It’s not for you, grandpa!
A new weekly television show created by millennials, for millennials will tackle current events and issues important to that generation — and only them. The host and creator of “Tha L Spot,” which airs Thursdays on the public access channel Brooklyn Free Speech, says the show is designed to counter media stories that focus on celebrity gossip and the things that millennials have destroyed — like golf, breakfast cereal, and democracy. Instead, the show focuses on the accomplishments of millennials in the city.
“Nobody out there is really promoting stuff for us — nobody is talking about what’s happening in our community,” said Crown Heights native Jessica Chalmers. “You always hear about celebrities, but never about the locals in the community, so we decided to put this show together.”
Chalmers and her two friends and co-hosts, Amantha Chery and Camille J. Cruz, use the show to discuss trending topics and chat with a guest each week, while a field reporter gets the millennial-on-the-street opinion.
Chalmers started the project after noticing a trend of doom-and-gloom stories about millennials facing a destroyed job market and ruinous student loans.
“What I’ve noticed is a pattern and it’s how we all need to fend for ourselves,” she said. “The concept is for millennials and by millennials and our perspectives on different topics. We’re going to be talking about the good things and the great things.”
Millennial concerns include more than skinny jeans, selfies, and emojis, said Chalmers.
“On our first episode we discussed finance, how to make sure you always have money, and being on a budget,” she said. “We need to be making sure that we are financially stable while still pushing towards our dreams, relationships, and health.”
The show, filmed at Bric Studios in Fort Greene, also showcases the abilities of young Brooklyn artists and entrepreneurs.
“There are so many talents out there that are not being highlighted,” she said. “I want people to see who we bring onto the show. If someone is looking for a makeup artist or a beauty specialist, instead of going to MAC they can find someone in the community who also does makeup.”
And even though the show is geared towards her generation, Chalmers said that olds might still learn a thing or two from it.
“The show is inspirational for anyone who wants to watch a show with different perspectives than people have in their age group,” she said. “It can be very informative on different topics, and even if you have a different view on certain discussions we have, the reality is this is what we’re going through and we want to inspire you to have an open mind.”
“Tha L Spot” airs on Brooklyn Free Speech Channel 3 (Spectrum 1998, Verizon Fios 44) on Thursdays at noon and 10 pm.
