THE BLACK EMMY'S

I know, there's no such thing. And African-Americans in the TV Business haven't exactly busted down the doors at the Emmy Awards, however we do get our notable wins here and there and have a healthy field of respresenation. Nominations for the 2009 Emmy's were announced today. Below are a list to the black contenders. Congratulations to all and good luck. 

CHANDRA WILSON:

Best Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (Accidental Friendship)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama (Grey's Anatomy)

TRACY MORGAN

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy (30 Rock)

VANESSA WILLIAMS

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy (Ugly Betty)

CICELY TYSON

Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (Relative Strangers)

CHRIS ROCK

Best Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special (Chris Rock - Kill The Messenger)

Best Variety, Musical or Comedy Special (Chris Rock - Kill The Messenger)

Everybody Hates Chris  "Everybody Hates Talk Back": Best Cinematography for a Half-Hour Series

Chris Rock - Kill The Messenger : Best Picture Editing For A Special

#1 Ladies' Detective Agency "Pilot": Best Costumes For A Series

#1 Ladies' Detective Agency "Pilot": Best Music Composition For A Series, Dramatic Underscore

Black Star Watch: Donald Glover

No, he's not of the offspring of the Albert from The Color Purple, a.k.a. Danny Glover. At least, I don't think he is. That would just be way to convenient.

Danny Glover is an upcoming comedian that's been on the radar from many in Hollywood. The guy's various projects have earned him a small  cult-like following, however its only a matter of time before he explodes into the mainstream. 

His most widely known project is the crtically-acclaimed series, 30 Rock. He's one of the staff writers working alongside Tina Fey from which he earned a WGA nomination for best comedy in 2009. He also co-stars on an episode from time to time. He'll also be starring in the new NBC series, Community this fall. 

He was discovered while performing in a sketch comedy group known as Derrick Comedy. Derrick Comedy's youtube sketches have gained national attention.

In 2008, he wrote and co-starred in a Derrick Comedy film known as Mystery Team about three naive high school kids who try and solve a double homicide. The film premiered earlier this year at Sundance and will be released this fall. 

THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE:

Donald Glover has a different type of comedy than let's say Dave Chappele or Chris Tucker or even Chris Rock. The more varying styles that blacks bring to any artform is progressive, since blacks tend to often get categorized or stereotyped into one form.  I think its safe to say that won't be Donald Glover. Hollywood also needs more black TV writers. I heard a startling statistic the other day that 90% of TV writers are white, which means almost all minority portrayal on TV are being controlled by white writers with very little minority influence. Hence why they often turn out the way they do. Anytime a black writer breakthrough the field is a win for all of us.