Fri, 14 October 2016
We talk about the critical acclaim of the 13th and the financial failure of The Birth of a Nation. |
Thu, 6 October 2016
We discuss Nate Parke's The Birth of A Nation. What is the best way to handle it? We talk mental health and Han's big break. |
Thu, 29 September 2016
We finish up. |
Thu, 22 September 2016
We start with a discussion about the latest shootings in Tulsa and Charlotte. We play some clips of stupid Ray Lewis being stupid. And arrows in our quivers. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 15 September 2016
Dr. Bill Grant joins the show yet again. We talk Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, The French Laundry and Menelek's feet. |
Thu, 8 September 2016
"Kat" is is a cultural architect with a focus in things that are progressive and Black. She is a full time professor of Literature at Montgomery County Community College. Her company, Lil SoSo Productions is well known in DC and can be found at www.lilsoso.com |
Thu, 1 September 2016
Vacation is over. Hans and I talk Chris Brown, Nick Cannon, Kaepernick, and Paul Mooney. Did we miss something? Call us! 646-504-5476 |
Thu, 11 August 2016
We are on vacation.
In our first Episode, We talk about the Superbowl, Film Critic Armond White and the state of Black Television. Hans tells a story about being on the set of Whitney Houston's last music video. We end the show with a conversation about screenwriting. |
Fri, 5 August 2016
This will be our last show for 3 weeks. We talk about the latest big budget debacle Suicide Squad. The Christian Bale meltdown returns and the Passion of The Christ. See you all in September. |
Thu, 28 July 2016
Hans is mad at Menelek. We then talk about how to deal with grief and forgiveness. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Fri, 22 July 2016
Hans reports from location in Philly. Menelek is tired. Silliness happens. |
Thu, 14 July 2016
Hans is out. Bill Grant joins the show. We talk Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. We then dive into a film discussion. Menelek and Bill talk about meeting each other at Colorado College 18 years ago. |
Thu, 7 July 2016
We start the show with a discussion of homophobia in hip hop. We then discuss yet another police shooting. Menelek eats at a very expensive restaurant. |
Thu, 30 June 2016
Hans is on the road. Menelek talks about some of some of the greatest openings in film history. |
Wed, 22 June 2016
Roya Rastegar is the Director of Programming at the LA Film Festival. For the past decade, she has worked for a range of festivals, including Tribeca, Sundance, and the Santa Cruz Woman of Color Film Festival. Roya’s writing on race and popular culture has appeared in various outlets, including The Nation, IndieWire, and The Huffington Post. Before joining the LA Film Festival, Roya taught at Bryn Mawr College after receiving her PhD in the History of Consciousness from the University of California, under the guidance of Angela Y. Davis. |
Thu, 16 June 2016
Menelek's son won't stay in his crib. Hans gives some advice. We then talk about religion and the recent mass shooting in Orlando. |
Thu, 9 June 2016
Hans is out. Menelek rambles about Ali. And Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven |
Thu, 2 June 2016
We talk about the Netflix Documentary "The Mask You Live In". What is masculinity? How do we define it for our sons? Hans tells some Howard stories as well. |
Fri, 27 May 2016
Menelek is trying to learn the guitar. Hans is Menelek missed the deadline of a fellowship. We talk about Eddie Murphy's old gay jokes. We also breakdown Hollywood Shuffle. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 19 May 2016
We discuss the culture of pubic shame and internet rage. We discuss the failure of progressives in regards to free speech and the hostility of college campuses. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 12 May 2016
We create our own electoral maps and discuss the impact of public emotion. Are musicians crazy? |
Thu, 5 May 2016
We play some jazz this week. We talk parenting. Internet trolls. Woody Allen. The Godfather. |
Thu, 28 April 2016
We start the show with a break down of the new Beyonce joint Lemonade. We then talk all things Prince |
Thu, 21 April 2016
We start the show with a discussion LGBT cinema and filmmaker Ang Lee. We discuss gay rights in Black community. We take Hip Hop and 9/11 conspiracies. |
Thu, 14 April 2016
We promise this is the only show covering these two topics. Hans has booked his first feature film as a D.P. We talk about planning to shoot a documentary and making your day as a director. We talk about the rise and fall of Matty Rich. Somehow we end up talking about Jon B. Can a white R&B singer crossover? |
Thu, 7 April 2016
Hans is on the road so all you get is Menelek ranting about Ray Lewis, Writer's Block and Seventies film. |
Thu, 31 March 2016
After a much needed week off, we jump right into some news stories. We talk LeBron James, Nick Young and slut shaming. |
Thu, 17 March 2016
We talk about the supreme court nomination. It gets ugly.
|
Thu, 10 March 2016
Emayatzy Corinealdi can be seen in the upcoming Miles Davis bio pic "Miles Ahead". You can also see her in the new reboot of "Roots". |
Thu, 3 March 2016
We break down Chris Rock's monologue at the Oscars. We discuss comedy and the Nina Simone biopic.
|
Thu, 25 February 2016
The show starts a little rough. We get into about radio, religion, and gender politics. Lord Jamar gives us more radio gold. Check out our website. www.Backofthetheater.com |
Thu, 18 February 2016
We talk about Kendrick Lamar and the Grammys. This turns into yet another conversation about religion. Email us at Backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 11 February 2016
Dr. Bill grant joins the show to discuss the social media uproar about the Beyonce Video. Go Broncos. |
Thu, 4 February 2016
We talk about the new FX series. We dive into the impact of the trial and the different reactions to the verdict 20 years ago. Where were you when you heard the verdict? |
Thu, 28 January 2016
Menelek starts the show with an apology. We dive into a complete breakdown of the Sundance trip. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Mon, 25 January 2016
We report live from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. We talk about finally entering "The Room" and the overall vibe of the festival. We also talk about the future of cinema. Enjoy. Give us your feedback at Backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 21 January 2016
We break down the backlash from the Oscar's lack of diversity. We play clips from Jada Smith and the reply from Janet Hubert. What does it mean to win an award? Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Wed, 13 January 2016
We start the show with a talk about a new article from Ta-Nehisi Coates about Bill Cosby. We then talk about being fathers in a cruel and harsh world.
|
Thu, 7 January 2016
We break down the latest news about Dr. Cosby, Jaden Smith and Hans tells a college story. |
Fri, 1 January 2016
We discuss the latest case of police murder. We also talk about the first criminal charges against Bill Cosby. We talked about Star Wars, but Menelek didn't record it. |
Thu, 24 December 2015
Steve Harvey broke the internet just minutes before we recorded this show. We also play some classic Lord Jamar audio. Merry Christmas! |
Thu, 17 December 2015
The guys break down the final episode of Project Greenlight. We talk about film festivals and production. We also review one of our classic text fights. |
Thu, 10 December 2015
We break down the controversy surrounding Spike Lee's latest film Chiraq. We side with Spike.
|
Thu, 3 December 2015
Hans is all alone this week. He breaks down Woody Allen's the Polish film IDA. He also reads the Sundance announcements. |
Thu, 26 November 2015
The most random show ever. Excuse the sound. Menelek doesn't have access to his home studio. We talk about Coates, Thanksgiving, and Sushi. In that order. |
Thu, 19 November 2015
Numa Perrier is an actress, visual artist, filmmaker, and pioneer of online entertainment. She is Co-Founder of the network Black&SexyTV where she nurtures projects from script to screen. She writes for and stars as "Chick" in the popular series "The Couple" which is being developed as a TV series for HBO with Spike Lee attached as Executive Producer. Numa's work as a trans-media artist exploring themes of identity, the feminine landscape, sensuality, and unconventional family dynamics, has her in the forefront of emerging contemporary artists. She creates primarily film, photo, and large scale installation works. |
Thu, 12 November 2015
A.J. is an award winning Cinematographer and Director. His credits include Daughters of The Dust and Spike Lee's Crooklyn. Email us Backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 5 November 2015
We discuss religion and the value of Hope in the civil rights movements. We play some Pastor Manning and Lord Jamar clips. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com. |
Thu, 29 October 2015
Nefertite Nguvu is a graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts, where she obtained a B.F.A. in Film. Her thesis project at SVA won the award Outstanding Screenplay. With her company Hollywood Africans LLC, Nefertite has written, produced, and directed two shorts films: a uniquely stylized black and white romance entitled "I Want You", in 2007, and "The End of Winter," an emotional meditation on loss in 2009, both of which screened at numerous film festivals. Follow her on twitter @nefertitenguvu. |
Thu, 22 October 2015
Menelek's college buddy and fan of the show Leonard joins the show. We talk about Comic Book films, religion and Star Wars. Hans gives us another breakdown of Project Greenlight. |
Thu, 15 October 2015
We start the show with a discussion about Lamar Odom's drug overdose in Nevada. We end the show with a critical breakdown of Do The Right Thing. |
Thu, 8 October 2015
We start the show with a debate about forgiveness. This leads to a critical analysis of the ending of The Color Purple. |
Thu, 1 October 2015
Hans and Menelek tell stories about their time at Howard. We break down the latest episode of Project Greenlight. |
Thu, 24 September 2015
We start the show with Menelek giving his thoughts on the new pope. We then break down the latest episode of Project Greenlight. Backofthetheater@gmail.com.
|
Thu, 17 September 2015
We start the show with yet another conversation about religion. We then dive into a breakdown of the Matt Damon social media backlash after his comments about diversity. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 10 September 2015
Hans reports from his recent trip to Africa. We play Kanye's speech at the VMA's. We then discuss "Between The World and Me". The book taking America by storm. |
Thu, 3 September 2015
We start the show talking about the shooting in Virginia. We talk gun control and mental health. We then preview Ta-Nehisi Coates' new book "Between the World and Me". |
Thu, 27 August 2015
We continue our discussion about BIO movies. Hans talks about his family and relgion. Email us at Backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 20 August 2015
We talk about teh boxoffice success of Straight Outta Compton. This leads to a discussion of Bioagraphy Movies. |
Thu, 13 August 2015
We breakdown the behind the scenes details of the Fantastic Four boxoffice failure. We talk about the backlash against the new NWA film. |
Thu, 30 July 2015
We talk about films covering, Metallica, A Tribe Called Quest, Rage Against The Machine. We talk about the break up of the Fugees and what makes a good music documentary. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 23 July 2015
We start the show playing old clips of def comedy jam. Cornel West takes an unfair shot at Ta-Nehisi Coates. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 16 July 2015
Lots of yelling. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 9 July 2015
We talk about the latest news in the Bill Cosby scandal. We talk Michael Jackson and the budding relationship between Ciara and Russel Wilson. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com
|
Thu, 2 July 2015
We get into a heated debate about the role of government in health care. Jim Carrey gets mentioned a lot. Email as at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 25 June 2015
Hans is AWOL. (We hope he's okay). Menelek gives his thoughts on the tragedy in South Carloina and the danger of thought policing. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 18 June 2015
We start the show with a debate about Lebron's James moral courage. Dr. Bill Grant joins us in the first part of the show. We then dive head first in the Rachel Dolezal situation. We talk about the term "trans racial" and the Black response to her story. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 11 June 2015
Lot of ground here. We talk about Chet Hanks, Jason Collins, homophobia in the black community and RELIGION. Email us at Backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 4 June 2015
The conclusion of our discussion with producer Miles Maker. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 28 May 2015
Miles Maker is talent developer and creative producer. Follow him on twitter @milesmaker. |
Thu, 21 May 2015
Hans tells an amazing story about almost missing a gig. We also talk the pre-production of a film project we plan to shoot this summer. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 14 May 2015
Menelek is late to the show for a change and Hans gets some revenge. We talk about the new Documentary "The Black Panthers: Vangaurd of The Revolution." We then talk about if prayer is stupid. |
Thu, 7 May 2015
We start the show with a breakdown of the biggest fight of the century. We argue about Animae and talk about "Montage of Heck", the HBO documentary about Kurt Cobain. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 30 April 2015
We start the show with a discussion about Creflo Dollar and his claim that Satan stopped him from getting 65 Million dollar jet. We then discuss the social unrest in Baltimore. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 23 April 2015
Dr. Bill Grant joins the show to break down the split betweet West and Dyson. We talk Barack Obama and the future of Black Politics. |
Thu, 16 April 2015
Paul Garnes has served as producer, line producer and/or production manager on films and television series for Disney, Dreamworks, HBO, ABC, NBC, BET, Sony/Screen Gems, Magnolia Films, and Paramount Pictures. In 2014, Paul was executive producer of the film "Selma," a biopic directed by Ava DuVernay and distributed by Paramount Pictures, which chronicles a series of the three Selma marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. supporting the 1965 Civil Rights Voting Act. |
Thu, 9 April 2015
We start the show by breaking down on of our classic fights with our cell phones. It all works out in the end. We end the show with a discussion about "Going Clear" The HBO documentary about Scientology. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com. |
Thu, 2 April 2015
Hans couldnt' make it so Menelek was left all alone. He talks about the Trevor Noah, Screenwriting and grief. Should be fun. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 26 March 2015
Hans is on the road and calls in to do the show. We talk about film production. We have a chance to make a film this summer and we debate dialouge in movies. We also talk about Starbuck's attempt at Race Relations. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 19 March 2015
We start the show with Raven Samone saying something stupid again. We then dive into a conversation about how to become a filmmaker. We talk screenwriting, issues on set and our time at Howard. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 12 March 2015
We start with a discussion about the Oklahoma Frat filmed singing a racist song. We talk about hip hop, The N-Word and modern racism. We get into an argument about music and end the show with a debate about President Obama. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 5 March 2015
Sonia Gonzalez-Martinez is a writer, director and editor from NYC. Sonia’s directing credits include the short comedies DEBUTANTE and URBAN LULLABY, |
Thu, 26 February 2015
We start the show with another discussion of religion in the Black community. We try to talk about the Oscars and then discover we have only seen 2 of the films. Maybe next time. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 19 February 2015
Show regular Bill Grant returns to fill in for Hans. We talk fatherhood, Bill Cosby, and Eddie Murphy. We also discuss the impact of Birth of a Nation. Call us at 646-504-5476. |
Thu, 12 February 2015
We talk with writer/artist Radha Blank about her upcoming show at Joe's Pub in New York City Feb 18. We talk all things tv writing, comedy, and Empire! Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 5 February 2015
Hans is in the car on the way back from a gig. We start the show by arguing about radio. We talk about the big game on Sunday. We watch the trailer to Magic Mike 2. Random show. A lot fun. Enjoy. Leave us your thoughts on the show voicemail. 646-504-5476 |
Thu, 29 January 2015
We look back at our first year of the podcdast and discuss the future. We play show clips and talk about our favorite moments. Leave a message on our new show voice mail at 646-504-5476 |
Thu, 22 January 2015
We start the show with a conversation about Fox's Empire. That turns into a talk about Lee Daniels and homophobia in the Black Community. We end the show with a little sports talk and the cheating Patriots. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 15 January 2015
We start the show talking about one of our epic text fights. We dive into a full analysis and conversion about the MLK film Selma. What is the future of activism? Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 8 January 2015
Menelek talks about a scary trip to the hospital. Hans responds to twitter trolls. We also talk about Top Five & NAS. Email us backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 1 January 2015
We finish our conversation from last week and talk about the Iggy Azalea vs. Azealia Banks radio and twitter war. We end the show with a conversation about the NYPD. Happy New Year. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 25 December 2014
Merry Christmas from the Back of The Theater Podcast! We start the show with an argument about capitalism. We talk about the show 'Hoarders" and our favorite Chirstmas movies. Part two airs next week. Email us your thoughts at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 18 December 2014
We start the show by discussing D'Angelo's first studio album in 14 years. Hans reports from the Washinton, DC preimere of "Selma". We also talk about the Sony Hacking scandal. Follow us on twitter. @backseatheater |
Thu, 11 December 2014
We talk about the cast of the new Biblical Epic "Exodus: God and Kings". We talk casting and the problems with the Hollywood Machince. We also talk about the Police protests around the country and the future of civil unrest. Like us at www.facebook.com/backofthetheater |
Thu, 4 December 2014
Stephen Hill is an in actor based in NYC. He studied at the Susan Batson Studio. His television credits include, Boardwalk Empire, Law and Order, Louie, and Its Always Sunny in Philedelphia. He has also starred in films like Stay Cold and Stay Hungry and Christmas Wedding Baby among his over fifty acting credits. Christmas Wedding Baby premiers Monday Dec 8 2014 on BET at 8:00PM EST. Follow him on twitter & Instagram @Stephenhillacts |
Thu, 27 November 2014
We discuss the Michael Brown case and the riots in Ferguson. What is the future of activism in Black America? Menelek talks about his new found fatherhood. Happy Thanksgiving. Like us on facebook. www.facebook.com/backofthetheater |
Thu, 20 November 2014
Bill Grant returns to guest host with Hans. Menelek is away with his new born baby, Mateo. We talk Bill Cosby, and the awful Aaliyah bio pic. Like our show at www.facebook.com/backofthetheater |
Thu, 13 November 2014
We begin with a discussion about an Op-Ed piece written by Lawrence Otis Graham about racism and money. Does wealth destroy racism? We then discuss the social evolution of the Black Church. Like us on www.facebook.com/backofthetheater |
Thu, 6 November 2014
We breakdown the demorcrats loss in the mid-term elections. We actually have a civil conversation about religion. We also play a clip of Mos Def vs Chirstopher Hitchens. Not pretty. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |
Thu, 30 October 2014
Well, not nothing. We talk about some stuff. We debate the virtue of being on time & Hans reports from a film screening. We also talk childbirth. Email us at backofthetheater@gmail.com |