Tessa Thompson and David Oyelowo tell the story of a Brave Girl Rising
Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Brave Girl Rising (GirlRising.org , Friday): We’re celebrating International Women’s Day here at The A.V. Club, and this 20-minute film— produced by the women’s education and empowerment non-profit behind the Emmy-nominated Girl Rising— seems the perfect way to close it out.
The short, a powerful fusion of both scripted scenes and documentary, is set to a screenplay by poet and Somalian refugee Warsan Shire, whose work notably featured in Beyoncé’s Lemonade film. Tessa Thompson and David Oyelowo lend their voices to Shire’s words to tell the true story of a 17-year-old Somalian refugee named Nasro who, inspired by the women around her, fights for her right to education. In the face of harsh conditions and threats of rape and sexual assault, school is Nasro’s lifeline, one she clings to in an inspiring show of resilience, hope, determination and, yes, bravery.
Regular coverage
Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday, 11:30 p.m.)
(Very) Wild card
KRFT Punk’s Political Party (Adult Swim Friday, 12:00 a.m.): It is 2019, and the cheesiest of The Eric Andre Show characters is hosting a political special… set, naturally, to his very own EDM music. So, why the hell not. Let us don our macaroni helmets, venture out to the Swamp, and prepare to get “punked,” for our favorite noodle man is bringing music, pranks, and, of course, cheese to the streets of DC tonight.
Per a press release, the special— which will be directed by Nathan for You and Who Is America? director Eric Notarnicola and created by the production and writing team behind The Eric Andre Show— will cover everything “from conspiracy theories to race relations to Satan’s influence on the electorate” as Kraft Punk “reaches across the aisle to make friends indiscriminately with an open hand ripe for shaking….” even if (or maybe, especially if) those friends’ hands are coated in orange Cheeto dust.