*By Max Godnick*
TV writers are used to responding to notes from network executives. Now, they're catering to fans on Twitter, too.
Karin Gist, showrunner of Fox's "Star", and Kriss Turner Towner, executive producer of the OWN Network's "Greenleaf", are responsible for steering the creative direction of their respective shows. They said that viewers' reactions on social media helps determine some of the choices they make in their writers' rooms.
"Black Twitter has a lot of power in Hollywood," said Gist in an interview with Cheddar's Brad Smith at the American Black Film Festival in Miami.
The term "Black Twitter" is frequently used to refer to the network of users who collectively weigh in on matters of cultural, political, and societal importance. The notion has already helped bring memes, hashtags, and movements like Black Lives Matter to prominence. Gist and Turner Towner said they make content decisions with the abstract group in mind.
"We care about our audience and what does Black Twitter say, so we have a responsibility to our viewers," said Turner Towner, adding, "Because of social media, we take that into account more."
Gist and Turner Towner are two of just a few African-American women at the helm of major television shows. While their two current projects center on stories about underrepresented communities, they said they don't feel as though they're being limited in the types of stories they tell on screen.
"I no longer think of it as a box, I think of it as an opportunity and a privilege," said Gist.
Both women encouraged writers of colors to tell stories that are true to themselves, emphasizing their potential as a mechanism for progress in Hollywood's road to better diversity and inclusion.
"I think it's really important to kind of tell your story, be honest about it, and be unapologetic about it," said Gist.
"The box is freakin' fantastic," she said.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/running-the-show-in-a-tv-writers-room).
The highly anticipated prequel to the Paramount+ drama 'Yellowstone' premieres on the streaming site this Sunday. '1883' tracks the Dutton family's migration from Texas to Montana as they endure the hardships of the Oregon Trail. Actor Nichole Galicia joins Cheddar News to talk about working on the show and her non-profit 'The Orchid Foundation.'
Mélanie Berliet, General Manager of The Spruce, joins Your Future Home to discuss ways to spruce up holiday decor as we inch closer to Christmas, and how to open up more space in communal areas to host your holiday party.
Rogers Healy, CEO and Owner of The Rogers Healy Companies, joins Your Future Home to reflect the 2021 real estate market, and break down ways to navigate the housing market in 2022.
On this episode of Your Future Home: CEO and Owner of The Rogers Healy Companies breaks down how to navigate the housing market in 2022; General Manager of The Spruce explains ways to spruce up holiday decor as we inch closer to Christmas; Three ways to save on heat and electricity this winter.
Carlo and Baker wrap up another week discussing the latest explosion in new Covid cases in the Northeast, President Biden's stalled agenda and more. Plus, Love, Hate, Ate featuring the question: why did movie dialogue get so hard to understand?
Move over 'The Real World,' there's a new reality show in town and fans can't get enough. Netflix's new reality show 'Twentysomethings: Austin' follows eight strangers become roommates. Stars Natalie Gable and Keauno Perez join Cheddar News to talk about their experience on the show.
'Unicorn Hunters' gives business owners the potential of reaching a billion-dollar valuation, but before they can get the capital they have to impress the 'Circle of Money.' Rosie Rios, former U.S. Treasurer and co-host of 'Unicorn Hunters,' joins Cheddar News to talk more about the show.
'Spider-Man: No Way Home' is finally in theaters and fans everywhere are very excited. Before you rush to the theaters to see it, we're telling you everything you need to know about the MCU film.
