I just finished the book “Black Friend//Essays” by Ziwe, which I saw on her onset bookshelf while watching an episode of her show on Youtube. I spent all-day yesterday, (a balmy Saturday afternoon and evening) reading chapter after chapter until my sight started to blur, and woke up to unknowingly finish the last few chapters this morning. Throughout the book, she references interviews that I was not aware of, and had to look them up online before continuing, which led me down the rabbit hole of watching her interview on The Breakfast Club (see far below after you watch episodes of her show). I am a big fan of the Breakfast Club, and loved seeing her drag them through a Naruto reference, and “Ohana means family” reference. (“That little devil is like 42 with a walker.”)
The first episode of Ziwe on Youtube I watched was her interview with SNL legend Leslie Jones (see below). After loving that, I saw she had also interviewed the inimitable Vince Staples.
She is a vocal fan of the “sensational interview”, and hers feel like heavy-weight competitions, with her guests hanging on for dear life not to let her win, but her stare is impenetrable. I am so thankful for this person, she is truly one of a kind. Thank you Ziwe.
Christina Ann Rinaldi 