In this episode we discuss truth and the Supreme Court with award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter. Her latest documentary series, 'Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court' out September 22 on Showtime is a four part docuseries that covers a broad range of topics essential to historians and those curious about the systems of power in this country. In our conversation, we discuss Porter's transition from law to filmmaking, her perspectives on the Supreme Court's evolution, the contributions of Black and Brown justices, and the importance for us to not let the Supreme Court fail.

Rotten Tomatoes, the notorious film review aggregate website, has been shaping the movie choices of audiences for more than a decade. But a recent exposé reveals the site may be rotting from within. In this episode, we discuss the New York Magazine article "The Decomposition of Rotten Tomatoes" and its reporting on how the website has become corruptible and is steadily losing its credibility. We also examine how the site has been vulnerable to manipulation by studios and PR firms alike. So we ask the big question... Is Rotten Tomatoes still a trusted source, or is it time to reconsider how we value artistic consensus? We discuss the biological lure of groupthink, the threat of consensus culture, and whether the public really cares about nuanced criticism versus easy answers.

On this episode, Rico and Sargent have an in-depth discussion about the past, present and future of film criticism. Is it traditional film critics or opinion reviewers on TikTok? They share their personal journeys into film criticism, the role of Rotten Tomatoes today, the new influencer/film promoters of social media, and predictions for where the industry is heading. This is an insightful conversation for any fan or student of film and media criticism.

In this episode of Brown & Black, Jack argues why he believes the Barbie movie is really a Latina film at its core. Its pivotal scene centers on a Latina character and her mixed-race daughter. The guys peel back the layers of the $150 million dollar marketing campaign that catapulted Barbie into the national spotlight, and examine the long-standing influence of predominantly white-centric advertising on communities of color, and how this latest campaign breaks that mold. The conversation takes a detour into the sensitive territory of "patriarchy guilt". Jack throws a curveball, questioning Mike on his potential complicity in benefitting from patriarchal systems. The discourse is raw, thought-provoking and timely. The question of the hour: Is Barbie set to claim the coveted Best Picture award? Mike, ever the devil's advocate, pushes back citing an uneven tone. But given the film's astounding critical acclaim and box-office triumph, will the Academy be able to ignore it?

Hollywood is on strike! In this OFF THE CUFF episode, Jack and Mike discuss how the WGA and SAG-AFTRA walkouts could reshape the entertainment industry, including how it could lead to the collapse of American culture. They analyze the sociopathic CEO mentality, and why executives feel they can dehumanize actors and writers. The guys also explore a few potential scenarios of the strikes such as the death of the movie theater and decentralized Hollywood 2.0 created by actors and writers.

In this episode of "Brown and Black," hosts Jack Rico and Mike Sargent discuss the need to challenge the stigma surrounding multi-hyphenates and the superficial nature of the question, "What do you do?" They emphasize the importance of recognizing one's own values and personal branding, highlighting passions and values instead of specific skills. By reframing the conversation, multihyphenates of color could overcome societal norms and forge deeper connections with others, leading to a more inclusive and understanding society.

Actor and musician Rome Flynn joins the podcast to discuss his reprised role as Santiago Zayas in Season 2 of Amazon's hit rom-com series, 'With Love'. In our conversation, we discussed the importance of "casting authentically," the escalating concerns about actors' self-audition tapes, and Flynn's thoughts on the potential havoc a SAG strike could inflict on the Hollywood industry. We also broached the question: could Rome Flynn be the one to bring baseball legend Roberto Clemente's epic story to the big screen?

In this special episode of Brown & Black, we sit down with recent Pulitzer Prize-winning, Emmy and Grammy-nominated composer Michael Abels. We take a journey through his life, his passion for music, the challenges he faced as a Black composer in the 1980s, and his latest work on the film "Chevalier," based on the life of Joseph Bologne in the 1800s. We asked him about the barriers he overcame as a Black composer, what sets Joseph Bologne apart from traditional composers, and will classical music has to transform to survive in the era of artificial intelligence. Michael Abels weighed in.

In this episode, we welcome back the CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., to discuss the pressing issues currently facing musicians of color, such as the advancement of AI-generated music, the struggle for fair compensation, and the rise of Regional Mexican Music as a global force. We explore how the Grammys are addressing these issues and pose the question: Will AI ever win a Grammy for Record of the Year?

In this episode, we are joined by Afro-Venezuelan and Afro-Indigenous singer 'GOTOPO,' who tells us about her new song "Sacudete" and delves into the intriguing concept of 'Ancestral Futurism,' an artistic approach that fuses the past, present, and future in pop culture, while exploring heritage and identity. Gotopo highlights the significance of connecting with cultural roots and using art to create conversations around race and identity in a less polarizing manner. Through ancestral futurism, she aims to bring together the past, present, and future in her work while helping others explore their heritage.

In this episode of Brown & Black, Jack and Mike discuss two central topics affecting creators of color – the ongoing negotiations between the WGA (Writer's Guild of America) and Hollywood studios, and the invisible Latino renaissance in America that's receiving little recognition from mainstream legacy media.

In this episode, we delve into the adverse effects of AI-generated images on media and their growing impact. We'll discuss the recent controversy over Levi's partnership with LalaLand.ai and debate if AI-inclusive modeling serves as a positive force. Furthermore, we'll examine the white savior narrative issues in the film AIR, directed by Ben Affleck and starring Matt Damon, and consider the significant influence of movies and TV on culture.

In today's episode, we discuss how Elon Musk and Kanye West's views on American free speech and how it is affecting Latinos and Blacks.

An interview with Black showrunner Mike Flynn about modernizing the cop show genre with CBS' East New York.

In this episode, Jack and Mike have a REAL TALK about Latino anti-Blackness around the world. They discuss the recent anti-Black, anti-Indigenous remarks made by the Los Angeles City Council president, Nury Martinez. Is Brown and Black unity now possible? It's time we have real talk about Latino anti-Blackness.