TNT Programming Alert
Week of May 7, 2017
American Race: Sneak Preview and Two-Night Television Event
Episode 1: "Baltimore Rising" – Preview Sunday, May 7, at 11:30 p.m.(ET/PT); Series Premiere Thursday, May 11, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
In the premiere episode of American Race, Barkley sets off on a heartfelt journey across the country to discuss race in America. His first stop is Baltimore, Md., a city that became central to the Black Lives Matter Movement when riots broke out following the death of African-American Freddie Gray, who died because of injuries sustained in police custody. Barkley embeds with the community and police in Baltimore, hoping to bring both sides together in search of solutions.
Episode 2: "Muslim is the New Black" – Thursday, May 11, at 10 p.m.(ET/PT)
With America still reeling from Trump's immigration ban and anti-Muslim sentiment at a boiling point, Barkley tries to understand the state of Muslim-American relations across the country. He heads to Irving, Texas, the most diverse zip code in America, and finds the city in turmoil as a local ordinance banning "foreign laws" has upset its Muslims citizens. In addition, anti-Muslim groups have staged armed protests against a local mosque. Barkley meets with Muslim-Americans, militants and local lawmakers, some threatening the local mosque and others defending it, to find out what is at the root of the fear of Muslims in America.
Episode 3: "Entertainment Still So White" – Friday, May 12, at 9 p.m.(ET/PT)
With the country racially divided, Barkley travels to Los Angeles to understand how images of race are impacting everyone. He talks to entertainment industry professionals and consumers about the stereotypes they see on TV and in movies. He meets with media makers, from Korean-American rapper Dumbfoundead, artist-entrepreneur Ice Cube, to legendary writer/producer Norman Lear to gather perspectives on how to change the media’s portrayals of race. He asks if it's racist to laugh at racial stereotypes when he visits with pioneering comedy troop The Upright Citizens Brigade.
Episode 4: "The Divided States of America" – Friday, May 12, at 10 p.m.(ET/PT)
For the last stop of his journey on American Race, Barkley takes his exploration to Atlanta, the cradle of the Civil Rights movement, to explore how the country has become so divided. When he arrives, he finds the city embroiled in debate over immigration. He meets undocumented residents and civic leaders who use social media to organize their opposition to new immigration policies. He explores how racism is inflaming the current political debate, leading to the rise of the alt-right founded by Richard Spencer with whom Barkley has a vehement conversation. And at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Barkley reunites with the friends he's met on his journey and gets an audience with C.T. Vivian, a legend of the civil rights movement.
