Block Party (2022) - full transcript

["Come & Get It" by 80AM
feat. Janaé E playing]

♪ Got the face on
Like oh, yeah ♪

♪ In the mirror
Lookin' like mm, yeah ♪

♪ On the run like gym shoes

♪ Stepping on the deck
With the brand new-new ♪

♪ Vroom-vroom, I'm flying
High with the vultures ♪

♪ And I'm feeling that heat
'Cause I'm golden ♪

♪ I got the keys, I'm a queen

♪ Feeling good, I gotta sing

♪ Just a good day,
Have a good day ♪

♪ I got sunshine on my face



♪ Singing bee-bop
Wherever I go ♪

♪ I got sunshine in my soul

♪ I want everyone to know

♪ So I got to let it show

Looking good.

♪ Come and get it

Good to have you back
this year, Carlton.

-My name is Ryan.
-Oh.

[Janice] Well guys,
we only got a week.

Got to stay on top of our game.

Be back in a minute.

♪ I got sand down in my boots

♪ Time to get loose, get loose

-[man 1] Look out!
-[Ryan screams]



♪ Pride long, and it's stronger
Than a brick house ♪

♪ Please don't make me
have to bring the b#### out ♪

♪ Here and now I see it all

♪ Looking in my crystal ball

♪ Here and now I see it all

♪ Looking in my crystal ball

♪ Build them bricks up
One by one... ♪

[call notification ringing]

♪ Build them bricks up
One by one ♪

♪ Stack it tall,
Don't let it fall ♪

-[music stops]
-Hey.

Mom, I was going
to call last night.

But... You there?

Yeah, I'm just out here
multitasking,

checking out my new gun,

and I'm calling to remind you
about the shoes, remember?

Your first day, you're wearing
those Michael Kors flats

with that cute little...

-Mom.
- ...Sparkle on the-- Yeah.

I got this. I'm gonna
start work on Monday.

Rule the world by Tuesday.
just like we planned.

Listen, you're working for
theCrystal Maitland, Keke,

okay? This is very important.
You worked so hard for this.

Your dad and I spent
a lot for that degree.

As if you gave me
any other option

-but to wildly succeed.
- Don't screw it up.

- Wear the damn shoes.
-[Sean] Hey sweetie, Tash.

-Daddy, How are you?
- Oh hey, Miss Harvard MBA!

When you coming home?
I made pecan pie.

Yeah, and just so
you know, I ate it all.

-[Tasha] He did.
-[Sean] Oh!

Guess who I saw
at that Thai place

on Diamond that gives me gas?

Your old beau Will.

Dad, I told you years ago.
Will is dead to me.

Just sayin'. The dead
is looking pretty good.

- I'll be right back, okay?
-[phone alert dings]

[Tasha] Oh no, wait a minute.

Gram-jam's been rushed
to the hospital.

-Wait, what?
- Baby girl, I don't know.

But you know what? I'm on it.

-Mom, is she okay?
- Keke, I got it.

[sighs] Oh!

You know what, Sean?
Take my gun again

and see what happens.

-[ambulance sirens]
-[Dr. Ligon] So how's
the block party coming?

It's the 40th anniversary,
you know.

My family never misses it.

Great. It's the 40th
anniversary, you know.

Janice, I want you
to remember these five words

and repeat them for me
in the same order, okay?

-Okay.
-Blue, clock,

train, white, Texas.

Blue, clock,

Texas, white, racist.

[upbeat music]

Well, my mama
may be falling apart,

but my baby girl is starting
a brand new job

-with theCrystal Mait--
-[Debra] Maitland.

We know, we know.

You done told us
a hundred damn times.

You know what, Debra?
I can't with you.

Where the hell have you been?

Since when y'all
started being punctual?

Well, we all are here.

Everybody loves your mom.
Don't pretend you don't know.

It's easy to enjoy the game
with box seats.

-[Jim farts]
-[Sean] Tash.

I need me a change of Depends.

-Go. You do it.
-No, you.

-He depending on you.
-It's your turn.

[Daryl] No, it's your turn.

-Remind me--
-[exclaims] My baby!

-[Debra] Keke!
-[Daryl] What! C'mon!

-Hi baby. Okay.
-What are you doing here?

-Why are you in Michigan?
-Don't worry.

I go back tomorrow. I just
wanted to come for the weekend

-to check on Gram-jam.
-Yeah, Tasha, come on.

-Just give your daughter a hug.
-Come on, give your mama a hug.

Oh my goodness.

Honey, how long have you had
these nappy things on your head?

Twenty weeks?

You smell like old hot dog water
and trap house carpet.

-Baby, her hair is fine.
-[Tasha] Sean.

She is working for
a Fortune 500 company.

She's not a bassist
in a reggae band.

I was going to have them
taken out and then you call--

Never mind. How's Gram-jam?

-Hey, y'all. Sorry we late.
-Hey.

Hey, Keke. How's it going?

Hey, you remember me, right?
Your cousin-in-law.

-Married your cousin here.
-Yes, Ben, I remember you.

Eboni, your braid
looks on point.

Thank you.

It must be nice not to care
about your appearance.

You're so brave, girl.
I couldn't do it.

[upbeat music]

Bunny rabbit, you're here!

-[laughing]
-Gram-jam!

[Tasha] Well,
your daughter's here too.

-And your other granddaughter.
-[Janice] You look so good.

I'm so glad you made it
in time for Summer Sizzle.

It's the 40th anniversary,
you know.

Oh, I can't wait
to play our song.

Gram-jam, I can't stay
for Summer Sizzle.

We talked about this
on the phone, remember?

Mom, you know, Keke's got
to get back to Atlanta tomorrow.

She's working with theCrystal
Maitland Monday morning,

the number one Black
entrepreneur in America.

-I told you this.
-But Keke,

the doctor says my mind
ain't what it used to be,

and I'm going to need
a lot of help to make sure

that the Summer Sizzle
is going to be a success.

And it's the 40th
anniversary this year.

I've got to do my finale.

[sighs]

[Tasha] Ma, look. I, um...

I don't think you're going
to be able to run

the block party this year,
with or without help.

Has Gram-jam been repeating
herself a lot lately?

Are you kidding me?

One minute she's in
and the next she's out.

Just like your Black card.

You'd know that if you were here
more than Christmas and Easter.

Excuse me, Mrs. McQueen,
could we speak for a moment?

[Tasha] Yeah.
Be right back, Mom.

[Janice] You have to run
the block party this year.

I wish I could stay.
I really do.

-But I can't.
-You remember how much fun

we used to have?

Oh! [laughs]

And our dance.

♪ Ooh, baby...

- ♪ You got that...
Whatever it was.
-[both laugh]

[Tasha] Dr. Ligon seems to think

that Gram-jam
should be fine for now,

with a part time
at-home caregiver.

But at some point,
with her dementia,

she's going to need
full-time assisted living.

[Sean] I don't even
want to think about

how much that assisted living
is going to cost.

I'm sure a part-time nurse
won't be cheap either.

No. I'm going to start
getting them checks ready

because the first candidate
for her nurse starts tomorrow

-on a trial basis.
-I don't like the idea

of some stranger
in Gram-jam's house.

How do we know
we can trust this person?

Well, if you want to meet her,
come with us tomorrow afternoon.

My flight's at 4 p.m.

I was meaning to ask you
for a ride to the airport.

[Tasha] You can meet her
via Zoom from Atlanta.

[upbeat music]

♪ Ooh, baby,
I think I love ya... ♪

I'll change my flight
to a later time.

-It's no big deal.
-There you go.

You know, you're gonna work
my last nerve.

You're getting on that plane,

right after you get
that hair done.

Say something, Sean.

Mm-hmm.

[upbeat music]

[Daryl] You remember the year
DeBarge reunited onstage?

Ooh, and some of them
still look damn good today.

You always wanted one of them
pretty-haired, light skin

DeBarge people.

There she is!

The Harvard graduate,
two times over.

We were just talking about
all the old Summer Sizzles.

Thanks for taking my braids out
on such short notice.

Anything for you.
Now your mama called,

she wants me
to give you a condition,

a cellophane and beachy wave.

Yes, she thinks straightened
hair is far more professional.

Tasha's been listening to
too much Paul Mooney,

God rest his soul.

What's that he said?
"Your hair relaxed,

-white people relaxed."
-[chuckles]

[all] "If your head nappy,
they ain't happy."

[all laugh]

So your mama sends you
all the way to Atlanta

to Crystal Maitland with some
big plan to take over the world.

I wish your mama would put
a plan of action in place

to help more with Janice.
Seriously, Keke,

we really appreciate
what you're doing.

I mean, she just wanted me
to come see her.

No, don't be modest.

She told us that
you're going to handle

the block party this year.

And God knows
she can't do it herself.

So he sent you. Amen.

Yes. And the assistant
director is now the director.

You should book the DeBarges.
Baby, that's our song.

-Ooh!
-[Daryl] ♪ Baby

[both] ♪ All this love
Is waiting for you ♪

♪ My baby

-Hey!
-[both] ♪ My darling

-♪ Baby, all this love...
- ♪ All our love

-[both] ♪ Is waiting for you
- ♪ Waiting for you

Do the other part, they go,

-[both] ♪ Say who loves you...
-Wait, no, no.

I'm not taking over the
block party or anything else.

Well, that's what she told me.

-And me.
-And me.

This is all news to me.

[Debra] So Janice didn't
ask you for help?

She asked me for help,
but I never said--

And you said no?

[hip-hop playing]

Hey, hey, hey.

Morning, family.

Morning Debra, Daryl.
People I do not know.

I brought donuts
and coffee, y'all.

Oh, Buddy is so nice. So sweet.

I'm just a simple white boy
trying to be neighborly.

Especially so close
to Juneteenth, am I right?

Know what I'm saying?
Can I get a witness?

Anyway. Hey.

I want to sponsor a booth
in Summer Sizzle.

[laughs] Who I give
my cheddar cheese to?

Oh, Keke's handling all that.

-[Buddy] Yes!
-No.

Yes, queen, yes.

Hey, hey, hey. My card.

-[Keke] No, I--
-[Buddy sighs]

I heard about Granny.
Prayers went up.

Glad it's all good.
Amazing woman.

She is the Rosa Parks
of Coretta Scott Kings

of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Anyway, I gots to go.

-Audi 5000, y'all.
-Thanks again, Buddy.

Oh, and...

[inhales]

Your lives do matter.

-[Keke] Mm.
-[Daryl exhales]

[exhales] Adios.

That is goodbye
in Mexican. Peace.

[Tasha] This is the game plan.
We stay strong.

Under no circumstances
are you to stay here

and help with the block party.

You know, your grandmother
may have dementia,

but she is still
a very determined woman.

Summer Sizzle
is less than a week away.

-And look at this mess.
-Promise me

that you'll get
on that plane tonight.

She's going to pull at your
heartstrings. Your sweet tooth.

Okay? She's going to use
all her weapons.

-She's got your number.
-Mom.

Your mama is right.

Your grandmother
is a conniving old woman,

-and I say that with love.
-Sean.

I said I said it with love.
All right, let's do it.

[car doors slamming]

Young William.

-Hey, boy, how you doing?
-What's up, y'all?

Yo, Keke? What's up?

Will. What are you doing here?

Uh, I was actually
just dropping off

Gram-jam's delivery
for her joint pain.

I think that should be
left her doctors,

and not whatever it is
you got going on.

You're still mad at me.

I understand.

-I'mma see you later.
-I leave tonight.

So maybe next time.

-[car engine starts]
-[rap plays on stereo]

-[Alice] Keke.
-Alice.

-You two know each other?
-We were in third grade

accelerated Chinese
summer camp together.

-[speaking Mandarin]
-[speaking Mandarin]

Your grandma's doing great,
by the way.

Dr. Ligon upped
my steroid prescription

and I'm feeling so much better.

Keke, I got a surprise for you.

-Wow.
-[Alice] I see this a lot.

Steroids often give
a false sense of confidence.

Uh-huh, to her and every
real housewife of Atlanta.

-Yeah.
-[Janice] As I recall, Keke,

you and Alice were
close friends back in the day.

Uh, close?
Mom wanted me to be Alice.

[Tasha] Come on, now.

You know, she had such
a success-minded family.

Of course I wanted
to be just like her.

My parents loved me
when I was an obedient student.

Loved. [laughs]

They loved me.

[Alice laughing]

[Tasha] Okay.

Well, you know, all those
Chinese immersion classes

are what got my Keke
into Harvard.

-Isn't that right?
-[Janice] Keke?

You're not going to guess
what I got for you.

I made your favorite.

So, appears she's back
to her manipulative self.

Now, are you sure
she has dementia?

She has her moments.

I know you only want to hire
a caregiver three days a week,

but I think
she probably needs five

and would probably look
into full time senior housing.

Well, trying to find
decent senior housing

for working class Black folks
is hard and expensive.

And those places aren't
really set up for Black folks.

I mean, There's no
bid whist or spades.

Just a bunch of white folks

sitting around eating food
that tastes like cardboard.

Baby, they don't even have
hot sauce in those places.

-It's a damn shame.
-[Janice giggles]

You're not gonna guess
what I have.

-[Keke squeals]
-There's plenty more

if you stay for Summer Sizzle.

[Tasha] Mmm.

Gram-jam.

These have kick.

Yeah, the cinnamon
has got a zing to it.

-Mm. [coughs]
-You used to eat them
in one bite.

Is anything wrong?

-[choking] Yummy.
-Good.

-I'll go get some more.
-[coughs]

Hey Keke, I think
she probably mixed up

the cinnamon
and the Cayenne again.

-[choking] Now you tell me?
-It's like Russian roulette.

Sometimes they're just fine.

Dementia sometimes
damages smell and taste

-along with loss of inhibitions.
-Oh.

Did I tell you that this
is the 40th anniversary

-of Summer Sizzle?
-Only for the hundredth time.

We've got vendors, food.
We've got music.

All we need is you,
bunny rabbit.

Mama, stop it!
I know what you're trying to do.

[giggles] Anybody say
home movie time?

Home movie time!

All right, all right.

-[Tasha] No one said movie time.
-[upbeat music on TV]

-Oh boy.
-[Janice] Look at us, Keke.

You were so cute
with those glasses.

Uh-oh. [laughs]

Thank God for contacts.

[R&B music playing on TV]

Ooh. Now that's the
neighborhood busboy, Dennis.

Woo!

Dennis is actually a huge
restaurateur in the D now.

-Yeah.
-He used to give me

those special kisses, ooh.

-Right between my... [gasps]
-[Tasha] Mom! Mom.

-Mom, mom.
-Stop it, stop it.

Stop it, please.
We don't need to hear all that.

[Janice] Mmm, mmm.

[upbeat music on TV]
♪ Head to toe...

[laughing] Look at you.

♪ Today started with
A crazy kiss... ♪

[Janice laughs]

Come on, Keke. Let's dance.

Dance like you used to.
Come on, girl.

-Keke.
-Dance with me. Come on, Keke.

They say that one of
the best ways to connect

-with dementia patients
is through music.
-[Janice] It's our song, girl.

[sighs]

Come on, let's show 'em.

[upbeat music]

[laughing]

♪♪

♪ I got to, got to
Tell ya, darling ♪

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

[laughs]

Don't enable her fantasy, Keke.

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

-[laughs]
-Stop!

♪ From head to toe...

♪ I know...

Okay, I'll do it. I'll stay
and plan Summer Sizzle.

[all shriek]

[Tasha shrieking]

[shriek echoes]

[Keke] Thank you so much

for coming to this emergency
Summer Sizzle planning meeting.

Janice, Gram-jam,
is going to get a little help

from her assistant
director this year.

-Keke saved the day.
-[all cheer]

[cheers and applause]

-[Keke] We have a lot
of details to go over.
-So you in charge, huh?

Trust me, Eboni,
I don't want to be.

Then maybe I should be.

[Keke] Look, I understand
how you might be feeling.

Our family treats me
differently than you.

Can we please set
that aside for Gram-jam?

You know, I got passed over

the role of running
the block party this year,

but I completely
understand why it's you.

Even though I run
a local business,

have a good relationship
with the neighborhood,

and I've been to every
block party since I was born.
I haven't missed one.

But you, you got...

What's your
qualifications again?

I was Gram-jam's
assistant director for years.

I have a degree in global
strategic planning from--

Harvard. We know.

You'd get it tatted on
your forehead if you could.

[Janice] Enough, you two.

It wasn't that long ago

that you would make up
by braiding each other's hair.

-Remember that?
-Yeah, that's not happening,

Grandma, Keke needs
corporate hair now.

Getting back to the issue--

And I'll have you know,
I planned an all-Ivy

a cappella summit
for three years,

and it was
a highly-lauded event.

-[Eboni] Wow.
-You've been watching
too many Pitch Perfectmovies.

Can we get down to business?

Yes. Business.

I just remembered
what I was going to say.

We don't have any
entertainment booked yet.

-Wait, what?
-[Daryl] Wait, wait.

The block party
is five days away,

and you're just now saying
we don't have any entertainment?

[Debra] No Marvin Sapp,
no El DeBarge, no DeBarges?

Not one at all?

Well, I really wanted to bring
the funk down really hard.

But before I knew it,
it was summer

and there was no money
in the accounts.

-And--
-Wait.

What about the money
you pay to the vendors?

The stage managers,
the security, the porta-potties?

Well, normally the sponsors
pay for all of that.

-And?
-And, well...

This is special.

It's the 40th anniversary
and all.

That can't be right, Alice.

Well, Janice hasn't been able

to go through her accounts
as of lately,

so she's not really up to date.

But no worries.
I'm very good at math.

I went through all the books,
and I can confidently tell you

-that we have enough.
-Okay.

Information.

Enough information
to determine that...

Janice is correct.
You don't have any money.

How are we going to pay
for all of this?

Well, when people come,
they spend money.

People come for the block party,
but they spend for the music.

We ain't got no stage
and we ain't got no band.

We're talking about
throwing a party.

We can't do that.

[Janice] Well, I used to be
a DJ back in the day.

I'll spin again, no problem.

Janice can DJ?

She never DJ'd
a day in her life.

[Eboni] Y'all,
don't worry about it.

I'm sure Miss Harvard
will figure it out.

[Janice] No worries, y'all.

When Jesus closes a door,

God locks you in the bathroom.

-[Daryl] Hmm.
-[Keke] The good news is,

with no money, no sponsors

and no entertainment,
it can't get much worse.

We also don't have the required
permits from the city.

Oh my goodness.

[upbeat music]

Listen, man. Your check for the
block party insurance bounced.

Unless those fees are covered,

I can't issue a permit.

And the fees are $15,000.

Fifteen thousand dollars?

Fifteen thousand dollars,
or there's no permit.

Yes. Good night.

[receiver clacking]

Welcome home, cuz.

So I hear the Summer Sizzle

is turning out to be
quite the Fall Fizzle.

No, quite the opposite,
actually.

[Tasha] Mm.

I mean, do y'all have anyone
booked for entertainment?

I'm working on it.

-It's good.
-Just smooth sailing, huh?

[Sean] Mmm, oh.

This is good stuff.

Absolutely.

So if everything's going
so smoothly, Keke,

why does it seem to be so hard
for you to get back to Atlanta

-on time?
-Not having
this conversation again.

I said there's
a family emergency.

Well, Eboni says
you don't have any money

-or any sponsors.
-Eboni's full of shit.

No cussing in this house, Keke.

Damn, these ribs, though.

It tastes like God's own
slow-cooked cow.

I mean, could you imagine

how good God's own
slow-cooked cow must taste?

This damn good right here.
[laughs] Right?

This damn...
This good right here.

I'm sorry. I just don't
understand why my daughter

would throw away a dream job
for some silly block party.

Just don't understand
why my mother is so cold.

-Not sorry.
-Watch your tone, Keke.

-This is my last time
telling you.
-Tasha. Keke.

Ribs.

Fine.

Oh. Oh my goodness, baby.
These are very tender.

-You were not lying.
-Good ribs, Dad.

-Tender is the word, right?
-[Tasha] Yeah.

Now that I have your attention
and a mouth full of ribs,

Keke, if you need
local sponsorship,

Will Rencher
is your ticket, baby.

I understand that
he's quite the businessman.

Dad, I told you,
I'm never trusting Will again.

[Tasha] Sean, she said she
wants nothing to do with him.

Keke's just bitten off
a little more than she can chew.

I do have a couple
of businesses,

but in my free time I like to
give financial literacy courses.

And I think these days
it's more about creating

generational wealth
in the Black community.

That was the topic
of my dissertation.

Oh.

Caught the attention
of Crystal Maitland.

Word. TheCrystal Maitland.

-Yeah.
-[laughs] Oh, wow.

[Keke] I'm glad to see
you're doing so well.

[Will] I'm okay.

Guess you didn't need
the Ivy League after all.

Yeah. [exhales]
The Ivy League thing.

That just wasn't for me.

We had a plan, Will.

Key, you had a plan.

Taking over the world
was never part of my plan.

But you could have told me that
before Freshman move-in day.

You lied to me.

Okay.

Let's just say
I told you the truth.

"I'm not going."

Would you have still gone?

That's right.
I didn't think you would.

Then your mom
would've had to kill me

for ruining your future.
Then, c'mon now.

-The most painful way possible.
-[laughs] Exactly.

I rest my case.

I'm sorry.

So what's up? You need
help with these sponsors,

-or what's up? How can I help?
-Yes, I do.

Okay. But I need
one thing in return.

What?

Stick around for a little bit.

I miss your vibe.

Oh, it's my vibes you miss?

[atmospheric music]

[Alice] You sure you want
to spend your own money?

Isn't that like
your rainy day account?

[sighs] God, I used to have
a rainy day account.

Well, let's go buy
a $15,000 piece of paper.

[scatting] Bam!

[scatting] Shit!

Excuse me? Mr. Fire Marshal?

-Mm-hmm.
-[Keke] Sorry we're late.

I have the money for
Janice Summers' block party.

-No.
-[Keke] Right here.

No, baby girl. No, no, no.

Listen. Summer Sizzle
is a Grand Rapids institution.

Your grandmother
was celebrating Juneteenth

way before
it was a federal holiday.

I go every year just to get
them chicken wings,

the little chicken wings.
Oh my God!

Come on! I got you.

Really, because that's not
what it sounded like

-on the phone.
-I had to cover.

Do you know how we do
when white people around.

So I got to put
on that white voice.

[mocking voice] "Uh, I got ya.

Come down here and pay
your goddamn bill."

I got you.

Okay? Thank God.
I was hoping this

didn't turn into some
bureaucratic nightmare.

Gus never follows the rules.

That's why he's always
on probation.

-Ain't that right, Gus?
-Whatever, Joy.

Let me see your paper.

You know, why don't you ever
play the office lottery pool?

-You clearly love the lottery.
-Uh-huh.

Because I play what
Jesus wants me to play.

-Okay.
-Okay.

Ain't nobody asked her.

-She do what Karen want to do.
-[snorts] Karen, good one.

Thanks for everything, Gus,
we really appreciate it.

Okay, just tell me
where I need to stamp this.

Then you guys
will be on your way.

Keke, those are $30 scratchers.

-They make $30 scratchers?
-Yeah. You don't lose big,

-you can't win big.
-[Joy] That's not true.

That's why we have the office
lotto in the first place.

We spread out the risk

so we could share
in a massive reward together.

Sometimes Black people want
to win stuff by themselves, Joy.

-[groans]
-Just because you got
the Anita Baker haircut,

don't mean you know
what Anita Baker went through.

Damn!

Sorry, I didn't mean
for you guys...

to hear that.
Um. [clears throat]

Fifteen thousand
seems a bit excessive.

Paperwork seems to be in order.

You good.

Oh my God, you're going
to let me keep the money?

We good.

You're not even gonna look
at their permit paperwork?

I ain't gonna do shit
but scratch this.

You want to stop this?

Because I'm gonna tell you
right now. You stop me--

Oh shit!

I won.

I won.

I won the lottery.

I--

Let me be cool, let me be cool.
They say Black people act--

[shouting] I motherfucking won!

That's right!

Now!

Cheetos is on the house!

You get some Cheetos!
You get some Cheetos!

You get some Cheetos!

Listen, everybody.
I've had a great time

being a fireman, but I quit!
[cheers]

You're really gonna quit this
close to getting your pension?

This is my pension.

All my life, I wanted
to go on Broadway,

and sing.

Listen, it's been fun
working with you people.

I don't mean that racially.

I'm gonna write a play.

I'm gonna take it to Broadway.

Go see my play.

Joy, follow your dreams.

[singing] ♪ I...

♪ Am a fireman

♪ Fireman and rainbows

♪ And pussy cats and candy

- ♪ Magical things happen
-[crunching]

- ♪ If you believe...
-[Joy] Well.

I guess that makes me
fire marshal pro tem.

-[singing continues]
-I'll need that check.

And I need another look
at that paperwork.

-But Gus just said--
-[makes noise]

I don't care what Gus said.

I do things like a Karen.

Overall,
that went over pretty well.

One more thing. Music.

Right. Kind of important.

That's why we're taking
a trip to Detroit.

-Motown.
-Impromptu trip to the D.

I like it. What about Janice?

Oh, Gram-jam's coming.

-[cars honking]
-[tires screech]

Gram-jam, you have to look
in your rearview mirror

-before you merge!
-You're making me nervous.

Now stop it! They haven't
taken my license yet.

So that means I must be safe.

Okay. Let's go over
the plan again.

Uh, when you see Dennis...

what are you gonna say?

When I see
my former lover, Dennis,

I'm going to talk to him
about booking

this fancy DJ that y'all love.

-What's his name?
-Dee Nice.

Just so you know,
I haven't seen him in...

I don't know how long
and the last time I saw him,

my titties were sitting...
[gasps]

-My titties were sitting up.
-[tires screech]

Oh lord, I got to fix this.

Gram-jam, you have to hold
onto the steering wheel.

-Hold on to the steering wheel.
-Okay, okay.

Titties are important, you know.

Make it stop. Make it stop.

[jazzy music]

[Dennis] That's just why I love
to invest in Black businesses,

if the company's
in the black, I invest.

-Simple rule.
-I think that's him.

I sure hope so.

Hey, stick to the plan,
Gram-jam.

-Dennis.
-Okay buddy. Talk to you later.

I'll be darned.

Janice Summers, grand master
of the Summer Sizzle.

How you been, girl?

-[Janice] It's been a while.
-A good while.

-Long time.
-Got a nice place here, Dennis.

It's a good looking place, but
not nearly as beautiful as you.

Hi. I'm Keke,
Janice's granddaughter.

I'm Alice. No relation.

I remember you, Keke.

Yeah. Used to run around with
those little bitty glasses on,

trying to boss everybody
at the dunk tank.

That was you.

So tell me,
what brings you here?

Well, it's the 40th anniversary

of Summer Sizzle Juneteenth.

And since you have a nice D...

-What did she say?
-[Janice] I would love it

if your nice D
would perform for me.

She means Dee Nice.

Well, yes, that makes
a little bit more sense.

Let me see if I got this right.

You're going to just
roll up in here

and try to compel me to recruit
the biggest DJ in the world

to host your little block party

on Juneteenth.
Of all days, Juneteenth.

Do you know Juneteenth
is Dee Nice's birthday?

What makes you think I'll just
pick up the phone and call him?

What could compel me to do that?

Will these refresh your memory?

[necklace jingles]

[both laugh]

Consider my memory refreshed.

-Here you go.
-[chuckles]

So he introduces her
as his wife, to my boss...

[all laugh]

Men and their silly willies.

[all laugh]

Excuse the interruption, ladies,

but Dee Nice's manager
informs me

that he will be
on tour in Europe

-for the next three months.
-Of course he is.

But you ladies enjoy yourselves,

have whatever
you'd like to drink.

It's on me.
Especially you, dear.

Enjoy.

[Alice] I mean, maybe
we don't need a DJ.

Not to brag,
but my Spotify playlist

is pretty on point,
and I'm particularly proud of

Meditative Frog Sounds
Volume Two.

All those years, I said no
to going the club

and rubbing up on rappers,
and look at me now.

What I wouldn't give
for Playboy Cardi's number.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

We don't have to ingratiate
ourselves with a man.

We got the Grandma Mafia.

-What?
-What's Grandma Mafia?

We run the town.

As matter of fact,
I've got a friend

who's got a very,
very famous grandson.

I even think
that he won a Grammy.

-What's his name?
-I don't know. I don't remember.

What's his grandma's name?

-I don't remember.
-What do you remember?

I'm the one with dementia,
remember?

Hold on. Here we go.

[mumbling] Lena, Lena.

[phone rings]

-Lena?
-DJ?

-Not my Latrell.
-Not my grandson.

Robert's got two left feet
in no sense of rhythm.

That's Ruby's grandbaby.

Mm-hmm, the one with the mole.

Smell like cheese.

-Lena's boy is a real musician.
-Yes! [laughs]

-Or is it Rose's great grandson?
-[phone ringing]

-Shit.
-Yes, he's very busy.

But he'll never say no
to his Grandma Rose.

He'll be there.

[laughing]

-[laughs]
-[Janice] Grandma Mafia, baby.

We rule the world.

-And don't you forget it.
-I'll drink to that.

[Janice laughs] We got it!

♪ It was a fine warm day
Lots of fly honeys ♪

♪ With the my, oh my

♪ Everybody and
Their grandmama outside ♪

♪ Lots of kids
Getting in their hot rods ♪

♪Boom, subwoofers
As they lean to the side
Clean, clean give you rides ♪

♪ Summertime has arrived
Got the beach on your mind ♪

♪ Last school bell
Like Screech on your mind ♪

♪ Spit seeds, watermelon
Sweet to the rind ♪

♪ Hot dogs on the grill
Ice cream... ♪

[guitar strumming]

[woman 1] ♪ Yeah,
let me see something ♪

- ♪ Shake it, shake it
-[microphone squeaks]

♪ She like the way
That I dance ♪

♪ She like the way that I move
She like the way that I rock ♪

♪ She like the way that I woo

- ♪ And she let it
clap for a-- ♪
-[microphone squeaks]

[awkward guitar strumming]

-[Janice] So how's it coming?
-Almost done.

The vendor stalls
are marked off.

The contracts are all done.

The porta-potties are open.
Everything is perfect.

Plans sound good,
but experience has taught me

that there's no perfect plan
when people are involved.

Sure there is. Have you
ever seen Beyoncé in concert?

-It's always perfect.
-Beyoncé, who?

Beyoncé?
Oh, one of your friends.

Never mind.

Seems like I know
that name, Beyoncé.

-[tires screech]
-[loud rap music on stereo]

[car horn honking]

[stereo switches off]

Hey Summer Sizzle people.

-[Janice] Looking good, girl.
-Thank you, thank you.

Morning. Can you keep it
between the cones, girl?

Chill. We staying right there.

-No, you need to keep
between the cones.
-You keep it between the cones.

Oh Lord, please watch over
Summer Sizzle.

Thank you Jesus.

[Keke] Ben.

You need to park
in the designated spot.

Okay, you don't have to be
such a smart ass.

I'm not. But the fire marshal,

she's a smart ass who could
shut this down in two seconds.

[Janice] Keke, I think you put
too many booths here

and they're all too small.

-That's what I said.
-Ben, move the truck.

Ben. Don't move.

And what is this, Keke?

"Holistic medicine for pets"?

Keke, you can't just
put three words together

and then call it a booth.

And this stage is too big and
it's supposed to be over there.

I checked your insurance policy.

Because the stage
has a full electric package,

-the potential fire hazard--
-I don't care

about no fire hazard.
This is a Sizzle,

-not a bonfire.
-I know, I know.

I know but we can't afford
to get shut down.

[whimpers]
It's the 40th anniversary.

It's going to be a mess.

[laughing] Dee Nice is here.
A little shorter than I thought,

-but he's got a cute ass.
-Really?

-Yes, girl.
-I'm shocked he showed up.

That's impossible.

I'm telling you, Grandma
Mafia can come through

for some nice D.

Can you escort him
to the information booth?

Yes. I'd be glad to escort him

-anywhere, honey.
-I'm going with you.

No you are not.

-You thirsty.
-[Janice laughs]

-Why you got to come?
-You too hungry.

[Debra] I'm thirsty, you hungry.
Sounds like a meal to me.

[Janice] I see
what you mean, Debra.

You gonna introduce us, Keke?

Keke! And you must be
theJanice Summers.

Grandma said come,
and here I am.

You're the world-famous DJ?

That's right. I'm DJ Dee...

Nutz!

I like his nuts.

Yeah, now my regular gig
is like divorce parties

or retirement barbecues,
staggettes.

I love a good staggette.

So you're like
a DJ Dee Nice cover MC.

I thought you had a Grammy.

I do have a Grammy.
Best grandmother in the world.

She books most
of my gigs for me.

Wait a minute. So who are you?

I'm gonna tell you something.
You get your ass up

on that stage today and
I will wrap those fake chains

around your ass.
I'm going to tell you that

-because I am DJ Jan.
-[laughs]

Oh Gram-jam, such a jokester.

-[Janice] I ain't joking.
-So sure,

if you know, if you're up to it,

whoever you are,
we're all set up over here.

Girl. You heard me straight.

He better not mess up my finale.

[Dee Nutz]
Let's get this party started.

-Not bad for a knockoff.
-[Dee Nutz] Juneteenth,
let's celebrate!

I'm gonna go see
about these booths here.

Okay Gram-jam.

[gasps] Wait, no!

-[Tasha] Sean! Sean!
-[Sean] Yes?

-Yes, baby.
-[Tasha] Yes, please.

I'm on the phone.
With Keke's bank.

-Okay.
-All the money gone.

Hi, hi. Yes, the entire account.

I want all the money
back into her account.

-Yes, all of it.
-Whoa, whoa.

Give me the coffee.
You don't need more of that.

I don't care if she's over 18.
I am her mother

and she does not know what to do
with that kind of money.

-Mm.
-Frank, you said Frank, right?

Okay, listen, okay?
Clearly you don't have kids,

'cause if you did, you'd know
that they're all damn fools.

-[phone line clicks]
-Okay, I--

-[R&B hold music]
-That fool put me on hold.

-He put me on hold.
-I hear.

-He put--
-I hear... That... Yeah.

[hold music]

I mean, at least
the music is good, right?

That's some--

What are you doing?

This ain't big enough,
and it's too far from the stage.

We are always in booth 31.

-It's tradition.
-Leave it to me.

-I'll fix it.
-We have to have

the chess tournament here.
We need clearance

for an emergency vehicle
to get past the stage.

-Our permit depends on it.
-Well, that's crazy.

We don't have enough room
for our VIP section.

How are we supposed to serve
our Stock Da Bar vodka?

You can't serve vodka here.

We don't have
a permit for hard liquor.

It's only serving
if you're selling it.

-Yeah, baby. [laughs]
-We giving this away.

I bet you didn't
learn this at Hah-vahd,

did you?
Go on, taste it. It's free.

You in charge?
I'm not setting up my fish fry

next to some cramped-ass
dog adoption booth.

Piss and shit smell getting
all into my vegetable oil?

-Oh hell no.
-I agree, Phyllis.

-I'll help you.
-Janice.

You know my name is Dolores.

Wait, no, I'll help. I'm Keke.

-I don't know you.
-[Mildred] What is going on?

This is all wrong.

Wonky Donkey Dog should be
next to Founder's Brewery.

Brats and beer?
We had it all planned out.

Mildred, we want Wonky
Donkey Dog to be happy.

Do you want some nice D?

Janice! What is wrong with you?

And what the hell
am I in some tiny-ass space?

I can barely fit my barbecue rig
in that damn stall.

I know this is a lot less space
than you're used to.

But it's gonna be much busier
this year, I promise.

-Trust me.
-I don't trust you.

-I don't know you.
-[all complaining]

-[complaints continue]
-We don't have no room...

[shouts] Everyone, please!

-If I asked DJ Dee Nutz--
-Who the hell is "Deez Nuts"?

If I ask him to shout you
all out during his set,

do you promise to stay in the
booths where you were assigned?

You know?
Free word-of-mouth publicity.

Marketing 101.

-[Debra] You want to stay?
-Okay?

-Okay?
-Okay.

Let me know what
you want Dee Nutz to say.

Just make sure
he hashtags my ass.

[hold music]

Baby, can I get you
something to eat?

She's gone too far.

I mean, all the money
in her account?

She just doesn't even care.

She's just gonna
throw her life away.

I'll do something.
I won't let her do this.

-Over my dead body.
-Right. Right.

-[hold music]
-I mean, it doesn't stop.

-[music stops]
-Okay, that's it.

So, Pastrami on rye?
It's from Zingerman's.

I could--

Okay, that look says no.

-You know what I'm going to do?
-I couldn't possibly.

I'mma call Crystal Maitland.

Don't even try to stop me.
That's what needs to happen.

I'm gonna be in the...

anywhere else.

♪ Hey, fix your face...

Whoa, Keke. Hey hey hey.

You all right, girl?
Because I didn't get

my usual spot
next to Uncle Terry's ribs.

All good. But them ribs, though.

Ultimate soul food, am I right?

Know what I'm saying?
Can I get a witness?

Anyway, could I interest you
in a free bonnet?

It's a sexy little nightcap,
but more importantly,

it's necessary for you
with your Black hair

in corporate America.

Now this is an extra layer
of protection for you.

-Against racism.
-You know, I have my hands full
right now, so I'm good.

I've seen a lot of
your promotional items

at Gram-jam's house.
[laughs] But a bonnet...

You know, Keke, I don't know
how to explain it.
It's like, I listen.

I listen to what the hood needs,

and then I just invest
and make it happen.

My nanny was Black,
so I get it because I lived it.

Am I right?
You know what I'm saying?

Wakanda forever!

Don't do that, ever.

-[crowd cheering]
-[upbeat music]

♪ Someday, maybe someday

♪ I'll understand why my feet
They chose this rocky way ♪

♪ Til then I know
That I am not alone ♪

♪ I am free, I am delivered
From the storm, oh ♪

[cheers and applause]

Thank you,
Grand Rapids steppers.

[man 2] Yeah Keke,
she pulled it off!

Hello, everybody.

Welcome to Summer Sizzle.

We have a special guest
with us here today.

Detroit's own DJ Dee Nutz!

[cheering]

What up, Grand Rapids?
How you doing?

-Pull up, though!
-[Dee Nutz] Yeah!

Let's get this Summer
Sizzle party right,

-y'all ready to party?
-[cheers]

Every summer
it's the place to be,

the 40th anniversary.
Hey, happy Juneteenth.

[all] Happy Juneteenth!

-[cheering]
-Let's go!

["Ladies First"
by Queen Latifah playing]

This is taking me back.

♪ Ladies first

♪ Ooh, ladies first,
Ladies first ♪

Yeah, that's our era, baby.

-Back when I met you.
-I know, that's right.

Back when lyrics meant something
in rap, you know.

♪ If you don't believe, here,
Listen to this rhyme.. ♪

Summer Sizzle!
Y'all looking good out there.

Keep going. Hey, it's a party!

♪ Some think that
We can't flow ♪

♪ Stereotypes,
They got to go... ♪

Hey, I have a teensy-weensy list
of shoutouts for you.

Yeah, no problemo.

Okay, thank you.

Hey, hey, hey, let's go!

-All right, all right.
-[cheering]

[Dee Nutz] When I say
Summer, you say Sizzle!

-Summer!
-[all] Sizzle!

-Summer!
-[all] Sizzle!

-Summer!
-[all] Sizzle!

-All right, all right.
-[cheering]

Real quick, I got
a list of shoutouts here

from my girl Keke.
Let's get these popping.

First off, let's make some noise
for Wonky Donkey Dog.

"Put 12 inches in your mouth."

[crowd groans]

Anyway. Shout out
to Buddy Frank Mortgages,

come and get your reverse,
forwards and sideways loans.

Also Stock Da Bar vodka,

keeping it popping
with Debra and Daryl,

-at the House of Styles.
-[cheers]

Get your free drink on.
That's what I'm talking about.

Make me two, baby.
Make mine neat, let's get it.

[crowd laughs]

[Dee Nutz]
Also, Uncle Terry's Ribs.

How much longer is DJ No-Nuts
gonna do these shoutouts?

...Our Hunger from Down Under
food truck.

That's Australian food
for Black folks...

He said our name! [cheers]

Yes! Come on by, you guys!
Come on!

...Grub eating contest at 1 p.m.
Sign up now.

Winner gets free meat pies
for a year.

-[crowd murmurs]
-Free meat pies?

-You...
-I didn't put that.

-The hell is a meat pie?
-It's a pie of meat.

-I don't trust it.
-[Dee Nutz] As I understand,

it is kangaroo meat,
but it was humanely killed

with an indigenous boomerang.
Plus, we got dog adoption...

-I know what you're doing, cuz.
-What am I doing?

Standing there all proud,
like you flew in

and did something,
playing the hero.

Actually, I do feel that way.
Thank you for seeing me.

You're just like your mom,

so focused on getting
the big plan right.

Okay. You got a couple logistics
done or whatever, but--

Um, some logistics?

Eboni,
this wouldn't be happening

-if it weren't for me.
-Know what your problem is?

The real heart of it?

You ain't no fun.
And you ain't one of us anymore.

[Keke] Oh, I am one of you.

-Watch me. I'm fun.
-[upbeat music]

A real fun person
can make people smile.

Pick someone,
anyone not smiling.

-Oh, wow.
-It's the same way.

Uh...

Oh. That girl right there
selling the ripcords.

Yo Andrea.

Love those friendship
bracelets, girl.

Thank you, Eboni.

See that smile? Fun.

-Now you, hotshot.
-[woman 1] ♪ She like
the way that I move ♪

♪ She like the way that I rock
She like the way that I woo ♪

♪ She make it clap
For an N-word ♪

[guitar strumming]

Hey, you.

Am I in trouble?
Should I change the lyrics more?

-Dial it back?
-No, I was just gonna say--

[woman 1] I can do other songs.
It's just that I love hip-hop,

but my friends did warn me
the culture police would come

after me and...
OMG, now you're here.

You're the police.
Am I cancelled?

No, I'm the fun police.
I'm the opposite.

-I'm the police of fun.
-Chain me up, I deserve it.

Wait, that didn't
come out right.

[Dee Nutz] Listen, don't forget,
it's a two-shower Saturday,

so if you need to go home,
freshen up

and come back later,
please do that

because we hot
in Grand Rapids. Let's go.

You gotta try a lemon
snow cone heaven.

I helped it to start
a while back and now,

I own a piece.
At first I was like,

this is just food coloring,
ice, and sugar,

but then I tried a bit,
and uh, what can I say?

I'm addicted.

Sugar is scientifically
more addictive than love.

I'm fun, right?

Yeah, yeah. Sure.

Will, I mean it.
Tell me I'm fun right now.

Of course you fun, Key.

Hey, remember that one time?

Behind my storage locker
before you went to Harvard?

-That was fun.
-Will, I mean it.

-Fun AF?
-Fun enough for me.

Let's get some snow cones.
Come on, stop playing.

[Keke] Sure, I've got time
before Gram-jam's finale.

[upbeat music]
♪ Hey, here's a little info

♪ Lay it back, let me tell you
What you in fo' ♪

♪ Good times, good vibes
Let the wind blow ♪

♪ Drop top, hit bottom
To the tempo ♪

♪ East to the west
To the north to south... ♪

[Ben] Grub eating contest,
everybody.

-Who's in?
-Yo Ben. I'll do it.

Sign me up.

♪ I feel so good, feel like
I'm flyin', I'm flyin' ♪

♪ Can't stop me now, feel like
I'm flyin', I'm flyin' ♪

♪ Lovin' every minute of it
Up in the clouds ♪

♪ Up in the clouds, woo

♪ I feel so good, feel like
I'm flyin', I'm flyin'... ♪

Never fear!

Gram-jam is here!

[cheers and applause]

Gram-jam's gonna kick your butt.

-Begin.
-[crowd cheers]

[chanting] Go Gram-jam!
Go Gram-jam!

♪ So watch me now, feel like
I'm flyin', I'm flyin' ♪

Hi. Have you seen Janice?

No, cool. Janice or Keke?

Know where they are?

-Anybody seen them?
-Hello. Ni hao.

I think I saw her over
at the information booth.

Thank you, mister.

No one calls me mister, sister.

I'm your buddy, Buddy Frank.

-And you are?
-Why is your logo

a smiling weiner dog
with a $100 bill t-shirt?

[makes record-scratching noise]

[raps] ♪ Let me tell you this,
Sis, 'cause here's the thing ♪

♪ Buddy's reverse mortgage
Will make you sing ♪

♪ Because you got more cash
For that bling ♪

Ha-ha-ha-ha, a-ha-ha-ha.

Oh shit,
I think I have to go now.

Okay then. Ni hao.

It's like "aloha," right?

-For hello and goodbye?
-Doesn't work that way.

-Pretty sure it does.
-Pretty sure it doesn't.

[ominous tone]

[Will] Our CBD oil is organic.
Gram-jam trusts it.

-I don't know about this.
-Relax.

I took a couple of classes.

Besides, I'm just
doing your shoulders.

That's usually where the tension
gets locked up anyway.

All right, well, watch the hair.

And don't let your hands wander.

You wish.

Look, this is completely
platonic, all right?

Medicinal, even.

Oh my God.

-Mm-hmm.
-[moans]

[mumbling]

[ominous music]

[exhales] All right.

All right, all right.

Shit.

[Keke moaning]

Oh my God.

-Oh my God--
-[Alice] Oh shit!

Uh, Keke, am I interrupting
something naked?

Nope. We're good.

[Alice] Good.
We've got the clothes on.

I have something to tell you.
It's about Gram-jam's finances.

You know all that cheesy
Buddy Frank merch

hanging out at Gram-jam's house?

She likes free promo stuff.
What can you do?

Well, she took more
than just a free mug.

She actually signed
some contracts with that guy.

What, are you kidding?

She got a reverse mortgage.

Soon enough,
he'll basically own her home.

[Keke gasps]

[chime dinging]

[Keke] I can't believe
she signed this.

[Alice] Oh.

-Do you offer massages?
-I do.

My glabella
is particularly tense,

and I think this might
take a while, so.

[masseur] Hop on the table.

[funky music]

[indistinct chattering]

[exhales]

[Keke] Buddy Frank will die.

No, he will be tortured,

humiliated, then die.

That's the fun Keke
I remember. [laughs]

Gram-jam cannot be
his only victim.

-That's enough.
-[sighs] He's evil.

We have to do something.

Oh, I know. We'll expose him.

My shoulders feel like
they're floating.

-Am I... Am I high?
-Focus.

-We need a plan.
-That's right.

We need a crack team. That's us.

We need precision, daring,
cunning, some capital,

probably an insider
at a major news station.

Some ice cream, Nutter Butters,

oh, big bag of Doritos.
Oh, shit.

Am I high?

[upbeat music in distance]

This chair is a bitch.

I could barely
get it out the car.

Yeah, well.

Talk about
not being able to walk.

That's a bitch, yo.

-Uncle Jim.
-[Jim] Hey, Keke.

Going okay, huh?
Everything going all right?

Everything's perfect. Almost.

You've done some
improv acting, right?

Yes, As a matter of fact,

I was at Second City
in Chicago for two years.

Well, I was wondering
if I could interest you

in the acting role
of a lifetime.

Specifically, improv.

Yes, and...

That was an improv joke.

-[laughs]
-Ah-ha.

[upbeat music]

Go on, let these ladies
dance by themselves.

I see you, sundress, I see you.

It's my favorite time of year.
Let's go!

That's not a dance,
wait a minute.

Hold on, bring the music--

I think he needs some medical--
No, that's just how he dances.

Bring 'em to their knees,
DJ Deez Nuts.

-[crowd exclaims]
-Turn it up, let's go!

-[Keke] There's the man.
-[chuckles] Hey hey hey.

-Can I be of service, family?
-I'm sure you can.

You've met my Uncle Jim, right?

I know you like to help
our elders with investments.

I mean, I'm only
a woman after all.

-What do I know about money?
-You were very wise
to bring him to me, Keke.

I recognize this handsome
devil from getting lined up

at the House of Style
from time to time.

Oh yes. How you doing,
young blood?

Good. Real good, sir.

Oh. Keke, this is just
the man I wanted to see.

He is so good with money.

-Money. [laughs]
-Keke.

We need to talk. Excuse me.

-Now, go over here.
-[Buddy] So Uncle Jim.

[speaking slowly]
You happen to own your own home?

Yeah, bought my house in 1978.

[chuckles] Baby Ruths
were ten cents then.

But the Detroit Lions
still sucked.

[both laugh]

Well, some things
never change, sir.

Let me roll you into my office.

-I think we can do something.
-[Jim] Yes, sir.

You use your Vanguard fund
to fund a block party?

-Keke, a block party.
-You went through my computer?

Gram-jam gave you that money
on your 1st birthday

specifically to be used
for something special,

or at least an emergency.

How can you not see
that this is both?

It's okay.

Is this what you're trying to do
to me today? Kill me? Huh?

You're trying to kill me.
My daughter's trying to kill me!

Because I sure as hell
am about to kill you.

Mom, chill.
I just fronted the block party

until the sponsors pay me back.

-If we don't get shut down--
-Oh my God, stop it!

Summer Sizzle is a dinosaur.

Okay? Let an asteroid hit
and let it die already.

I can't.

This could be Gram-jam's
last time on stage.

She's been doing it
for the past 40 years.

At the very least,
Gram-jam will be happy.

She won't even
remember it, Keke.

[somber music]

She may not be all there,
but she's still here.

So, what?

All that work,
the best school in the world,

and you just throw our dream
job away for a block party?

I didn't throw anything away.

-I still have my job.
-I know you do.

I called
Crystal Maitland's office

and made sure
your job was still secure.

-What did you do?
-I am trying to keep you

-from throwing your life away.
-What did you do?

Keke, just hear me out, okay?

I am trying to do
what's best for you.

What's best for me
is for you to stop trying

to live my life for me
and leave me alone.

[music fades]

[Keke] I can't believe her.

I had everything under control.

My mom had to stick
her nose in my business.

And now I'm not even entirely
sure if I still have a job.

I haven't even started yet.

[Eboni laughing]

It's all about control
with you, ain't it?

Don't you have
a food truck to run?

First of all,
it's a partnership.

Second, I gotta have fun too,
unlike some people.

How many times do I have
to say this? I am fun.

You know what? I'll prove
to you once and for all.

Let's go have fun.

[upbeat music]

[bell clangs]

[man 3] Dunk tank is open.
Does anybody want to go on in?

We have any takers?
Anybody want to get wet?

[crowd cheering, whistling]

-[woman 2] Oh, yeah!
-[crowd whistles]

-[woman 3] Happy Juneteenth!
-[Keke chuckles]

Now that is fun.

-[women exclaiming]
-Ooh, yeah.

[Will] Come on, Key.
Let's see what that arm do.

I bet you won't.

-[bell clangs]
-[crowd cheers]

I forgot you were
an all-season athlete.

-Okay, my mistake.
-[gasps]

But you ain't fooling nobody.
I know you can't lose control.

-You won't get in that tank.
-No, I can't get my hair wet.

Oh yeah. Miss Atlanta.

Okay. Hey everybody, I'm next.

I'm about to be more fun
than all of you.

I wouldn't do that
if I were you.

You might mess up
your business look.

[Tasha] I cannot believe her.

Does she not understand
what we went through

-to put her through Harvard?
-Just because Keke's not doing

-exactly what
you want her to, doesn't--
-Watch it, Sean.

[stutters]
I'm just saying, she...

She's got a good head
on her shoulders.

She'll figure it out.
Just have a little faith.

Yeah.

Faith she's gonna waste
all her damn money

on this block party.

Oh, okay.

Are you feeling guilty
because Keke is stepping up

to help out Janice,
instead of you?

Sean, you know that's not fair.

[soft music]

You know that my mother
never supported me.

Never once did she say
she was proud of me.

No matter what I did, nothing
was ever good enough for her.

[intense music]

Let's spread some joy.

[upbeat music]

Ouch.

You're supposed
to hit the red thing.

Oh, you've got to try
better than that to get me.

[laughs] Who's next?

Are you sure
you want me to do this?

I really do.
It's just, it's so hot.

[sighs]

But you're never gonna
dunk me in a million years.

Yo, three balls, please.

Thank you. Thank you.

A lot of people
want to dunk you.

I've been making
so much money today.

Thank you.

[Keke laughs]

I mean, not everybody
can get it on the first try.

[laughs] All right, Key.

[laughs] Zero for two.

-That's crazy.
-Zero for two.

♪ I know there's gotta be
A reason I do this ♪

♪ I've come way too far
I can't lose it ♪

♪ We get loud, we don't stop

♪ So get ready
Put your hands up ♪

♪ We keep on, let's go live

-[bell clangs]
-[screams]

[cheering]

♪ Even though times get hard

♪ I can't fall,
I've come too far ♪

♪ We keep going, we all right

♪ It's one love,
Baby, one time ♪

♪ Even though times get hard
We can't fall... ♪

[Janice] You remember
how much fun we used to have?

[Will] Stick around
for a little bit.

I miss your vibe.

[Janice]
This is your birthright.

All we need is you,
bunny rabbit.

♪ And when times get hard
I can't fall... ♪

[Keke] Hey, I can't see.

I lost my contacts
in the dunk tank.

I'm right here. Come on.

Come on.

[soft music]

[Crystal] Oh, this is
the family emergency.

-[man 4] Crystal Maitland?
-[crowd murmuring]

[gasps] Crystal Maitland?

Do you know why I'm here?

I know this must look bad.

I know this must look bad,

and my mother should have
never called you.

But I'm letting you know
that I am the best hire

-you will have ever made.
-I'm not sure
I ever hired you at all.

-Excuse me?
-After I spoke with
your mother this morning,

it's clear she's the one
who wants this job.

You, not so much.

Well, well, well.
Janice Summers.

I want to tell you
that I'm shutting you

and your Sizzle down.

Over my dead, sexy body.

What are you talking about?
Kiki paid for herself.

We got the permits,
you said it was all fine.

Wait, Keke paid $15K
of her own money?

-What did she do that for?
-[Joy] I play by the rules.

Queen of Hearts: Ten Rules
for Success. Go read it.

Isn't that a Crystal
Maitland book?

What, you read her stuff?

Look, this has gotten
out of control.

-You expanded too fast.
-What are you trying to say?
What's your point?

Well, unless you have
Permit 12043,

I'm shutting you down.

Keke handles that.

Okay, you have
one minute to find her.

Otherwise I'm gonna shut
the whole event down,

-starting with the music.
-[Eboni] Okay, I'll go get her.

You can't shut us down.

I haven't been on stage yet.

[over megaphone]
Fifty-nine, fifty-eight.

-Is she counting down to when
she's gonna shut us down?
-I am doing that. Fifty-three.

I don't know what my mother said
to make you come here,

but I want it.
It's what I've always wanted.

-I want this job.
-Keke!

Joy the fire marshal
is going to shut us down,

and Gram-jam
will have a meltdown

if she can't get on stage.
Joy keeps asking for a permit.

Ten-twenty-three-goober
something...

Oh my God. Okay.
Please, stay here.

Just for a couple of seconds.
I will be right back,

-I promise.
-I've seen enough.

[man 4] Crystal Maitland!
Will you sign this for me
please?

-Sorry, girl.
-I don't want to talk about it.

Okay. But I told you
that contraption was not made

-for Black women.
-You said I wasn't fun.

I did it to prove you wrong.

Girl, that was a metaphor.
I'm deep like that.

-Thirty-nine. Thirty-eight.
-You have just ruined

a perfectly good bid whist game.
I was winning.

-[Joy] Thirty-six.
-Twenty.

-[Joy] Thirty--
-Forty-five.

-Just a sec. No.
-Two hundred. Seven.

Stop doing that, I--
Where did I leave off?

-Forty-nine--
-I'm here.

It's here. The permit's here.

I can't see. I lost my contacts
in the dunk tank.

Oh my God. Okay, ladies,
dump your purses.

Let's find glasses for Keke.

I hope it's not in my purse.
We'll never find them.

What are you doing with--
How old are these rubbers?

Just because
I can't get knocked up,

don't mean
I have to get some STD.

Honey, my pussy is newer
than this condom right here.

-[snickers]
-[Debra] Fine.

What does it say in there?

[Keke] Okay, now I can see.

Here it is.

Okay. What you have here
is Permit 12043.

-[Keke sighs in relief]
-[Joy] What you do not have

is the newly required
addendum 15A.

It gives me
no pleasure to do this,

but I have to shut you down.

Are you kidding me?

You're right. It does give me
pleasure to do this.

-[Debra] Oh my God.
-This is now
an illegal gathering.

I got to call in for backup.

-[radio turns on]
-Calling all units.

Requesting backup at
the Summer Sizzle block party,

at MLK block.
We're shutting it down.

Oh my God, It's over.

No, wait.
Is Crystal Maitland still here?

-Oh my God, Crystal.
-Keke, I got an idea.

-[Keke] I have to find her.
-[Janice] Oh no.

[dramatic music]

♪♪

[speakers buzz, music stops]

[crowd booing]

[Keke] Will, it's a disaster.

Is Crystal still here?

[over megaphone] Disperse now.

The authorities are on the way.

This block party is over.

-You serious right now?
-Disperse or what?

Or-- This guy says, "Or what."

Are you challenging
my authority?

Looks like the whole Sizzle
is coming to a close, so.

You want to go somewhere
and talk about it?

Thanks Will, but I just need
to be with myself right now.

[somber music]

[Janice] Well,
everyone's going home.

So much for my big finale.

Cookie?

Oh boy, I never heard you say no
to a cookie before.

Well, what's the matter,
baby girl?

I lost my job
and it was all Mom's fault.

But also not her fault.

[sighs] Lord knows I hate her
so much right now.

[chuckles] Oh, I believe
she hated me too,

back in the day. [chuckles]

Yeah, she just still might.

But you're the best
grandma ever.

Mmm. These are really good.

Really is Russian roulette.

I just might be
the best grandma.

But I wasn't the best mom.

I tried to be.

I thought I did
the best I could with Tasha,

but I made my mistakes.

She may still hate me sometimes,

but I know she always loves me.

Keke.

♪♪

[sighs]

Keke, I...

I am so, so sorry.

I am.

I don't know what to do.

I don't know how to fix it.

I should have stopped
being so controlling.

I should have trusted you,

instead of insisting
I knew best,

which clearly I don't.

You were right.

You were right
about the block party.

♪♪

[Joy over megaphone]
Disperse now.

Joy, have you by any chance
seen Crystal Maitland?

-Wait. TheCrystal Maitland?
-Uh-huh.

-Is here?
-Yeah.

Oh my God. I'm her biggest fan.

Well, she's about to leave.
Maybe I can introduce you to
her.

Are you serious?
Oh my God, How's my hair?

[Eboni] There she is.

Wait! Krystal Maitland!

OMG.

I am your biggest fan.

-Thank you.
-And I have read

every business book,
every self help book,

I have attended
every single TED Talk.

I really think
I'm your biggest fan.

Actually, my cousin
is your biggest fan.

Keke's the one who put
this whole thing together

for my Gram-jam.

She's trying to shut it down.

Is that so?

Well, they have
the wrong permit.

You got to follow the rules.

I mean, certainly the author of
The Ten Rules for Success

would know that, am I right?

Well, let me understand this.

You are shutting down
this entire historic

Juneteenth celebration
over a technicality.

Well, this whole event
should have been planned better.

I suppose one person's tragedy
is another's technicality.

Ooh. Shade, honey.

I don't make the rules.

I just follow them,
Crystal Maitland.

Maybe you should rethink
your life choices.

Joy.

♪ Hey, fix your face

♪ Why you looking at me like
You don't know what to say? ♪

-♪ Like whoa, here we go...
-[Eboni] Whew.

While you contemplate
your whole life,

I'm just going to start
this party back up. Okay?

Okay.

[whimpers] Crystal.

[Janice] Oh, good Lord.

Y'all act like it's
the Great Depression

and Martin Luther King
getting shot all at once.

It's just a job.
You'll get another one.

Any company would be just
so lucky to have her.

Mom, you are sounding
remarkably lucid.

Took the last of my steroids.

And it's a little scary.

I just want to be there

for both of you a little longer.

'Cause I...
Well, I know I'm in and out.

But I love you.

[soft music]

-[Keke] Aww.
-[all chuckle]

[Eboni] Aww.

I love y'all.

Keke, you are one of us.

[shouts] Wake up!

[crowd murmuring]

Samuel L. Jackson,
Do the Right Thing.

Fishburne, School D--

I don't think they...

You know what? I'm going to
just play the trap music. Fine.

[cheering]

[rap music]

Yeah, okay Australia.

Hey! Do the kangaroo,
do the kangaroo.

-Babe? Kangaroo?
-No. No.

-Yes. C'mon.
-Do the kangaroo.

-Yeah!
-[cheers]

[Dee Nutz] You look good
out there, Summer Sizzle.

I like that.

You are rocking with
your favorite DJ,

DJ Dee Nutz!
You know what it is.

[funky music]

-[Keke] Can you hold for a sec?
-Yeah.

[Keke] Thank you.

Hey guys.

We're interrupting
the music briefly, just briefly

because I need
to make an announcement.

We have a special guest
in our community,

and I want to point him out.
Buddy Frank.

-Buddy, where are you?
-[scattered applause]

-Ah! There you are.
-Right here.

Everyone, take a long,
hard, good look at this man.

He has been creating
financial opportunities here,

especially for our elderly.

Just trying to serve.

Serve whom, exactly?

[silence]

[Eboni]
Give it to him straight, Keke.

Buddy Frank is a liar.

[crowd murmuring]

And he's been preying
on the most vulnerable,

wreaking havoc
on their finances,

stealing from our elders who can
barely take care of themselves.

[Buddy] Whoa, whoa.
That's not true.

What? I-- [stammers]

By the way, you got any
proof of that happening?

No, you don't. So bye, Felicia.

Because like the kids
say nowadays,

-pics or it didn't happen.
-Well, it did happen.

And we do have pics.
Eboni, you got it.

[Buddy] Do you happen
to own your own home?

-[Jim] Yeah.
-What?

[Jim] I bought my house in 1978.

That is a huge accomplishment,
Uncle Jim.

-It's Uncle Jim, right?
-[chuckles]

Well, with all that equity
in your property,

I'm going to be able
to pay you to live there.

[Jim] Who are you?

[crowd murmuring]

You my friend?

[Buddy] Jim, I'll tell you what.

I'm gonna take care
of your paperwork.

You just initial here to attest
you're of sound mind.

And then you sign here
to turn your accounts over to me

and start building generational
wealth for your family.

- Am I right?
-[crowd murmuring]

Know what I'm saying?
Can I get a witness?

- Sign.
-[Jim] Who are you?

Yes. That's good. All right.

Good. We are good.

All right.

[crowd chattering]

-Grab his ass.
-What the hell?

Whoa, whoa, whoa.
No, wait, wait.

There's an explanation
for this, okay?

She cut that out of context.

Come on, y'all.
All I do is try to help.

I'm woke.

[to security] Hey, stop.
Guys, watch it.

Happy Juneteenth, motherfucker.
Now, where are my reparations?

[crowd cheers]

[chuckles]

-Now we've dealt with that...
-[crowd laughs]

-...big applause for Eboni.
-[cheering]

She did it. Eboni saved the day.

And now, the woman of the hour.

The reason we are all here,
Janice Summers!

[cheers and applause]

It's the 40th anniversary
of Summer Sizzle, oh wow.

I'm a dreamer, but I never
dreamed it would be this big.

[cheers and applause]

Thank you all.
And thank you, Keke.

[crowd cheers]

Well, it's the 40th anniversary
of the Summer Sizzle, you know.

[all] We know.

Well, um...

Do you know
who was my inspiration

for Summer Sizzle?
I bet you don't know that.

My daughter, Tasha.

[applause]

[soft music]

Juneteenth is a celebration
of us coming a long way.

However, our world

is still not really safe
for us always.

And Lord knows that
the business opportunities

have been squeezed
left and right.

I wanted to create
a community for all of us.

And maybe selfishly
for my daughter.

I wanted her to know

that even if something
happens to me,

she would be okay.

Take care of each other.

♪♪

Take care of each other, y'all.

Now, for 40 years,

for 40 years after that,

and long, long after I'm gone,
look out for each other.

♪♪

Take care.

I'm proud of you.

[whispers] I love you.

[mouthing]

Well, happy Juneteenth!

[cheering]

And I'm gonna spin some tunes,

and y'all know what to do!
[cheers]

Woo! Yeah!

They said I couldn't do it.

But I'm gonna show 'em.

Listen to this.

[cheering]

["Head to Toe" by Lisa Lisa
and Cult Jam playing]

♪ Head to toe

♪ I know

♪ Today started with
A crazy kiss ♪

♪ On our way home

♪ We were in for a surprise

♪ Who would have known...

-[Eboni] Any luck?
-[Keke] It's been a week

since I got fired
from the job I never did.

[sighs] I got some bites. Maybe.

Who is that?

Oh my God. Oh my God.

-Crystal Maitland.
-Oh, that's Crystal Maitland.

-[Eboni] It's Crystal Maitland.
-[Tasha] Everyone, calm down.

Just step back and get.
Let me get closer so I can hear.

Good old fashioned
family barbecue, huh?

-[Sean] Yeah, yeah.
-[all chatter]

Yeah. I thought I was fired.

No, you're fired.

From that job.

See, I came out to Summer Sizzle

to get in touch
with my roots here in Michigan,

hear some tunes,
but I also came to evaluate you

for a new initiative
I'm starting.

Oh shit. Harvard's getting
a brand new job.

-Don't jinx it, Daryl.
-Daryl ain't going to jinx it.

That girl got a horseshoe
up her ass.

It's for the philanthropic arm
of my organization.

See, I've given a lot
to my community.

Investing in big businesses,
small businesses.

But now I want to have
a direct impact

on causes that I care about.

And I need somebody
super capable

who can also balance
my core values

with corporate values.

Keke, you're that person
through and through.

I saw that at the block party.

Oh my God.

Oh my God, baby girl,
what's going on?

-What is it?
-So what do you say?

I'm going to Atlanta.

[all cheer]

[Crystal] You'll be here
a couple of months

because my first
order of business

was to buy out
a certain Buddy Frank.

I'm going to need you to take
over his development project

that he was scheming
and turn it around.

Make it about local businesses,
not about gentrification.

Also, I partnered with
the Yvonne Mathis Foundation

to help people like your grandma
get on track financially.

So if you take this job,
you will build your own team.

-Do you think you can do that?
-I know I can.

We have some really
great people here.

But I'm going to see you
real soon, Miss McQueen.

-Thank you.
-Y'all enjoy your barbecue.

-Yeah, uh-huh.
-Yes.

I can't believe it.
TheCrystal Maitland

-was here at our house.
-We got the job!

[cheering]

[chuckles]

I'm proud of you, bunny rabbit.

-You're a boss.
-["Head to Toe" on radio]

Oh, I just love
that Beyoncé. Oh!

-Mama.
- ♪ I got to got to tell you

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

[all laughing]

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

[cheering]

♪ I think I love ya
From head to toe... ♪

I'm so proud of you, baby girl.

♪ Here today, gone tomorrow

♪ It's possible but I doubt it

♪ His kiss is credit
In the bank of love ♪

♪ I never leave home
Without it ♪

♪ Fourteen karat love,
You are my jewel of the Nile ♪

♪ When we make love
Diamonds are forever ♪

♪ Top to bottom I love you

♪ I will leave you never

♪ I got to got to
Tell you darling ♪

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

♪ Ooh, baby, I want to kiss ya

♪ From head to toe

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ You got to know

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

♪ I think I love ya
From head to toe ♪

♪ You can't hurry love
You got to take it slow ♪

♪ But my angel,
You get your wings tonight ♪

♪ Baby, you've got the love

♪♪

♪ Different love

♪ Fourteen karat love,
You are my jewel of the Nile ♪

♪ When we make love
Diamonds are forever ♪

♪ Top to bottom I love you

♪ I will leave you never

♪ I've got to got to
Tell you darling ♪

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

♪ Ooh, baby, I think I love ya

♪ From head to toe

[upbeat music]

-Okay, I'll do it. I'll stay up.
-[Janice cheers]

I'll stay awake.

-Someone get the light out!
-[Janice laughs]

-Jesus!
-[producer] Oh my god.

I'm gonna stay in town a minute

to help Gram-jam
with Summer Sizzle.

She doesn't have the sponsors
to get it back on track.

[laughs, snorts]

You're really gonna quit this
close to getting your pension?

[objects clattering]

-Suzanne Summers.
-Ah.

White girl.

[laughing]

Do these refresh your memory?

[chuckling]

[growling]

-[both laugh]
-[Janice] I'm sorry.

My wife and I did this together,
but she couldn't make it.

Quick question, ma'am.
Is my wife dead?

-[producer] Yes.
-No wonder she couldn't make it.

She'll be a while.

[laughing]

You know what? Ribs don't
make everything better.

-Baby, ribs in the Bible.
-[laughs]

Right? God--
You made out of ribs.

That's why I look
at you in such a--

If you start wearing
barbecue sauce,

-woman, I would eat your head.
-That's how we got in this mess.

Don't call it a mess.

That's right. Uh...

We need... [makes noises] Crack.

Team. Crack team.

Sorry, not crack.
We don't need crack.

Oh my God. [laughing]

-That tickles.
-[laughs, snorts]

[laughing]

I could have sworn
there were more greens.

There used to be
more greens than that.

There still is, they're just
in a different form now.

Sean, what did you do
with the greens?

-I ate the greens.
-I had a big bowl.

Right, now it's a smaller bowl.

What did you do with all--
You've been eating--

You were talking. I figured,
get a couple greens

-while I got a chance,
-Baby, you want some greens?

-[Sean] I ate her portion.
-Clearly.

[Sean] A man eats for his child.

That's in the Bible.

-Page 12.
-You and these Bible references.

I'm a piece of rib
with some gravy on it.

-[producer] And cut.
-[all laugh]

[soft music]

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