So... I have this colleague and "near friend" that I met on the job. We fb each other, have many True Friends in common, and have a mutual regard/respect for each other. We met 4-5 years ago, when he was a guest conductor with My Bunch at a series of concerts. He's about 10-15 years my junior, but we got on quite well in the gigs that we worked together. He leads us well, and displays a deep knowledge of the material we produce together. Dude is the Real Deal on the symphonic podium.
I kid you not.... I've been in this game for almost 40 years, and I don't suffer fools gladly. This young man is no fool.
_______________
Turns out, he's also an
actor. Recently, he had a recurring supporting role on the short-lived NBC crime drama 'Prime Suspect,' starring Maria Bello. Even more recently, he played the role of James Quelling over a 3-episode story arc in USA'a hit drama "Suits."
My Dawg's name is
Damon Gupton... and he now has a starring role in a new series called "The Divide" on WE TV.
As much as I want to tout this for him personally, I have to give up mega-props to the entire production. It is a thoughtfully-wrought, well-conceived story that places politics, personal interaction, race, class, and public perception under the microscope.
This show deals with many of the issues we Dawgs toss about in this forum... and it does so from a central POV
that allows the writers to examine what makes us human. In short:
it's what TV should aspire to be- entertaining, engaging, and thought-provoking.
The premise is simple/complex: a convicted felon on Death Row has less than 2 weeks to live. An advocacy group has championed his cause for clemency, citing irregularities in his 'due process.' The spinning-out of the story extends from there.
What follows is an intimate look into the lives and motivations behind all the players in this unfolding human drama. Who gains from his conviction/execution? Who gains from his exoneration? What motivates each side to make the choices they do? What becomes of the families of both convicted and slain, when this 'judicial cold case' is resurrected?
I'm a member of the very first generation that grew up with TV in the house since birth, so I think I'm qualified to make a judgement about its relative quality and merit. From "The Mickey Mouse Club" to "Masterpiece Theater," I've seen it all. I entreat you all:
please watch this show. I like it that much.
This show is only one week old, so it should be relatively easy to get up to speed. Watch the 2-hour series premiere, and you're all caught up.
I hope that it will spark some new conversation among us regarding topical issues that we regularly discuss here in the EE forum.
Clemmy's asking you all: won't you take some time, and check this show out? At worst, you'll see it as a waste of your time, and blow it off, not caring. At best, it'll force you to re-examine your pre-conceived notions about race, politics, and the messiness that we humans make of our lives. In the middle, it will give you a better, more thought-provoking alternative to "Big Brother" or "Keeping Up With The Kardashians."
.02,
Clemdawg
"The Divide". Check your local listings for airing times.
*(Damon's a lifelong Cowboys fan, but I don't hold that against him. Everyone's a fan of their own team for their own personal reasons, just like us Dawgs... know what I mean? I love the back & forth we share during the reg season. He'd be a welcome addition to almost ANY 'Browns Backers' party at a local TV-ready bar-)
