Posted in On the Desk..., On The Radar

Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics!!

We are back!! Starting out the year with a few goodies for you to either visit, stream, buy from your grocery store, or add to your calendar!! Nothing like a few hot topics to get you through the mid-week hump! Check them out below:

For all my Toni Morrison fans this coming February her papers will be part of an exhibition called, “Toni Morrison: Sites of Memory” at Princeton University in the Millberg Gallery-Firestone Library. Conceived by Autumn Womack, Assistant Professor of African American Studies and English, the exhibition is a multi-faceted, immersive journey into the archives of Toni Morrison.  Before she passed away, Morrison gave her archives to Princeton in 2014. The exhibition will consist of essays, speeches, day planners, and letters. The exhibition will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. through June 4, 2023. Looks like I’m gonna need to take a trip to New Jersey!!

Items from the Papers of Toni Morrison, Special Collections, Princeton University Library (PUL)

If you have been keeping up with the latest Netflix movies or series, you will know that the heist-drama Kaleidoscope just dropped on New Years Day! The eight-part series centers around master thief Leo Pap (Giancarlo Esposito) and his crew attempting an epic heist worth $7 billion! However, there is a little twist, the episodes can be watched in any order and it still make sense; the introduction “Black” explains the concept of the show, while the episode “White” is intended to always be the series finale. According to various outlets they have offered some suggestions:

  • Chronologically: “Black,” “Violet,” “Green,” “Yellow,” “Orange,” “Blue,” “Red,” “Pink,” “White”
  • In Reverse: “Black,” “Pink,” “Red,” “Blue,” “Orange,” “Yellow,” “Green,” “Violet,” “White”
  • Viewers Choice: “Black,” “Yellow,” “Violet,” “Orange,” “Green,” “Blue,” “Red,” “Pink,” “White”

Stars Giancarlo Esposito and Tati Gabrielle recommend no particular order or watch it “in the colour scheme that appeals to you.” When it is all said and done the ball is in your court, choose as you wish!


Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay is partnering with Ben & Jerry’s to launch its newest flavor, Lights! Caramel! Action! DuVernay, who is the first Black woman to be a featured partner on the Ben & Jerry’s pints, will have a flavor that is an ensemble of vanilla ice cream, salted caramel swirls, graham cracker swirls and chocolate chip cookie dough pieces. MMM Good!! The new flavor will begin shipping out this month!! Proceeds from Lights! Caramel! Action! will benefit DuVernay’s non-profit ARRAY Alliance (a woman-led nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, works to advance social justice through art)! According to DuVernay, “Ice cream is a simple joy of life. A comfort food that I’ve turned to on many days—making sunny ones brighter and dark ones sweeter,”


Sneak peak into the 15th Doctor Who…BBC has released some first looks into the upcoming continuation of the “Doctor Who” series. Ncuti Gatwa (also known for his role in “Sex Education” will star as the 15th doctor. It’s unclear when Gatwa will take on the mantle and pilot the TARDIS, but it looks like he will be featured in the 60th anniversary special in November 2023.

And last, but not least, for all my Black Panther: Wakanda Forever fans, just in case you missed it in the theaters it’s coming to Disney+ on February 1st!! So hang tight only a few more weeks till we can watch it on repeat!!


Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Dr. G's Pop Culture Corner, On the Desk...

Dr. G’s Pop Culture Corner (PCC)

Family and Friends!! I got something new for you!! So I wanted to try something different in video form. Dr. G’s Pop Culture Corner (PCC) is a opportunity for me to blerd out about a new tv show, film, commercial, and/or significant moment in pop culture. Thus, I figure why not try this out with the new CW television series “Naomi”! Now before we get to the video let me give you a little background on the show from The CW site:

This DC drama follows the journey of a cool, confident, comic book-loving teenager as she pursues her hidden destiny. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown of Port Oswego to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins.

The series is created by Ava Duvernay & Jill Blankenship; it is also based on the comic book of the same name co-written by Brian Michael Bendis & David F. Walker and illustrated by Jamal Campbell.

Each episode will range from 10-15 minutes, enough to wet the palette.

So without further ado… Episode #1: “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” (directed by Amanda Marsalis)

Trust me when I say, this series is worth the watch!!

And if you have something in mind that you would like for me to “share my 2 cents” make sure to sound off in the comments!!

Also, as a reminder the new episodes of “Naomi” debut Tuesdays at 9 pm/ET on The CW and if you miss it you can catch it the next day via The CW app.

Photo by Wallace Chuck on Pexels.com
Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On The Radar

#BlackGirlMagic in Effect-A New Superhero is coming to The CW!!

Well I am always for #BlackGirlMagic especially when it’s in the comic book genre, and The CW is giving us some with their latest series, Naomi!! Many fans and viewers know that The CW has a unique approach to its DC shows, and this latest series is adding to that catalog.

Television and Comic book version of DC Comics “Naomi” (Photo Credit: The CW)

As a fairly new character (only being introduced in 2019) Naomi McDuffie is making a transition from comics to television very quickly!! And just in case you are new to this character, or just want a little more info see some facts about Naomi and the upcoming series listed below:

  • The series is expected to re-tell Naomi’s origin story
  • Naomi’s origins include the life of an adopted high school teen who yearns to know her beginnings and while doing so discovers that she has some embedded superpowers
  • The comic book character was birthed in 2019 from writers Brian Bendis & David F. Walker and artist Jamal Campbell
  • She can morph into a superpower form and possesses such powers as flight, resistance to injury, and superhuman strength
  • Her adoptive parents have a unique back story as well
  • Naomi is joining an established crew of young, Black, and gifted comic book characters (Milestone MediaStatic Shock and Rocket; Marvel ComicsLunella Lafayette/Moon Girl, RiRi Williams/Ironheart, Miles Morales/Spiderman; Stranger ComicsNiobe)

You will have to tune in next year to learn more!! Actress Kaci Walfall (Army Wives) will play the role of the super powered teen. I’m really excited that we are seeing more leading youthful representation not just in comics and television, but pop culture as a whole!

Created by creative television and film genius Ava Duvernay and CW veteran Jill Blankenship, Naomi is set to premiere on The CW in 2022 and will take place within the Arrowverse.

Check out the teaser trailer below:

Talk about being hyped!!

I am definitely excited to see more Girl Power on the television screen and this looks like it is definitely fitting the bill!! 2022 can’t come fast enough!!

~Dr. G