A Black Lady Sketch Show season 1 episode 5 recap: Why are her pies wet, Lord?

A Black Lady Sketch Show returns some old favorites from previous episodes and asks the age-old question: Why are her pies wet, Lord?

As usual with A Black Lady Sketch Show, let’s check in on the end of the world. It’s about 9 hours after the mysterious event and Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, Quinta Brunson and Ashley Nicole Black are still just sitting around (and still drinking, of course).

Honestly, it’s probably the most uneventful the post-apocalypse has been so far this season. They talk about the first celebrities who made them think about sex, they try to meditate, they ignore Black’s attempts to get them to talk about her weird turn on (vocal fry) and they confront Brunson about eating all of their snacks.

There are some good jokes in there, but it’s mostly just witty banter, at which all three women are fantastic.

The Joy

The first sketch of this episode of A Black Lady Sketch Show is a direct shot at the trope and idea that black women are always angry.

Thede, Dennis, Brunson and Black are on a camping/hiking trip, having a wonderful time. (Happy Disney-esque music and cartoon chipmunk included.) Even things that might bring a frustrated or angry response in scenes in other shows or movies—like two women wearing the same top and one gets a compliment while the other doesn’t, or spending time pitching a tent only for that tent to collapse as soon as they finish—elicits only laughter.

Brunson falls over and edge and slides down a hill? Only laughter.

It’s a simple, fun scene to kick off the episode.

Church Open Mic: Part 2

It’s potluck time at the church and David Alan Grier as the pastor simply wants a volunteer to pray over the food. Of course, every single hand shoots up.

Brunson (well, old lady Brunson) reaches the microphone first. She asks for blessings on the food, but also on herself ‘cause, you know, she did most of the work. She also starts to go off on another parishioner who had brought sweet potato pie—which is Brunson’s specialty. (“Why are her pies WET?” Brunson asks.)

Executive producer Issa Rae also makes an appearance, offering up a prayer. Well, a song. Well, a soundcloud promo.

And, to no one’s surprise, Thede gets up and pulls out her own mic to do some work on her standup routine that now somehow includes a Borat impression.

Grier tries to cut things off, but gets overrun by a couple looking for a third in their relationship who will *cough* “speak in tongues”…

He finally flips and yells. Everyone gets up and walks out on him, leaving him to eat alone.

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Chris and Lachel: Exit Row

Well, after their wedding, featuring their inability to simply say “I do,” I’m sure you can see where this sketch is going. And it’s worth the journey with Chris and Lachel.

They’re on a plane on their way to their honeymoon and they’re sitting in an exit row. The flight attendant (Yvonne Orji) asks them if they’re willing and able to help if there’s an emergency and, of course, neither can offer a straight, simple “yes.” Things escalate, with Orji threatening to move both of them to middle seats at the back of the plane if they don’t comply.

Eventually, Broderick Hunter walks by, pulling a “yes” from Lachel as she ogles him. Orji eagerly accepts that “yes” and relocates Chris to the back so the plane can leave.

Orji then offers the newly opened exit row seat to Hunter, who accepts. Of course, this makes Chris jealous and he starts a very loud conversation with Lachel from the back of the plane, shouting over everyone’s heads.

Cool Handshake Teacher Needs a Win

Ms. Miller (Dennis) is one of those teachers who does a special handshake with each of her students as they enter her classroom. Until one day, the students just aren’t into the handshakes any more.

The students say they only do it cause she likes it and she seems sad. After all, they noticed when she stopped writing “Ms. Miller-Hicks” and when she gave their assignments back covered in tears.

Ms. Miller denies for a while, but then finally snaps, confessing that her husband cheated on her and left her. She starts to cry.

Then, in a very “O Captain, my Captain” moment, one student gets on her chair and says their class’ phrase and does her handshake with a crying Ms. Miller.

The sketch ends, showing it’s an ad for the lottery—when you really need a win.

Annoying Woman

The final sketch in this episode of A Black Lady Sketch Show centers around Jackie (Black) who is insanely annoying. She’s on her way to her old school where her former teacher is being given an award. (She’s documenting this all on her phone via selfie stick.)

However, once she gets there, no one knows who she is. Even the people who she says are her parents don’t recognize her. It’d all feel very Twilight Zone if it wasn’t for the fact that she’s just so annoying.

Finally, she gives up trying to get people to remember her and she leaves, screaming and wailing.

Once she’s out the door, everyone in the room cheers, celebrating getting rid of her (presumably forever). Even her parents, after taking a second to wonder if they were too hard on her, decide they did the right thing.

What did you think of this episode of A Black Lady Sketch Show? Let us know in the comments!