‘Problem Areas’ to put emphasis on policing issues
It might seem as if television has no room for another topical latenight comedy show, but "Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas" is making its case.
“Problem Areas,” which made its debut Friday on HBO, has a laid-back energy that will ring familiar to those who recognize the subdued Cenac, 41, an alumnus of Comedy Central’s "The Daily Show" and a star of TBS’ "People of Earth.”
“Problem Areas,” featuring longer field pieces reported by Cenac, will spend many episodes during its first season delving into policing in America.
The goal, Cenac said, is to spend time exploring less-familiar stories, rather than just reviewing headlines.
“I’m not going in to try to be right,” he said. “I’m going in to try to understand. Sometimes, I might be right."
Q: It’s immediately evident that the aesthetic of "Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas" is different from other late-night shows. How did you arrive at it?
A: At "The Daily Show," we were satirizing a news program. You put somebody in a suit, you put him behind a desk, and he becomes an authority figure. If the idea of my show is to be a little more curious about things, it felt like stepping away from that newsy look would be key. I don’t know if I convey that same sort of gravitas. For me, it was like, “Lean into what you are, which is a sleepy-eyed guy who rambles.”
Q: Why did you want to cover the subject of policing throughout the entire season?
A: We thought, “Let’s do something easy.” (Laughs). We could talk about Trump and the presidency. But a lot of people do that. Policing is one of those things that you see. These • "Problem Areas" is shown at 11:30 p.m. Fridays on HBO.
stories keep happening. It felt like we could talk about something that, while it seems intractable, there are ways to make a difference.
Q: Do you feel a personal stake in the topic?
A: My cousin’s been to jail. My little brother got arrested over parking and traffic tickets, driving through one of those small towns in Texas where they just make revenue. I was arrested when I was 19 for inciting a riot. ... And I had to get it all expunged from my record. Every time I see a story (about police misconduct), it creates a touchstone to an aspect of my life.
Q: You were very outspoken, after you left "The Daily Show," about the frustrations you’d faced there — coming into conflict with Jon Stewart and feeling the burden of being its only black writer at the time. How do you navigate these feelings with your own show?
A: I walked into this job with every memory of every job I’ve had. You watch a boss do something, and you’re like, “If I were in charge, I wouldn’t do that.” ... I always found myself feeling that happiness rises and frustration trickles down. If the people at the bottom are happy and fulfilled, then they do their jobs a little better — and it goes up that way.
Q: Other "Daily Show" personalities, including Michelle Wolf and Hasan Minhaj, are getting their own topical-comedy shows. Is it starting to feel like the market is oversaturated?
A: There’s definitely a bubble — but it also feels like it’s a content boom, whether it’s the growth of podcasts or the various TV networks and platforms.