Question? Do you subscribe to the streaming platform UMC? It’s the first streaming service for Black TV and film.
Actress Tammy Townsend currently starring as Candance, in UMC’s original dramedy series “Stuck with You” written and directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones poised that question. I don’t have UMC. I have Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. I’m not proud of this fact. It’s a mental wrestling match I confess.
Cuffie-Jones’ dramedy “Stuck with You” also stars Timon Kyle Durret (“Queen Sugar”), D.Woods, AJ Johnson, and Terrance Green.
“I’m one of the original cast members of ‘Stuck with You,’ confessed Tammy Townsend. “I was with creator Patricia Cuffie-Jones when she had the series on the internet.”
Born and raised in California, Tammy Townsend began her acting career in 1985, appearing in episodes of television sitcoms such as “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Charles in Charge.” Her other credits include the NBC daytime soap opera, “Days of Our Lives,” “Family Matters,” “The Practice, “Felicity,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Friends,” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
It took a while for “Stuck with You” to come to UMC but it speaks to the talent of creator Cuffie-Jones and the direction of the streaming network.
“Stuck With You” explores marriage and relationships, after the honeymoon phase, when you are in that painful spot evaluating if you should leave or stay and not lose your investment.
For at least a decade, Candace (Tammy Townsend) and Luvell (Timon Kyle Durrett) have been an iconic Hollywood couple. But, they find their relationship entering a rocky phase despite releasing a best-selling book and maintaining their public sense of couple perfection, they are anything but. The truth is that they are both struggling. As they continue their journey the question looms — will they stay together for the next part of their journey?
Candace’s assistant Mora (D. Woods), isn’t lucky in love which threatens to undermind her five-year plan and in Luvell’s world, his partner at his non-profit Quasir (Terrance Green) is also experiencing a shifting in his relationship. The question for all of the couples is a larger cosmic question which is this—are you with this person out of comfort or convenience.
“Stuck with You” is relatable because every race, creed, or sexual preference under the sun has to deal with the drama of relationships on the rocks. In this series, Luvell and Candace’s marriage gets tested and tempted. Under Cuffie-Jones direction these characters are allowed their flaws and therefore universally understood.
“Everyone understands the ups and downs of a romantic relationship,” says Townsend. “‘Stuck with You’ is basically about a group of couples at different stages in their relationship. I play Candance, the eldest in the group and the one in the longest marriage and part of a Hollywood power couple.”
Over the years the criticism surrounding the lack of programming by and for African-Americans has helped many creative teams get their work completed and distributed. The hashtag #blackexcellence took on a life on its own being used to celebrate everything from births to getting a project funded. And it’s with that idea firmly in place that UMC roared to life.
“I was part of Patricia Cuffie-Jones series when it was a Youtube series,” shares Townsend. “I’ve always played Candance. I’m the veteran of the cast. I’ve worked with her before. She started out writing plays and then she moved into writing for television and she’s pulled me along much like Tyler Perry, who has a core group of actors and as an actress, I’m part of Patricia Cuffie-Jones creative team.”
Patricia Cuffie-Jones — an African-American writer, director and editor is arriving at a very exciting time to be a content creator. “Two things have happened with Black women as creative content providers,” says Townsend. “African-American women are starting to come into their own. We’ve always had business aspirations but we are doing it now. We have different hairlines, make-up lines, wig lines as a few examples … We’ve also shown that in the political world that we are a force to be reckoned with. We are not to be ignored anymore. Also, I think that social media has provided a platform that helps. Issa Rae’s career began on Youtube. We can’t be ignored anymore. It’s a really good time to be a Black woman.”
To learn more about UMC’s series go to : https://umc.tv
