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April 27, 2016 The Skanner Page 7 Arts & Entertainment Tyler James Williams: The “RePlay” Interview Williams Talks about His New Sci-Fi Series By Kam Williams For The Skanner News Born in Westchester County, New York on Oct. 9, 1992, Tyler James Williams can be seen this spring co-starring as computer whiz Monty in CBS’ “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” a new spinoff series. Early last year, he guest-starred as Noah in AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” In 2014, he imperson- ated Steve Urkel on “Key & Peele.” The skit received rave reviews and was named the #1 sketch of the year by New York Magazine. On the big screen, Tyler starred as Li- onel Higgins in the breakout film “Dear White People,” a satire about being a Black face in a very White place. The picture was well-received, including winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. The year before, he appeared in Peeples oppo- site Kerry Washington and Craig Rob- inson. Tyler might be best known for his work on the Emmy Award-winning series “Everybody Hates Chris,” for which he won a 2007 NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Se- ries. In 2012, he was nominated for another Image Award for his perfor- mance a gifted rapper plague by self- doubt in the Disney Channel Original Movie, “Let It Shine.” Tyler began acting at the age of four on “Sesame Street” and he subsequent- ly co-starred in the animated series “Little Bill.” His other television credits include “Law & Order: SVU,” as well as numerous appearances in sketches on “Saturday Night Live.” An accomplished musician, Tyler Tyler James Williams recently released a mixtape with his brother Tyrel titled “Me, My Brother & a Mic.” Here, he talks about starring in “RePlay,” a scripted time-loop series from New Form Digital, which debuted on April 20. To see the premiere episode of “Re- Play,” visit: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IY6iJrat8K4 “ The Portland Black Panthers Combining histories of the city and its African American community with interviews with former Portland Panthers and other key players, Lucas N. N. Burke and Judson L. Jeffries’ “The Portland Black Panthers: Empowering Albina and Remaking a City,” published earlier this year by the University of Washington Press, provides a complex account of the protracted civil rights movement throughout the Pacific Northwest. Lucas N. N. Burke is a doctoral student in history at the University of Oregon. Judson L. Jeffries is professor of African American and African studies at the Ohio State University. He is the author of “Huey P. Newton: The Radical Theorist” and editor of “On the Ground: The Black Panther Party in Communities across America.” For more information or to order the book, visit https://www. washington.edu/uwpress/search/books/ BURPOR.html. KW: The premise does sound a little like “Groundhog Day.” TJW: Yes, I would describe it as a modern day “Groundhog Day.” I really liked “RePlay” be- cause it wasn’t just Allison’s character that experienced a replay, but even- tually her friends realize they are also reliving the same day. And it is interesting to see how humans would act if they knew there were never any consequences for their actions because the next day they could wake up and just redo it. I would describe it as a modern day Groundhog Day Kam Williams: Hi Tyler, thanks for the interview. Tyler James Williams: Thank you, Kam. KW: What interested you in “Re- Play?” TJW: I just really liked the story and I loved the movie “Groundhog Day.” KW: How would you describe the se- ries in 140 characters or less? TJW: It’s DJ Allison Lee’s (Lyndsy Fonseca) 25th birthday party and she just has to impress promoters. She fails and wishes for another try. She gets 25 chances to get it right. TJW: I play Nate, who is Allison’s best friend, but he is secretly in love with her. He is in the “friend zone,” but real- ly tries to get out of it. Each day, he gets a bit more desperate. KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? TJW: I love breakfast food any time of the day. KW: Ling-Ju Yen asks: What is your earliest childhood memory? TJW: I Well I remember everything from my days shooting “Sesame Street. “It was such an incredible experience. My mom also convinced me to steal one of Big Bird’s feathers, which I still have. KW: If you had an opportunity to repeat the most important day of your life until you got it right, would you? TJW: Oh man, I think I would. I would probably take a really bad date from when I was younger where just every- thing went wrong. KW: Sherry Gillam would like to know what is the most important life lesson you’ve learned so far? TJW: Patience, always be patient. I also believe everything happens for a reason. KW: How would you describe your character? Read the rest of this interview at TheSkanner.com
