The Parting Shot with H. Alan Scott Newsweek Radio & Podcasts

This year Kara Young broke a Tonys record, becoming the first Black person to receive three consecutive nominations and only the sixth person ever to do so. "It feels special that the third [nomination] is historical, but more historical in the sense that it's civil rights activist Ossie Davis' words that are being activated and recognized." Young's nomination is for the play ‘Purlie Victorious,’ a comedy written by Davis in 1961 and revived for Broadway this year with Young and Leslie Odom Jr. "This is 63 years since its last production on Broadway, and I feel like for this play to be recognized is so important." Young says the script of ‘Purlie Victorious’ is "such an American masterpiece of text" and that it was the diverse audiences that came to see the play that made it so special. "In the history of people being silenced, you are listening to a Black woman, a Black man, a Black cast, speak their truth, unapologetically speak Ossie Davis' words. How magical is that?" For Young, it's the power of plays that inspires her. "I feel like plays allow us to see each other as human." 




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What happens when superheroes turn evil? That’s the question ‘The Boys,’ based on a series of graphic novels, sets out to answer. “They’ve done such a good job of having the essence of these really insane comics, while also making them palatable for TV,” Chace Crawford, who plays superhero The Deep, says about the Prime Video original series, now in its fourth season. “The idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and that superheroes who have this power and kind of are gods, what would they really do out in the world?” Crawford, who rose to fame on the CW series ‘Gossip Girl,’ says he jumped at the chance to play The Deep because it makes fun of the pretty-boy image he’s been identified with. “These types of roles don’t come around a lot. Also, I think you have to have a sense of humor about yourself. To be like, Yeah, let’s make fun of that guy.” Ultimately Crawford credits show creator, Eric Kripke, for keeping the show grounded despite its “batsh** crazy” tone. “We want to talk about real issues through the lens of a superhero show, which is kind of amazing.” 

 

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When you’ve been a fat kid, a little bit of that fat kid stays with you, no matter if you stay fat or not. But how to cope with that? Well, that’s exactly what comedian Ian Karmel and his sister, Alisa Karmel, PsyD, aim to tackle in their poignant memoir T-Shirt Swim Club: Stories From Being Fat in a World of Thin People (June 11). “I’ve seen so often that people’s representation with fat was either as a punchline or as an object of pity. And I hated that we were either Cartman [from South Park] or the whale,” Ian says. The two write about growing up fat and not addressing it. Eventually Ian’s weight would reach 420 pounds when he decided to lose the weight, but not his humor. “I had two goals in writing my part of this book, which was to be as honest and as vulnerable as possible and even harsh on myself. And be clear about my opinions and my feelings and what I went through. I was like, if I’m gonna get my story out here, and help my sister get her story out there and her professional opinions too, I’m gonna have to do it through being funny.” 

For more on the book, visit https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723034/t-shirt-swim-club-by-ian-karmel-and-alisa-karmel-psyd/ 

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If you’re anything like Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott, you prefer to show your pride during Pride month in a dark movie theater watching a great film. Well, the Academy Museum in Los Angeles has everything you need to do exactly that. This summer the Academy has a full program dedicated to Pride, showcasing landmark queer films. On today’s episode, H. Alan speaks with K.J. Relth-Miller, the Director of Film Programs for the the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and director Darren Stein, who directed the 1999 classic ‘Jawbreaker,’ which will be part of the Academy’s programming this summer. If you love movies, this episode is for you.  

For more on the Academy Museum, visit https://www.academymuseum.org 

Follow Darren Stein at https://www.instagram.com/darrenstein 

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Do you ever have that moment where you’re scrolling through Instagram and you come across a profile so perfectly suits your taste? One that leaves you asking, ‘How am I just discovering this account?’ That’s exactly what happened to Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott when he came across Blakely Thornton’s account. Thornton, who calls himself a pop culture anthropologist, posts videos on the daily giving his unique take on whatever is happening in pop culture, politics, or even nostalgia. But it isn’t necessarily what he’s talking about, but rather how he talks about it. Thornton joined Scott to talk about where he got the idea for his hot takes, how he decides what to talk about, and how people have responded to what he does.  

Follow Blakely Thornton at https://www.instagram.com/blakelythornton 

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Maya Hawke wears many hats: actor, writer, singer. But for Hawke, everything comes down to words. "I just see myself as a person who likes to try to tell stories, who's in love with language." She's doing that with several recent projects, including her third album ‘Chaos Angel’ (May 31). "I don't respond to vibes really," she says. Instead, she focuses on the lyrics and how the words align with the melody. Speaking of those words, she says, "I don't need anyone else to think that my lyrics are good, but I put a lot of work into them, and they're really important to me." Another story she's telling is that of the novelist Flannery O'Connor, who she portrays in the film ‘Wildcat,’ directed by her father, Ethan Hawke. "He's my biggest supporter and my toughest critic." While she's busy filming the highly anticipated fifth season of Netflix's ‘Stranger Things,’ you can next hear her voice the emotion Anxiety in ‘Inside Out 2’ (June 14). "I just am so honored to be a part of this project. My joke about it is that it's the only audition I've ever had where I cried. That's how powerful the story is." 

Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, subscribe to Newsweek’s ‘For the Culture newsletter. Follow H. Alan Scott on everything at @HAlanScott. 

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