Interview: Cedric The Entertainer Talks Hosting 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' And Return Of 'Soul Man'
To film buffs, Cedric The Entertainer is best known as one of the Kings of Comedy, comedic right-hand man to Steve Harvey, and a capable TV host and performer. But to fans who enjoy watching TV Land, he's better known as Reverend Boyce "The Voice" Ballentine, a former soul singer turned pastor on the show The Soul Man. The sitcom finds Ced's character moving from Las Vegas to St. Louis to take over his father's church while adjusting to his spiritual adviser role.
With his family, including wife Lolli (played by Niecy Nash) and daughter Lyric (Jazz Raycole), not eager to give up the high life, The Soul Man takes a lighthearted approach to addressing the often sticky conversational piece of religion and Christianity. The Soul Man earned its place on TV Land, and was awarded a second season.
We sat down with the busy showman as he talked about his Season 2 expectations, changes he'd make to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and more.
1
4
2
4
VIBE: Congratulations, Ced, on The Soul Man returning for its second season. How have you been gearing up for its comeback?
Cedric The Entertainer: We've definitely been enjoying the shooting that lead up to the show's premiere. We're so excited about it because it comes back on television on June 19. So, you know, we're getting it all fired up and ready for its return.
What can fans of the show expect to see this go-around between the family and you? Were there any increasing tensions between the family given that your character used to be a secular superstar?
Yeah, we increased the relationship between myself and Lolli (played by Niecy Nash) a little bit more. We're actually a bit more frisky because our daughter goes off to school in this season. So, it's more about the two of us being in the house together and really having to deal with one another and grow as a couple. And so, in those stories that really set-up where we were at in the first season, where I made my transition from secular to spiritual and, of course, my wife wasn't really quite ready to come along for the ride. Now, you see us settling into our "skin" and yet, at the same time needing to push the envelope a little bit to ensure that we keep our love alive. There are some fun episodes where she wants to go to a party, and as her husband, I have to go too. But when we get there, people don't want me to be around because I'm the pastor. You got all those kind of things involved in the mix, so we really have some fun episodes to entertain our audience.
We also have some really cool guest stars who make an appearance on the show. My character has a nice little social place where he goes to hang out. It was a spot, a little club that my character invested in when he was coming up in his old singing days. So, people when they tune into the show, they see us going to the restaurant, socializing with people in the neighborhood and meet friends of mine. This season we're just opening up the show a lot more in the sense that the story is about this guy and his transition from singing to spiritual adviser.
As far as special guests go, would we see your old, old group, The High Tops, making an appearance on The Soul Man?
[Laughs] Damn, I just had this talk with Steve [Harvey] about this. I was like, "Man, you got to come on the show this year!" So, we've been talking, trying to figure out how to make it work. I don't know exactly how, we may actually make it a different group from the one that was on his show, but whatever it is we'll have a lot of fun with that. Ron Isley is my man, too! It would be great to see them on our show. We're definitely looking to bring something like that to the forefront in the later episodes. We were kicking around this idea where my character gets drawn back into "the life" through a song. And when the song gets hot, my character and the other performers form a super group like LSG, or something like that [laughs].
Next... Ced shares advice on keeping a Christ-like family, talks musical super groups!
3
4
You're no stranger to showing off your vocal skills in projects and films... If you were able to be in a musical super group in real life, who could you see yourself pairing up with?
Aww, man... If I had to go with guys who are out there, who I would like to be on stage with, then it would be myself, Tyrese, and Johnny Gill. I would probably put together something with myself and all the dark skin brothers in the game. We'd calls ourselves "Two Shades Removed From Grey" [laughs]. We would be the sexiest thing in the music game since the book.
On the show, your character and his family touch on the dynamic of having a relationship with your family while keeping it Christ-like. Do you have any advice for parents who are facing that dilemma in their own homes?
There's a lot going on in the world today, and it takes a great balance to navigate those worlds. I do think that people have the choice to be in-tune with one another. There is this new thing, though, that I can suggest: unplug from all technology and spend time really loving and understanding each other. I think those things can really help a family. Hell, any family for that matter. You always have to add that spiritual aspect element into your life, and it doesn't mean you have to be a holy roller too. You do want to have that element of having some spiritual aspect to your existence. Knowing that those blessings come from a higher power can help balance one's life out and help you meditate some of the other craziness that's going on in the world. That influence can influence your kids and even your marriage.
With that said, congratulations on becoming the new host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire! When do you begin production with that?
I begin taping with them this August, and we roll out episodes as early as September.
Trivia games themselves are unique because nowadays you can instantly search for answers. You can even get them beforehand, if you know how to use Google correctly. Are you and the team behind Millionaire going to change the format of the show that would fit a 21st Century model? Or would you keep it as is?
Most of the formula of the show is going to stay the same, truthfully. We're going to do a few other things that will make it harder for people to come up with easy answers. We've already got rid of the lifeline—where you can call a friend and get an answer from them. Because of that, it stops someone from consulting Google for the answer and have it ready for you, y'know?! A lot of the things that will go into making Millionaire will be things that happen inside the studio. I'm pitching them ideas on how to mix things up. I want to play these quick-hit games with random people in the audience where they have no idea what to expect. The audience will come into the studio and they'll be qualified to win certain things. I'll have a few people that I have already picked out and they won't even know it. So, even if you are a knowledgeable person, we're going to catch you up right in the headlights. You won't really even have a chance to Google an answer. And, even if you thought you were well-prepared, you won't see what we have coming and that will throw you off. We're hoping to plan those little surprise moments so that they can be interesting for the audience to watch on television. Our hope is for someone, who is watching from home, to think to themselves, "Aww, I would have been ready!" So, we can be like, "Naw, bruh, you wouldn't have been ready. You had no idea this was coming at all."
Being that life still feels like a recession still, can we up the prize money to four million dollars, or something like that?
[Laughs] Yeah, I wish! After taxes, you're not left with much, and you need to get back into the game to make more money. You'd need to win twice just to pay the taxes.
Next... The Entertainer talks about Real Husbands and staying busy
4
4
You were quite the surprise on Kevin Hart's smash hit show on BET. That was a true and unexpected twist! Will you be joining the gang on the next season as well?
This current season that's in the works, the one they just shot, well, I wasn't able to be a part of it. We've been going back-and-forth about me making an appearance on the next, next season when they come back. I look forward to being a part of it, man. Kevin's a good guy and the show is really fun.
How much of the comedy between you guys is improv? Or, are the dialogue between you guys actually scripted through-and-through?
It was a really great combination of both. That's what is so fun about the show. Chris Spencer, who is one of the creators and executive producers of the show, is a friend with all of us guys. He's one of those brothers that we all love and respect, and I love his brand of comedy. So he'll write out the scenes and he instantly knows your beats. Then, the great thing about a show like The Real Husbands of Hollywood is that with so many funny comedians, you just find yourself jumping off the page. So, it doesn't even matter if you improvise. You just start rattling off great stuff, and even if it doesn't make the cut, it's still hilarious bits. There was a whole run about all the Kings of Comedy, about Steve [Harvey] having a hundred game shows, D.L. [Hughley] getting all political. The guys are asking me if I'm "left wing or right wing," and I shoot back, "I like sandwiches." All of that was freestyle, just going off the dome totally with that. It was a lot of fun!
J.B. [Smoove] is running and jumping into the pool [laughs]. It was really just things that happened in the moment because we were out doing one another. It reminded me of those old days, way back before Kings of Comedy, y'know? Those old Def Comedy Jam days when we would riff and go back-and-forth with one another. We would just attempt to up the joke. You go with one and then on to the next one, and just make it bigger.
The comedy game and how it operates has changed thanks to the likes of Louis C.K. and Aziz Ansari. Selling tickets through the Internet and creating a dynamic experience are the norm within the culture. With rumors floating of Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle doing a tour together, do you see yourself hitting the road hard and coming out with your own unique show?
I'm really trying to design that now, even with this show's schedule going up. I've been constantly thinking about hitting the road. I'll still go and do spot dates here and there. I always am trying to find ways to stay busy. But there has been some talk of trying to really formulate a plan. Steve's retired... We talked about going out and doing the "Dynamic Duo" tour, but I think that that won't happen. I want to do a really big show. I definitely love the idea of it, as I will always love performing stand-up. I believe it's one of the key things that motivates me to do creative television and movies. So, I would look forward to performing, in creating ideas that get the laughter out there into the world, and having a platform—but in a Kings of Comedy-esque way.
The Soul Man series also stars John Beasley and Wesley Jonathan, and returns for its second season tonight on TV Land at 11:00 p.m. / 10:00 p.m. CT.
The Vibe Mix Newsletter
All things VIBE.
Daily - Straight to your inbox.
Whoops!
All things VIBE.
You have signed up and will start receiving the Vibe Mix Newsletter immediately.
