(Photo: Centric TV)
If you’re in need of some unconventional wisdom, or simply a good laugh, Centric TV’s “Ask Auntie” is just the medicine for your troubles. The digital series’ stars, three every day “aunties” from Harlem, give their take on just about everything from sleeping with your best friend to more taboo topics like dating bisexual men.
Simply put, aunties Landa, Fran and Wendy keep it real, giving you the advice you need with no filter.
Auntie Landa describes herself as “the no-nonsense auntie,” she says, “I always think that I’m funny even when I’m not sometimes. And I’m kind of a straight shooter; in a sense, I give it to you with no chaser.
“I’m the only one of the aunties that actually drinks hard liquor (Bourbon) and I’m the only auntie that smokes cigars,” she adds.
Auntie Fran says she brings “the color to the show,” and describes herself as “the more profound auntie.” All the aunties jokingly agree that Auntie Fran is the ‘dude’ of the group, more like an uncle.
To balance the craziness, you have Auntie Wendy aka “the voice of reason.” Her advice is kind of motherly, without guilt or shame, because people have real problems out there, so they should be able to ask her opinion without feeling silly or ashamed. “I want to help everyone because sometimes I really think that my life purpose is to be a mother and sometimes people just need a hug or a pat on the back to get them through the day… so that’s me,” she says.
But when the aunties are together before the camera, there’s no question it’s TV magic.
“I think we are really naturally funny b*tches,” says Auntie Fran.
There is truth in that statement, and is why the women went from being ‘hood famous’ from an independent web series, to being picked up this year by Centric, the sister network to BET. Being on a multi-platform lifestyle brand wasn’t a transition for them; the only difference was bigger cameras, better make-up artists to keep their faces ‘beat to the gawds,’ and more drinking (if you haven’t seen an episode, you can always catch them with a glass in their hand).
But you can’t blame them. What better way to wind down than with a nice drink? “Ask Auntie” isn’t necessarily bringing a new experience to the world, but they’re certainly bringing a real experience.
When it comes to perception, and how people would view their “realness” on their new platform, Auntie Fran and Auntie Landa weren’t worried. Auntie Wendy, however, felt indifferent. “I was very afraid because when we speak, and it’s just us having drinks, we just say whatever comes off the top of our heads,” she says. “There is no filter at all, but going into this medium, I felt like people would misunderstand the way things are said.”
As far as their chemistry goes, Auntie Fran, Auntie Wendy, and Auntie Landa are definitely what social media would call #friendshipgoals. From childhood to grown-ups, they’ve cultivated a friendship that has lasted through the good and bad times. Sisterhood, they say, is everything to them.
“This day in age, people throw away friendships in a blink of an eye. When it comes to millennials, Auntie Landa says. “You look at the millennials these days and unfortunately this era, to me, doesn’t know the value of true friendship. A friend should be able to fuss, fight, whatever but if you’re a true friend, you know how to say sorry and move on.”
Auntie Landa and Auntie Wendy are also cancer survivors. Wendy says that, among other life experiences, has made them appreciate life, friends and relationships so much more.
Though “Ask Auntie” is only a couple of episodes in, the aunties say they would love to one day have a television show. But for now, they’re looking forward to filming more episodes, and hope to start producing their own content.
For more from the ladies of “Ask Auntie,” catch up on episodes here!
