Author: MJ VanDevere

MJ VanDevere is a doctoral candidate at a predominately white elite institution in the South who uses humor to combat racism, sexism, and all the other –isms that seek to diminish her greatness. She is a self-proclaimed “stand-up snob” who does not have a favorite comedian, so please don’t ask unless you have several hours to spare. Some of her favorite movies include, Life, Dead Presidents, and Happy Feet. If, she could only do one thing for the rest of her life, it would definitely be laugh, and maybe write. Adulting is her greatest work in progress.

Rapture [Netflix] Review: “Just Blaze: It’s Lit!”

Netflix has added to and propagated this increasing trend of watching artists at work. Last year, they introduced their series Abstract which followed a sneaker designer, illustrator, architect, and others in their process of creation. This year, the streaming service has added to their archive the hip-hop docuseries Rapture. Each

‘Avant Guardians’ Web Series: In Heaven As It Is On Earth

Avant Guardians is a seven part web series that is the brainchild of comedian, Alesia Etinoff, who in addition to serving as writer and director, stars as troubled guardian angel, Razz. Struggling with her job, Razz has been ordered by her boss (none other than God) to undergo counseling with

Eddie Griffin’s ‘Undeniable’: If Being Critical Makes Me Bougie, Then So Be It

As a humorist who focuses predominantly on African American male comedians, it is quite likely that I have reached my saturation point. It is no surprise considering that I spend my days and nights (re)watching the works of contemporary greats like Paul Mooney, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, and Chris Rock.

Review: I Used To Want Mahershala To Be My Man, But Then There Was ‘Roxanne, Roxanne’

Ms. Roxanne Shante burst onto the New York hip hop scene as a teenage battle rapper killing the game way before I was even a thought. It is with this reverence that I approach the biopic Roxanne, Roxanne. My heart warmed at watching this young girl from Queens murdering dudes

Jaro Picks: 5 Women Of Color In Comedy On The Come Up

We are living in golden era of comedy. Comedians are taking advantage of the numerous platforms from which they can deliver laughs. What I find most refreshing about this is the large numbers of women of color who are emerging. We all know that despite being just as funny, women,

What Critics Are Missing About Tyler Perry’s ‘Acrimony’

“Tyler Perry’s Acrimony, presumably titled to set it apart from your acrimony or mine, is a female revenge saga packed with so much hysteria that it could set back the burgeoning #MeToo movement a beat or two. Showcasing Henson in this crass ripoff of Fatal Attraction is like shoving a

Review: ‘The Standups’ Season Two Brings Women Of Color To The Spotlight

For the last few years, Netflix has been a dominating force in streaming, viewership, and developing creative content. The streaming service has been especially productive within the area of stand-up comedy. Comedy is in right now. It makes sense because when s*** hits the fan, that is when people turn

The Hilarity In Watching Worlds Collide: Tracy Morgan’s “The Last O.G.”

In his new FX sitcom, comedy veteran Tracy Morgan shares the screen with rising star Tiffany Haddish in a sitcom about a formerly-incarcerated man and his reacquaintance with the newly gentrified Brooklyn. As Morgan deals with the shock of seeing that both his hometown and his former relationship has been

Laff Tracks: Big Laffs in Bite Sized Packages

Founded on a simple yet innovative concept, Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks’ blending of stand-up and sketch is refreshing and fun to watch. Amateur comedians have engaged in similar practices, reenacting jokes of famous comics, and they are quite humorous (Take a look at Woody the Great’s rendition of Kevin Hart

Equanimity: Chappelle’s New American Aesthetic

In his latest special Equanimity, Dave Chappelle takes on what feels like an arrogant tone to defend and explore the evolution of his relationship to fame, fortune, and Hollywood. He cites class struggles and divisions, the 2016 election and the resulting president, and transgender issues to assert what he feels

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