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The pandemic for me has been all about reading and binge-watching television shows or documentaries. This month, I have watched three things that I thought were worth sharing including one trailer.
Let’s start with the trailer for Netflix’s Inventing Anna, and let’s have a slow clap together, virtually, for how good the trailer is.
If you are not familiar with the story of Anna Delvey, really Anna Sorokin, I am sorry for you. This along with my Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos and the story of the faux Saudi Prince have been stories that have been so bizarre to me that I followed them from the beginning. Here is the article on Anna that introduced the world to her, and here is the book her friend Rachel DeLoache Williams (who she took advantage of) wrote about their relationship.
Next is the latest 20/20 episode on the Murdaugh Family because honestly, wtf. If you aren't familiar with the saga, I would suggest listening to the Murdaugh Murders podcast to learn a little bit more. There are so many layers to this story that it almost seems like a fictional story, but it's a true story that we have watched unfold in IRL. Here's the trailer below, but please watch and let me know your thoughts. I watched most of the episode both texting my friend about it, and the other half gasping in disbelief.
Lastly, the last thing I watched sparked significant joy for me and that was The Great Soul Food Cook-Off. It was GREAT. The competition celebrates Black Chefs and culinary traditions and I loved not only attempting to virtually figure out what the food tasted like, but I loved hearing the origin stories of different meals. Highly recommend. Also, one of the Chefs is from Oakland which made me yell out a big yeeeee while watching.
Things I thought were worth sharing this week:
January has been a sad month in terms of celebrity deaths. We first learned about the passing of icons Betty White and Sidney Poitier, and earlier this week, we learned of the passing of the legendary André Leon Talley. What a legend with a bigger-than-life presence. If you haven't, I suggest you read his memoir The Chiffon Trenches, which is said to have soaring sales following his passing. The book was great – I learned so much about him, his career, his friendship with Anna Wintour, and his life with fashion – recommend.
It took forever to have some diversity as part of Sex and the City, with And Just Like That, and honestly, I am enjoying the show more than the tears I experienced on the first two episodes. This article about the diversity on the show, particularly black women, is worth a read.
Loved this interview with San Francisco Mayor London Breed on the Sway podcast with Kara Swisher. In the interview, they talk about some of the work London is doing to make the Tenderloin safer, how her upbringing in San Francisco impacts some of the updates she wants to make in the city, and even what her feelings are when people say that she is being too nice to tech companies in the city.
Love with Marianne Williamson comes into orbit. Remember when she was running for president? It was a time. New York Times did a profile on here, and I must admit I found it interesting. She said:
"Those who were invested in calling me kooky didn't do it because they thought what I was saying was silly. Making me appear ridiculous was the chosen way to marginalize my message."
Have you heard of #SurvingSophia or #SophiaNur on TikTok? As a lover of a good scam and TikTok, I was out of the loop about this BUT I am currently enthralled.
That’s it for this week - don’t be sad like this girl.
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