Captain B. Zarre · @CaptainBZarre
2nd Feb 2017 from TwitLonger
An Interview w/ Nzinga Blake from Cartoon Network's Fridays
Hey guys! Yesterday, I was able to interview the former host of Cartoon Network's Fridays, Nzinga Blake. Fridays ran from 2003 to 2007, but Nzinga only took part in the first two years of the block. Both herself and Tommy Snider were able to take part in the host segments that aired before and after shows or movies that aired on the block. It's been a long time since filming the segments, but I was able to talk to her about what her favorite memories were of the block and other cool behind the scenes stuff. Without further ado, let's begin :]
(1) @CaptainBZarre: When Fridays was still under development in 2003, what encouraged you to take part in the block as a cohost?
(1) @NzingaBlake: I had just graduated from UCLA film school and was exploring various career paths both behind and in front of the camera. Luckily, I had just signed a contract with a manager and agent who sent me out for an audition for the show. I honestly didn't think I was going to get it because it was one of the first auditions I had gone out on.
(2) @CaptainBZarre: I noticed that the earlier Fridays shows had a much more relaxed feel to them, alongside segments with live-action and cartoon elements together and conversation based humor. I also recall that a few months later, some of the people who worked on CN's series "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" started doing scripts for Fridays. How was it like working with people who had given CN it's current popularity?
(2) @NzingaBlake: Working at CN was a great job because I got to work with some of the most creative individuals in the industry. I feel very fortunate to have had the experience!
(3) @CaptainBZarre: What was your favorite skit you had done for Fridays?
(3) @NzingaBlake: When I got zapped into Townsville with the Power Puff girls!! I was the first time that I got to interact with an animation, which is not the easiest seeing as how you have to carry on a conversation with someone that is not there. So much fun though because when I was a little girl I actually wanted to be a cartoon when I grew up.
(4) @CaptainBZarre: What's been your favorite show on the current Cartoon Network original lineup? Personally, I'm a big fan of Steven Universe, Teen Titans Go!, and We Bare Bears.
(4) @NzingaBlake: Unfortunately I don't watch a lot of cartoon network at the current moment because I have a little one who watches shows that are at the pre- school level, but I will say I do like Teen Titans.
(5) @CaptainBZarre: Did you (or Tommy) have any personal input in terms of writing the scripts for each week's block or did Steve Patrick write everything? Either way, I still can't believe how well the block has held up.
(5) @NzingaBlake: We did not have a lot of input in terms of writing the scripts. Sometimes we would improv though, which Tommy was a genius at and it was great to bounce off jokes and various scenarios with him. He was an awesome co-host.
(6) @CaptainBZarre: In general, what was your favorite memory of working on the block?
(6) @NzingaBlake: I loved interviewing all of our celebrity guests. I am such a people person and love learning about where people are from, their life experiences, passions and what inspires them. My all time favorite though was when I got to cover the premiere of Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban!! Warner Brother's gave us a special treat with gifts and I had a great time during my one on one interviews with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane and the late Alan Rickman. That was one of the best days of my life.
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For memories of classic Cartoon Network, Twitch livestreams, and even more, follow my Twitter page at @CaptainBZarre.
If you want to keep up with Nzinga's current projects, follow her Twitter page at @NzingaBlake.