the blacklog

Rod & Ryan jump on for a bonus podcast because it's too hot! They dive into the fact that their generation...Gen X did not deal with this type of heat, walking to the car in this heat, and protecting your property from this heat!

Dean Hughes invites Whitley and Freddie to her home to help with a freshman tea. Whitley uses this as a chance to get on the Dean's good side for an ambassadorship that she wants, and Freddie is just being Freddie. Ron also takes in a new roommate without telling Dwayne. Rod & Ryan discuss Whitley's hate for Freddie, Ron's choices as a roommate, and Dean Hughes' food plans. The...

It's Christmas time, but Whitley is acting like the Grinch. Then (in 80s sitcom style) she is visited by the ghosts of Christmas. Even though it's summertime, Rod & Ryan dig into the tradition of the "three ghosts'" episodes, Col. Taylor's grading system, and Mr. Gaines' flying. They also digress about ET, odd holiday trips, and their best Christmas.

With exams about to start, Kim is hit with the news that her dad was shot on duty. Whitley, Dwayne, and Freddie help drive Kim to Ohio to be with her family. There is a lot of focus on faith in God and whether or not prayers are answered. Rod & Ryan dive into Whitley being an idiot to Freddie, faith, and road trips. They also digress about bike rides and Ryan gives his first "non-shoutout...

It's homecoming at Hillman! Kim dips on homecoming to go to Freaknic, even though her Pops told her not to go. Dwayne and Ron try to hook up with some girls but end up with cold showers. Rod & Ryan dig into HBCU homecomings, Dwayne's lowkey hate on Ron, and Whitley's embarrassing moment. They also digress about the Michigan-Ohio St game and Michael Jackson lyrics.

Walter asks Jaleesa to marry him after winning a vacation to Hawaii. The wedding is in two weeks, and in the meantime, Dwayne is trying to tell Whitley how he feels about her. Rod & Ryan dig deep into the Walter's proposal because he's cheap and Dwayne's rebound to Whitley since the Denise debacle. They also digress about open bars at weddings and closeup profile pics.

Ron is digging a classmate who turns out to have a child, and he is suddenly trying to figure out how to move forward because he really likes her. Dwayne's good friend from the crib, Heavy D, helps out by performing at Hillman for a benefit concert. Rod & Ryan dive into Ron's strong feelings for this young lady, Heavy D's guest appearance, and Whitley's continuous shade. They a...

Dwayne is hyped to because he is going to see Denise in Brooklyn to tell her how he feels, and Whitley is dreading having to attend her dad's wedding. Rod & Ryan jump into Dwayne's impending disappointment, Whitley's continuous shade, and how Dwayne may be a hater. They also digress about being old, and six eggs in one hand.

Whitley volunteers at a youth center where she teaches ballet. She befriends this one kid and is totally befuddled when he steals her wallet. Rod & Ryan touch on several issues including Whitley's judgement of the kids and the kid really trying to convince adults that can collection bought a new bike. They also digress about high medical costs, the "Tuck Rule", and Ryan's tru...

Now that Walter is dorm director of a co-ed dorm, his double standards for the male residents finally comes to a head when a girl is caught staying overnight in a male's room. On top of that, he pulls rank over his girlfriend Jaleesa while still expects to have a good anniversary with her. Rod & Ryan dig into Jaleesa letting Walter handle her, Walter's lack of awareness, and appliances...

Whitley is doing everything she can to avoid taking math, but she can't graduate without this class. Dwayne and Ron argue over money and whether or not they need an AC unit. Finally, Kim and Freddie are nosy about what Jaleesa and Walter do behind closed doors. Rod & Ryan dig into this episode about Walter getting calls from the math department, Ron's need for a lot of toilet paper, an...

Rod & Ryan return to where they started...A Different World. They are now on season 3, and the first episode is "Strangers on a Plane". Whitley and Dwayne happed to be on the same plane back to Hillman after summer break. They have an eventful ride, and Whitley seems to be turned on by "new Dwayne". Also, Gilbert Hall is now co-ed. Rod & Ryan dive into this episode, the...

RE-AIR: Remember those love songs that sounded so good when you heard them that you never thought about the fact that the lyrics were about cheating??? Rod & Ryan dive into their choices for best cheating songs of all time, and they (of course) digress. And yes, they will miss on some, so forgive them.

This film by Robert Townsend follows an aspiring actor who is trying to get the star role as a criminal that has him showing the stereotypical side of African Americans. It shows us lots of Hollywood's stereotypes of African-Americans. Rod & Ryan dive face first into this movie discussing black stereotypes, "black bits", and the string of comedy sequences throughout the film. The...

Thelma gets a scholarship to a boarding school where a student shows the school's true colors and Michael brings a bully home only to see James hand out some corporal punishment. Rod & Ryan dive into these episodes and discuss how Esther Rolle and John Amos probably felt when they saw these scripts. They also talk child beatings, quotas, and how these episodes turned quickly. Finally, Rod &amp...

Rod & Ryan dive into the deep end of hip hop's greatest stories. Hip hop is an art like no other, and while we know a lot of songs where the artist talks about themselves and rags on others, there's also the storytelling aspect. They give their list of songs under Emeritus, GOAT, and honorable mention. From Slick Rick to Ice Cube to Scarface and everyone in between. They also digress a...

This week's pod has Rod & Ryan diving into two episodes. The first one has the one and only appearance of his girl, Henrietta. She is invited for dinner, only for the Evans to find out that she is pregnant (but not by JJ). It really is probably the first show to tackle teen pregnancy. The next episode has JJ deciding to join the Army after James is fired and JJ loses his gig. Rod & Rya...

Ernie Harris is James' childhood friend from Mississippi, who shows up out of nowhere, is invited by the Evans to stay at their home. Ernie's apparently a successful businessman, but after a visit from two thugs looking for Ernie, James finds out that he makes his money from gambling. Rod & Ryan dive into the whether anyone else would accept the invite to sleep overnight at the Evans a...

(Re-air) Rod & Ryan rant about two episodes from the first season of Good Times..."Getting Up the Rent" & "Black Jesus". They dive into the Evans not having a bank account, Florida praying for the first time, JJ "finding" things, and Jesus' blackness. They also digress...especially about their dad.

The 1992 film, Juice, followed four high school boys growing up in Harlem who hang tight. They decide to rob a store one night, and when everything goes wrong, they find themselves against one member of the crew. Rod & Ryan delve into the complexity of these characters, how 90s this movie was, and the greatness of this soundtrack. They also digress about video games, fasting, and bonnets.

Rappers Kid & Play star as themselves in this early 90s film. Play is having big house party while his folks are out of town, and Kid is trying to sneak out after getting punished for fighting at school. Rod & Ryan do a deep dive into all things related to this movie, including whether this had the best dance scene ever and the future stars in this movie. They also digress about the best p...

Rod & Ryan take a break from Good Times to deep dive into the hits from the group, Force MDs. They discuss their best songs from "Tender Love" to "Love is a House". They also jump into how the Force MDs seemed to mess up all their relationships (if you go by their songs). The crew points out how this group had the perfect songs to sing to the ladies in the audience. And of...

The Evans family is concerned that they may be eating dog food when their neighbor brings the main dish to dinner. Rod & Ryan deep dive into the classic scenes from this episode, and of course they digress...from stories about their dad to how Gerdy suddenly had ground round for the meatloaf but not herself.

JJs new, rich girlfriend (Clarissa) from the South Shore invites him to a debutante ball, and JJ is super excited. However, Clarissa's parents are not excited about JJ as her choice. And of course, this causes a stir with the Evans. Rod & Ryan dive into this episode with their thoughts on classism, James' warranted anger, and JJs outfit. They also digress about black women in Playboy a...

Jack Brown is an out-of-work journalist who takes a job as a janitor at U.S. Bates' (a millionaire from Louisiana) department store. When the tycoon's little brat son, Eric, comes for his annual visit, he goes to the store, sees Jack, and wants him as his "toy". Bates convinces (with A LOT OF MONEY) to stay for the week with Eric. Jack finds out a lot in one week about Eric's...