What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1397959
T2 WHATS UP! August 1 - 7, 2021 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media T elevision can be a great medium for sto- rytelling, and the in- dustry is finally em- bracing a more diverse range of subject matter. Some programs have even transcended enter- tainment to educate viewers on life realities for various under- represented communities. One such series, chronicling the lives of several people living in Chicago's South Side, is about to wrap up for the season. Neighbors in the primarily African American community have struggled to cope in the aftermath of an act of police brutality in the fourth season of "The Chi," which takes its final bow on Sunday, Aug. 1, on Showtime. The one-hour dra- ma was created by Lena Wait- he, an Emmy-winning perform- er, writer and producer who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Waithe was the first Black woman to win a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her work on Netflix's "Master of None" in 2017, but "The Chi" marks a departure from come- dy. The first three seasons of the drama have attracted a loyal following and performed de- cently in the ratings. In fact, Season 3 doubled its audience on streaming platforms, so it came as no surprise when Showtime announced the Sea- son 4 pickup in September 2020. Showtime executive Gary Levine praised Waithe and fel- low writer/executive producer Justin Hillian ("Snowfall"), who also serves as showrunner for the series, saying, "Each season, 'The Chi's' authentic storytell- ing resonates more deeply with its devoted and growing audi- ences. Lena Waithe, together with Justin Hillian, explore[s] the joys and the heartbreak of life on the South Side in a way that is unique on television." Those stories of joy and heartbreak range from roman- tic entanglements and family ties to violence and a series of difficult choices. It's a formula that has worked well for "The Chi" so far. "For us, we're never chasing a story, we're always just making sure to tell one," Waithe ex- plained in a May interview with Deadline.com. Of course, a part of what makes those stories so compel- ling is the characters and the ac- tors who play in them. Season 4 has featured a talented core cast who bring the tales to life. Jacob Latimore portrays Em- mett Washington, a young fa- ther who tries to provide for his son. Latimore started out in the music industry before jumping into acting. Hailed as one of the Sundance Film Festival's most talented emerging artists after his appearance in the movie "Sleight" (2016), his other cred- its include "Black Nativity" (2014) and "The Maze Runner" (2014). Hannaha Hall plays Tiff, the mother of Emmett's baby. The actress has appeared in "Chica- go Med" and previously worked with Waithe on an unti- tled TV movie project. Jacob Latimore and Hannaha Hall star in "The Chi" continued on page T10 TV FEATURE 5 x 5 South Side stories Not a subscriber? No problem, subscribe today and receive an iPad with your subscription*. *iPad must be returned within 30 days of termination of account. now available on the digital replica! NEW INTERACTIVE PUZZLE PAGES Get the new puzzle pages on the digital replica, featuring puzzles daily! CROSSWORDS KIDS' GAMES SUDOKU WORD GAMES STRATEGY & MEMORY NUMBERS Call 479-684-5509 or visit nwaonline.com/nwaipad