Valentine’s Day is coming, but our feminist-friendly pop culture picks for the week are more laugh-out-loud funny than lovey-dovey. Highlights this week include Taraji P. Henson starring in a gender-swapped remake of What Women Want; 2 Dope Queens returning to HBO for a second season of standup specials; and the premiere of a buzzy new comedy called PEN15. On the more serious side, Toni Morrison releases a new nonfiction book and Jamila Woods’ new single celebrates Zora Neale Hurston. Enjoy!
MOVIES
Based on the 2000 Nancy Meyers rom-com What Women Want, What Men Want stars Taraji P. Henson as a sports agent who gains the power to hear men’s thoughts—and uses her new powers to get ahead in her male-dominated workplace. Directed by Adam Shankman; co-starring Erykah Badu, Phoebe Robinson, and Tracy Morgan. Out Friday, February 8.
IRL sisters Jemima and Lola Kirke star as two sisters, both dealing with relationship problems—Jemima plays Andrea, a recently-sober, formerly successful writer who begins falling for a currently successful writer (Jamie Dornan); Lola plays Tara, who is in an unsatisfying relationship with her older boyfriend (Ben Mendelsohn) when she begins falling for an even older rabbi (Billy Crystal). Directed by Emma Forrest. Out Friday, February 8. Read our review here.
TV
2 Dope Queens the podcast is over, but 2 Dope Queens the HBO standup special series is back. Hosts Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson return, with featured guests including Lupita Nyong’o, Janet Mock, and Lizzo. Premieres Friday, February 8 on HBO. Read our interview here.
This new comedy series was created by comedians Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who star as versions of their thirteen-year-old selves. Out Friday, February 8 on Hulu.
One Day At A Time returns with Season 3, following a multigenerational Cuban-American family. This season tackles issues including homophobia and racism—while remaining a comedy. Out Friday, February 8 on Netflix.
MUSIC
Jessica Pratt’s new album “spins a mood—hushed, hazy, and beautifully off-center” that “all but [begs] you to drop everything and just listen,” writes BUST reviewer Mollie Wells. Out Friday, February 8. Read our review here.
Jamila Woods’ latest single is an ode to Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God. “I may be small, I may speak soft, but you can see the change in the water,” she sings.
BOOKS
The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s latest book compiles selections of four decades’ worth of nonfiction—essays, speeches, and more—exploring society, culture, and art.
Living On The Borderlines by Melissa Michal
Melissa Michal’s debut book is a short story collection about contemporary Haudenosaunee characters living on and off the rez.
Territory of Light by Yūko Tsushima, translated by Geraldine Harcourt
Japanese writer Yūko Tsushima’s acclaimed 1979 novel gets an English translation. It follows a young woman, left by her husband, as she starts a new life in Tokyo with her two-year-old daughter.
top photo: What Women Want
More from BUST
Week Of Women: February 1-7, 2019
Week Of Women: January 25-31, 2019
Week Of Women: January 18-24, 2018
