General Manager stint with parent company Codeblack Entertainment and a background in marketing and management in the entertainment industry. Newell hopes to take the already successful interactive arm to new heights by expanding products, services and reach.
“We are the leaders in our market,” Newell said. “We have been the only company of our kind that has dedicated itself to service the African American and urban consumer full-time. We are a consumer-centric company with a vision of being able to provide and deliver quality content to our community and costumers any way that they want to access it, whether it be through mobile phones, through computers, at their retail store, or through internet-abled television. The digital platforms that exist currently and that will evolve in the future, Codeblack Interactive is set to take advantage of those and be able to deliver our content to those platforms. We’re looking at this as a way to serve our community and fans of African-American themed content in a way that has not been done before. Our scope is global. That’s kind of the overall scope of our vision and the intent of Codeblack Interactive.”
Codeblack Interactive is a wholly owned subsidiary of Codeblack Enterprises, LLC. As the digital interactive unit of Codeblack Enterprises, Codeblack Interactive’s focus is to leverage the digital assets of Codeblack Entertainment across various platforms, which include the global distribution to mobile and digital carriers such as iTunes and Xbox, etc.
“Also, to create platform initiatives that would allow us to leverage the Codeblack Entertainment digital content as well as aggregate third-party content in a way to distribute across [those] platforms as well as our own digital component that we are creating; one is Codeblack TV, our broadband on-demand channel. And in addition to that an e-commerce initiative,” he added.
Currently, the company has made a name for itself in its ability to stream and download urban content through the available platforms, but Newell alluded to a new e-commerce component that would address the ability to purchase products over the Internet and have it delivered.
“In essence, we are delivering content to the costumer digitally in all forms, as well as provide direct access to our consumer base through an e-commerce function for physical goods as well,” he explained.
Newell told EUR’s Lee Bailey that while the concepts aren’t necessarily new, Codeblack Interactive is coming up with new ways to provide services and product.]
“I think we consider it new, but not necessarily new. We are focused on a particular market that the studios and mainstream digital distributors are not. They are serving the entire community and our goal is to provide a quality experience to the African American or fans of African-American themed content and super serve them by focusing specifically on the kinds of content that may not be available to them through other mediums. We also are looking at filling some gaps in the market. We are basically saying, ‘We want to be able to provide you with quality content and we also want you to have a place to go to interact in other ways that are available to the mass market.’ Basically we’re looking at it as a way to serve our customers in a way that’s never been done before.”
Codeblack Interactive is working on additional company outlets to provide entertainment such as CodeblackTV.com, a broad a broadband destination that allows viewers to stream content, on demand in a pay-per-view fashion or stream free content that is ad supported.
“In addition, an initiative that will be announced in the coming weeks that is a separate model from Codeblack Entertainment, which is e-commerce driven.”
Along with Codeblack CEO Jeff Clanagan, Newell and co are working to make sure the new media and entertainment company produces quality entertainment for distribution in theaters, digitally, or TV syndication. The company also provides various services to organizations looking to access the urban marketplace.
“Codeblack is dedicated to serving the black community and fans of urban film and media,” Newell said. “We have been the leaders in this over the last ten years, particularly in home entertainment. We’re looking forward to continuing to provide our community with quality content and also to provide, in new ways, for our community to access content that doesn’t exist or is not provided to them through the Hollywood traditional system.”
For more on Codeblack projects and services, go to the company website at www.codeblackentertainment.com.
Soure:EURWEB.COM
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur47203.cfm
“We are the leaders in our market,” Newell said. “We have been the only company of our kind that has dedicated itself to service the African American and urban consumer full-time. We are a consumer-centric company with a vision of being able to provide and deliver quality content to our community and costumers any way that they want to access it, whether it be through mobile phones, through computers, at their retail store, or through internet-abled television. The digital platforms that exist currently and that will evolve in the future, Codeblack Interactive is set to take advantage of those and be able to deliver our content to those platforms. We’re looking at this as a way to serve our community and fans of African-American themed content in a way that has not been done before. Our scope is global. That’s kind of the overall scope of our vision and the intent of Codeblack Interactive.”
Codeblack Interactive is a wholly owned subsidiary of Codeblack Enterprises, LLC. As the digital interactive unit of Codeblack Enterprises, Codeblack Interactive’s focus is to leverage the digital assets of Codeblack Entertainment across various platforms, which include the global distribution to mobile and digital carriers such as iTunes and Xbox, etc.
“Also, to create platform initiatives that would allow us to leverage the Codeblack Entertainment digital content as well as aggregate third-party content in a way to distribute across [those] platforms as well as our own digital component that we are creating; one is Codeblack TV, our broadband on-demand channel. And in addition to that an e-commerce initiative,” he added.
Currently, the company has made a name for itself in its ability to stream and download urban content through the available platforms, but Newell alluded to a new e-commerce component that would address the ability to purchase products over the Internet and have it delivered.
“In essence, we are delivering content to the costumer digitally in all forms, as well as provide direct access to our consumer base through an e-commerce function for physical goods as well,” he explained.
Newell told EUR’s Lee Bailey that while the concepts aren’t necessarily new, Codeblack Interactive is coming up with new ways to provide services and product.]
“I think we consider it new, but not necessarily new. We are focused on a particular market that the studios and mainstream digital distributors are not. They are serving the entire community and our goal is to provide a quality experience to the African American or fans of African-American themed content and super serve them by focusing specifically on the kinds of content that may not be available to them through other mediums. We also are looking at filling some gaps in the market. We are basically saying, ‘We want to be able to provide you with quality content and we also want you to have a place to go to interact in other ways that are available to the mass market.’ Basically we’re looking at it as a way to serve our customers in a way that’s never been done before.”
Codeblack Interactive is working on additional company outlets to provide entertainment such as CodeblackTV.com, a broad a broadband destination that allows viewers to stream content, on demand in a pay-per-view fashion or stream free content that is ad supported.
“In addition, an initiative that will be announced in the coming weeks that is a separate model from Codeblack Entertainment, which is e-commerce driven.”
Along with Codeblack CEO Jeff Clanagan, Newell and co are working to make sure the new media and entertainment company produces quality entertainment for distribution in theaters, digitally, or TV syndication. The company also provides various services to organizations looking to access the urban marketplace.
“Codeblack is dedicated to serving the black community and fans of urban film and media,” Newell said. “We have been the leaders in this over the last ten years, particularly in home entertainment. We’re looking forward to continuing to provide our community with quality content and also to provide, in new ways, for our community to access content that doesn’t exist or is not provided to them through the Hollywood traditional system.”
For more on Codeblack projects and services, go to the company website at www.codeblackentertainment.com.
Soure:EURWEB.COM
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur47203.cfm
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sommore on NPR
Hey, Everyone--
You have to check out Sommore's interview on NPR. It's refreshingly honest and hilarious!!! But don't take my word for it...check it out yourself. Remember DVD in stores SEPTEMBER 30TH!
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=94563899&m=94563882
--Team Codeblack
You have to check out Sommore's interview on NPR. It's refreshingly honest and hilarious!!! But don't take my word for it...check it out yourself. Remember DVD in stores SEPTEMBER 30TH!
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=94563899&m=94563882
--Team Codeblack
Comedy queen Sommore stands alone
Who wants to be stuck being Lori Ann Rambough your whole life?
Not Sommore. The sassy, brassy comedienne nixed her name at the start of her career over a decade ago and never looked back.
''When people like something a lot they want some more,'' says the 41-year-old part-time Fort Lauderdale resident. ``It's just sexy.''
The moniker has posed some problems, though.
''There are those Girl Scout cookies [S'mores] and then that girl from The Ring [Samara],'' she says. ``My manager was like, girl, how attached are you to this? I told him if Chaka Khan can make it, so can I.''
Sommore has definitely made it, having already appeared on TV's Def Comedy Jam, The Hughleys and The Parkers and in such movies as Soul Plane, Friday After Next and Something New. She is one of the highest grossing women in comedy today and her fan base
continues to grow, thanks to a
recent stint on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club.
She toughed out boot camp with various reality TV magnets, including child stars Happy Days'Erin Moran, Saved by the Bell's Dustin Diamond and Eight is Enough's Willie Aames. Alas, the 11 pounds she shed are back on. ''It's hard to find black beans and brown rice at the nightclubs,'' Sommore says. ``It's too bad quesadillas, wings and margaritas aren't good for you.''
The show allowed her the chance to get up close and personal with one of her idols.
''I grew up watching Erin on Happy Days and the next thing I know she's my roommate,'' she says. ``One night I think I just stayed up watching her sleep.''
Fans can get a dose of Sommore's act on her The Queen Stands Alone tour, which debuts on Comedy Central 1 a.m. Saturday. The DVD comes out Sept. 30. Expect a mix of standard sex and weight jokes, plus a few more about children.
''I'm afraid of them,'' admits the former schoolteacher. ``They wanted me to talk to inner city kids and I'm like, no, they scare me. They're too brutally honest.''
Sommore will also work the room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in October.
It'll be good to be back.
''I don't ever have to go on vacation because I have a house there,'' she says. `It's paradise.''
Even with the hurricanes?
''I always say it's like being in an abusive relationship,'' she continues. ``Everything is going great then, you go, Oh, now I remember why I left this guy!''
-- MADELEINE MARR
Soure:Miamiherald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/people/story/683224.html
Not Sommore. The sassy, brassy comedienne nixed her name at the start of her career over a decade ago and never looked back.
''When people like something a lot they want some more,'' says the 41-year-old part-time Fort Lauderdale resident. ``It's just sexy.''
The moniker has posed some problems, though.
''There are those Girl Scout cookies [S'mores] and then that girl from The Ring [Samara],'' she says. ``My manager was like, girl, how attached are you to this? I told him if Chaka Khan can make it, so can I.''
Sommore has definitely made it, having already appeared on TV's Def Comedy Jam, The Hughleys and The Parkers and in such movies as Soul Plane, Friday After Next and Something New. She is one of the highest grossing women in comedy today and her fan base
continues to grow, thanks to a
recent stint on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club.
She toughed out boot camp with various reality TV magnets, including child stars Happy Days'Erin Moran, Saved by the Bell's Dustin Diamond and Eight is Enough's Willie Aames. Alas, the 11 pounds she shed are back on. ''It's hard to find black beans and brown rice at the nightclubs,'' Sommore says. ``It's too bad quesadillas, wings and margaritas aren't good for you.''
The show allowed her the chance to get up close and personal with one of her idols.
''I grew up watching Erin on Happy Days and the next thing I know she's my roommate,'' she says. ``One night I think I just stayed up watching her sleep.''
Fans can get a dose of Sommore's act on her The Queen Stands Alone tour, which debuts on Comedy Central 1 a.m. Saturday. The DVD comes out Sept. 30. Expect a mix of standard sex and weight jokes, plus a few more about children.
''I'm afraid of them,'' admits the former schoolteacher. ``They wanted me to talk to inner city kids and I'm like, no, they scare me. They're too brutally honest.''
Sommore will also work the room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in October.
It'll be good to be back.
''I don't ever have to go on vacation because I have a house there,'' she says. `It's paradise.''
Even with the hurricanes?
''I always say it's like being in an abusive relationship,'' she continues. ``Everything is going great then, you go, Oh, now I remember why I left this guy!''
-- MADELEINE MARR
Soure:Miamiherald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/people/story/683224.html
READ ABOUT SOMMORE IN ESSENCE.COM!
SOMMORE: Laughing Out Loud
Laugh if you want to, but Sommore is calling the shots. The Queen of Comedy sounds off and faces hecklers in her solo debut, "The Queen Stands Alone" Saturday Sept. 13, on Comedy Central. Tackling topics from the presidential election to what it would mean to be Oprah Winfrey's BFF, the Morris Brown business graduate and 1995 recipient of the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year, is no stranger to cracking jokes that resonate with a wide audience. She was the first woman to host BET's "Comic View" and, along with fellow queens of comedy, made the Guinness Book of World Records for their performance before a crowd of 50,000 in Atlanta, Georgia. ESSENCE.com caught up with the comic to discuss why profanity is like hot sauce, teenage lesbians and kicking male groupies to the curb.
ESSENCE.COM: So you've gone solo without the other Queens of Comedy. How was this project different?
SOMMORE: First of all, I'm by myself. I produced, directed and wrote it. It wasn't easy because I am presenting 15 years worth of material and it's all new. There are classics like when I talk about wishing I was Oprah's best friend because Gayle doesn't help her pop her collar enough. Now when I watch the final project I would've definitely punched up the jokes a bit more and delivered them a little better.
ESSENCE.COM: Aww, that's just the perfectionist and diva in you! What's the one thing people would be shocked to learn about you?
SOMMORE: People have a problem with me swearing and they think I walk around cursing all day, but they would be surprised to know that I don't curse when I'm not working and I'm very intelligent. I'm a very normal person and a lot different from the person you see on stage. I curse because I want to. It's just like putting hot sauce on chicken; it makes the meat tastes better for some folks and others, not so much.
ESSENCE.COM: So I'm sure you went there on the election. What do you think about the presidential election and Obama's "lipstick" comment?
SOMMORE: Well, I just love the fact that Obama is running for president and not just because he's Black, but because he represents change and change is always good. I hope Obama's race will boost everyone's self-esteem. I hope it shows Black men that they don't have to be rappers and ball players. As far as the lipstick comment, he's been pressured to make a statement for a long time, but he should have remained neutral as you know Black people are always judged differently and to speak out against a White woman. Well, I just hope it doesn't hurt him.
ESSENCE.COM: Yes, politics and freedom of speech can be a tricky thing. Speaking of which, a little birdie tells me you're working on giving some teenage girls a voice?
SOMMORE: Yes, I finished a documentary about teenage lesbians that I was inspired to do because I've always been curious about why so many girl decide early in their lives think that they only want to date women. At that stage, all I wanted to do was get away from my mom and find me a boyfriend. I try to learn their personal histories to better understand who they are and where they come from. Some were molested or raped; others grew up with their moms on drugs and a lot of different scenarios. It was very informative.
ESSENCE.COM: Everyone knows Ms. Sommore is grown and does what she wants to do especially when it comes to dealing with younger men and sex. What is the one thing a man can do to make you kick him to the curb?
SOMMORE: Yes, I prefer younger men because youthfulness is the key to life. Women say they want an older man because they can teach them things, but I'm like you can learn anything nowadays on the Internet. YouTube has how-to videos. And, if a man approaches me and is a fan of mine and feels the need to quote one of my sexual jokes, that turns me off because his interest in me is based on a false pretense. That's so played out and makes him a male groupie. Any man who's interested in me needs to be able to separate me from the woman who happens to do comedy.
Source: Essence.com
http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1840714,00.html?xid=091108-EssenceNews-SommoreTextLink
Laugh if you want to, but Sommore is calling the shots. The Queen of Comedy sounds off and faces hecklers in her solo debut, "The Queen Stands Alone" Saturday Sept. 13, on Comedy Central. Tackling topics from the presidential election to what it would mean to be Oprah Winfrey's BFF, the Morris Brown business graduate and 1995 recipient of the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year, is no stranger to cracking jokes that resonate with a wide audience. She was the first woman to host BET's "Comic View" and, along with fellow queens of comedy, made the Guinness Book of World Records for their performance before a crowd of 50,000 in Atlanta, Georgia. ESSENCE.com caught up with the comic to discuss why profanity is like hot sauce, teenage lesbians and kicking male groupies to the curb.
ESSENCE.COM: So you've gone solo without the other Queens of Comedy. How was this project different?
SOMMORE: First of all, I'm by myself. I produced, directed and wrote it. It wasn't easy because I am presenting 15 years worth of material and it's all new. There are classics like when I talk about wishing I was Oprah's best friend because Gayle doesn't help her pop her collar enough. Now when I watch the final project I would've definitely punched up the jokes a bit more and delivered them a little better.
ESSENCE.COM: Aww, that's just the perfectionist and diva in you! What's the one thing people would be shocked to learn about you?
SOMMORE: People have a problem with me swearing and they think I walk around cursing all day, but they would be surprised to know that I don't curse when I'm not working and I'm very intelligent. I'm a very normal person and a lot different from the person you see on stage. I curse because I want to. It's just like putting hot sauce on chicken; it makes the meat tastes better for some folks and others, not so much.
ESSENCE.COM: So I'm sure you went there on the election. What do you think about the presidential election and Obama's "lipstick" comment?
SOMMORE: Well, I just love the fact that Obama is running for president and not just because he's Black, but because he represents change and change is always good. I hope Obama's race will boost everyone's self-esteem. I hope it shows Black men that they don't have to be rappers and ball players. As far as the lipstick comment, he's been pressured to make a statement for a long time, but he should have remained neutral as you know Black people are always judged differently and to speak out against a White woman. Well, I just hope it doesn't hurt him.
ESSENCE.COM: Yes, politics and freedom of speech can be a tricky thing. Speaking of which, a little birdie tells me you're working on giving some teenage girls a voice?
SOMMORE: Yes, I finished a documentary about teenage lesbians that I was inspired to do because I've always been curious about why so many girl decide early in their lives think that they only want to date women. At that stage, all I wanted to do was get away from my mom and find me a boyfriend. I try to learn their personal histories to better understand who they are and where they come from. Some were molested or raped; others grew up with their moms on drugs and a lot of different scenarios. It was very informative.
ESSENCE.COM: Everyone knows Ms. Sommore is grown and does what she wants to do especially when it comes to dealing with younger men and sex. What is the one thing a man can do to make you kick him to the curb?
SOMMORE: Yes, I prefer younger men because youthfulness is the key to life. Women say they want an older man because they can teach them things, but I'm like you can learn anything nowadays on the Internet. YouTube has how-to videos. And, if a man approaches me and is a fan of mine and feels the need to quote one of my sexual jokes, that turns me off because his interest in me is based on a false pretense. That's so played out and makes him a male groupie. Any man who's interested in me needs to be able to separate me from the woman who happens to do comedy.
Source: Essence.com
http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1840714,00.html?xid=091108-EssenceNews-SommoreTextLink
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