In an exclusive chat, the multitalented star Issa Rae talks about her love of crosswords and how A Black Lady Sketch Show has changed her life.
What makes Issa Rae so excited about crosswords?
The author of “Insecure” gets excited every time she sees her name in the New York Times puzzle.
“It’s this weird little win,” Rae says, remembering how she and her Black Mirror co-star Natasha Rothwell celebrate with screenshots.
Because her mother likes to do crosswords, these performances feel like coming full circle.
What’s so great about A Black Lady Sketch Show?
Rae loves more than just crosswords. She also loves being the executive producer on Robin Thede’s breakthrough series.
The show served as a stepping stone for stars such as Quinta Brunson from Abbott Elementary and Amber Ruffin from The Amber Ruffin Show before they achieved success.
Rae thinks, “Robin chose women who would change the meaning of comedy.”
The show broke limits by giving Black women parts they wouldn’t normally have had, like in sci-fi plays and historical comedy.
Could there be a reunion at Abbott Elementary?
Issa Rae jokes that Brunson should hire people from the Sketch Show: “Tell Quinta we’re ready!”
Fans can see Rae’s scary performance on Black Mirror, which shows she can do more than puzzles and jokes.