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You Are The Genre

You Are The Genre

Written by: Tim Barnes
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 Comedian/screenwriter Tim Barnes (The Tonight Show, All That) explores the building blocks of creative careers with award-winning entertainers, thinkers, and generally cool people. New episodes Wednesdays!

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Episodes
  • 👨🏾‍⚖️ [Keesha Sharp] Is The Genre

    👨🏾‍⚖️ [Keesha Sharp] Is The Genre
    May 8 2026
    🔊: Apple - Spotify - NewsletterHey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode, I’m chatting with the incredible actress and television director Keesha Sharp. In my new audio series JUDGE TRAVIS (which has been announced as an official 2026 Tribeca Festival Creators Market Selection), Sharp plays one of the most complex, important, and nuanced characters. In this discussion, we discuss how she stays positive in an ever-shifting and demanding industry, and the important role that music and dance have played in her life and career.All the best,TimAward-nominated actress, writer, and director Keesha Sharp has become known in the entertainment industry for her innate ability to bring complex characters to life on screen, her steadfast professionalism, and her irrefutable beauty, inside and out. Keesha can be seen on season 3 of “Power Book II: Ghost” . Recently, Sharp starred as Trish Murtaugh in the international hit series “Lethal Weapon” for FOX, rebooting the hit movie franchise of the same name. Sharp stood out as Trish, a lawyer and devoted wife and confidante to Roger (Damon Wayans). “Lethal Weapon” became an instant hit in the US and overseas. Sharp was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards for her work on the show. She also recently recurred on the hit FOX series “Empire” and the acclaimed “The Good Fight” (Paramount+).On the film front this year, Sharp stars in the Psychological thriller “Dark My Light” (2023) with Albert Jones and Tom Lipinski. In addition, she stars in “Heist 88” (2023) with Courtney B. Vance and Keith David for Paramount+. This reunites her with her co-star from “The People Vs O.J. Simpson” (Vance) and August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” (David).Sharp is also well known for her role as Dale Cochran, wife of defense attorney Johnnie Cochran (Courtney B. Vance), in the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning limited series “The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” her series regular role as Gigi on the TBS/Syndicated comedy “Are We There Yet,” and as Monica Charles Brooks on the hit CW series “Girlfriends,” for which she was nominated for her first NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.In addition to her diverse acting credits, Keesha Sharp has become a force as a Director as well. Known for her preparation, meticulous dedication to the story and talent for communicating with actors, Sharp is a Director for different genres of television. After making her directorial debut on the multi-cam comedy “Are We There Yet” (TBS), she has gone on to direct dramatic action series “Lethal Weapon” (FOX) and “Black Lightning” (CW), the comedy “The Last OG” (TBS), dramas “Bel Air” (Peacock), “Found” (NBC), “All American: Homecoming” (CW), “Our Kind of People” (FOX) and sci-fi “Charmed” (CW).Listen to You Are The Genre episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.comCREDITS:* Host: Tim Barnes* Guest: Keesha Sharp* Theme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie Nunez* Music Engineer: Adam Smith* Podcast Art: Madhuri Shukla This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe
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    59 mins
  • 👨🏾‍⚖️ [Ben Kruse] Is The Genre

    👨🏾‍⚖️ [Ben Kruse] Is The Genre
    Apr 29 2026

    🔊: Apple - Spotify - Newsletter

    Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode, I’m chatting with audio engineer Ben Kruse. Ben was the editor, sound designer, and mixer for the JUDGE TRAVIS audio series I created. The experience ended up becoming a long, fun, and sometimes at times even therapeutic collaboration. Look forward to some deep dives into audio techniques, Bolivian culture, and music in this conversation.

    All the best,

    Tim

    Ben Kruse in his own words: Chicago based sound engineer that for many years has worked across film, podcast and musical mediums as a sound editor, sound designer, sound effects editor, re-recording mixer, foley editor and composer. More than anything else, as it pertains to my work, I love crafting intricate and detailed soundscapes that help paint emotional canvases.

    I deeply value community engagement and am passionate about fostering collaboration and engaging in thoughtful dialogue with fellow creators and humans alike. Although fully immersed in the U.S. my roots are also firmly planted in the country of Bolivia - which I consider to be home.

    Listen toYou Are The Genre episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!

    Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.com

    CREDITS:

    * Host: Tim Barnes

    * Guest: Ben Kruse

    * Theme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie Nunez

    * Music Engineer: Adam Smith

    * Podcast Art: Madhuri Shukla



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 👨🏾‍⚖️ [Kev Luu] Is The Genre

    👨🏾‍⚖️ [Kev Luu] Is The Genre
    Apr 1 2026

    🔊: Apple - Spotify - Newsletter

    Hey, I’m Tim Barnes, you are the genre, and in this episode I’m chatting musician and DJ Kev Luu about his creative journey from Las Vegas to L.A. and creating the original music for my audio sitcom JUDGE TRAVIS. Kev shares some incredible insights on the immigrant experience, supporting his elders through the non-profit Seniors Fight Back and how he’s pushed through the many challenges millennials have faces since the Great Recession. Remember that?!

    We recorded this so long ago and I’m glad it can finally reach your ears! Comment with moments that resonate with you!

    All the best,

    Tim

    Kev Luu is a Los Angeles based DJ, music producer, and audio engineer. For Judge Travis, Kev composed and produced the original music featured throughout the scripted comedy podcast, helping shape the show’s sonic identity with custom scoring and musical cues. Outside of podcast scoring, Kev performs as a DJ and MC for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations while producing original music across hip-hop, pop, and electronic genres.

    Listen toYou Are The Genre episodes a week earlier than the rest by selecting a paid subscription to the newsletter!

    Merch and more are coming soon at YouAreTheGenre.com

    CREDITS:

    * Host: Tim Barnes

    * Guest: Kev Luu

    * Theme Song: “You Are The Genre” by Freddie Nunez

    * Music Engineer: Adam Smith

    * Podcast Art: Madhuri Shukla



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromafricanamerica.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
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