The Drip

Episode 20 -- The Spoilers Set It Off With QUEEN AND SLIM and ATLANTICS (Quarantine Edition)

It's been so long since the Spoilers have all been the same room together and now their reunion looks even less likely to happen anytime soon. But that ain't going to stop them from recording the podcasts your lonely ears crave! In this episode the Spoilers discuss two recent films directed by black women -- QUEEN AND SLIM and ATLANTICS. As usual it's a wide-ranging conversation that veers from sourdough bread to SOUL TRAIN to zombies to Bokeem Woodbine. You do not want to miss this one! And by some kind of supernatural intervention the sound is pretty good. Is it possible that Todd was possessed by a real audio engineer? (Nope. It was Zoom.) Enjoy.

Driplet #3 -- Claudia Rankin's THE WHITE CARD at Penumbra Theatre

Even with everything that's been going on with us (something we keep obliquely referring to but but giving no details), Adriana and Todd found time to go see THE WHITE CARD performed at one of Saint Paul's treasures, Penumbra Theatre. Needless to say, I was fantastic, and we have a lot to say about it. We had our conversation in another wonderful Saint Paul staple, Nina's. It was packed and loud, but we gave it a go. You can hear Adriana perfectly, but Todd is a little low in the mix, as they say. Don't worry, you can hear him here and there when he gets moderately excited. It's worth a listen -- and the production is definitely worth seeing. It ends on the 7th so don't what around!

Episode 19 -- "Who the heck is Jack!?!": Colson Whitehead's THE NICKEL BOYS

In this new-to-you episode the spoilers gush over another amazing novel by Colson Whitehead. There's lots to talk about, and in the end, what seems like it could be a depressing conversation turns out to be a rather uplifting one (Crystal is getting tired, y'all). Don't miss the Spoilers getting deep into this novel and confusing each other with questions such as, "Who the heck is Jack?" It's definitely worth it.

Episode 18 -- Treacherous Feet, Bubble Tea, and PERFECT STRANGERS: Gene Yang's AMERICAN BORN CHINESE

The Spoilers are back after a bit of a hiatus, and man, do we have an episode for you. In our triumphant return to the mics, we take up Gene Yang's sprawling graphic novel, AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. This colorful, complex feat of storytelling had us all over the place -- from the Google Empire to classic 80s sitcoms to the Baby Jesus. We spend a good deal of time trying to figure the whole book out, and in the end I think we gain a pretty good handle on why so many people love it so much. It's all about breaking down walls and being who you were meant to be. What's more important than that? Big thanks to friend of the show, Maquelle Huntley, for recommending it to us!

Episode 17 -- A Little Pink House for You and Me: Relationships and Borderlands in Oscar Casares' WHERE WE COME FROM

In this episode, our first with Crystal on remote from DC (we're still working on the tech-it'll be better next time), we rail against the arbitrary nature of rules and regulations while thinking about the ways that our stories are all connected. We gotta be honest, we all fell in love with this wonderful book about Orly, his godmother, and the little boy she tries to help. It's a timely, heartbreaking, honest, and ultimately optimistic novel about childhood, family, love, and loss. You'll hear our affection for it come through as we dig deep into its complicated layers. We think you're going to like this one, folks. It's all about America, home of the free . . .

Episode 16 -- "You can shoot me now": White Saviors and the Art of Race in Claudia Rankine's THE WHITE CARD

In this episode, the Spoilers get to work talking about whiteness, representation, art, race, and the spectacle of black death. Sure, it sounds heavy, but the Spoilers bring all their serious thinking power as well as their decidedly enduring humor to bear in grappling with some of the most difficult social issues in play in our society today. For those of you out there thinking about how to have those difficult conversations around race, this episode is for you. And for those of you who haven't really considered the possibility, maybe this episode and Rankine's play are even more for you. The bottom line is, this is an episode in which we struggle and work together to move toward some kind of understanding of what Rankine's work is pushing us to understand. Our journey isn't completed in this episode, but we think it is a pretty good step in the right direction. (And we LOVE Claudia Rankine for brilliantly leading us down the path!)

Episode 15 -- Pulsing, Possible Dreams: Danez Smith's DON'T CALL US DEAD

Once again the Spoilers take on a poetry collection and the result is astonishment, tear-filled silences, and general veneration of the genius of Danez Smith. As usual, we ask more questions than we give definitive answers, in the process modeling an engagement with poetry that requires only that the reader/listener have an emotional response -- and we have SO darned many. Bottom line is that this collection both destroyed us AND elated us. Take a listen to hear what that sounds like in all its messy glory. And don't worry if you haven't read the entire collection - we've already thought of that. In this episode we each take turns reading our favorite poems and then we talk about them together. We, of course, hope you read the entire thing (redistribute wealth to poets!), but it isn't necessary for listening to this episode. And keep on listening after the closing music for something extra special - Danez performing "dear white america." You're welcome, ALL AMERICA.

Episode 14 -- "Damn these Eggs!": Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN

In this episode, the Spoilers go back to high school to take on one of the most beloved and widely taught plays of the 20th century. Bravely confronting their literary prejudices, they reexamine this classic of African American literature while getting a little bit feisty in the process. Housing discrimination, masculinity and patriarchy, morality, and how to lose $6500 in a day are some of the fascinating subjects of discussion. The crew is particularly sympathetic toward Beneatha, bemoaning the fact that her dream seems to be the one that might still get deferred in this whole mess. Everyone is cool to forgive Brother and move into the new house, but what about that damn Willie? Does he really get away with it? In the end, the Spoilers laud sweet Lorraine and give her props for being a bit of a genius. And if Nina Simone and James Baldwin said it, who are we to disagree? Enjoy!

Driplet #2 -- Tunnel Vision: Jordan Peele's US

We're calling this a Driplet, but it's actually more of a teenage Drip about to head off to college. So if you've got the time, buckle up and listen to the Spoilers get all tied up in hilarious knots arguing about Jordan Peele's new movie, US. I mean, they go deep, deep down into the underground trying to figure out what Peele is up to. There's confusion, resentment, skepticism, and even anger -- but in the end, The Spoilers give in and join everyone else holding hands across America for US. As a bonus, Todd speaks French, does a questionable Red voice, and recommends Antoine Fisher. Absolutely no one approves. You won't want to miss this rip-roaring episode unless you are an older person who hasn't yet seen the movie (SUPER DUPER SPOILER ALERT) or you live in a very white, modern-style house and say "vodka thirty." Otherwise, grab a golf club and join the fun as the Spoilers battle to the end of humanity! (Was that a wabbit I just saw?)

Episode 13 - Movin' on Up: Michelle Obama's BECOMING

In this episode, the Spoilers get all excited about Michelle Obama's lovely memoir. As always, we have some gripes, but it is mainly all love for our favorite First Lady (No offense, Hillary). We start on the south side of Chicago with more of Crystal's remembrances of her childhood hood and move on to black motherhood, women in the workplace, community organizing, mentors and friends, parental sacrifice, the great migration, and a whole bunch of other stuff. While there are some fiery moments, this is generally a joyful episode in which we end up being impressed by the writing achievement of Michelle Obama. I think she even taught us some things. Is there anything she can't do? Does she have a podcast yet?