From WBEZ Chicago, it's This American Life.
I'm Emanuel Berry sitting in for Ira Glass.
As a middle schooler, there was always one channel I wanted to watch.
TCM, the Turner Classic Movie Channel.
An entire channel dedicated to old movies from Hollywood's golden age.
I loved these films.
The Lady Eve, On the Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Shout out to my boy Jimmy Stewart.
I was fascinated by the dramatics.
The over-the-top slaps, the sultry looks, the glamorous makeup and hairstyles.
To my delight, I recently learned that I was not the only Black middle schooler spending
her spare time glued to this channel.
Nicole Hill was also sad.
Anything with Bette Davis, I was like, her eyes are so big and she's so bad.
And I like need to watch everything that she does.
Marlon Brando was my first really big crush.
And Guys and Dolls was my obsession.
And I used to, like every Friday night, God bless my mom and my aunt,
I would invite them up to my room and we would do a viewing.
Of Guys and Dolls like every single Friday.