Ziwe Season 1 Episode 1 55%

Ziwe is a new late-night show that promises to bring a fresh, unapologetically Black perspective to the world of talk shows. Season 1 kicks off with a bang in the first episode, titled "55%."

The show is hosted by Ziwe Fumudoh, a comedian, writer, and performer who rose to fame on social media with her biting satire and irreverent worldview. In each episode of the show, she welcomes a motley crew of guests from various fields – from music to fashion to politics – and engages them in frank, often uncomfortable conversations on race, privilege, and identity.

"55%" starts off with a skit that sets the tone for the show. Ziwe is seen arriving at the studio dressed in a sharp suit, flanked by her all-Black glam squad. She makes her way through the corridors, past polite smiles and nods from her white colleagues, until she enters a room where a bunch of white executives are gathered. Ziwe greets them with a cheery "Bonjour!" but is met with blank stares. She then clarifies: "I said 'Bonjour', not 'Banjour'. You know, the way you people say it." The camera then cuts to a confessional shot in which Ziwe deadpans, "Nothing like a little bit of casual racism to start your day off, am I right?"

The first guest to join Ziwe on her couch is Fran Lebowitz, the iconic writer and cultural critic. The conversation starts off on a light note, with Ziwe riffing on Lebowitz's signature style of wearing men's suits. But things take a turn when Ziwe asks Lebowitz about her thoughts on affirmative action. In typically blunt fashion, Lebowitz says that she believes "it's wrong to have a quota system for anything," prompting Ziwe to ask pointedly, "So does that mean you don't think the playing field is already uneven?"

The conversation then turns to race, with Ziwe asking Lebowitz if she thinks white people are the default in America. Lebowitz agrees, but adds that she doesn't believe it's a bad thing. "I don't think white men are the problem," she says. "I think rich people are the problem." Ziwe pushes back, asking Lebowitz if she thinks that Black people aren't also affected by wealth inequality. Lebowitz concedes the point, but doesn't seem entirely convinced.

The next segment of the show is called "Race Sleepover," in which Ziwe invites white people to engage in candid conversations on race with her over a sleepover. The guests for this episode are two white women, Caroline and Jenna, who have been friends since they were children. The segment starts off with some awkward small talk as they get settled in for the night, but soon Ziwe gets down to business. She asks the women if they've ever had Black friends, to which they both answer in the affirmative. Then she asks if they've ever asked those friends about their experiences with racism. Both women look uncomfortable.

The conversation then turns to "the black friend" trope, with Ziwe asking Caroline and Jenna if they've ever felt like they were only friends with someone because that person was Black. Jenna hedges a bit, saying that she couldn't be sure, but that "I don't want to be that kind of person." Caroline is more forthright, admitting that she has sometimes felt that way in the past. Ziwe then challenges Caroline to name her favorite Black author, and Caroline is stumped. "I haven't read any books by Black people," she admits. "But I really liked the 'Harriet' movie."

The episode ends with a musical performance by Ziwe herself, in which she sings a song called "Universal Healthcare." The song is a satirical take on the idea that healthcare should be a basic human right, with lyrics like "Why should I pay for someone else's pills? / Let them die if they can't pay their bills." It's a fitting end to an episode that pulls no punches in taking on uncomfortable topics and challenging norms.

Overall, "55%" is a great introduction to the world of Ziwe. The show is funny, thought-provoking, and refreshingly honest in its approach to talking about race. It's clear that Ziwe is not afraid to push boundaries and ask difficult questions, and it will be exciting to see where the rest of the season takes us.