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The Guardian
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Michelle Obama 2.0 – the reinvention of the former first lady
Hello and welcome to The Long Wave. This week, I review Michelle Obama's new podcast, IMO, which is surprising in the ways it breaks with the Michelle of the past. First, a disclaimer: I had never fully bought into the Michelle Obama hype. I felt her now legendary line 'When they go low, we go high' encapsulated a troubling and complacent form of respectability politics, in which Black people have to maintain coolness and grace under fire to be taken seriously. As the first lady, Michelle often seemed like a sanitising presence, wheeled out so that her national treasure status could serve as a smokescreen to obscure more honest and damning assessments of Barack Obama's political record. Also, I am not a huge fan of the celebrity podcast genre, which is a vehicle for high-profile figures to chat to their friends in return for huge pay packets. So I was sceptical when Michelle's podcast was launched in March. Yet when I listened to it, I was immediately charmed and hooked. In truth, I came to sneer and stayed to cheer. She is honest, reflective and vulnerable in ways that are profoundly resonant of a universal Black female experience, something that her icon status had rarely spoken to previously. The irony is that just as Michelle is finding her voice, her popularity appears to be falling – the podcast received poor ratings on launch, though it's arguably the best thing she's ever done. A great orator has the conversation of her life The most arresting thing about IMO, despite the genuinely interesting high-profile Black guests such as Keke Palmer and the Wayans brothers, is Obama herself. She has always been one of the great orators in US politics – one of the superpowers that made her and Barack, another impressive public speaker, such a compelling couple on the world stage. In her podcast, Michelle uses this talent to reflect on her life and the challenges of ageing, losing her parents and the constant demands placed upon her. The fact that she co-hosts the show with her brother, Craig Robinson – a genial and down-to-earth foil for her confessions – gives the podcast such an intimate air that you feel like you're in the presence of everyday people, not celebrities. I found myself listening not to hear any snippets of political gossip or insight into the Obamas' lifestyle, but to receive some exceptionally articulated wisdom from an older Black woman who has seen a lot and gone through milestones we will all experience. She is also funny. Her account of how differently men and women socialise is familiar and hilarious. Michelle describes catching up with her female friends as a 'multiday event', something that leaves Barack perplexed as to why it takes two days for a basic meetup. There is pathos and uncertainty, too. In a recent episode, Michelle talks about the death of her mother, who lived in the White House during the Obamas' tenure. Michelle says that, at 61, only now does she feel that she has finally become an adult, having had to reckon with her own mortality after the loss of her parents. The former first lady has revealed that she is in therapy, and that she is still trying to navigate this phase of her life. And, in a striking segment, she speaks with barely restrained annoyance about her reasons for not attending Trump's inauguration, an absence that triggered divorce rumours that have been swirling for months. She says 'it took everything in [her] power' to choose what was right for her in that moment. Yet that decision was met with 'ridicule' because people couldn't believe she was saying no to the inauguration for any other reason than she just did not want to be there – they had to 'assume my marriage was falling apart'. Oof. It caught my breath. Beyond Black Girl Magic Sign up to The Long Wave Nesrine Malik and Jason Okundaye deliver your weekly dose of Black life and culture from around the world after newsletter promotion This Michelle is worlds away from the Michelle of the 2010s. The publishing juggernaut and icon of Black social mobility, who rose to first lady from a bungalow in the south side of Chicago, was the product of a particular moment in feminist and racial discourse. The start of that decade brought the rise of Black Girl Magic, a cultural movement that focused on the exceptional achievements and power of Black women. It intersected with Black Joy, which moved away from defining the Black experience primarily through racism and struggle. Both unfolded against the backdrop of 'lean in' feminism, which glorified hard graft, corporate success and having it all. The result was the marketing of women such as Michelle to promote popular narratives of inspiration and empowerment. That energy has since dissipated, losing steam culturally and overtaken by more urgent battles. The gains of the Black Lives Matter movement triggered a rightwing backlash against diversity and inclusion that is spearheaded by Trump. Now the Obamas seem like relics of a naively optimistic and complacent time. 'We got out of the White House alive – but what happened to me?' But all that change and disappointment seems to have freed Michelle from the expectation that she should project graceful power and guru-like wisdom at all times. The podcast may not be the runaway hit it might have been 10 years ago, but that speaks to its authenticity and refreshing lack of a cynical big marketing campaign. Michelle is not trying to catch a moment – she even looks different. Gone is the silk-pressed hair, the minimalist jewellery and the pencil dresses. She now embraces boho braids, long colourful nails and bold gold jewellery. In an episode of IMO, she asks herself: 'What happened that eight years that we were in the White House? We got out alive; I hope we made the country proud. But what happened to me?' There is so much urgency in her voice. And though her high-octane political experience may not be relatable to the average person, that question is one that I and many women of a certain age are asking as we emerge, blinking into the light, from the tunnel of navigating racism, establishing careers against the odds and having families. What happened to me? To receive the complete version of The Long Wave in your inbox every Wednesday, please subscribe here.
Associated Press
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Comcast's Black Experience on Xfinity Premieres Award-Winning Documentary ‘Color'
Key Takeaways PHILADELPHIA, January 28, 2025 /3BL/ - Comcast NBCUniversal announced the exclusive premiere of the award-winning documentary, Color, on Black Experience on Xfinity and the Xumo Play free streaming app. The 90-minute documentary, from multi-award-winning writer and director John Campbell and featuring acclaimed multidisciplinary artist and founder of Dark Matter Media Alteronce Gumby, takes viewers on a global journey to redefine how color is perceived and understood across different cultures. The highly acclaimed documentary was nominated for Best Documentary at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, featured in the Montreal Independent Film Festival, and received awards at the Cine Paris Film Festival and International Independent Film Awards. It is now available exclusively on Comcast's Black Experience on Xfinity channel, a comprehensive content destination featuring the best in Black storytelling from diverse programming partners and film studios and a variety of original documentaries showcasing diverse talent and content creators. Color is also available on the Xumo Play free streaming app for non-Xfinity customers. Color takes viewers around the world starting with captivating discussions and demonstrations with pigment expert Michael Ambron and celebrity stylist Jerome Lamaar in the Bronx, NY and then to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, to celebrate the vibrancy of French Creole, Caribbean, African, African American, and global cultures. The documentary then travels internationally, experiencing the vibrant colors of the Holi Festival in India, the red sands of the Sahara Desert, the crimson-hued city of Marrakech, Morocco, and to the Great Barrier Reef featuring conversations with marine ecologist Dr. Catherine Kim. The adventure concludes in Alaska with the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, featuring conversations with documentarian Shondiin Mayo. 'Color is more than what meets the eye; it's a language, a story waiting to be told in every corner of the world.' shared Campbell. 'Partnering with Comcast and the Black Experience on Xfinity, we aim to transform how audiences experience and interpret color, diving deep into the cultures that breathe life into it.' Color is the second collaboration between Comcast's Black Experience on Xfinity and director John Campbell, who previously debuted Who's Behind Black Art on the platform last year. Who's Behind Black Art is a four-part docuseries that explores the lives of five emerging artists navigating the industry and their journey to create a unique exhibition. We're proud to deepen our ongoing collaboration with director John Campbell as we explore the many dimensions of color and its profound impact on our daily lives and we couldn't think of a better collaborator to explore the topic than Alteronce Gumby, whose obsession with color is so obviously present in all his work. Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms at Comcast 'Through Black Experience on Xfinity, we aim to create a space where creators can share their unique perspectives, fostering meaningful connections with audiences everywhere,' said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms at Comcast. Black Experience on Xfinity is available at home on Xfinity X1 and Flex, and on-the-go with the Xfinity Stream app. Additionally, the Black Experience destination is available to NOW Internet customers. The Black Experience on Xfinity features original and high-quality content from Comcast NBCUniversal and other major studios, in addition to content from many of Xfinity's existing network partners, at no additional cost to Xfinity customers. Xfinity customers can access the Black Experience on channel 1622 or simply say 'Black Experience' into the Voice Remote to instantly enjoy the ultimate in Black storytelling. Non-Xfinity customers will be able to view Color on Xumo Play, Comcast and Charter's free ad-supported streaming service app.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Comcast's Black Experience on Xfinity Premieres Award-Winning Documentary 'Color'
Key Takeaways 'Color' follows renowned artist Alteronce Gumby on a journey to redefine the meaning of color and its impact on communities worldwide. Now available exclusively on Black Experience on Xfinity, the ultimate destination in Black storytelling, and Xumo Play. PHILADELPHIA, PA / / February 11, 2025 / Comcast NBCUniversal announced the exclusive premiere of the award-winning documentary, Color, on Black Experience on Xfinity and the Xumo Play free streaming app. The 90-minute documentary, from multi-award-winning writer and director John Campbell and featuring acclaimed multidisciplinary artist and founder of Dark Matter Media Alteronce Gumby, takes viewers on a global journey to redefine how color is perceived and understood across different cultures. The highly acclaimed documentary was nominated for Best Documentary at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, featured in the Montreal Independent Film Festival, and received awards at the Cine Paris Film Festival and International Independent Film Awards. It is now available exclusively on Comcast's Black Experience on Xfinity channel, a comprehensive content destination featuring the best in Black storytelling from diverse programming partners and film studios and a variety of original documentaries showcasing diverse talent and content creators. Color is also available on the Xumo Play free streaming app for non-Xfinity customers. Watch the trailer Color takes viewers around the world starting with captivating discussions and demonstrations with pigment expert Michael Ambron and celebrity stylist Jerome Lamaar in the Bronx, NY and then to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, to celebrate the vibrancy of French Creole, Caribbean, African, African American, and global cultures. The documentary then travels internationally, experiencing the vibrant colors of the Holi Festival in India, the red sands of the Sahara Desert, the crimson-hued city of Marrakech, Morocco, and to the Great Barrier Reef featuring conversations with marine ecologist Dr. Catherine Kim. The adventure concludes in Alaska with the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, featuring conversations with documentarian Shondiin Mayo. "Color is more than what meets the eye; it's a language, a story waiting to be told in every corner of the world." shared Campbell. "Partnering with Comcast and the Black Experience on Xfinity, we aim to transform how audiences experience and interpret color, diving deep into the cultures that breathe life into it." Color is the second collaboration between Comcast's Black Experience on Xfinity and director John Campbell, who previously debuted Who's Behind Black Arton the platformlast year. Who's Behind Black Art is a four-part docuseries that explores the lives of five emerging artists navigating the industry and their journey to create a unique exhibition. We're proud to deepen our ongoing collaboration with director John Campbell as we explore the many dimensions of color and its profound impact on our daily lives and we couldn't think of a better collaborator to explore the topic than Alteronce Gumby, whose obsession with color is so obviously present in all his work. "Through Black Experience on Xfinity, we aim to create a space where creators can share their unique perspectives, fostering meaningful connections with audiences everywhere," said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms at Comcast. For more information about the film, please visit Black Experience on Xfinity is available at home on Xfinity X1 and Flex, and on-the-go with the Xfinity Stream app. Additionally, the Black Experience destination is available to NOW Internet customers. The Black Experience on Xfinity features original and high-quality content from Comcast NBCUniversal and other major studios, in addition to content from many of Xfinity's existing network partners, at no additional cost to Xfinity customers. Xfinity customers can access the Black Experience on channel 1622 or simply say "Black Experience" into the Voice Remote to instantly enjoy the ultimate in Black storytelling. Non-Xfinity customers will be able to view Color on Xumo Play, Comcast and Charter's free ad-supported streaming service app. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Comcast on Contact Info:Spokesperson: ComcastWebsite: info@ SOURCE: Comcast View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Comcast Teams up With 4x NBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Stephen Curry and Unanimous Media to Premiere ‘Spirit' an Original Docuseries
'Spirit' Follows Philadelphia's George Washington High School Cheer Team as They Compete in the National Cheerleaders Association High School Finals Executive Produced by Unanimous Media's Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton in partnership with The Workshop Content Studios and FreshFly 'Spirit' Premieres on Black Experience on Xfinity and Xumo Play on February 27 Watch the Trailer Here PHILADELPHIA, February 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast's Black Experience on Xfinity teams up with 4x NBA Champion and 2x MVP Stephen Curry and his multimedia company, Unanimous Media, award-winning The WorkShop Content Studios and FreshFly, to premiere Spirit, an inspiring docuseries that follows the co-ed cheer team from George Washington High School in Philadelphia. The four-part series follows the "G-Dub" team as they compete at the district, state, and national levels, and make history as the first cheer squad from the School District of Philadelphia to make it to the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) High School Nationals, the largest cheerleading competition in the world. "Spirit is a coming-of-age story about a group of young athletes beating the odds and showing how a sport can transform an individual, a team and a school," said Curry and Peyton. "Throughout the series, we follow their journey as we see how competitive cheerleading gives these kids a sense of purpose and possibility. Spirit is the ultimate underdog story, and we're excited for audiences to see the team do what they do best: prove people wrong." Beautifully helmed by director Matt Howley, a Philadelphia native, who also affectionately refers to the series as the "Rocky of cheerleading," the documentary showcases how the "G-Dub" cheer squad succeeds without all-star camps or feeder programs. Despite the lack of resources and never-ending circumstantial challenges, the GW team of two impassioned coaches, and 15 teenagers, delivers on their mission to prove that they can compete -- and beat – the so-called "elite" competition. Through intense teamwork and dedication, the resilient squad maximizes their athletic experiences to navigate their personal lives, including formidable challenges, forging profound bonds in the process, and revealing true growth and hard-earned maturity amongst their members. Howley states, "growing up in Philadelphia, I was raised on heroic stories of the underdog. It's part of our fabric to identify with the underdog: to always believe that with some ability, hard work, ingenuity, and luck, you can pull off the improbable, if not the impossible. It is an honor to tell the story of how hard these students worked to, in the words of the team itself, 'prove that there is a positive story coming out of these Philly neighborhoods.'" Spirit will be available February 27, exclusively on Comcast's Black Experience, a comprehensive content destination that features the ultimate in Black storytelling with a variety of original content. Black Experience is available across Xfinity's entertainment devices, including X1, Flex and Xumo Stream Box, as well as on Xumo Play, a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) app available on major streaming platforms. "We're thrilled to partner with Stephen Curry and Unanimous Media to illuminate the extraordinary journey of these high school athletes. Their perseverance to pursue their dreams no matter what serves as a powerful reminder of what's possible with the heart and grit that Philadelphia is known for," said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms for Comcast. "When we launched Black Experience on Xfinity, our goal was to share films and docuseries like this one that will inspire and empower the next generation of superstars." Spirit is produced by The WorkShop Content Studios and FreshFly Films. Xfinity customers can access the Black Experience on channel 1622 or simply say "Black Experience" into the Voice Remote to instantly enjoy the ultimate in Black storytelling. Additionally, the Black Experience destination is available on Xumo Play, Comcast and Charter's free ad-supported streaming service app, bringing programming like Spirit to viewers across the country. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit for more information. About Unanimous Media Founded by four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry and multi-creative Erick Peyton in 2018, Unanimous Media is a multimedia company rooted in the mission to inspire and uplift audiences through authentic storytelling centered around family, faith and sports. Collaborating with underrepresented filmmakers, creators and writers across the entertainment industry, Unanimous Media is committed to championing diverse voices and bringing a lens to narratives that need to be heard. In 2021, they signed a multi-year, Global Talent Partnerships agreement with Comcast NBCUniversal – the first deal of its kind for the media giant. Most recently, Unanimous Media released Mr. Throwback for Peacock, marking Stephen's acting debut and reaching #1 on the platform. Previously, Unanimous Media released Stephen Curry: Underrated, a documentary about Stephen Curry's rise to prominence during his 2008 March Madness run at Davidson College and Good Times, an animated reimagination of the classic sitcom now streaming on Netflix. Upcoming, Unanimous Media will be producing projects for the big and small screens, including 12 Days of Christmas for Amazon, GOAT with Sony Pictures which will release in theaters in February 2026 and more. Unanimous is also developing content across the podcast space via their first-look deal with Audible. They recently released Heat Check, a show hosted by Stephen and Dell Curry. They recently released their second picture book, I Am Extraordinary, on March 12 via Unanimous Publishing and Penguin Young Readers, as well as their first graphic novel Sports Superheroes Volume #1. Additional credits include the children's book I Have a Superpower; the Webby Award-nominated Audible series The Greatest Sports Stories Never Told; Audible's Fifteen Minutes from Home; Audible's Game On; ESPN's Why Not Us; HBO Max's About Last Night; Black Pop: The Power of Black Culture for NBC; the TCA nominated ABC show, Holey Moley; and the Academy Award-winning and Peabody Award-nominated documentary, The Queen of Basketball. In 2021, Unanimous Media launched Pathways Alliance, a venture to bolster diverse voices across TV, film, documentaries and podcasts. The company is based in Los Angeles, CA About The WorkShop Content Studios: Formed in 2007 The WorkShop Content Studios has grown to become a prominent, vertically integrated company serving clients from the creative development stages of a project through final production. The company has had great success in structuring compelling stories and bringing them to life on the screen for platforms and networks ranging from Amazon, Netflix, Peacock and ESPN, to name a few. In addition to working with the major television networks the company's productions span virtually all of today's established and emerging platforms – ranging from linear to digital - with the goal being to entertain, inform and inspire the largest audience possible. About FreshFly Films: We create visual experiences designed to evoke emotions and inspire human connections through stories that range from brand & commercial content, to unscripted series and feature-length films. Our aspiration is to captivate audiences and ignite inspiration through compelling storytelling. View source version on Contacts Comcast: Simone Smalls, Michelle Huff Elliott: comcast@ William Bell: William_bell2@ Sign in to access your portfolio
