Chewing Gum is a product of the golden age of TV that explores sexuality and black stories.
This is the golden age of television.
TV series have eclipsed movies with better stories and imaginative plots.
Marvel and DC have produced big budget blockbusters that give us a thrill but TV has given us a connection on a cultural and emotional level.
Khaleesi, Walter White, Pablo Escobar, Jax Teller, James St. Patrick, and Omar Little. These characters are more intriguing than any superhero with a cape fighting a villain bent on world destruction or domination.
Netflix and Chill is a cultural phenomenon that reveals how relevant TV has been in the last 15 years. And speaking of Netflix, the video streaming service has produced a new series that has the whole world talking.
'Chewing Gum' is a UK series that explores sexuality in a breezy, lighthearted and humorous way. The genius behind the hit TV series is 29-year-old Michaela Coel.
Michaela Coel is the lead actress and writer of 'Chewing Gum'. She plays the role of Tracey Gordon, a 24-year-old shop attendant who is trying her best to lose her virginity.
There are few obstacles in Tracey Gordon's way- her strict religious upbringing. Her mother Joy (played by Shola Adewusi) is an over-the-top evangelist. Gordon's sister too is another devil-binding goody two shoes or so it seems.
Another obstacle is her boyfriends. In Season 1 she was in a long-term relationship with an annoying, strict, morally upright Christian who happened to be gay. Her second boyfriend is a man-child who writes terrible poems and has a hard time finding a job.
Michaela Coel expertly plays the role of a young black woman trying to explore her sexuality. The comedy series can be too direct at times but it offers an honest and blunt view into female sexuality. Coel's performance is authentic that you take in the nasty bits with little fuss.
The second season of 'Chewing Gum' is out on Netflix and all indications show it is another hit. Critics and viewers have pointed out the similarity between the UK comedy series and 'Insecure'.
In October of 2016, HBO released a new TV series called Insecure. It would turn out to be a cultural phenomenon. There are many similarities between Insecure and Chewing Gum.
First of all, it honestly portrays female sexuality, dating and relationships in a fresh manner. Secondly, the lead character also happens to be the writer of the show. Issa Rae is the genius behind Insecure.
The success of the Chewing Gum and Insecure shows that TV is now accommodating non-stereotypical black stories. 'Atlanta', the Donald Glover backed series is another success story. Also, TV is embracing the female narrative quicker than cinema.
'Chewing Gum' perfectly sums up the struggle for young people in Nigeria. Extreme religion has hindered millions of youths from exploring their sexuality. What this has created is a hypocritical view towards sex and a lack of understanding on what sex is about.
Maybe Nigerian TV producers should take a leaf or two from Michaela Coel and Issa Rae on how to produce shows that will speak directly to a generation.
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