14.34: Number One on the Call Sheet

This week on Geek Girl Soup, Susan, Kelly, and Cort dive deep into the Apple TV+ two-part documentary Number One on the Call Sheet. The series honors Black excellence in Hollywood, focusing on the journeys of Black leading men and women who’ve redefined what it means to be at the top. From Eddie Murphy’s early meteoric rise to Angela Bassett’s powerhouse presence, this episode is all about spotlighting the trailblazers who’ve shaped the culture.

We reflect on:

• How representation on screen (and behind it) has changed over the decades

• The painful beauty of Black women’s stories in Hollywood

• What it really means to be number one on the call sheet

• Standout moments from the documentary, including tributes to Chadwick Boseman and the legendary Halle Berry Oscar moment

A few standout quotes:

• “A gun might stop a life, but a gun can’t stop the stories.” – Alfre Woodard

• “I felt safe for the first time on set when all the hair and makeup people were Black.” – Tiffany Haddish

Plus, we touch on Denzel’s modern-day Othello, the tragic legacy of Richard Chamberlain, and our usual buffet of current watches and recommendations!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 — Intro + Initial thoughts on Number One on the Call Sheet

00:03:00 — Tangents: Hollywood Black, No Other Land, and real-world headlines

00:07:00  — Broadway buzz: Denzel as Othello, ticket prices, and the theater-to-screen pipeline

00:11:00 — RIP Richard Chamberlain and remembering The Thorn Birds

00:13:00 — What We’re Watching: Ghosts UK, The Residence The Underdoggs

00:23:00 — Cort’s Corner: Beyond the Gates

00:28:00 — The youth are NOT alright: Cringe Gen Z dialogue

00:31:00 — Full deep dive: Number One on the Call Sheet

• Celebrating Black joy, struggle, and trailblazing talent

• The importance of proper hair and makeup for Black actors

• The power of storytelling and legacy

01:08:00 — The Halle Berry Oscar legacy and the pain of tokenism

01:14:00 — Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, and global Black excellence

01:22:00 — Next week: “Hidden Gems” with Radius, Upgrade, and The Endless