In Memoriam: Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (2012–2013)

Dear Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell,

I heard the news today. You’ve been canceled. Canceled. Kaput. Finished. It breaks my heart. You were one of the too few safe spaces on television. A show where we could put aside our cynical facades for just a little while and talk candidly about race, religion and all the other topics we seem to like to dance around here in America but never really talk about.

Thanks to you, I learned about the talents of a whole new world of writers and comedians. People like Janine Brito. And you helped me appreciate new facets of those I already thought I knew, like Hari Kondabolu, Dwayne Kennedy and Aparna Nancherla. And of course there’s the great work of the host, Mr. Bell. What a cast. What a show.

According to FX’s PR rep, “Unfortunately the ratings didn’t meet the expectations; that’s why we had to make the decision. The final show will air Sunday night.” Sob. Apparently ever since you made the move from FX to FXX, things went south for you, TB. What does that mean for me? That means my favorite standup comedians won’t be doing social commentary on my television each night.

Who’s going to tell America the difference between Sikhs vs. Sheiks now?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ_MTNHk2Dw

Where else am I supposed to find the Sikh Captain America and brown Jesus Christ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shUzrgAUqUw

Or learn about gun violence?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ6fcwmDDeU

Where else can we discuss the significance of “The Mindy Project?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PCMPDVZ50M

Debate Kal Penn’s controversial stop-and-frisk tweets?

http://youtu.be/tOumC6Pp5yE

And where else can I see Aparna Nancherla’s review of Michelle Obama’s new hip hop album? (“Sugars and fats at the top, son!”)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkts624ZW0o

Nowhere. That’s where.

Then again, maybe every little thing will be all right. Thank you TB. Thank you for having existed.

Until we meet again,

If you’re in the area of New York City, you can catch the last taping of Totally Biased tomorrow night.

Kishwer Vikaas is co-founder of and editor for The Aerogram. Follow her on Twitter at@phillygrrl or email her at editors@theaerogram.com. Follow The Aerogram on Twitter at @theaerogram.