Time After Time/Soap World

Once again, I had the pleasure of interviewing Anthony Anderson, creator, writer, and actor of Anacostia The Series.  Anacostia is dropping its highly anticipated second season with loads of drama, including a murder mystery, a return from the dead husband, and storylines so provocative, it puts Daytime soaps to shame.  For someone who is constantly on the move filming, attending press junkets and honing his craft, Anthony is one of the most gracious down-to-earth person I have had the pleasure to know.  And if you ever get to know me personally, I'm not one to gush over people, places and events unless I truly believe they are deserving.  So enough of this gushing & onto the interview:.

Kathy Sandru: Congratulations on the upcoming 2nd Season of Anacostia, the Series!  Fans are literally salivating waiting for the first episode of the 2nd season to air! Are you and the cast getting overwhelmed at all the press junkets & appearances you’re attending?

Anthony Anderson: Thank you Kathy! Weare looking forward to the supporters of the show seeing what we have for them this season. I think they will be really surprised. The press appearances are always a blast for us actually the cast always love meeting the people that are watching the shows and putting it out there. If it were not for sites like yours and others placing attention on Anacostia, I don’t think Anacostia wouldbe as successful as it has become, so we don’t complain at all…it could alwaysbe the opposite so when we are asked we always accommodate.

KS:  Anacostia is getting some much needed props from the D.C. press (I read the article on Examiner online & it was very positive). Are you and the cast breathing a sigh of relief that finally, your show and all the hard work everyone has put into it is finally paying off?

AA: Absolutely! Our show has had very strong word of mouth support even after a year so for us to be covered by local as well as national publications is a completely out of body experience, its almost like we are watching it happen to someone else.Even more so, the publications are coming to us because they are watching the show and enjoying it and that’s the ultimate reward.

KS: The trailer for the second season, has some shocking moments, that’s for sure, one being an unintended (or was it?) death of Michael Stephenson, which opens up to a great whodunit plotline. Was this storyline based upon the departure of Walter Maxfield Jones?

AA: The trailer has so much drama in it that’s just one of the aspects of season two. The character of Michael Stephenson as everyone knows (those that watch the show) was shot in the very beginning of season one and it was left in the air whether he died or not. I decided to go with the character being dead because you are right; it opens up a great storyline for Tamieka Chavis (Mia Stephenson) to really show what she can do as an actress dealing with the loss of her husband and moving on from it and finding herself again and even possibly new love.

KS:  I would like to discuss briefly, Walter Maxfield Jones’ departure from the show..  Some things have been said or alluded to on Facebook, that the departure was less than amicable.  What are your thoughts on this issue?

AA: Well my thoughts on that subject are that we wish Walter all the best in his future endeavors and will continue to be amongst his greatest supporters. This season we are welcoming back not only series regulars Chante’ Bowser, Tamieka Chavis, Wil Lash, Kena Hodges, Rabon Hutcherson II, Marion A. Akpan, Pasha Diallo and Christopher Bair but we have some great storylines involving some new faces in the neighborhood such as Darnell Lamont Walker, Tiana Harris, Deidra Taylor, Lauren Dorsey and Carey Green. This season is going to be phenomenal.

KS: Ok, moving on, I have to get your thoughts on these hot issues.  Actresses Regina King and Victoria Rowell have been extremely outspoken to both the press and to social network sites (Twitter in particular) about the lack of African Americans on and behind the screens on both Daytime and Primetime? Do you think their outspokenness is a step towards correcting this problem or does it make it more difficult?

AA: I think  it’s a great step forward in the right direction. If people don’t speak out on what they feel need to be changed or corrected, how will the process ever begin? I commend them both for speaking out on the issue its not like it’s a secret or that they are the only two that feel this way. Naturally to discredit them and their opinion they will belabeled by some as “difficult” “diva” or the all time favorite of “bitch” but if you don’t stand up for something, you will fall for just about anything.What I think is very sad is the fact that you don’t see too many of their male African American counterparts standing beside them saying…”you know what, she’s right”. All they are asking for is to give that African American Man or Woman the opportunity, hell that’s all anyone needs is an opportunity look at Shonda Rhimes and what she did with Greys Anatomy…Hey Hollywood! She isn’t the only one who can do that.

KS: When we chatted last night, you gave me some good insight on both the difficulty of independent web series to secure funding so their stories could be told. You also mentioned that there should be an awards show, similar to the Daytime Emmys, so soap creators can get recognized for the hard work and effort they (as well as yourself and your cast) put forth.  Can you please elaborate? You were spitting out some good knowledge, my friend!

AA: Sure, I think the make or break for any web show is naturally the funding. The funding can/will determine if you are going to have another season or not. It’s sad to see some of these shows halting production due to funding issues. These shows have agreat fan following and there should be resources that can be implemented to assist in the funding to make sure these shows survive. Trust me when I sayt hat Anacostia is able to have a second season due to the kindness of some sponsors that believed in the show such as Darrin Davis of Anacostia River Realty and Bob Aramony of Savoy Court Condominiums but even that wasn’t really enough to break even but somehow it got done. These shows are telling some gripping stories and if the money isn’t there, no one will ever get the chance to hear them.

As far as the awards,firstly you never go seeking recognition but I think weve proven ourselves to be a viable genre that is flourishing each year with even more and more shows because creators realize the ultimate freedom you get on the web. They have Emmy Awards for your local news so why not Web Series? They will point to the Streamys and say “these are your Emmys” but c’mon now we all know the deal overthere. The founders of We Love Soaps really created something special with the Indie Soap Awards and I hope there is another one this year and maybe it’s a ceremony so that we all can get together in a room with one another and network and support because if you really look at it until something changes…were all we got.

KS: I want to thank you for taking the time to talk to me about the show. We at Time After Time/Soap World can’t wait for the 2nd season to begin!

AA: It’s always my pleasure you know that Kathy, next time we do this it has to be ove ra plate of fried catfish and hush puppies. The 2nd season officially kicks off with a premiere in D.C. on the 25th and goes up on the 26th.I appreciate you speaking with me…again and thanks to Time After Time / SoapWorld for the continued support.

Anthony you're on!  we were raised by a momma, grandmother & great-grandmother from Macon, Georgia, & if you didn't know how to fish, hunt or cook, then you are SOL when it comes to eating.  Even though I was born a Yankee, my spirit is Southern.  I was burnin' on the stove when I could reach the stove!

If you haven't had the opportunity to view the first season & are clueless as to what the buzz is all about, then  I suggest you stop what you're doing right now, grab a Hennessey (or whatever makes you chill) and watch this series to get caught up on drama, D.C. style!

You can watch it on the site here.