The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Being a modern-day woman in the Bahamas can get complicated. And no one knows that better than comedienne Tracy Ann Perpall.

To explore what it means to be woman in today’s world, the writer, producer and media personality known as TAP has created a new original television series called “It’s Complicated”.

The show is set in a community with very old-school views. Three best friends – TAP, Nicole and Faye – are figuring out the rules of what it means to be a woman; from the boardroom to the bedroom and everything in between. Naturally, things get heated – from break-ups to make-ups, secret hook-ups, and more. And what can be said than, “It’s Complicated!”

Speaking with Tribune Weekend, TAP said the inspiration for “It’s Complicated” derives from the same motto that has motivated her throughout her career so far: If there isn’t a door to knock on, create one.

Her goal is to highlight the duality of the modern-day Bahamian young woman, especially in relation to dating and sex. 

Over the past few years, TAP has continuously shone a light on Bahamian society, using both humour and reasoning to present thoughtful and insightful perspectives. She has utilised the power of the internet as a platform for her thought-provoking and satirical video blogs and sketches called “TAP’s Vlogs”. And with more than 20,000 social media followers and YouTube views, she has captured the attention of the entire Bahamas and beyond.

Her videos have been featured by Tyler Perry’s talent search, Island 360, WorldStarHipHop, The Tribune, NuWoman Magazine, ELife Magazine, The Nassau Guardian, ZNS, Cable 12, and in numerous online articles and local publications. 

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of a television series, and for a while I’ve been looking at local TV and seeing that there was so little representation of Bahamians, of women, of young people, and I decided we can’t wait for the old guard to give it to us, we have to take it,” TAP said.

“There’s no good reason why there shouldn’t be more Bahamian films and shows on local networks. There’s no good reason why Bahamian filmmakers and artists hardly get any financial backing from the public or private sector. We have given the world Sir Sidney Poitier, the first black person period to receive the Oscar for Best Actor. But what about the many Sir Sidneys in 2016 in the Bahamas? Are we going to wait for the world to help, recognise and cultivate those talents?”

TAP commends the team that assisted her in making “It’s Complicated”: local actors like Sawyerboy, director of photography Gary Wong, writers Stephen Hanna and Kerel Pinder, stylist Lavonne Alexis and co-producer and co-director Henrietta Cartwright.

She said it really takes a village to put together a show like this and it is her wish for people to realise how shows of this nature can help in building an industry which can eventually lead to great economic benefits.

“I see this show having many seasons. I see this show becoming an international success. I see this show providing hundreds of jobs for local artists. I see this show provoking conversation about the Bahamian social landscape. I’m really looking forward to seeing the feedback from Bahamians. I hope Bahamians enjoy it and relate to it and stand behind it,”said TAP.

The pilot episode of “It’s Complicated” is available now on the show’s official website at www.watchitscomplicated.com.

An official release date, TAP explained, is dependent on the response the team receives from local and international studios and networks. They are aiming to produce six 30-minute episodes for the first season. They are confident that they will find the right investor, sponsor or network that believes in the mission and quality of this project.