‘Batwoman,’ a Black Female 007, and Good vs. Bad Pandering

When do Hollywood’s efforts at elevated range really feel like progress, and when do they really feel like pandering? That’s the query contemplated on the most recent “Low Key” podcast, because of a report {that a} black actress, Lashana Lynch, could play 007 within the subsequent James Bond movie. You can pay attention under or proper right here:

On each episode of the “Low Key” podcast, co-hosts Aaron Lanton, Keith Dennie and me speak about popular culture subtleties, usually via a racial lens. This week we’re joined by super-guest host Sarah Lanton, who occurs to be married to Aaron.

On this episode, we speak about how we’re pleased to listen to that Lashana Lynch would possibly play 007 (James Bond will reportedly nonetheless be performed by Daniel Craig) — however surprise if her casting is supposed as a approach to placate followers who desire a black James Bond — particularly Idris Elba.

Our dialogue of the Bond franchise leads us right into a dialogue of the American James Bond, Batman. That in flip results in a dialogue of the CW’s new “Batwoman,” performed by Ruby Rose — and the way a lot Keith doesn’t just like the trailer. He explains why, and I clarify why I’m trying ahead to “Batwoman.”

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Here are a couple of of the opposite topics we deal with, and after they happen within the podcast, with timestamps:

1:55: I specific my sturdy reservations about The Daily Mail newspaper, which reported on Lashana Lynch’s casting.

3:22: Is Lashana Lynch’s casting an try to placate us?

6:20: Who was one of the best Bond?

7:55: Who is the viewers for the brand new Bond film? And what Marvel and “Into the Spider-Verse” did proper of their reimagining of Spider-Man, and averted unhealthy pandering.

10:01: Does James Bond need to be a person for his character to make sense? And is misogyny constructed into the character?

15:24: We speak about characters who don’t pander in any respect, however are nonetheless fascinating and enjoyable to look at — from Patrick Bateman (“American Psycho”) to Humbert Humbert (“Lolita”) to Hannibal Lecter (“Silence of the Lambs”) to Norman Bates (“Psycho”) to Anthony Jeselnik’s onstage persona.

21:59: Sarah says one thing surprising.

21:22: Aaron and Sarah agree that “Black Lightning” is “super-pandering”… in a great way

23:20: Is Batwoman (performed by Ruby Rose) kind of deserving of the “Bat” legacy than Miles Morales is of the “Spider” legacy?

32:30: Is pandering at all times a foul factor?

39:02: Shoutout to pandas

We hope you’ll just like the episode and tell us what you assume, both with a evaluate on iTunes or a touch upon our Instagram feed.

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Finally, right here’s the “Batwoman” trailer: