What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T2 WHATS UP! October 24 - 30, 2021 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media A ll good things must come to an end, as the saying goes. Un- fortunately, that's even true in prime time. A critically acclaimed television series prepares to take its final bow with one last season, and viewers won't want to miss a single moment. Issa Rae ("The Hate U Give," 2018) returns as Issa Dee, a sometimes awkward Black woman struggling to find her footing in life, in "In- secure," airing Sunday, Oct. 24, on HBO. The episode marks the premiere of the popular show's fifth and final season. Based on Rae's web series "The Mis-Adventures of Awk- ward Black Girl," which pre- miered online in 2011, "Inse- cure" was co-created by Larry Wilmore ("The Bernie Mac Show") and premiered way back in October 2016. Rae serves as an executive produc- er along with Prentice Penny ("Girlfriends"), Michael Ro- tenberg ("Silicon Valley"), Melina Matsoukas ("Queen & Slim," 2019), Dave Becky ("Russian Doll") and Jonathan Berry ("A Black Lady Sketch Show"). The show follows Issa and her best friend, Molly (Yvonne Orji, "Spontaneous," 2020), who appear to lead very differ- ent lives. While Issa works for a non-profit and struggles with her confidence, Molly is a successful corporate attor- ney. However, the women, who've been friends since their days at Stanford, share a close bond as they experience life as Black women in South Los Angeles. Mixing comedy with drama, the show has been praised by fans and critics for its explora- tion of social and racial issues as the women strive to find professional success while looking for love. In January, HBO broke the news that Sea- son 5 would be the show's last. "Issa [Rae] has turned inse- curity into an iconic form of comedy," HBO executive Amy Gravitt said in an official re- lease. "The show is as incisive as it is heartfelt, and it has res- onated strongly with its audi- ence because of the deeply personal work that Issa, Pren- tice, Melina, the cast and the writers have put into it. This talented team has conceived a brilliant final season for 'Inse- cure,' and we look forward to having many more stories to tell with this singular group of collaborators." While it has come as sad news to fans of the series, there may be some comfort in knowing this was always meant to be. Shortly after it was revealed that the show was coming to an end, Rae ex- plained to Deadline.com that the intention was always to tell the story in five seasons. Still, it's a bitter pill to swal- low for those who've connect- ed with Issa and friends' relat- able stories. Since the show's debut episode that followed Issa on her ill-fated 29th birth- day when she began to ques- tion everything from her job to her relationship with long- time boyfriend Lawrence (Jay Ellis, "Escape Room," 2019), Issa Rae stars in "Insecure" continued on page T10 TV FEATURE 5 x 5 One last chance 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