Ziwe: A Book Report

About Ziwe

Ziwe (also stylized as ZIWE) is an American variety television series that premiered on Showtime on May 9, 2021. The show is based on comedian and writer Ziwe Fumudoh’s provocative and critical social issues-themed YouTube/Instagram show. Ziwe incorporates musical numbers, interviews, skit comedy into her series to challenge America’s discomfort with race, politics, and other cultural issues.

Making / Production

The production of Ziwe takes on a fresh tone, combining a late-night talkshow presentation with a sketch-comedy feel. Beacon Pictures and A24 serve as the series' production companies. The titular host, Ziwe Fumudoh, also serves as an executive producer, working with writers such Cole Escola, Jordan Mendoza, and Patti Harrison to craft the show’s unique and thought-provoking content.

Actors

• Ziwe Fumudoh: As the host, Ziwe Fumudoh is highly critical, satirical, and engaging. She calls out implicit bias and conducts hilariously uncomfortable interviews with guests.
• Patti Harrison: Patti Harrison, a writer and guest star on the show, delivers consistently humorous and engaging performances in various skits.
• Jordan Mendoza: In addition to his work as a writer, Jordan Mendoza also stands out in several memorable sketch performances.
• Christin Paige Minnotte: Christin Paige Minnotte performs in several sketches, often offering a sharp and humorous contrast to Ziwe.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The show is based on Ziwe Fumudoh's web series and Instagram Live show, where she gained significant notoriety for her uncomfortable confrontations with guests about race and privilege.
• Season 1 includes interviews with guests such as Fran Lebowitz, Andrew Yang, Eboni K. Williams, Gloria Steinem, and many more.

Quotes

• "If you say something racist and I respond, 'Hey, that’s racist.' Who created the tension, me or you?"
• "What bothers you more, slow walkers or racism?"
• "No one would ever deny the holocaust, but people deny slavery every single day."

Music, Soundtrack

• The show's variety format allows for several musical interludes which supplement the comedic and sometimes uncomfortable discourse on the show.
• Ziwe herself frequently breaks into song, adding another layer to the series' unique form of entertainment and critique.