TV on the Internet: An End to Awkward Black Girl, But A New Beginning For Issa Rae

The fourth in a series of stories on the people behind your favorite YouTube channels, new and old. Previous entries include Alison McDonald's "She Got Problems," Patti LaHelle's "Got 2 B Real," and  Tanjareen's "The Celibate Nympho Chronicles." This time we take a look at the uber popular series by Issa Rae that wrapped this year, "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl."

Issa Rae, the writer and star of web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl went Hollywood as she wrapped season two of her show this February and continued to branch out into other YouTube series. She's pitching shows to major TV networks in Hollywood and blowing up, all because of the popular web series she created and launched.

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A Short Compilation of Appropriation: Harlem Shake Included

Do the Harlem Shake has finally gotten to black people who now also "do the Harlem Shake" by not actually doing the damn "Harlem Shake" at all.Paul Mooney famously once said, "Everybody wants be a nigga but nobody wants to be a nigga," which is about the most true statement in the history of African American culture. People LOVE black culture, but hate the folks who make it. If only there was a way to enjoy all this good black stuff without the pesky black people. And hence, appropriation was born. But it's not always Pat Boone taking the funk out of Motown or Elvis making "hip thrusts" white people friendly. Today, appropriation is more of a comedy art form practiced by hip hop loving white people who want the thrill of saying the "N-word" but not that pesky backlash afterwards. 

Here is a brief compliation of white appropriations in black culture (particularly hip hop and "ratchetness"), and what these appropriations mean.

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TV on the Internet: "The Celibate Nympho" with Tanjareen

The third in a series of stories on the people behind your favorite YouTube channels, new and old. Previous entries include Alison McDonald's "She Got Problems" and Patti LaHelle's "Got 2 B Real." This time we take a look at the woman behind "The Celibate Nympho Chronicles," actress, model and comedic performer Tanjareen.

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"White People Are Back!" And Other Moments From Hardcore Paul Ryan Rap (Video)

He's like Ron Paul meets Ryan Seacrest, but with a lot more "m-fers." Yet, even in all this Beastie Boys-esque Ryan P90Sex braggadocio, my favorite part is the cluelessness of fake Mitt Romney who kind of plops around like the floppy android he is. Second best line (after "White people are back") is "Screw the sick and the poor like Jesus said ... if he had lived to read 'The Fountainhead.'"

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TV on the Internet: "Got 2B Real" with Patti LaHelle

The second in a series of stories on the people behind your favorite YouTube channels, new and old. The first featured Alison McDonald's "She Got Problems."

Patti LaHelle's "Got 2B Real" is that bit of Internet magic that happens when you create something for your own joy and it turns into an accidental hit. The anonymous, under 30, African American, Philly-resident by-the-way of Virginia had no clue that her love of theater, music, the "divas" and multimedia would lead to a quote-worthy web series full of hilarious "shade." But that's what happens, and TV on the Internet is all the better for it.

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TV on the Internet: "She Got Problems" with Alison McDonald

The first in a series of stories on the people behind your favorite YouTube channels, new and old. First up, YouTube "TV on the Internet" newcomer Alison McDonald (sister of Broadway star Audra McDonald) who seeks to show a different side of the black female experience that likes French films and musical numbers.

Alison McDonald is a Fullbright Scholar, aspiring film director, actress and "funny lady," currently studying with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. But she also has "problems" as evidenced by her new web series chronicling the more bizarre aspects of her singledom and career.

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Anti-Romney Democratic PAC Ad Makes Mittens Scary (Video)

In the new anti-Romney YouTube ad by Democratic Super PAC Priorities USA isn't saying that Mitt "Mittens" Romney is going to personally come to your house and eat your baby if elected president of the United States. But, you know, just to be sure, maybe you shouldn't elect him anyway.

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New Herman Cain YouTube Ad Is Smoking (Video)

Remember when you'd watch a movie or a TV show and EVERYBODY BE SMOKIN'? Yeah, those were the Golden Days for the tobacco industry. So many glamorous actors and TV personalities, sparking it up while giving you the news, fallin' in love, or telling a story. It was magical. But then everyone realized smoking gave you lung cancer and killed you, and then smoking was banned from just about everywhere, even on the streets in New York, and now, if someone sees you light one up, you're going to get more dirty looks than "Hey buddy, can I bum a smoke?" (Or maybe you'll get both a dirty look and a freeloader. I don't smoke -- obviously. I'm just a judgey, dirty look giver.)

Well, Herman Cain's people released this new campaign ad, which folks were calling "bizarre" and "jarring," because it features close up shots of Cain's chief of staff Mark Block talkin' and smoking. 

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Video: "Political Wife" Is A Nasty Ode To Power

In the description of this video on YouTube the folks at Political Subversities write "Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac." They ain't neva lied. Singing about the downside of being the spouse of a high powered political figure, the NYC comedy group has created a ballad that is catchy while explaining why so many political spouses don't leave, even when the going gets darn awful. Now, lemme go Windex that glass ceiling for that First Lady feeling 'cause I wanna get in that sorority of Michelle Obama-toned-arm-candy. (YouTube)