By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
“Black Market with Michael K. Williams,” a docu-series and passion project of the late actor will return with a second season of never-before-seen episodes on Jan. 10 at 10 p.m. on VICE TV.
The program explores the complex underworld of illicit trades and unravels how criminal networks are reshaping our way of life. Offering an unflinching look into the lives of people operating in these illegal markets, host Williams examines how these shadow economies have evolved since his journeys in the first season of the show.
The new season is an intimate portrait of the conditions from which black markets arise and the cultural reasons behind why they persist. Williams will give audiences unprecedented access into the new era of credit card scamming, how New York City’s secret world of boosting and flipping has reshaped mainstream fashion, black market body modifications and more.
As the prolific character actor best known from roles in “The Wire,” “Lovecraft Country” and “Boardwalk Empire” has said describing this show: “When the system fails you, you create your own system. ‘Black Market’ explores exactly that, the hidden, criminal markets that fuel daily life for those who feel locked out of the mainstream and have no choice but to rely on illicit trade to survive.”
Adds a statement by the series’ executive producers: “While completing ‘Black Market’ has been very difficult given the loss of Michael [who died last year of a drug overdose], it’s also been extremely rewarding to bring his vision for this season to the finish line. Michael was a gifted storyteller, who poured his heart and soul into his work both on and off screen.
“‘Black Market’ serves as a bridge between them. [This] was more than a TV show for Michael. It was a mirror to a life he lived. An everyday struggle to transcend life’s obstacles. That fight isn’t always pretty but his documentary storytelling is a testament to the brilliance of everyday people making their way in a complicated world. We’re incredibly proud to be able to share this work with you.”
VICE TV, the Emmy-winning international television network from VICE Media Group, is available via all major satellite and cable providers and the VICE TV app via iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast. For more info, go to VICETV.com.
TASTY QUIP: “Don’t tell me Eddie Murphy is your favorite comedian because Eddie Murphy hasn’t done comedy since the 80s. It just doesn’t make sense. It’s about how much [of] the body of work you can put out. So, nobody knows who was beefing with Mozart, because the guy beefing with Mozart didn’t put up any material. You know what I mean? That’s why history takes care of all of that. I’m only the greatest comedian living because I have more female fans than any comics on the globe.” – KATT WILLIAMS to Atlanta Black Star
CLIPPETTES: The Weeknd has just released a new album called “Dawn FM” with guest contributors including Quincy Jones, Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator and Jim Carrey …
Rapper Jack Harlow with special guests The Homies begins a two-night stand at The Novo on Jan. 7 before moving to The Fox Theatre on Jan. 9 …
Second Stage’s Broadway production of Lynn Nottage’s “Clyde’s” starring Uzo Aduba and Ron Cephas Jones will live stream its final performances through Jan. 16. For more information, visit: 2st.com …
Grammy-nominated Haitian American vocalist, flutist, and composer Nathalie Joachim teams with American composer, performer and media artist Pamela Z, culminating in world premieres of music they have written for each other to perform on Jan. 11 at Walt Disney Concert Hall …
Also that evening, The Regent Theater presents The Session Live: Wendy Melvoin (of The Revolution) – “Let’s Go Crazy” …
The Hammer Museum screens “Zola” followed by a Q&A with its director Janicza Bravo and star Taylour Paige on Jan 11; then does the same the next night with “King Richard” and co-star Aunjanue Ellis.
TASTY QUIP: “BETTY [WHITE] was the best of the best. When we were shooting scenes together [for ‘The Golden Palace’] it was difficult for the DP to get the lighting right between my chocolate and Betty’s white! She was either a ghost or I was the shadow. I came on set one day and Betty had darkened her makeup/hair a bit in an attempt to accommodate for it. Nobody asked her to do it. And that’s just one small example of her overflowing generosity. My dogs thank her, too. She gave us our veterinarian Reco, who we still see to this day. She was the goldenest of them all and will be forever missed.” – DON CHEADLE on Twitter
TC ON TV: Jan. 7 – “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1): The record-breaking competition series introduces a new group of talented queens for an iconic 14th season to be followed by the Emmy nominated after-show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Untucked.” “Ready To Love” (OWN): With all the walk-offs and off-camera drama, this season is stumbling towards tonight’s finale. “Ladies Who List: Atlanta” (OWN): An eight-episode series that will follow six professional Black businesswomen working in real estate — top-producing brokers, high-profile attorneys and luxury agents.
Jan. 8 – “Austin City Limits” (PBS): The seventh ACL Hall of Fame inducts Alejandro Escovedo, Lucinda Williams and Wilco; with performances by Sheila E and others.
Jan. 9 – “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” (ABC): Karl Anthony Towns, Anthony Anderson “The Equalizer” (CBS): Rick Ross guest stars in this episode directed by series executive producer Eric Lanueville. “Euphoria” (HBO): Emmy-winner Zendaya returns for a second season as 17-year-old Rue balancing the pressures of love, loss and addiction along with Algee Smith and Storm Reid. “S.W.A.T.” (CBS): Guest starring Michael Beach.
Jan. 10 – “That’s My Jam” (NBC): Taika Waititi & Rita Ora vs. Normani & Taraji P. Henson
Jan. 11 – “The Kings of Napa” (OWN): Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (“The Wire”) leads the cast of this juicy new drama centering on a family of African-American vineyard owners from acclaimed writer and executive producer Janine Sherman Barrois (“Claws”). “American Masters” (PBS): “Ailey,” by director Jamila Wignot, documents the life of legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey (1931-1989), a trailblazing pioneer who founded his influential studio Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 at age 27. “Naomi” (CW): From Ava DuVernay and Jill Blankenship (“Arrow”) comes this series based on DC Comics characters about a teenager (Kaci Walfall) who discovers her inner power and hidden destiny. “Our Kind of People” (Fox): Making its winter premiere with more scandalous behavior from Martha’s Vineyard.
Jan. 12 – “Live with Kelly & Ryan” (ABC): Denzel Washington, Lindsay Vonn “Batwoman” (CW): In season three, Ryan Wilder (Javicia Leslie) has shed her parole for the Batsuit and her van for the Batcave to protect Gotham’s underserved communities. Robin Givens and Camrus Johnson are featured. “Just Eats with Chef JJ” (Cleo): The popular cooking show will kick off season four with television and radio personality Bevy Smith learning how to make Truffled Spatchcock Chicken with Olive Oil-Poached Carrots; and Banana Leaf-Wrapped Halibut with Steamed Bok Choy. “Don’t Cancel Me with Amara La Negra” (Fuse): “LGBTQIA + Rights”
Jan. 13 – “A House Divided” (AllBlk): A fourth season of the family drama starring Art Evans, Brad James, Demetria McKinney, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs and Paula Jai Parker. “My Mom, Your Dad” (HBO Max): Yvonne Orji (“Insecure”) hosts this series following a group of single parents who have been nominated by their college-age kids for a second chance at love. “Peacemaker” (HBO Max): John Cena reprises the role he played in “Suicide Squad” in this series from that film’s writer and director James Gunn. Co-stars Danielle Brooks, Chukwudi Iwuji and Robert Patrick. Stay tuned for a post credits scene after each episode. “Iskander” (Topic): The first and new second season of this French Guinea based detective drama starring Stéphane Caillard and Adama Niane (“Lupin”) are running exclusively on the streamer. “Sesame Street” (HBO Max): “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” has Anderson .Paak joining Elmo and his friends to create a peace tree to celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights activist.
END QUOTE: “Known as Goldie in ‘The Mack,’ MAX JULIEN also wrote and produced ‘Cleopatra Jones,’ and ‘Thomasine and Bushrod.’ May he rest in peace and may his place in the pantheon of criminally underrated pioneering legends be elevated to its righteous place of honor.” – MARSHA WARFIELD on Twitter about the actor/screenwriter who died at 88 on his birthday, Jan 1, 2022
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
