March 12, 2020
By Lapacazo Sandoval
Contributing Writer
“Hot Bench,” the syndicated CBS television show now in its sixth season with Judge Tanya Acker, a noted attorney and arbitrator, is one of the very best in the judicial, legal genre. Her no-nonsense approach to getting to the root of justice has a glint of self-sufficiency, which is in line with her personal philosophy--being able to make a profound difference using whatever tools are available to us.
“Hot Bench” uses the first-ever judge panel, featuring Acker, Patrica DiMango and Michael Corriero. It might not come as a show to anyone, but the show is the brainchild of Judge Judy Sheindlin. The behind-the-scenes look into the courtroom and their chambers are a bonafide hit with an average of 3.2 million daily.
But who is Tanya Acker? She’s a graduate of Yale Law School, Acker has worked at the Office of the White House Counsel, the Civil Rights Division in the U.S. Department of Justice and with various private law firms. Her work has included working with President Bill Clinton’s personal lawyers, as well as First Amendment issues.
Acker has also been featured as an expert guest on a myriad of shows including “Entertainment Tonight,” “The Talk,” “CNN Reports,” “Good Morning America,” just to name a few.
Getting schooled by the best-of-the-best — which is Judge Judy— was a transformative experience that keeps on giving Acker, even more, to work with.
And then there is her podcast— “The Tanya Acker Show” which is about recognizing that we're bigger than our problems. It's about looking at truth; fighting better and smarter with each other; brainstorming ideas; knowing that bad things are fixable and having more fun.
Her guests explore a wide range of topics - from fighting frivolous lawsuits to ensuring meaningful criminal justice reform to breaking bread with political opponents without breaking glass in each other's faces.
As the United States of America looks toward an upcoming Presidential election — Tuesday, November 3, 2020, the dynamic Tanya Acker is making sure that she finds time between her shooting schedule of “Hot Bench” to make sure that all Americans exercise their right to vote.
I had an opportunity to speak briefly with Judge Tanya Acker of the syndicated CBS television show “Hot Bench,” now in its sixth season and produced by Judge Judy. This is an edited excerpt of our conversation.
L.A. WATTS TIMES: Full disclosure. I really like ‘Hot Bench.’
TANYA ACKER: Thank you. I enjoy making it.
LAWT: What advice as Judge Judy given you over the years? I have great respect for her business acumen.
TA: Judge Judy is a phenomenal woman. I’ve learned just about everything I know about adjudicating cases on television from her.
LAWT: I can imagine. I’ve interviewed her Bailiff [Petri Hawkins Byrd] who told me she’s a very kind woman.
TA: Absolutely. She’s been a great friend and a wonderful mentor. She’s provided sage advice as I’ve done this show. And he’s wonderful as well.
LAWT: What surprised you about the show?
TA: Before the show, other than working as a temporary judge in L.A. Superior Court (judge pro tem) I’ve worked as a lawyer. I’m used to being an advocate, but I had a realization that a lot of people don’t have the best sense of what it takes to convince a legal decision-maker that they are right.
LAWT: That is surprising which brings me to a question that so many of my European and South Asian friends keep asking me.
TA: Which is?
LAWT: What’s up with America? I am at a loss for how to answer them. Can you help me explain this?
TA: (laughing) I do understand.
LAWT: I mean this is a very interesting time to be an American. I don’t know where to begin? Justice? I ask, what’s happening to America?
TA: (laughing)Well, let me just say this. I think our country and like most of us in it, are works in process. The American experiment that started when it did, I don’t think it failed. I think that it’s continuing. It goes in fits and starts. We are reminded of that so, I am working on this Black History program for the U.S. of Iowa, I’m a trustee. It’s a battleship museum [Battleship IOWA Museum] in LA and San Pedro. One of the things we are screening is a number of movies about African American’s contributions in WW2.
It’s the stuff that you would never have imagined or heard of. The history that a lot of people don’t even know. Part of what connected me the IOWA in the first place because I became aware of the story, just watching Henry Louis Gates, Jr. ’s mini-series, ‘The African Americans.’ He called the story of Robert Smalls, who was born enslaved. He ended up stealing a Confederate battleship and he picked up people along the way and he used the Confederate captain’s signal and they were able to sail past Confederate checkpoints, and he delivered the ship to the Union Army and it was a really valuable ship.
Part of the reasons I saw all that, I think there are times when you can read or hear something and get very despondent and then you just have to remind yourself of where we are and the American story and again, there are people who came before us that had to work a lot harder and under must worse circumstances than we do. So, we just need to put our heads down and figure out a way to keep it moving. That’s not to say that it's easy, but it has to be done. That’s a long way of answering your question.
LAWT: Not at all. Now that you are actively involved in voter awareness push, what ways can people in Los Angeles get involved?
TA: Wow. That’s such a great question and I’m so glad that you asked it. I am right now working with my L.A. chapter of The Links to put together materials, reference sources where people can go and get information about registration.
Where they can tell their friends and family in other states how to make sure that they are registered so we are really focused trying to make sure that as many people, as possible do everything that they need to do to exercise their right to vote. I mean so many people fought and died for us to be able to exercise that right.
Our community is reaching out to their aunts, and uncles and cousins, and grandmas around the U.S. They are not missing a state. They are letting everyone what it is they know where they can register to vote.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tanya-acker-show/id1454344416
March 12, 2020
Aries
MAR 21 - APR 19
If you're dating someone and this person has been slightly cagy about real intimacy, all of that might change this week. It seems as if he or she is finally ready to reveal a certain level of vulnerability that was not possible before. This might be because the two of you have spent enough time together for your sweetheart to truly feel as if he or she can trust you and really open up. If you're single, a friend's advice about your love life will make much more sense after Monday when Mercury has turned direct. You'll see.
Taurus
APR 20 - MAY 20
This week is all about romance for you, Taurus! A Full Moon lands right in your true love sector on Monday, highlighting all the deep emotions you feel regarding romance. Fortunately, it looks like this will be a fulfilling lunar event rather than one of loss and heartbreak. You're likely to feel as if the person you're currently seeing -- or someone you're about to meet -- checks off just about every single box when it comes to your list for the ideal mate. In other news this week, you'll enjoy knowing your partner feels right at home around your family. It's all so natural.
Gemini
MAY 21 - JUN 20
You'll feel much more "seen" by your mate this week. In fact, you'll also start to feel as if your partner is finally getting on board when it comes to making an effort to show more support for your dreams and goals. If you're single, it's possible you'll meet someone while you're doing work for a charity event or while visiting someone you care about in a hospital or other healthcare facility. This person might even work there; if so, you'll immediately sense his or her calm, compassionate, nature. You'll be hooked!
Cancer
JUN 21 - JUL 22
If there has been any confusion or disagreement between you and your partner concerning money matters, things should start to sort out after Monday. It's possible you and your mate have very different ideas about spending, saving, and investing money and for whatever reason, all of this is coming to light now. The difference in priorities seems to be connected to your partner being focused on ways to gain financial freedom while you are more interested in using money for having fun and living life to the fullest. This week, you'll start to find a middle ground.
Leo
JUL 23 - AUG 22
All the mental madness connected to your romance is about to ease up after Monday when Mercury turns direct in your partnership sector. The majority of mixed messages might have been about your shared intimate or financial life or the general direction of your love life. You want to be deeply connected to someone, Leo, but you don't want it to threaten your sense of freedom and individuality. What you'll start to see this week is that you don't need to choose one over the other. With the right person, you'll have it all.
Virgo
AUG 23 - SEP 22
On Monday, a Full Moon in your sign has you so caught up in your feelings that you might have a difficult time thinking straight. This is especially so as Mercury, your ruler, turns direct the same day. As a result, it looks like your mental health is directly related to whatever is happening now in your personal life. If you know there is something about your current romantic situation you've chosen to ignore, it's going to give you more anxiety now. You've got to trust your emotions and more importantly, recognize that you deserve to feel at peace when it comes love.
Libra
SEP 23 - OCT 22
Mercury turns direct in your true love sector this Monday, making it a week when matters of the heart are certainly front and center in your mind. It looks like you have a decision to make. It can be anything from whether or not to break up with your partner to determining if you'll accept an invitation to go out on a date with someone you recently met. In some cases, an ex has or will come back into your life, and you are facing the potential for reconciliation. Whatever the details are, you are on your way to clarity, so don't stress about it.
Scorpio
OCT 23 - NOV 21
If one of your friends has been critical of you or your choices in life and love, then the two of you might have a problem this week. You're not interested in a friendship that is based on judgement, condescension, or anything other than mutual empowerment. It does seem, however, that someone in your social circle has his or her own priorities connected to your relationship. Happily, you have your partner to count on. In fact, a conversation with your lover on Saturday will remind you that he or she is everything you want in a friend.
Sagittarius
NOV 22 - DEC 21
You and your partner might have struggled with miscommunication or disagreements recently, especially about home and family matters. Fortunately, the two of you will be back on track to figuring things out after Monday. Even if you can't get everything you want, you'll be much more willing to compromise in order to restore harmony. Whether you're in a relationship or single, a problem with one of your relatives may have taken a toll on your love life. This will also be rectified now, much to your relief.
Capricorn
DEC 22 - JAN 19
There might have been a recent unexpected development in your love life. If that's the case, you'll be carefully considering what it all means this week. It's a thoughtful, reflective, and even philosophical week for you, Capricorn. You're more concerned with making sure you're doing something for the right reasons rather than doing it because it feeds your ego or romantic desires. It's as if you're giving yourself a personal morality check, so that you know you're not lying to yourself or your heart. That is always a good idea.
Aquarius
JAN 20 - FEB 18
If you've felt especially out of sorts, then you're going to see a change this week. Mercury turns direct in your sign on Monday, allowing you to find a mental balance again. If there has been any confusion about the direction of your love life, you will start to see possibilities rather than roadblocks. In other news, if you're in a committed relationship such as a marriage, it's possible your partner will go through a financial change that affects the two of you as a couple. Fortunately, your approach will be realistic. You know it's temporary.
Pisces
FEB 19 - MAR 20
On Monday, a Full Moon in your partnership sector sets an undeniable tone for the rest of the week of emotional focus on love and relationships. However, this doesn't look bad, so no need to worry about it. In fact, it seems as if your partner is working hard to release something that he or she knows isn't serving the relationship. It may have to do with their judgement, critical nature, or heavy expectations of perfection attached to love and partnership. Knowing that your mate is willing to do this much work and reflection will only make you love them even more.
March 05, 2020
By Saybin Roberson
Contributing Writer
Tamron Hall has been in the news and broadcast world for over 10 years, having major accolades and adding big-name daytime shows to her roster. In September of 2019, Hall, in partnership with Disney, debuted her very own, Tamron Hall Show and the success just keeps ringing in.
The Tamron Hall Show has welcomed guests such as Tyler Perry, Kelly Rowland and Bishop T.D. Jakes. With topics ranging from online dating, drug addiction, transgender children and more. Her goal is to keep things real, relatable and at times, unpredictable.
“It’s thrilling,” she says of finally having her television show. “But coming from a military family, I understand we need to keep our heads down and continue to do the work. I feel a sense of responsibility to my team and to our audience, to make sure we’re always excelling.”
As one of the highest-rated shows to come out within the last years, the show was renewed for a second season and announced at the end of last year. Hall expressed great excitement over the news, the second season she says is for growth.
“We’re going to do better and do more. We want to grow every day and continue to evolve the show into its own voice in daytime, where we can come together and talk about things that are fun and entertaining, and also hear stories that are deeply moving.”
A newlywed to music producer Steven Greener and first-time mom, Tamron made a return to daytime television in control and on her own accord. Her son, Moses, was born in May of 2019, just months before her new show premiered. As a new mom, Hall balances her work and mommy-life with a ton of help and consistent support from her loving family.
“It’s impossible to do it all,” she expresses with emphasis. “Thankfully I have help from my family members and a nanny who can make sure Moses is taken care of while I am at work.”
She shares her favorite part of being a mom, “Motherhood is truly like having your heart live outside of your body. I did not know that it was possible for me to love my son this much and it is amazing to watch him grow.”
Regardless of the role, Hall believes in being true and remaining in that light. Her driving principles being honesty and authenticity, while, “creat[ing] a show that my family, my son, and the people who have always cheered me on can be proud of.”
“When I was starting the show, I knew that the TV landscape wasn’t forgiving for women, especially for Black women and as it relates to age,” she says of the challenges she’s now overcome with her daytime talk show.
“I know how it feels to be the only woman in a room full of men, or the only Black woman in a room with no diversity. When I put together my show, it was important for me to have a diverse staff to address the gender and racial disparity in television and ensure I’m building a show where everyone has a seat at the table.”
“Setbacks don’t mean failure; you never know when you’re really getting set up for the next opportunity,” she continued.
So far, she’s accomplished her goal of keeping her family and fans proud and on her side. Her show has been one of her biggest accomplishments and she’s succeeded in breaking down barriers continuously reaching new heights.
Her greatest joy, she shared, “Having my very own show where I get to speak with legends like Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Cicely Tyson every day and connect with the TamFam, who have supported me all these years.”
Watch the Tamron Hall show weekdays on your local ABC 7 channel and visit https://www.tamronhallshow.com/ to keep up with the latest on Tamron Hall.
March 05, 2020
By Hillel Italie
Associated Press
Everything about her latest book club pick, “American Dirt,” was a surprise for Oprah Winfrey. Praised early on as a modern version of “The Grapes of Wrath,” Jeanine Cummins’ novel about a Mexican mother and child fleeing to the U.S, border was strongly criticized by those who accused her of perpetuating stereotypes about Mexicans. The controversy also highlighted the lack of diversity in publishing.
For a taped forum on the novel, Winfrey and Cummins were joined by three critics of the book, and the discussion ran so long that the finished broadcast on Apple TV Plus will be roughly 2 hours, double the usual time for one of her book club programs.
The Associated Press was allowed to attend last month’s taping at a studio in Tucson, Arizona, where Cummins wrote and researched part of the novel. The AP later spoke with Winfrey and Cummins in an upstairs conference room.
Here are highlights from the AP interview:
On how Winfrey and Cummins felt about the show, which also featured interviews with immigrants from Central America:
Winfrey: I felt that it was as balanced as you can be in 2 hours and 40 minutes. In the middle of taping, I was, like, having anxiety, because I knew how many other stories I had to get in and realized I’m not going to be able to tell all those stories. And it’s so important not to cut people in a way that makes them feel that they were not heard. And, so, the producer comes up and tells me that Apple’s agreed to allow this to be two hours. So, then, I actually relaxed.
Cummins: I’m so grateful to Oprah for being the one to facilitate this conversation, because it was terrifying to walk in there knowing that I was going to, potentially, be called upon to defend my book, which is not a thing any writer wants to do ever, under any circumstances. And, in fact, I felt like that conversation was productive. It was civil. I really understood where they were coming from, the women who were there in opposition to the book. I hope that they also understood where I was coming from.
On how the recent controversy will change how Winfrey chooses books for her club:
Winfrey: I’m very interested in these conversations continuing. I will be a part of helping them continue if I think that I can contribute something of value and of meaning. ... And now that we’ve had this moment in the culture, I will now open myself up to more Latinx books.
We do the same thing, I think, you know, other book clubs are doing — you’re seeing what’s coming up, what’s new, when are the new releases. And I just said to Leigh (O Magazine books editor Leigh Haber) the other day, “We should start looking at other books that didn’t do so well.”
How the recent controversy will make Winfrey look more closely at the publishing industry and at the writers she picks:
Winfrey: It has not been a concern of mine, or of interest to me, who is publishing the book. .... “Oh, I chose three Random House books in a row,” or “I chose the Harper’s (HarperCollins) book and then I chose another Harper’s book.” That has never been the (focus). I just really go on “Do I like the book?” and “What is the book?” And, now, I will pay more attention to that. I will also pay more attention to who is writing it. This has actually caused me to pause about who’s writing it: Am I going to have to spend the next two months defending the writer, defending the writer’s right to write the book, or can we actually talk about the story?
I’m not going to play it safer, but I’m not going to wade into water if I don’t have to. I don’t have to wade into water and drown if I don’t have to, because, you know, this has taken up a lot of my energy, a lot of her (Cummins’) energy, and it’s taken the attention away from the real reason I want people to read books.
On whether it had occurred to Cummins that having her book compared to “The Grapes of Wrath” might lead to a backlash:
Cummins: No. I didn’t (realize). I mean, it was all so exciting to me. You know? I was so overwhelmed. I was a writer who came from the lower-mid list and was having the moment of my life.
On how the criticism of Cummins reminded Winfrey of an experience in her own life:
Winfrey: As a young reporter I remember moving to Baltimore and them doing this whole big campaign on “What is an Oprah?” that ended up flopping, because I couldn’t live up to what the promos and publicity were. So, by the time I actually ended up ... on the air, they were like, “Oh, it’s just a black girl with a lot of hair.” And there were people mispronouncing my name and all that stuff. So, I couldn’t live up to it. So, I learned from that, as you (Cummins) are now going to learn from this. I learned from that. When I moved to Chicago, I said, “I don’t want a billboard, not a word, not a bus stop, not a bumper sticker — I want nothing. I want to go on the air. I want to do whatever I’m going to do. And, by word of mouth, people will hear about it and they will know. I don’t want anybody talking about it or talking me up or saying anything.” And I’ve operated from that since, you know?
Cummins: That takes a tremendous amount of self-confidence, as well.
Winfrey: Well, it also take being burned.
On how the response to “American Dirt” might affect whatever Cummins writes next:
Cummins: Right now, the thing that I’m most worried about or most invested in as a writer is making sure that I don’t lose my own voice. You know? And making sure that the experience of this moment doesn’t make me second guess or subvert the stories that move in my heart. So, I’m not sure what those stories will be yet. ... But, to be sure, what’s happened over the last three weeks has had an impact on my heart and, potentially, on what story may grow in there next.
(AP Photo/Hillel Italie)