Nicole Byer Gives Praise to Whoopi Goldberg; Says Seeing Her Onscreen Encouraged Her to Entertain
"If I didn't see a dark skin Black woman onscreen, maybe I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing.'
After weeks of hype and anticipation, #BlackTwitter has shown up and showed out for the new NBC comedy series, "Grand Crew," which follows a group of young professionals who are all trying to navigate the ups and downs of life and love in Los Angeles – and they always find time to gather at their favorite bar to “wine down” and unpack it all.
GRAND CREW -- "Wine & Hip-Hop" Episode 105 -- Pictured: Echo Kellum as Noah -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC)
There’s Noah, played by Echo Kellum, who is a hopeless romantic too eager to settle down. Nicole Byer plays his sister, Nicky, a go-getter in real estate who’s adventurous in romance. And let me tell you, these two are comedic duo set up for success and continue to steal scenes each time they appear on the screen.
Your Voice Media correspondent Ty Cole was able to chat with both Kellum and Byer about their favorite rom-com, their go-to emojis when they want to have a 'rendezvous,' and how the series will open up the gates for other types of content showing Black people in other forms.
Cole: Echo, your character in the show is obsessed with rom-coms. For the both of you, what rom-com do you think has to be on everyone’s movie watch list?
Byer: I really love 'Never Been Kissed' as well as 'Clueless'. I also would say 'Bring It On' is a rom-com.
Kellum: The 'Notebook' will definitely have to be up there and 'Love Jones' especially if we're throwing up love in the mix. I would also say '50 First Dates' as I love the perspective of having to fall in love or having to show someone you love them every day - the commitment and the love of that was beautiful to me.
GRAND CREW -- "Wine & Hip-Hop" Episode 105 -- Pictured: Echo Kellum as Noah -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC)
Cole: With the new forms of Black content, how do you think shows like Grand Crew will open up the gates for other types of content showing Black people in other forms?
Byer: I'm truly hoping that executives at different networks are going to watch the show and say to themselves, 'Look at those Black people having fun - we should have some Black people over here having fun.' The 90s had a lot of Black comedies and it went away - I hope there's a renaissance of not only Black shows but other people of color. I would love to see some trans comedy - everyone should turn on their television and see themselves. When I was younger, if I didn't see Whoopi Goldberg as a woman who didn't look like every woman and was a dark skin Black woman, maybe I wouldn't be doing what I do - but she was funny, and she got to look how she wanted to look.
GRAND CREW -- "Wine & Hip-Hop" Episode 105 -- Pictured: Echo Kellum as Noah -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC)
Cole: What's your go-to emoji when you want to have a rendezvous with someone and what’s an emoji you don't like sent from someone else when you want sex?
Byer: I do like that peach emoji and the eggplant emoji. I also like the salsa lady - which for me, is letting you know it's time to get spicy. Don't send me the purple devil emoji because what are you trying to do to me. Don't send the smiley one over here.
Kellum: Definitely send the eggplant and peach emoji but you have to add the splitting water emoji because things are going to get drippy (laughs).
Well, things are definitely set to get 'drippy' and hilarious as "Grand Crew" airs on NBC every Tuesday at 8:30 PM ET.