Roland with the homies

20160615_080245Yes, I am proud of that title. Yes, I realize how corny I am.

Last Wednesday, I was a guest on TV One’s NewsOne Now with Roland Martin. Each week he has on a panel of comics on for his Wild’n Out Wednesday segment. There were just two of us on the panel—me and the super funny, Skiba. We were scheduled to talk about some funny news stories, but we wound up just clowning each other for the whole segment. I explained to the guys why they couldn’t call me “puffy.” And Skiba tried to assassinate Roland with a cigar. It didn’t air live because there was breaking news, so I’m thinking it may air tomorrow morning; I haven’t heard anything yet, though. The show airs weekdays at 7am on TV One, so check it out if you can!

Me and Skiba

Me and Skiba

Me and Roland

Me and Roland

Me and the peacock. Ding, ding, ding.

Me and the peacock.
Ding, ding, ding.

Exhale vs. Empire

That awkward moment on stage when you realize your talk show has been moved to the same time slot as “Empire…”

Last nite, I headlined the Virginia Beach Funny Bone and I began the show by commenting on how many black folks were in the audience. I was honestly surprised because Wednesday nite is “Empire” night in most black households these days, and these folks chose to forego that and come out to see me. In case you’ve been living under a rock, the show is a mammoth hit that gains more and more viewers each week. I was really grateful.

At the close of the show, I was telling the audience about “Exhale,” and inviting them to tune in and support, when I realized that we are on during the “Empire” time slot — Wednesdays at 9pm. I was recording my set, as I always do, so I caught that moment of realization for posterity. These folks came out last nite, but they weren’t trying to make it a habit… THE GOOD NEWS is that we premiere on May 6 — well after the “Empire” (and “black-ish” finale(s), so there are no excuses. Amen.

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes video I shot on our last day on set for “Exhale” season 3. We have a lot of fun together and we have great conversations. I hope you’ll tune in and check us out!

Dream Come True

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So… we’re back in the studio shooting the third season of our talk show, “Exhale” and I’m super happy the band’s all back together! We just wrapped day one, and it was probably the best day of my entire life. Better than the day I was on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Better than the day Wanda Sykes tweeted “I love @ejthecomic.” Better than the day I first tried Nutella.

Because today I got to interview Johnny Gill.

I have loved Johnny Gill since I was about 9 years old. In fact, his was the first CD I ever owned. When my dad bought our family’s first CD player in 1990, my mom and I went straight to Sam Goody. She got Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and I picked out “Johnny Gill.” He is the best singer (don’t waste your time trying to argue this point) and my favorite New Edition-er by far and I’ve bought every one of his subsequent albums. I try to catch him whenever he’s on TV and if any of my friends sees he’s going to be on something, they’re always sure to let me know.

During the first season of “Exhale,” we did a show where we had some of the hosts’ favorite entertainers as guests. During the planning stages I dropped several not-very-subtle hints that I would love to meet Johnny Gill. Our fabulous booker, Carol, tried to get him, but there was a scheduling conflict and he couldn’t make it. I was super sad and so I recorded this [wide] open video letter asking him to come on the show if we got renewed for a second season.

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I hope they choose me…

This week on “Exhale” we talk about Family — how to make time for love relationships, how to care and prepare for aging or ill parents, etc. In this short outtake Rene and I talk with Bryan Gaines, Co-Chair and Project Assistant for The University of Southern California Advocates for African American Elders Project. He had some great information about helping parents age with dignity and why it’s important to know which siblings parents want to handle their finances. Sadly, my folks only have one option.

Tune in to check us out Wednesday night at 8pm on ASPiRE!

Last Comic Standing is back!

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Hey guys! Last Comic Standing is back for season 8 and guess who’s gonna be on it…? That’s right, Roseanne Barr and Keenen Ivory Wayans. And also, me. The show premieres May 22 at 9pm on NBC and If you watch the clip below very slowly you can see me for about a millisecond. My very first TV appearance was on this show in 2008. I did pretty well, but I hated the cameras and competing against friends and… I swore I’d never do it again. But then I found out this season is being produced by my faves, Wanda Sykes and Page Hurwitz, and that it was by invite only and that the comics will compete in several comedy disciplines (stand-up, improv and sketch) and so I decided to give it another go. I don’t know yet which night I’ll be appearing so tune in starting this Thursday and to see how far I get!

Allergies are expensive and the feeling is mutual

Last nite was the premiere of my episode of “Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious.” I know there was playoff football happening plus a ton of other stuff so in case you missed it, here’s part of my set — a bit about the allergy attacks I was having all summer. There really has to be a cheaper way to do allergy testing.

Thanks to all of you who had such nice things to say about my set. I was super nervous running the lead-off leg for a Judy Gold/Sheryl Underwood/Wanda Sykes relay, but I’m pretty happy with the end result. AND THEN THIS HAPPENED…

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And it obviously made my day/week/year (I know I skipped month). The feeling is soooo mutual! I’m so grateful Page and Wanda invited me to be part of their show. It was really one of the best times I’ve had doing this job! If you didn’t catch it, I’m sure it’ll be repeated. Or you can just stop by my crib and watch it on the DVR. Either way.

Herlarious

Hey guys! Check me out this Saturday, January 11 on OWN’s “Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious.” We shot at Harpo in the studio where the Oprah Winfrey Show took place, plus Sheryl Underwood and Judy Gold are also on this episode. WHAT A BLAST!!! I was super nervous with those ladies, plus Wanda, watching me backstage. Hope I don’t look as nervous as I felt. Either way it was huge fun! I hope you’ll tune in.