But the show was still developing when it was canceled.
Wilmore opted for a panel-discussion format, which could meander.
Theres no meandering inThe Rundown With Robin Thede.
Credit: Eric Liebowitz/BET
Thursdays premiere began with a sketch that blitzkrieged through some topical gags.
Thede sat in a restaurant, reading a book by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
(I believe it wasBetween the World and Me.)
Damn, my white friends are right, said Thede.
That line by itself hit on all fronts, serious and twistedly funny.
Then she caught a mans eye.
The man happened to be attractive, African-American, and wearing a TRUMP-PENCE shirt.
), and even tattooing a Confederate flag on her arm.
The punchline was predictable a ring on his finger!
but this scene stated the premieres purpose effectively.
Not everything landed, though perhaps some people will never tire of YOU GET A CAR!
What struck you was the mix of topics and approaches.
The segment was, essentially, a compilation.
Here, Thede was mostly riffing on pre-existing interviews.
Another clip challenged, What other choice does a black man have thats better than the National Football League?
Thede brought up Rashard Mendenhall, who left a short football career for a careeras a TV writer.
You hope BET is giving Thede room to experiment.
The shows currently weekly but seems like it could expand.
The premiere featured a pop-up musical performance, with Thede and the rapper Duckwrth surprising bystanders in a bodega.
Thede is currently the only African-American female late night host, though shes entering an ever-more-crowded field.
