“Grass Roots” Politics, Black Republicans … and Dry Humor

By Jason Apuzzo.  A web series I’ve taken to recently is called “Grass Roots.” “Grass Roots” is a comedic series about an inept pair of grass roots political operatives working for an aspiring Democrat candidate.

The humor in this series is pitch-perfect and dry as a martini. “Grass Roots” is the brainchild of writer-director-actor Aaron Hiliard, who really brings the episodes to life with his smarmy, impossibly self-satisfied characterization of the hack political operative ‘Miles.’ In the episode above, titled “The Black Vote,” Miles and his partner conduct some decidedly ham-fisted ‘outreach’ toward a hapless black Republican.

It would be an understatement to say that the source of “Grass Roots'” humor is the utterly crass, cynical attitude of today’s political classes – and particularly Democrats – toward the micro-targeted demographics (once quaintly known as ‘citizens’) who make up their voter constituencies.  Writer-director-actor Aaron Hiliard (who reminds me a lot of Mo Rocca) captures this perfectly, yet does so without rancor; his character ‘Miles’ is really just a benighted careerist who accepts all the inane wisdom he’s been fed about how to ‘rise’ in politics.  [Miles is uncomfortably similar, actually, to the kind of guests who pass through Rachel Maddow’s show each day – smarmy, low level agitators and opportunists, each with a career to peddle.]

Congratulations to Aaron Hilliard and his crew.  We’ll be showing more of “Grass Roots” down the line.  Enjoy!

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Jason Apuzzo

Jason Apuzzo is co-Editor of Libertas Film Magazine.

2 thoughts on ““Grass Roots” Politics, Black Republicans … and Dry Humor”

  1. Thanks for the incisive (and flattering) write-up, Jason.

    I’m working on a follow-up series, which should be ready for release in a few weeks. I’ll give you heads up when it does!

    Much appreciated,
    Aaron Hilliard

    1. Aaron, thanks for writing in. What a pleasure the series is … my favorite moment from this particular episode being your use of the phrase ‘per se‘. I’m still ‘laughing my head off’ over that, ‘per se‘ …

      Please keep us updated about the new series … can’t wait.

      Best,

      Jason

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