Where has all the good TV gone?
That’s what Donald Glover would like to know. The “Atlanta” creator hopped on Twitter late Tuesday night — a rare occurrence for the historically discreet star — to join a conversation happening on social media about the state of the screen business.
His succinct hot take is currently being disputed, however, due to confusion over his use of the word “canceled.”
The 37-year-old actor and director, also known as rapper Childish Gambino in the music world, launched his career in Hollywood as a writer for shows such as “Community” and “30 Rock.” He has since gone on to produce his own series, the Emmy winning show “Atlanta,” also starring LaKeith Stanfield and Brian Tyree Henry.
But the biz ain’t what it used to be, according to Glover.
“Saw people on here havin a discussion about how tired they were of reviewing boring stuff (tv & film),” he began in a series of three singular tweets — the only ones that currently appear on his Twitter feed.
“We’re getting boring stuff and not even experimental mistakes(?) because people are afraid of getting cancelled,” Glover continued in a follow-up tweet with the support of nearly 55,000 likes so far.
“So they feel like they can only experiment w/ aesthetic. (also because some of em know theyre not that good),” he concluded.
Many responded to Glover’s proclamation with disdain for seeming to side with an increasingly popular talking point that “cancel culture is out of control,” as Post editorial columnist Matthew Hennessey has argued, and a source of anxiety for writers and artists who fear being called out for offending someone or group.
“Hollywood elites have nothing [to] complain about so they just bitch about cancel culture as if they aren’t the most famous people in the world,” said one critic.
Except that’s not what Glover is talking about, according to some careful readers in the replies.
“(He’s talking about movies/tv shows being cancelled but everyone’s brains are so poisoned by twitter they think he’s talking about cancel culture and getting mad),” responded YouTube gamer Dolan Dark, whose astute analysis has garnered more than 8,000 likes so far.
The “This Is America” rapper has yet to clarify his take as the debate roils on social media.
Meanwhile, his groundbreaking 2018 single is currently under threat as Florida rapper Kidd Wes has reportedly filed suit against Glover on Thursday, naming RCA Records, Roc Nation and rapper Young Thug, who collaborated on the song, as co-defendants. The Miami-based artist, Emelike Nwosuocha, alleges that “This Is America” is “unmistakably substantially similar, if not practically identical” to his own tune, a song coincidentally (or not) named “Made in America.”
Glover has yet to issue a statement in regards to the lawsuit.
