Woke (TV series)

Woke is an American comedy television series co-created by Keith Knight and Marshall Todd and starring Lamorne Morris.[1] The series premiered on Hulu on September 9, 2020.[2][3] On November 17, 2020, Hulu renewed the series for a second season.[4]

Woke
GenreComedy
Created byKeith Knight & Marshall Todd
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Jay Dyer
Running time22–34 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkHulu
Original releaseSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09) –
present (present)

Plot

Keef Knight, creator of Toast & Butter, is a Black cartoonist on the verge of mainstream success. He prides himself on 'keeping it light' and shies away from taking controversial stances. After being racially profiled by overly aggressive policemen, the traumatized Keef finds that he's able to see and hear inanimate objects talking to him. Now more sensitive to racism, and the everyday microaggressions he'd tried so hard to avoid acknowledging in every situation, Keef must figure out how to maintain his relationships and a career as a 'woke' Black man.

The show is live action with animated elements.[5]

Cast

Voice Only

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Rhymes with Broke"Maurice MarableKeith Knight & Marshall ToddSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
Keef is having a really good day. After a photo shoot at his publisher's in the run up to his appearance at Golden Con, he goes to meet his girlfriend Trina to talk about moving in together. The next day, while hanging flyers for his Golden Con appearance, Keef is thrown to the ground and handcuffed because he supposedly resembles a mugger loose in the area. On his way home after being traumatized, he imagines inanimate objects-- two bottles of malt liquor, a trashcan, his Sharpie, an antique object on a TV program he's watching-- talking to him, telling him that the world is racist and it's time for him to stand up for himself. His best friend Clovis pretends to be a professional athlete to get a woman. His friend and roommate Gunther pitches a new powdered energy drink that is basically cocaine.
2"What Prequels?"Maurice MarableConor GalvinSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
Keef goes to Bloom & Hill to smooth things and finds out that his meltdown has gone viral. He goes to the offices of the Bay Arean to ask them to take the video down, but Ayana refuses and suggest he embrace what's coming. Trina checks in with Keef but he ignores her text. Keef goes to the comic shop to give an art class and tries to write another Toast & Butter comic but the Marker refuses to let him and the result is shaky. He goes back to Bloom & Hill but he's denied entry. He goes home where Trina is waiting for him, upset that he's not talked to her in two days. His roommates attempt to console him but Keef goes to his room to draw.
3"Gig E. Smalls"Maurice MarableKeith KnightSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
Keef runs into Ayana at a sneaker release and shows her his latest, more edgy, cartoon. Bloom & Hill serves Keef with a C&D threatening to sue if he posts any more Toast & Butter comics online, and demanding he repay his advance. Keef gets a job with a rideshare to recoup the money and meets a woman who wants to pay him to attend a party where he is the only Black person. He meets Adrienne and feels inspired to draw again. Clovis stalks Ayana on social media. In his capacity as temporary landlord, Gunther runs afoul of a tenant who refuses to pay his rent with a check.
4"Black People for Rent"Maurice MarableRochee JeffreySeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
Keef and Adrienne hook up. Keef's Black People for Rent posters blow up on social media, and get actual responses, which Ayana thinks would make a good story. Clovis capitalizes on the idea by creating merch. Gunter is shaken by the overt racism of some of the responders.
5"Oaktown Get-Down"Chioke NassorMarshall ToddSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)

Adrienne tries to get Keef's mind off of the Black People for Rent backlash. Keef gets psyched up to present his new work at an artists' salon Ayana is hosting. He balks when Clovis and Gunther insist on tagging along, and Adrienne shows up. Ayana sees a new side of Clovis. Gunther makes some new friends.

Guest: Nathan Lee Graham as Darque Noir
6"Dap, Peace, F*ck You"Chioke NassorBrittany A. MillerSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
The after party. Adrienne and Keef talk about his portrayal of her and what it means for their new relationship. Clovis sees a new side of Ayana. Gunther finds himself in a threesome.
7"Prayers for Kubby"Maurice MarableJay DyerSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
Another artist has taken over Toast & Butter. Keef takes a bus to meet a lawyer across town, with Clovis and Gunther in tow. Kubby the koala escapes from the zoo, slowing traffic and causing Keef to miss his appointment. He lashes out at the crowd at a rally for Kubby and realizes he needs help dealing with his trauma.
8"Blue Lies Matter"Maurice MarableConor Galvin & Brittany A. MillerSeptember 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
After two months of therapy, Keef is finally able to turn his pain into art. But then the officer who assaulted Keef sues him for portraying the officer negatively in his work. The SFPD agrees to make the case go away if Keef sits down with the officer for a beer. Clovis, Gunther, and Ayana all have differing opinions on how he should handle the situation. Should he use the opportunity to take a stand or just swallow his pride?

Production

Keith Knight serves as the inspiration of the show.[8]

Jay Dyer acts as showrunner for the series.[2]

Release

Woke was released on Hulu on September 9, 2020.[2][3] The first trailer was released on August 8, 2020.[3]

Reception

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 76% based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Though Woke's first season doesn't quite know what it wants to say about racism in America, its solid ensemble—led by a well-cast Lamorne Morris—and some surreal silliness make it a messy conversation worth watching."[9] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 61 out of 100 based on 19 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]

See also

References
  1. Ramos, Dino-Ray (August 7, 2020). "'Woke' Producers Address The Creative Fight Of Being A Black Artist Vs. An Artist Who Is Black, Hulu Releases First Trailer". Deadline. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  2. Obenson, Tambay (August 7, 2020). "'Woke' Trailer: Lamorne Morris Gets a Necessary Wake Up Call in New Hulu Series". IndieWire. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  3. Ivie, Devon (August 8, 2020). "Winnie the Bish Gets Woke in the Trailer for His New Hulu Show". Vulture. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  4. Otterson, Joe (November 17, 2020). "'Woke' Renewed for Season 2 at Hulu". Variety. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  5. In new Hulu show, Lamorne Morris explores the meaning of "Woke" - Los Angeles Times
  6. Porter, Rick (February 6, 2019). "'Workaholics' Star Blake Anderson Joins Hulu Comedy Pilot 'Woke' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  7. Jones, Marcus (August 7, 2020). "Lamorne Morris reluctantly becomes 'Woke' in an exclusive trailer for the new Hulu series". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  8. 'Woke' on Hulu: Meet the real cartoonist who inspired the show - Los Angeles Times
  9. "Woke: Season 1 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  10. "Woke: Season 1 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
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