Race, Gender, and Representation in Music and Hollywood - John Schneider, Beyonce and Art

Have you ever wondered about the fine line where music genres blend and spark debates? That's exactly where we're headed as we tackle the hullabaloo around Beyonce's venture into country music, stirring up a storm in the industry. In our robust conversation, we unpack John Schneider's pointed remarks and the broader cultural conversations igniting from such genre-defying moves. Tony brings his refreshing perspective to the forefront, as we navigate the nuances of artistic freedom against the backdrop of genre gatekeeping. It's a riveting discussion that promises to shed light on the shadowy corners of racial tensions and creative expression in music.

Then, we shift the spotlight to the intriguing gender dynamics pulsating through the veins of the entertainment industry. Why is a woman's artistic choice often attributed to external influence, while her male counterpart is hailed as a visionary? We grapple with this disparity, invoking the career trajectories of legends like Michael Jackson and Beyoncé, and dissect the undercurrents of respect between powerhouses Taylor Swift and Beyoncé that eclipse the industry's occasional pettiness. As we move to Hollywood's evolving landscape, we scrutinize the debates over inclusivity and representation, discussing the anticipated projects like X-Men '97 and The Little Mermaid. Join us as we explore what these changes signify for audiences and creators in an era where storytelling is as dynamic as the society it reflects.

Full Un-edited Episode: 
https://www.youtube.com/live/ElRgQLeF9-A?si=xKiMABmcP0flYVte

Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page.

Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481
Editing by Team A-J
Host, Carmen Lezeth


DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

Transcript

Carmen Lezeth: 0:00

Hey, hi, everybody, welcome to all about the joy. Rick Costa, hello, hello.

Tony D. : 0:05

Tony.

Carmen Lezeth: 0:06

D. What's up, baby? How you doing so. Tony and I've been here for a minute. Rick just jumped on Rick. How you doing Okay.

Rick Costa: 0:14

Alright, we're maintaining right.

Carmen Lezeth: 0:16

Yeah, how was your week?

Rick Costa: 0:17

It's not too bad, it was okay. Okay, yeah, you don't sound great today, so it was the rush of getting mom to bed and then other issues, and yeah, yeah, tony, how was your week?

Tony D. : 0:28

Not too bad. Allege decided to want to kick in pretty hard this week, so if I turn my camera off, I got to blow my nose.

Carmen Lezeth: 0:35

We all have issues today. Let me tell you I actually had a great day today. I unbelievably had like Bam, bam, bam, like just a busy, busy day, but it was all meeting really amazing great people and dealing with really, really good stuff. I had to meet with a lawyer this morning and you know that's never gonna go well, right, but this man was on point like he was so cool and you know, this whole conversation people have about us Well, not you guys, but me swearing. The reason why I love this guy is because he swears, like he on his YouTube channel on everything. He's just. He's just. Again, it's kind of like it's just this flavor. It's not anything malicious or bad or anything. He's just having a conversation. So that went really well. I was really happy about that.

Carmen Lezeth: 1:18

I had another conversation with some bank folk. Mm-hmm, yes, had some conversations with some bank folk about my loan I've been asking about. So we are, you know, you have to push hard, you have to keep asking people. You got to keep saying no, you're wrong, I'm right, so we don't see how that goes. But it was a really good meeting and I was really glad that they took the meeting. And let me say something Big banks and and I work with a lot of them and I actually have Bank of America Let me tell you big banks are never, ever, ever gonna deal with like little people in the way in which they deal with rich people. But you know who will sit down with you and have a conversation on a zoom call or whatever Credit unions.

Carmen Lezeth: 1:55

I will say that yeah so if you're not part of a credit union, you miss an out, because they have really good interest rates. They really do treat you like a community whatever, and so I had a conversation with them today and they were on point and awesome and I just I feel really good about the possibilities. You know I'm saying so.

Rick Costa: 2:12

I was yeah, heard that for a long time that they said if you can go credit union, do it.

Carmen Lezeth: 2:16

Yeah, um, you know a lot of credit unions. Even if you're not part of a union, they will find a way to get you in because their whole thing is about servicing as many people as possible. You know, yeah, so, and I'm you know, I'm part of SAG after, and I do have a check-in account with my credit union and I love them and and I've had them for a long time. They're just never my first thought when it's like, oh, I need a business loan because they're not a business bank, you know, but anyway, so that was good, how you guys. You know what, tony, I thought about you, beyonce and country music. I was just wondering if you were.

Rick Costa: 2:47

Because you're the music king.

Carmen Lezeth: 2:48

Because you're the music king, how you feeling about Beyonce crossing over with her country music and top topping the charts with Texas. Hold them.

Tony D. : 2:56

Okay, I'm not. I'm not a country music man. I'm not a big Beyonce fan. I have heard about, I have seen stories, a lot of women. I've seen a supporter, a lot of women, women, yes, I see a lot of women that's supporting her. She's making her money. I can't say nothing against it I wasn't a fan of. I should heard the song last week.

Carmen Lezeth: 3:16

Really why?

Tony D. : 3:17

she's not your genre, not really Really, not really Okay.

Carmen Lezeth: 3:25

But but, but, but, do you like Jay-Z? Yeah, oh, okay, all right, so it's just not your music.

Tony D. : 3:30

You're not. She's very female oriented her music, and I'm not a woman female empowerment.

Carmen Lezeth: 3:35

Yeah, I could see how that would rub you the wrong way.

Tony D. : 3:38

That's what's female empowerment. I can't go. It's like when it was like me, rough neck, we was all jamming.

Carmen Lezeth: 3:42

It was like Okay, I lost single ladies right, so okay, but she topped the charts. John Schneider from what's that. Do so, has it clearly had an issue?

Rick Costa: 3:57

Oh, yeah, I think I saw that he was so upset.

Carmen Lezeth: 4:01

So what's his name? Josh John Schneider.

Tony D. : 4:06

It's basically about somebody who's an artist coming over to that genre and taking over. People are gonna have issue with this, like when the hip-hop stars started going to the hip, to the rock and roll all the fame. I get it, but we had an impact in the music world.

Carmen Lezeth: 4:17

Well wait, the thing that was interesting about what he said is, in one sentence he said she shouldn't be able to come into our genre. Oh, but it's okay that Shania Twain can go into, you know, hip-hop or whatever. It was just hilarious, I'm like that's called racism. People, that's racism, right there, baby.

Rick Costa: 4:33

You're being a stupid.

Carmen Lezeth: 4:34

John Schneider, I mean in the same breath. He didn't even realize like how hypocritical and contradictory and dumb assery he was sounding by talking like that. What I mean if you're going to stand on the statement, at least be what. Did we just lose him?

Tony D. : 4:58

No, okay, I'll talk about camera off.

Rick Costa: 5:01

Some people just need to. Some people just need to stay in their lane and mind the business.

Carmen Lezeth: 5:05

Oh, you be talking about John Schneider, though I that was just weird, yeah, and I'm not a country music fan either. I I realized, though I really don't like the twang and country music. We talked about that in the past and I you know, to me this isn't. There's no twang in it, but it's just not my thing. But I'm very happy for her. I was cracking up.

Tony D. : 5:21

Well, and she has fans in that genre, so she made music for them. People got to realize you have an artist that is a specific genre, but you will have people outside of the genre who may also like their music, who may want to make music for them, and that's yeah, yeah hey, jeff, how are you?

Carmen Lezeth: 5:35

Beyonce looks whiter than Taylor Swift. Good music is good music. Luke and Tracy was amazing. What do you mean? Beyonce looked whiter than Taylor Swift, and what?

Rick Costa: 5:43

that sounds like.

Carmen Lezeth: 5:47

I know, jeff. We went to college together, so I'm like I know that he's not, but I don't know what he means by that. What do you mean? Oh, because she bleached her hair white, or something.

Tony D. : 5:55

I don't know.

Carmen Lezeth: 5:57

You have to be more specific, because people don't think you racist.

Rick Costa: 6:00

I have seen, like you know, the conspiracy people type say like here was Beyonce then and look at her now and I got. You can't really say it's not true. She's the lighter she used to be on a live.

Carmen Lezeth: 6:13

Yeah, well, first of all, let's just be clear that she is a light-skinned black woman. That's kind of like. And that's kind of like saying that I would look white if I dyed my hair white, and you know, I mean like it's kind of not fair and I've gotten that in the past. So there is that too, I mean. But that doesn't make you less black as a person of color. You know what I mean, but I guess I get it. Yeah, jeff, I hear you.

Carmen Lezeth: 6:34

Yeah, she, she has her here, white platinum now, because she was doing that whole platinum thing of a jiggy on her tour or whatever and all the silver and whatever. So I Think she looks absolutely stunning. I'm sick and tired of all of her pictures because she's so Beautiful for these fashion designers. Yeah, it's all jealousy and hatred like deep deep. You know, I mean she's so gorgeous, but she's just she's also highlighting just an amazing array of designers and fashion in everything that she does. So it's not just the music, right, it's kind of it's the whole Package. That is kind of fascinating to me to kind of watch. Yeah, she is beautiful, but I think she tries too hard.

Tony D. : 7:12

I think they're pushing her boy. I think they're pushing her because she was fine. She was with Destiny's Child with the black hair. The minute she went blonde and started doing other music, people went crazy.

Carmen Lezeth: 7:19

Why is it not okay for her to change things up a bit? No, it is.

Tony D. : 7:23

They don't interrupt. She was fine with Destiny's Child. They were fine, they were good.

Carmen Lezeth: 7:27

Why do you mean? Fine, she is amazing. Now is a single.

Tony D. : 7:31

They kind of pulled her and made her something else, outside of how she was she first came in. It was something they were kids in Destiny's. Child. They felt like they made a change to them.

Carmen Lezeth: 7:39

If you really does feel like they made a change to them, you realize, I think she's almost 40, right, yeah, she had three children. So I'm just saying do we say these same things about men in the industry, like?

Tony D. : 7:51

What's your Michael? What's your name? Oh, I don't know.

Carmen Lezeth: 7:54

You know, I'm just, I'm just pulling that out. There's an idea You're making the judgment. That I don't think is kind of.

Tony D. : 7:59

I may be wrong, but that's the perception I kind of got when they I feel like they dulled her up. When they start making your hair like, like that, they're starting to make it like this.

Carmen Lezeth: 8:08

I want to defend the Beyonce in this sense. I don't think anyone is telling Beyonce to do anything. I think Beyonce is saying you know what? This is how I want to do. Abc and D. Let's try this why would you think it's not. That's not. Why would you think they are doing something to her? Who is this day?

Tony D. : 8:25

I'm not trying to be telling you what the who was the day.

Carmen Lezeth: 8:28

I'm just saying.

Tony D. : 8:29

Sometimes certain stars that just doll them up make them bigger. It seems like there was a change to her.

Carmen Lezeth: 8:34

Of course there was a change. She grew up, she's done here. It's the same. She can only sing. Say my name for so long. Say my name, say my name.

Tony D. : 8:48

It's not like.

Rick Costa: 8:48

Michelle. And what's the other woman's name? Michelle and the toy. The toy, yes.

Tony D. : 8:50

No, it doesn't. It was a member I don't know, I just knew.

Carmen Lezeth: 8:55

They're not famous like Beyonce, but they're doing all right.

Tony D. : 8:57

There was Kelly, there was Michelle Kelly.

Rick Costa: 8:59

That's the one I'm talking about Kelly.

Tony D. : 9:00

Kelly was before right.

Carmen Lezeth: 9:04

Why is your internet kind of going in and out?

Rick Costa: 9:06

Is it?

Carmen Lezeth: 9:07

I'm just making note for restream. Yeah, I'm going to. I think she's chasing Taylor. Taylor had a movie, then Bay had a movie. Yeah, I think that's all your perception, and things don't happen that fast.

Tony D. : 9:21

Just like me. She was in dream girls, she was in Cadillac records, she already had movies.

Carmen Lezeth: 9:26

Honestly, yeah, she did.

Tony D. : 9:27

She did. She already had movies. That one I'm going to have to disagree with, honestly.

Carmen Lezeth: 9:32

Only doesn't like change. That's right. I agree with that, cynthia, 100% different.

Tony D. : 9:37

Some people change or something See different to me.

Carmen Lezeth: 9:39

I just think I just want you to kind of reflect back and maybe consider the possibility that you're putting too much of your ideas on what she may be doing as opposed to giving her some creative kind of respect. And she's a grown woman who is a mega star and you know they changed her, they made her different. She a grown woman.

Tony D. : 9:59

If she did it herself, then you're correct, okay.

Rick Costa: 10:03

My thing is we are literally arguing about somebody changing their hair color. Who cares? I don't know.

Carmen Lezeth: 10:10

We care. That's why we talk about I mean, it's not that I think the issue is bigger. I'm trying to make a kind of point. Is, I think sometimes, especially men, sorry don't realize that sometimes you say things that are not really fair, you know what I mean Like we're making a joke. Bring one up, go ahead, I'm ready. Funny.

Tony D. : 10:32

I'm going to start, really start, that's right About what we say, or we'll say things and what I'm just saying.

Carmen Lezeth: 10:38

I'm saying you're putting some pressures on a woman star that I don't think you put on men when we're having a conversation.

Tony D. : 10:44

No, we put the pressure on men too, because you know, michael Jackson caught plenty of flight for changes he made.

Carmen Lezeth: 10:48

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I said, men you said women too. I said go ahead, tell me when women have put pressure on men when I said something that was indicative of what I was saying, about what you and Rick were kind of doing Well, not Rick, rick, you weren't really saying it was all Tony being.

Tony D. : 11:05

I said I felt like there was a change made to her. I did you think that she was just being more creative? Okay?

Carmen Lezeth: 11:11

Okay. Do you think a change was made to Michael yes, or do you think Michael Jackson made his own choices? That's a great example.

Tony D. : 11:18

I don't know if he made those choices to his face. That would have to be. He would have to tell you that.

Carmen Lezeth: 11:21

But here's what I'm saying is, when we think of Michael Jackson, or we think of Prince or we think of whatever celebrity that we think we respect to our men, we don't all of a sudden assume that they weren't in charge of their own creative decisions.

Tony D. : 11:34

No, I'm not coming that hard and, like I said, you say that if she did, I'm like, okay, cool, I might change this phase. Everybody's talking about it. Prince didn't change nothing.

Carmen Lezeth: 11:41

I know, but did you hear what I just said? I said, when you speak of Michael or men, you give them undue respect by not saying that somebody did something to them.

Tony D. : 11:51

We think something happened to Michael. If you want to use a man, that's changed.

Carmen Lezeth: 11:55

She's going over your head when I'm trying to say that.

Rick Costa: 11:57

Let me try to translate. Go ahead, rick, let me try to translate. So when a woman makes a change, it might have been them that made her do it, but if a man makes a change, it wasn't them, he just decided to do it.

Tony D. : 12:10

I think that's what we're trying to do and I said I don't think I did that too. I think something else happened.

Carmen Lezeth: 12:14

Well, mike, clearly didn't do his own plastic surgery. Next topic I just think it's important because how we talk about women in any industry needs it is changing. It is changing. Hey, Michael, the sound quality is perfect. There's no fading in and out. I like the energy level in this podcast. Okay, we're still testing out restrain because they're always paying attention now. We don't like this anyway I know.

Carmen Lezeth: 12:43

But, tony, here's my thing. I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong. I'm saying the way in which we all talk about each other needs to be elevated, and so we need to call each other out when we're accidentally saying things that are probably not as supportive. I think Beyonce and Taylor Swift are pretty powerful women who make their own decisions. I don't think anyone is telling Beyonce, against her will, to make her hair platinum or to wear whatever outfit she wants to wear. I am pretty sure she is making no decisions, and when Verizon comes to her and says, hey, do you want to? She's like no or yes.

Tony D. : 13:17

No, I believe that. I believe that what do you mean I'm? One of the wig.

Carmen Lezeth: 13:20

So when you say the day thing, it bothers me. Go ahead, Rick.

Rick Costa: 13:22

I'm sorry I was going to say what if it's a wig, it would be a wig. I mean, she's a black woman.

Carmen Lezeth: 13:27

So it doesn't matter if it's a wig. I mean, she's always had blonde hair. Do you think women are more pretty in the industry or men are more supportive? Oh petty. Do you think women are more petty in the industry or men are more supportive of each other?

Tony D. : 13:42

That's a good question. That's a very good question.

Carmen Lezeth: 13:43

I don't think it's a good question. I don't know what. Why do I think women are more petty?

Tony D. : 13:48

I think both are petty and they're somewhere. Both are supportive because we've seen it and heard it. If you want the truth, Jeffrey, I'll be honest about that. Everybody gets criticized, but also everybody gets supported. That's a very deep and strong question. I really can't answer. I mean both sides, for both genders, honestly.

Carmen Lezeth: 14:04

I mean, I think in this conversation, men are being more petty because you're so consumed by her blonde hair. She's trying to look like Taylor. I asked about the music and somehow we got into a conversation about blonde hair and how white she looks Like. So you know, if you're going to ask me in this conversation, that's where the pettiness is. If anything, I've seen women Taylor Swift specifically and Beyoncé supporting each other, because people keep trying to say that they're against each other and they're not. If anybody has followed any of the history of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, taylor Swift looks up to Beyoncé you know what I mean Like it's like a mentor to her, and they they have done things together and been more collaborative than we've even realized.

Tony D. : 14:44

And what they've done is been more supportive of each other than critical of each other, more than their fans have been. That's the truth.

Rick Costa: 14:49

That's even really good. What I noticed at the Grammys, too, is that Taylor Swift, whoever was singing, she was not always standing, but a lot of times she was standing and she was singing the song with them. She was supporting everybody just by singing their song.

Carmen Lezeth: 15:01

And people get so upset with her. I don't get it. Cynthia just said people pick and choose who they want to support. This is true. This is true. Jeff said in movie and music friends always hire friends Absolutely through, at least here in Hollywood. Yes, it's all about networking. I don't know if it's friends, but it's definitely who you know.

Rick Costa: 15:18

Is it just movie and music though?

Carmen Lezeth: 15:20

Oh, that's a good question. Rick said that again.

Rick Costa: 15:22

Is it just movie and music though?

Carmen Lezeth: 15:24

Mario is in the house. Hey, Mario. No, Rick, you're probably right in every industry, right?

Rick Costa: 15:30

Yes, and then you got what's that word? Nepotism? Yeah, hire their relatives.

Tony D. : 15:36

Well, that's just bad People that got money hiring their relatives. I don't, almost don't blame.

Carmen Lezeth: 15:40

I do. I think that's wrong I get it. I think it's wrong.

Tony D. : 15:43

You bring the people with you. I get that.

Carmen Lezeth: 15:45

I'm saying if they're not qualified, right, so like no offense. But like if I were to hire you know somebody and they're not qualified just because they're related to me, that would get me really upset, especially when they failed and I could have hired somebody who's great. So you being related to me ain't going to get you in. You need to be qualified. I mean, let me see. Mara said they've supported each other movies premieres. That's true, that was really great. Actually, cynthia said it's everywhere, even in the hospitals. Oh, I know all the doctors and nurses and everybody who works with each other. It's all about who you know and and I think we're we're less, we're less for it. Like when people are hiring their relatives, I think we all lose out because not only do we not get the job, but then you get less quality. If the person's not qualified, does that make sense?

Rick Costa: 16:32

But it's not always a bad thing, like you said, if they're qualified like my job that I have now. I got it through a high school friend. She's like oh, I was on whatever those websites he looked up jobs I saw your name on there.

Carmen Lezeth: 16:42

You're looking for a job and I knew we're in high school Right.

Rick Costa: 16:45

She got me the job Still there.

Carmen Lezeth: 16:47

That's a network that's not your, that's not your relative and you're qualified.

Tony D. : 16:50

Right.

Carmen Lezeth: 16:51

So nepotism is you're my brother and I hire you, or you're my son and I hire you to become the executive or the CEO, whatever, when I leave and you have no experience whatsoever. Michael just said the world is forever in deep levels of debate. We need to celebrate our differences, more love, less hate and judgment. That's not all about the joy is, but you got to have the debates. Deep debates are good, tony. I'm going to steal that from you. I believe you. I'm going to make you do that and then put you in a good background and have you do that and that's going to become part of my trademark.

Rick Costa: 17:24

All about the joy promo and then I'll send. You see, tony.

Carmen Lezeth: 17:28

I'm totally going to steal it from him because he does it all the time and it's so funny. I think debates are great, I think the level of respect and having conversations is really important, and I think I mean you, you were very kind, and so on a few other people who listened to my podcast last week on Carmen talk, and I really it's actually become one of the highest podcasts listened to, which is really freaking out that these things are happening. But and it happened so fast but it's part of that conversation, right, having a debate and a conversation about things that are very touch in hard. This is the first time I actually got to watch one of your shows. Welcome, well, thank you. Welcome, jeff, you were here before, or maybe you tagged on one of my videos before, I think yeah, but yeah, that whole conversation was important too, just talking about different ways of understanding race, you know.

Rick Costa: 18:16

I like what you did there. I was like I see what you did there, I see what you did there.

Carmen Lezeth: 18:20

He started with one thing.

Rick Costa: 18:21

What are you making? The whole handicap thing started there to get people to open their mind and relax, and then boom.

Carmen Lezeth: 18:28

Boom, I got you Okay. So first I should tell you that I try not to use the word handicap, because what I understand is that it comes from a derogatory place and look at, I'm just trying. This isn't about being woke, but if being woke means not being asleep, I'm all for it. Okay, I'm all for it, but hand in cap is what people? That's where that word comes from, hand in cap and it's people you start to beg for money all the time. So I try to. If you notice, in that podcast I kept trying to say disabled, disabled, disabled or challenged or whatever, because I'm trying to use better words, being a smarter, more compassionate, more inclusive human being. Quote unquote woke. I love the word woke. I think people need to embrace that word because y'all got it twisted. I do not want to be asleep, but that's where that word comes from, and when you learn where words come from, you realize you know what. I don't need to use that word. Use some different.

Rick Costa: 19:21

What are we going to say You're going to talk about woke. I don't know, this is my field, I guess of a fandom. But people are losing their mind over the X-Men 97 cartoon because they're like it's woke, like the stuff they're saying is just great, you're going to have to tell me we don't.

Carmen Lezeth: 19:39

I don't know what it's like X-Men 97 cartoon.

Rick Costa: 19:41

Yes, it's an animated.

Carmen Lezeth: 19:42

What do you mean? X-men 97 cartoon.

Rick Costa: 19:44

So I don't know if any of you ever saw the X-Men Fox X-Men cartoon from when you were younger In the early 90s, in the early 90s, so they're bringing it back. X-men 97 is called.

Tony D. : 19:52

Oh, so basically a continuation, a couple of characters.

Rick Costa: 19:57

They're saying is what's that word? Binary? Yes, so people are like more of its binary. This is supposed to be a continuation from 97. That word didn't even exist for that thing, people having to flip and hard to talk about that. Then another thing this was really really weird to me. They were like comparing a picture of Rogue's butt from the first cartoon to this one. They're like she ain't got no butt they took away her butt she infaminated no more, and people are making videos on YouTube.

Carmen Lezeth: 20:23

Okay, you guys have too much time on your hands.

Rick Costa: 20:26

That's what I'm saying. People are losing their minds making videos about this. I'm like you know, it's not that deep.

Carmen Lezeth: 20:31

Here's the thing. How do you feel about it, though, rick? How do you feel about a certain character? I don't know the X-Men 97 cartoons, I'm not going to watch it but making a character binary, or different race, or different gender, how do you feel about it?

Rick Costa: 20:45

I mean, first of all, it hasn't even come out yet. So a few people just dogged like crazy and you haven't even seen it yet.

Carmen Lezeth: 20:51

But how do you know then? How do you know, are they promoting it as?

Tony D. : 20:54

in the story. I've seen it for the last week of this year.

Rick Costa: 20:56

I've seen at least 15 people making videos complaining about this cartoon.

Carmen Lezeth: 21:00

No, no, but how do they know?

Rick Costa: 21:02

Because a trailer came out just off the trailer oh, okay, sorry. And.

Tony D. : 21:06

I'm like, well, that's sort of the thing I didn't watch it.

Rick Costa: 21:08

It's not even out yet.

Carmen Lezeth: 21:09

Yes, but so how do you? I know, Okay, so that's the people. How do? Let me ask you a question for the fourth time. How do you feel about it, Rick?

Rick Costa: 21:18

I don't want to prejudge it before I see it. You know people are. People love to nitpick any little thing. Well, you got great answers for going all out.

Carmen Lezeth: 21:25

No, but it's true, he's not even told the line, but he's saying he's going to wait to see it. So I'm hearing you don't care if somebody's binary or whatever.

Rick Costa: 21:30

I'm saying you're basing, you're saying that this is trash, like Madame Webb actually was trash, that movie. But anyway, that's another topic. Oh, that's even worse.

Carmen Lezeth: 21:38

That's even worse. I don't know that one Okay.

Rick Costa: 21:41

That's even worse on the internet. Oh my gosh, they are trashing it. They were like I'd rather watch more of this than the.

Tony D. : 21:46

Marvels over this any day. Oh yeah, Save death for what we finished this one.

Carmen Lezeth: 21:49

Okay, that's great. Okay, here's my question. So you're I mean, does it match? Okay, I'm going to answer it and then maybe you'll see why I frustrated with you, because you never want to answer a question. He's trying to tiptoe so he don't get his people mad. I don't think it really matters if the storyline isn't about an actual sexual act or whatever, like like I wouldn't care if Thor came out as gay or something like who cares? You know what I mean? Like because that's not part of his character. It's just, it's just being more inclusive, you know. So that's what I'm saying. I think if the show is about a sexual situation and they're changing the whole thing about it, then that's different. But if they're just being more inclusive, because the world is not white and these are cartoons, oh my God, like it's not real, I don't see what the big deal is. But you know, people got their issues.

Tony D. : 22:39

The problem is they emphasize the sexuality over the storyline.

Carmen Lezeth: 22:42

Are they? Or are they just letting you know? I don't know this.

Tony D. : 22:45

If you take the article about it, that's what they're doing. Look at the. We don't know the storyline. That's my problem. I don't know about 10 years ago, the, not the immortals, it was. I forgot, I forgot. They've been pushing the sexuality of characters on a lot of movies over the past few years.

Carmen Lezeth: 22:56

Are you?

Tony D. : 22:56

sure, yes.

Carmen Lezeth: 22:58

Or are they just letting you know to let other people look at? I'm thinking of what was the Disney movie that just came out with that beautiful young woman that was black and they all freaked out because she's a little mermaid Little mermaid. All she was was black and they were freaking out about it. You know, they can't do this whatever. So I mean, were they pushing her to be like that? The character has to be black, or did they just say this is the new what we're seeing, little mermaid?

Rick Costa: 23:18

Oh, didn't they do that with Cinderella?

Carmen Lezeth: 23:21

Was it with me?

Rick Costa: 23:22

No, no, Brandy. Brandy was Cinderella.

Carmen Lezeth: 23:24

Brandy, and then and then, whitney was the, the wicked witch or I mean like so are they really pushing the sexuality, or are they just letting you know that this character is gay or whatever? Still letting you know, yeah, no, but why would that be bad? Wouldn't that be good, in case there's someone? Else out there there are people who are still against the differences of sexuality in society right, but aren't there people out there who are worried about, who feel Osterized because they're not part of the conversation and they're not welcome?

Tony D. : 23:49

So is it time that we can maybe change that and be more inclusive and not they're trying to change it to where it can be discussed and the emphasis behind a lot of the conversations have been there are people who are living this way, feeling this way or even want to express themselves this way, who are not represented in Hollywood, and that's why it's being talked about, discussed. That's been said.

Carmen Lezeth: 24:06

I love when it's bad stuff. Everybody wants to blame Hollywood. In Hollywood, it's Hollywood, it's okay. I'm just messing with you. Hollywood under the bus. Hollywood is always trying to push the limit. It's always Hollywood is trying to push the limit.

Tony D. : 24:24

I'm not mad because once again we do have people with these characteristics, orientations in society who are not properly represented. They're correct, but you had the old fashioned folks who don't want to see it in here and did it was complaining. Is it old fashioned? Is that the right word? Yes, old fashioned folks don't want to see homosexual out there. Let's just throw it out there.

Carmen Lezeth: 24:39

Okay, wait, wait, but you said see homosexual. See that that's where I want to just play with this a little bit. Are you actually seeing a homosexual act, or are they just saying this character is Whatever?

Tony D. : 24:50

they're putting in people's heads. You don't even have to make people aware. Yes.

Carmen Lezeth: 24:54

Okay, I think. I think curiosity and being smart and being open-minded is what we all wish to be. Am I off my rocker or?

Tony D. : 25:01

Yeah, not entirely, and I'm being serious, because any and every aspect of humanity needs to be represented In all these movies tv's shows. Honestly, they have to be. People have a problem with a lot of the recent superhero movies based on Asian descent. People have a problem with a lot of movies. Back in the day when they had black characters of away characters, you got to realize these people are in society y'all. They're deserved to be represented. They deserve their civil liberties, all of that. They have the same race to be around here and to make money and to be popular the same way everybody else does.

Carmen Lezeth: 25:31

Can I also add this? I think you're absolutely right, but the other part of it too, that I think is aren't we better people when we have more people around us who are different and not like us?

Tony D. : 25:39

We're supposed.

Carmen Lezeth: 25:41

Oh, that's a conversation we're supposed to be but what do you mean we're supposed to be? I Love meeting people who are different, who inspire me, who are smart to have a different point of view, who teach me something All the time. I think that's what makes me a better human being.

Tony D. : 25:54

I've enjoyed that in the years, the most previous year that I've been on the internet talking to people from all over the world With different aspects, just like you said, and Rick, you know, is that going to talk about. I got a kick out of that On every time we talk to somebody from somewhere else who either had a different aspect, gave me a different vision on some. All of that. I thought one thing well, I thought this, oh, that's interesting. Well, they may be this, okay, I didn't think about that. All of those different conversations are phenomenal. I agree with you 100%.

Carmen Lezeth: 26:17

So you're okay, then, with some of these characters being of different sexual orientation, different ethnicities, different heights, weights, whatever. I mean, I guess if you're a superhero, you probably need to be in some type of shape or whatever, but maybe not, I don't know. But you're okay with them changing up the little mermaid to be black instead?

Tony D. : 26:38

of.

Carmen Lezeth: 26:39

Of course not.

Tony D. : 26:42

Well, the kicker was everybody wants. When you're an actor and I had to learn this a while ago when you're an actor, you have to play different types of roles. I get it. There was a big old stink about a black woman playing a little mermaid because the story had a little white girl but.

Carmen Lezeth: 26:55

But the story is not. It's not real. A mermaid doesn't really exist. So it was just and actually beautiful. I mean, she's stunningly and she was like the perfect little.

Rick Costa: 27:10

I'm reimagining. What's wrong with the reimagining of a story?

Carmen Lezeth: 27:13

Yeah, and also reimagining in a way that, again, I think, enhances the story because it makes us better people when we have differences around us and I don't know, I feel like we get stuck in racial issues because we don't want to talk about racial issues or gender issues or whatever, and I'm kind of trying to change that up a bit. You know what I mean. I'm kind of trying to come Well, no, no, because it doesn't all have to be angst.

Rick Costa: 27:37

Now.

Tony D. : 27:37

I got another twist.

Rick Costa: 27:39

And this is again on the same cartoon, x-men 97. So now Whoever's in charge is saying if the character is asian, they want an asian voice actor. They want to what?

Carmen Lezeth: 27:51

A what?

Rick Costa: 27:52

like two oh, a voice, a voice over Is one of the characters and she's asian. So like okay, the voice. The person that does the voice, they have to be an actual asian person. Okay, well, now you're going down the rabbit hole of dumbass people, but because this is what I'm saying.

Carmen Lezeth: 28:03

I don't know because, because here's a voice, a voice over actor is going to do a voice that they need to do for the character. You know what I mean. So, and I don't think it matters. But, um, and I know you really want to talk about that show, I can tail, but we're not talking about it because I don't know it. So this is the first part, we get to talk. Uh, jeffrey just said I loved the new mermaid. Is that the? Is that what it was called?

Tony D. : 28:23

It was uh, oh the little mermaid, a little mermaid.

Carmen Lezeth: 28:25

Yeah, yeah, I saw it. It's not my thing, and I know Cynthia wants to shoot me because I just I don't. I mean, I love these shows, but I don't, you know, I don't even think I saw them when I was little. It wasn't my thing.

Tony D. : 28:35

Disney stuff but I saw the one of the 90s. It was, it was a trip, it was pretty good.

Carmen Lezeth: 28:39

What do you mean? Oh, the original, you mean they.

Tony D. : 28:41

They didn't animate in one of the 90s. It was pretty good. I think it was the other night. It might have been 2000 under the sea. Under the sea, the crab was killed me, the 90s isn't the original one.

Carmen Lezeth: 28:51

The original one is like in the 70s.

Tony D. : 28:54

That's why I said I saw the one in the 90s.

Carmen Lezeth: 28:55

I don't know. I feel like we're getting better at it, but every time I think we're making like two steps forward. It's like then we take six steps back and then I have to fight with white people about why they're wrong. Sorry, I have to say it, it's just I get exhausted, but I'm gonna keep the fight going because I think it helps, you know.

Carmen Lezeth: 29:11

Hey everyone, this is Carmen and I'm interjecting while we're here editing this episode. I just wanted to let you know that this is just a portion of an entire live stream that happened on thursday night. So if you want to hear the entire unedited version, please check out our youtube page. We'll have the link in the show notes and, if you can, I hope you can join us live on thursday nights. We're on at 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern. Come into the chat and join us for a lively, fun conversation about topics of the day or whatever is going on in the neighborhood. So again, thanks for stopping by all about the joy, and we'll see you again next week. Bye, thanks for stopping by all about the joy. Be better and stay beautiful folks. Have a sweet day.